Proverb exchange

Posted proverbs

Afrikaans - Bengali - Chinese - Danish - Dutch - English - Gujarati - Hindi - Indonesian - Ilocano - Marshallese - Portuguese (Brazil) - Russian - Sesotho - Spanish - Tagalog - Twi - Ukrainian - Urdu - Xhosa

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English

proverb: Hope is life
meaning: The life without hope is nothing

proverb: Past is a good teacher who gives homeworks for the present and classworks for the future

proverb: take the bull by it's horns
meaning: Do it

proverb: INFORMATION IS KNOWLDGE,KNOWLEDGE IS POWER
meaning: GET AS MUCH INFORMATION ABOUT EVERYTHING ITS GOING TO BE USED TO YOUR BENEFIT SOMEDAY

proverb: Life is a donedeal called "Do It Yourself"
meaning: You have to be independent at all costs.
name: Terrence

proverb: all is fair in love and war
meaning: people in love and soldiers in wartime are not bound by the rules of fair play
name: baby_girl_2004_22@hotmail.com

proverb: Don't kick a gift horse in its mouth
meaning: When someone gives you a gift you should be greatful, and not
complain.
name: JYM

proverb: It's not about the size of the dog in the fight, the the size of the fight in the dog.
meaning: it doesn't matter what the size is physically, but who goes the longest is what really matters.
name: Willie

proverb: Part of knowing who you are is knowing who you aren't.
meaning: You can discover your identity by figuring out what traits you don't possess.
name: SPd14u

proverb: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
meaning: Don't assume something good is going to happen before it happens. Don't assume you have something good before you actually get it.

proverb: Let bygones be bygones.
meaning: Forgive the past. Forgive and forget.
name: Mohammed Amin

proverb: Bury the hatchet.
Meaning: Forgive the past. Forgive and forget.
Name: Mohammed Amin

proverb: It's better to be pissed off then pissed on.
Meaning: This is saying that whatever you're upset about, it could be
worse.
Name: Tara

proverb: Don't kick a gift horse in its mouth.
Meaning: When someone does something for you, don't complain.
Name: Tara

proverb: We shape our buildings and then our buildings shape
us.
Meaning:... under discussion in the open forum..

Proverb: What goes around comes around.
Meaning: Having to do with Kharma. What ever you do will eventually come back to you, good or bad.
Name: Phil Tayag

proverb: If you speak with big words, know what your talking about.
Meaning: Take the time to have a vocabulary.
Name: Isaiah Robinson

example: Hard head makes a soft ass.
Meaning: If your bad you will get in trouble a lot.
Name: Isaiah Robinson

proverb: Don't count the days, make the days count.
Meaning: Don't dwell on the time, make the time you are spending count.
Name: Kim

proverb: Life is not a dress rehearsal.
Meaning: You only get one shot, so don't mess it up. Make the best of it.
Name: Kim

proverb: If you don't like mustard, don't open a deli.
Meaning: Don't get involved in something if you don't like the details.

Proverb: If you lie with dogs, you get up with fleas.
Meaning: If you hang around with sleazy low-life, you'll end up being one yourself, or having such characteristics.

Proverb: An inch of time is an inch of gold, but you can't buy that inch of time with an inch of gold.
Meaning: It's saying that time is precious, you can't buy time with money!
name: cici

proverb: A fall in a pit, a gain in wit.
Meaning: If you did something wrong, you'll learn something from this experience, so next time you won't make the same mistake.
Name: cici

proverb: The toes you step on today may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow.
Meaning: Be careful not to offend people because you may be at their mercy later.

Proverb: Time flies when you're having fun.
Meaning: When you are enjoying yourself, you are not conscious of time, so it passes quickly.

Proverb: Scratch my back and I'll scratch yours !
meaning: If you treat me nice, I'll treat you equally, or : Do me a favor or just please me - and I will be delighted to return it to you or please you
name: Lera

proverb: Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Meaning: Beauty is perceived differently be different people.

Proverb: It's not the float of the boat, it's the motion of the ocean.
Meaning: It's not body size or shape that matters, but how you use it.

Proverb: A penny saved is a penny earned.
Meaning: It takes as much effort to save a penny as it does to make one.

Proverb: Better to be trampled on by asses' hooves than be the thing the ass's mind approves.
Meaning: It's better to be persecuted by evil forces than to be accepted by them, mainly because evil forces suck!
name: Hambone

proverb: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Meaning: Don't count of things, anything can happen...
name: Angela

proverb: Don't cry over spilt milk
meaning: Face the consequences of what you do

proverb: "I believe I've found the missing link between animal and civilized man. It is us." Konrad Lorenz
meaning: Human beings are generally lowly evolved.
Name: Hambone

proverb: "If you pay peanuts, you get monkeys." Armand Hammer
meaning: Companies can pay people minimum wage to do work, but they will tend to get people who don't take the job too seriously, because they're being paid low wages. What the company gains in giving low wages it loses in the quality of the employees it attracts.
Name: Hambone

proverb: It ain't over til the fat lady sings.
meaning: It isn't over until it's over. NOTE: I don't know where this comes from. Can anybody out there tell me?

proverb: It is'nt over untill the fat lady sings.
meaning: In old opras, the writer liked to have a grand finale with a loud saprano singer. Unfortunatly, the only women who could sing loud enough for the entire concert hall to hear (before the time of electronics) were rather large women. Large women large lungs.
name: Stefani

proverb: "Man is God Playing Fool" Emerson
meaning: Humankind has an amazing, even divine, capacity, but usually acts like monkies.
name: Shawn

proverb: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
meaning: If something is working properly, leave it alone.

proverb: " I give you an inch, and you take a mile."
meaning: dont take more than is offered.
name: Jenny Damon

proverb: "A stitch in time saves nine"
meaning: Deal with a problem while it's small and it will save you more trouble in the long run.
name: Shawn

proverb: Bad news travels fast.
meaning: Bad news is spread quickly. People hear bad news sooner than good news.

proverb: "Conformity is the ape of harmony." Emerson
meaning: It's easy to get along if we're all the same, but surviving our differences is the challenge. Emerson is saying that conformity is a low level of harmonious human relationships.
name: Shawn

proverb: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
meaning: Activity keeps one from getting all slimy.
name: Goober

proverb: "Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones."
meaning: Don't be a hypocrite
name: shawn

proverb: The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
meaning: Those who protest the loudest or who are most outspoken are paid more attention.

Afrikaans

proverb: Die doodskleed het geen sakke nie
meaning: He who dies cannot take any property with him to the afterlife.
name: cafeholique Afrikaans

proverb: Al dra 'n bobbejaan 'n goue ring, bly hy nog 'n lelike ding.
meaning: Even if a baboon wears a golden ring, it remains an ugly
thing. One should not be mislead by superficial changes. It rhymes in
Afrikaans.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Agteros kom ook in die kraal.
meaning: The ox that walks behind also gets into the kraal(a pen for
livestock). Even the underdog eventually succeeeds.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Wie nie waag nie, wen nie.
meaning: He who doesn't take risks, doesn't win.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: n Mak hond buit die seerste.
meaning: A tame dog's bite hurts the most.
name: Aubrey Franks

Bengali

proverb: GEON YOGI BHIKH PAAY NA
meaning: LITERAL: a saint(yogi)from his own village does not get alms.
MEANING:A person is initially ignored by his own people about his greatness. name: nirmal g kundu

idiom: kete paro
meaning: to go away
usage: bhaloy bhaloy ekhan theke KETE PARO (Run away from here when things are o.k)
name: nirmal

proverb: Baro yadi hote chao chhoto hao tabe
meaning: Literal:If you want to be big, be small
Meaning: Be humble to be great
name: nirmal g kundu

proverb: Aapani achari dharma parere shekhay
meaning: One shall practice what he preaches
name: nirmal g kundu

Danishz

proverb: You can't blow with your mouth and keep flour in it at the same time !
meaning: In some circumstances you have to choose between two incompatible things instead of doing both (for instance, both stay away and interfere at the same time).
language: danish
name: Lera

Chinese

proverb: "Shan bu4 zhuan3 lu4 zhuan3"
meaning: If the mountain doesn't move, move the route around the mountain.

proverb: "Yi4 xing4 xiang xi"

meaning: Different personalities attract each other.

Dutch

proverb: "One sprinkles the most sugar where the tart is burnt."
meaning: People will try to mask something negative by overdoing the positive, like when government offcials use lots of grand language in concealing or downplaying criminal activity.
name: Shawn

Gujarati

proverb: Jagya tya thi savar.
meaning: Translation: Its morning whenever you wake up.
Meaning: Its never too late to start doing the right thing.
name: Dharmesh

Hindi

proverb: haaton ki lakiron par vishwas nahi karna chahiye kyunki takdir to unki bhi hoti hai jinke haath nahi hote hai
meaning: its better to do ur work than being superstitious and waiting for the right time
your future does not depend on the lines of ur hands coz ppl who do not have hands also have a future

proverb: Jab Laxmi tilak karti ho, tab muh dhone nahi jana chahiye.
meaning: Explaination in for non hindi speaking: When Laxmi(goddess of furtune) is doing tilak (you might have seen hindus having red color on their forehead when they are coming from temple. That's called tilak. And it is considered blessing from God.) don't go for to wash your face.
Meaning: When opportunity is at your door step, just grab it orelse you are going to loose the opportunity.
name: Dharmesh

proverb:
1)Ghar ki Murqi daal brabar.
2)Aik teer say doo shekaar.
3)Shak ka elaaj tu Hakeem Luqman kay pass bhi nien tha.
meaning:
1)Home grown Chiken is just like a Pulse or its mean if you gonna bake your home grown chicken at your dinner-- doesn't taste good or things that are easy to get doesn't worth!!!
2)Make two hunt by one bullet or Get two thing in one step
3)Doubt has no cure!!! or famous ancient doctor Luqman wasn't able to cure stupid thought.
name: AdaMs Dept of Public administration university of karachi

Indonesian

proverb: air susu dibalas dengan air tuba
meaning: kebaikan dibalas dengan kejahatan
language: indonesian
name: angela

Ilocano

proverb: NO saan nga makaammo a mangtaliaw iti naggapuanna Saan a makadanon iti papananna.
meaning: He who does not look back at his past (where he came from) will not be able to reach his destination
name: Carl Rubino

proverb: Uray kukua a tawiden, no adda la ket naimbag a nakem
meaning: One need not inherit wealth if he inherits good manners (Ilocano proverb)
name: Carl Rubino

proverb: Ti kamatis, di agbunga't mangga
meaning: The tomato plant doesn't grow mangos (a good person doesn't come from a bad family) Ilocano proverb
name: Carl Rubino

proverb: Uray kukua a tawiden, no adda la ket naimbag a nakem
meaning: One need not inherit wealth if he inherits good manners (Ilocano proverb)
name: Carl Rubino

Marshallese

proverb: Ruumij im lo leen.
meaning: Be late and see consequences.
language: marshallese

Portuguese

proverb: "Who plays with fire pees on the bed."
translation: "Quem mexe com fogo faz xixi na cama."
language: Portuguese
note: This is an old proverb used for parents to keep children far from fire.
name: Ricardo

proverb: Tirar a barriga de misérias.
meaning: To do something for the first time in a long time- means u get to do it in such a way as never before...

Russian

proverb: Sem' raz otmer' - odin raz otrezh' / ???? ??? ?????? - ???? ??? ?????? / Do the measuring seven times before you cut.
meaning: Always think carefully of the consequences and whether it's worth or not doing before you
actually do something.

proverb: To be afraid of wolves means not to go to the wood!
meaning: You should takes risks if you want to get something. Obstacles are natural.
language: russian
name: Lera

proverb: "The wolf will hire himself out very cheaply as a sheperd."
meaning: I'm finding it difficult to put the meaning of this one into words. I'll post it later in the discussion forum.
name: Hambone

Sanskrit

proverb: SATYAMEBA JAYTE (in Sanskrit language)
meaning: truth only wins (prevails)
name: nirmal g kundu

proverb: MOUNAM SAMMATI LAKSHANAM (in Sanskrit language)
meaning: silence indicates acceptance
name: nirmal g kundu

Sesotho

proverb: mosha hao fula oa qamaka
meaning: you have to be careful in everything you do
use: mosha hao fula oa qamaka
name: Mak Mohale

proverb: Ho tsamaea ke ho bona
meaning: Literal: to travel is to see. It means the more one travels the more they become open-minded and learned.
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: Thupa e kojoa esale metsi
meaning: A stick is bent while it's soft (otherwise it breaks): children are disciplined while they're still young.
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: Mphe-mphe e ea lapisa
meaning: Begging and asking will only leave you hungry (ie you must
work in order to eat)
language: sesotho
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: Ntja-peli ha e hloloe ke sebata
meaning: Power is in number
name: Bofelo

proverb: Nonyana e haela ka ts'iba tsa e 'ngoe
meaning: One always needs assistance to start his own thing
name: Bofelo

proverb: Ha ho tsuonyana phatela 'ngoe, 'ngoe le 'ngoe e ea iphatela
meaning: In life each is for himself only,(especially when it comes to finding things for oneself)
name: Bofelo

proverb: lesholu ke le ts'oeroeng
meaning: The guitly is the one who is caught
name: Bofelo

proverb: motsoalle oa lesholu ke lesholu
meaning: One can be guilty of association
language: sesotho

proverb: ngoana lekhala o tsamaea ka lekeke joaloka 'mae
meaning: children will most of the time show the character of their family
name: Bofelo

proverb: Mamello e tsoala katleho
meaning: Patience begets success
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: Ea bohlale o ithuta kamehla.
meaning: The wise person learns something everyday.
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: Lepotla-potla le ja poli, lesisitheho le ja khomo.
meaning: If you're slow you get to eat a goat, if you're quick you get to eat a cow.
name: Rethabile Masilo

proverb: lekanyane ho phela le liretse
meaning: Only those who are not scared to get all muddy and sweaty makes it
name: Bofelo Kotsane

proverb: Ngoana phakoe se ipolele, motho o motle h'a boleloa ke batho.
meaning: Do not brag about your success, it is usually better when other people praise you.
name: Rethabile Masilo

Spanish

proverb: no cantes victoria meaning: don't think you have won the war till it has finished.

proverb: De tal palo tal astilla
meaning: Sometimes You see your son acting the same particular behavior that his father has, you say that he has learned it from his father
usage: Omar tiene muy buenas calificaciones en matematica, igual que su padre , de tal palo tal astilla

Tagalog

proverb: Ang pikon talo.
meaning: The short-tempered always lose.

proverb: Ang hindi marunong lumingon sa nakaraan, ay hindi makakarating sa patutunguhan
meaning: He who does not look back at his past (where he came from) will not be able to reach his destination
name: Carl Rubino

Twi

proverb: okoto nwo anoma
language: TWI(From ghana)
meaning: Birds give birth,but not to crabs
use: "Alex took a phone at the market that did not belong to him,and he was taken to the police station"said Emma."what do you expert" replied Joyce- birds give birth,but certainly not to crabs;he took after his mum
name: NANA

Ukrainian

proverb: Hey girl, if you eat cabbage, you will have a pretty face. (the proverb rhymes in old Ukrainian)
meaning: Cabbage is good for your health and looks
language: Ukrainian
name: Lera

Urdu

proverb: Mazhab nahi shikhata apas mein beir rakhana.
meaning: Religion does not teach you to make enemies.
name: Dharmesh

proverb: Jahan Chah waha rah
meaning: This one has same meaning and exactly same as an English proverb. Where there is a will, there is way.
name: Dharmesh

Xhosa

proverb: Umtathi uyawuzala umlotha.
meaning: The umtathi tree begets ash.
Although the umtathi is a good tree, it turns to ash when burnt.It
means that a good person can have bad children.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Ungalibali intaka yobusi.
meaning: Don't forget the honey bird.
Give the honey bird some of the honey it helped you to find.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Ithemba liyaphilisa.
meaning: Hope causes one to live.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Alitshoni lingenandaba.
meaning: It (the sun) doesn't set without news.
There's fresh news every day.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Ukuhamba kukufunda.
or
Ukuhamba yimfundo.
meaning: Travelling is learning.
or
Travelling is education.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Induku ayinamzi.
meaning: A stick doesn't have a home. Violence leads to a broken home.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Isiziba siviva ngodondolo.
meaning: A hole in a river (isiziba) is felt with a long stick
(udondolo). Look before you leap.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Ingcibi yamanzi ifa ngamanzi.
meaning: Too difficult too explain in English. You die doing what you
do for a living. Like live by the sword. die by the sword.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Intaka yakha ngoboya benye.
meaning: A bird builds (it's nest) with another's feathers.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Indlovu ayisindwa ngumboko wayo.
meaning: An elephant's trunk does not weigh it down.
Everyone should carry their own burden.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Iqaqa aliziva kunuka.
meaning: A skunk does not smell itself. People are unaware of their shortcomings.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Ungalahl'imbo yakho ngopoyiyana.
meaning: Do not throw away what is valuable for what is worthless.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Isala-kutyelwa sibona ngolophu.
meaning: A person who never listens to advice will see because of a
bergwind(a warm wind that descends from a mountain towards the sea).
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Isiqhelo siyayoyisa ingqondo.
meaning: A habit conquers the mind.
name: Aubrey Franks

proverb: Umntu ngumtu ngabantu.
meaning: A person is a person because of other people. No man's an
island.
name: Aubrey Franks