Proverbs

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No rose is without thorns.
Meaning: No one is perfect.

 

 

A good year is determined by its spring.
Meaning: As goes the spring, so goes the year.
Usage: Character and quality show up early.

 

 

Whatever you sow you reap.
Meaning: A person gets his just deserts.

 

 

There is a path to the top of even the highest mountain.
Meaning: (a) God is more powerful than the proudest of persons. (b) Where there is a will there is a way.

 

 

A tree doesn’t move unless there is wind.
Meaning: Where there is smoke there is fire, or every effect has a cause.

 

 

Don’t stop a donkey that isn’t yours.
Meaning: Mind your own business.

 

 

There are twenty-five uncaught sparrows for a penny.
Meaning: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, or wishes are a dime a dozen.

 

 

A porcupine speaking to its baby says, " O my child of velvet."
Meaning: One’s own child is especially dear for him/her.

 

 

A wolf’s pup will grow into a wolf even though it be raised among men.
Meaning: Training can not change herdity: or, you can not change a leopard’s spots: or, what is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh.

 

 

Flourish like a flower, but may your life be longer.
Meaning: When one is offered some flowers.

 



 

 
 
 

A real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness.
Meaning: A friend in need is a friend indeed.

 

 

There is a way from heart to heart.
Meaning: Love finds a way to another’s heart.

 

 

The first day you meet, you are friends. The next day you meet, you are brothers.
Meaning: Friendship grows into brotherhood.

 

 

A river is not cntaminated by having a dog drink from it. Meaning: One of good character is pure despite criticism.

 

 

A tilted load won’t reach its destination.
Meaning: Honesty is the best policy.

 

 

It’s the same donkey, but with a new saddle.
Meaning: Clothes do not make the man.
Usage: Said of some one who has recently gained a high position unworthily.

 

 

Reading Scripture in front of a donkey.
Meaning: Casting your pearls before swine.

 

 

Without a green switch the ox and the donkey won’t obey. Meaning: Spare the rod and spoil the child.

 

 

Without investigating the water, don't take off your shoes (to walk through it).
Meaning: "Look before you leap."

 

 

One flower doesn’t bring spring.
Meaning: One swallow doesn’t make a spring. Usage: Said of a person who tries to do too much himself.



 

 


They asked the fox, "Who is your witness?" He said, "My tail,"
Meaning: Collusion is suspected: or, one withness for his own benefit.


A lion at home, and a fox abroad.
Meaning: A big frog in a little pond becomes a little frog in a big pond: or, every dog is a lion at home.
Usage: Character and quality show up early.


A fox is in trouble because of his own pelt.
Meaning: A person’s own health or possessions can involve him in trouble, thus becoming his own worst enemy.


He is riding the donkey, but has lost the donkey.
Meaning: (a) Meaning: If it had been a snake, it would have bitten you; or, not making the same mistake twice.


In an ant colony dew is a flood.
Meaning: A little misfortune means much to one in need.


Having been bitten by a snake, be's afraid of a rope.
Meaning: Once bitten, twice shy: or , not making the same mistake twice.


If there is only bread and onions, still have a happy face.
Meaning: "Be content with such things as you have."


God said, "Eat and drink," but He didn't say, "Gorge to the full (up to your throat)."
Meaning: One’s own child is especially dear for him/her.

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Every anguish passes except the anguish of hunger.
Meaning:One can forget other troubles, but not the need of food.


A warm fire is better than any delicious food.
Meaning: Warmth is more important than food.
One who doesn't appreciate the apple, won't appreciate the orchard.
Meaning:If we don't appreciate little things, we won't appreciate great things.


Two watermelons can't be held in one hand.
Meaning: If you have too many preoccupations, you will succeed at none of them.


Salt preserves meat, but what can be done with salt if it is bad.
Meaning: Ordinary people can be corrected, but how can one correct teachers, leaders and preachers: or, if salt has lost its savor it is good for nothing.


A mother won't give milk to her child until he cries. Meaning: Unless we ask for something, we don't get it.


Even if a knife is made of gold, a person won't stab his own heart with it.
Meaning: Don't side with your best friend or evern with your son if he is in the wrong.


A new servant can catch a running deer.
Meaning: A person who is new at a job is overly energetic in an attempt to make a good impression.


He ran out from under a leaking roof and sat in the rain. Meaning:Out of the frying pan into the fire.


My drum doesn't do what I want it to.
Meaning:Used when a servant, child or student doesn't do what you have told him to do.


Only stretch you foot to the length of your blanket.
Meaning: "Cut your coat according to your cloth:" or, don't overstretch your bounds.


Walls have mice and mice have ears.
Meaning:Secrets told are spread abroad.


Without investigating the water, don't take off your shoes (to walk through it).   Meaning:  "Look before you leap."  
  


Five fingers are brothers but are not equals.  
Meaning:  Although people may be related by family or nationality each person nevertheless is different.  
  


A broken hand can work but a broken heart can't.  
Meaning:  A physical handicap can be overcome, but a wounded spirit cannot be overcome.  
  


May God not make one hand dependent on the other.  
Meaning:  Each one should bear his own burdens and shoulder his own responsibilities.  
  


Hearing is never as good as seeing.  
Meaning:  One picture is worth thousands of words.  
  


A bad wound heals, but a bad word doesn't.  
Meaning:  A cruel tongue does more harm than a sharp sword.  
  


If you sit with us, you will get like us; if you sit beside a cooking pot, you will get black.  
Meaning:  You reflect the company you keep.  
  


Not to be considered queer conform to the crowd.  
Meaning:  If you don't want to look silly, look like others.  


between brother and brother, accounts should be square.  
Meaning:  Even among friends, business should be carried on on an exact basis.  
  


One gives by tons, but takes accounts by ounces.  
Meaning:  Give liberally, but do business exactly.  


No one says his own buttermilk is sour.  
Meaning:  No one advertises his own faults.  
  


Good perfume is known by its scent rather than by the perfumer's advertisement.  
Meaning:  A good tree is known by its fruit, or, the proof of the pudding is in the eating.  
  


Poor iron won't make a sharp sword.  
Meaning:  You can't get quality out of inferior raw material.  
  


A cheap thing doesn't lack defect, nor an expensive thing quality.  
Meaning:  You get what you pay for.  
  


Vinegar that is free, is sweeter than honey.  
Meaning:  People love getting something for nothing.  
  


Debt severs (is the scissors of) love.  
Meaning:  Lend money to a friend, and he'll become an enemy.  
  


Too many butchers spoil the cow.  
Meaning:   Too many cooks spoil the broth.  
  


He has soaked a hundred heads (preparing them for shaving), but hasn't shaved one.  
Meaning:  Used of a person who starts a lot but doesn't finish and so has many monuments to unfinished business.  
  


The potter drinks water from a broken jug.  
Meaning:  Used of a physician who doesn't heal himself, or of one who helps others but doesn't help himself.  
  


What's a trumpeter's job?  
To blow.  
Meaning:  An adviser, teacher or preacher can only instruct, it is up the hearer/advisee to act.   


Unless God does it, what can a doctor do?  
Meaning:  If God doesn't cure a person, a physician can't; or, man may plant and water, but God must bring the increase.  


Blood cannot be washed out with blood.  
Meaning:  Two wrongs don't make a right.  
 
The sieve says to the strainer, "You have holes." 
Meaning:  Used of a guilty person who finds fault with others.  


You can't clap with one hand. 
Meaning:  (a) It takes two to make a fight. 
                  (b) Many hands make light work;                      or, in union there is strength. 

 
Don't be a thief and won't fear the king. 
Meaning:  "The righteous are as bold as a lion." 

 
Look after your property, and you won't accuse your neighbour of being a thief.  
Meaning:  If one takes proper care of his possessions, he won't have to suspect his neighbour of stealing.   

 
I have never seen anyone go astray who followed along the right way. 
Meaning:  You will never go wrong by doing right.  

 
A liar is forgetful.  
Meaning:  A dishonest person can't remember to be consistent. 

  
Under his bowl there is a little bowl.  
Meaning:  A person smells a rat; or, there is a trick to his trade, or, "there is something rotten in the state of Denmark".   

 
He appreciates prosperity who is caught in calamity.
Meaning:  Troubles make us appreciate our blessings, or, we never know the worth of water until the well runs dry.   
  



 
If a forest catches fire, both the dry and wet will burn up.  
Meaning:  When trouble comes, it overtakes guilty and innocent alike.



When water goes over your head, what difference if it's one fathom or a hundred fathoms.  
Meaning:  As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb.   
   

Don't sprinkle salt on my wound.  
Meaning:  Don't aggravate a person's trouble; or, don't attack a man while he is down.  
  
 
Forget the past, but look out in the future.  
Meaning:  What has happened is water under the bridge, but don't let it happen again.   
  
 
In the ditch where water has flowed, it will flow again.   
Meaning:  Previous prosperity will follow disaster.   
   
 
One who runs will also fall.  
Meaning:  Calamity can come as well as prosperity.   
   

Hasty work doesn't succeed.  
Meaning:  Haste makes waste, or, a watch pot never boils.   
   

Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.  
Meaning:   All things come to one who waits.   
  
 
A river is made drop by drop.  
Meaning:  Every little bit counts; or, progress comes from accomplishing many small things.   
  
 
He hasn't time even to scratch his head.  
Meaning:  He is as busy as a one-armed paper hanger.   

 
The seeker is the finder.    
Meaning:  "Seek and ye shall find."  

 
Smart people get the point from a single hint.  
Meaning:  A word to the wise is sufficient.  



Two are better than one, and three than two. 
Meaning: Two minds are better than one, and three than two. 
 


A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend.
Meaning: Seek good advice no mater what its source. 
 

 
The right answer to a fool is silence.
Meaning: You will get into trouble if you argue with a fool and therefore silence is golden. 
 

 
As long as there are fools in the world, no one will be penniless.
Meaning: Spendthrifts are foolish. 
 

 
Ask the truth from a child. 
Meaning: An innocent child will give a true answer. 
 


Being clean is the half of faith. 
Meaning: Cleanliness is next to godliness.
 


The world lives on hope.
Meaning: Don't get discouraged because we must have hope to live and work alright. 
 

 
Let Christians practice their own religion, and Jews practice theirs. 
Meaning: People should have freedom of religion.
 
Saying salaam is a sign of true faith.
Meaning: A sincere greeting is an expression of real religion.


Glory is fitting to God alone. 
Meaning: A person should not be proud.

 
If you don't recognize God, at least know Him by His power. 
Meaning: A person who doesn't believe in God should know He exists by His works in nature.

 
When God gives, He doesn't ask whose son a person is.
Meaning: God blesses without partiality or without regard for rank or importance.

 
What my heart desired didn't happen; what God wanted was really done.
Meaning: Man proposes, God disposes.

 
God isn't in need of our prayers.
Meaning: God hears us out of His mercy alone.


God has said, "Start moving so that I may start blessing."
Meaning: We must do our part for God to bless; or, God helps those who help themselves. 

 
In childhood you are palyful, In youth you are lustful In old age you are feeble, So when will you before God be worshipful? 
Meaning: It is easy to find excuses for not worshiping God.

 
Fear the person who doesn't fear God.
Meaning: Don't trust the man who doesn't trust in God.

 
May Kabul be without gold rather without snow.
Meaning: Snow on the mountains around Kabul is more valuable to agriculture and life than gold.