Proverbs and Sayings 301-370

Proverbs and Sayings
301. The robe/cowl does not make the monk.
One's appearance should not be used to judge one's character.

302. The early bird catches the worm.
People who are late to arrive tend to miss opportunities already seized by others who come earlier.

303. The end justifies the means.
A worthy objective can never be justified by employing evil means to achieve it.

304. The exception proves the rule.
The existence of an exception to a rule shows that the rule itself exists and is applicable in other cases

305. The face is the index of the mind. / The eyes are the mirrors of the soul.
A person's face/eyes often reveal his or her thoughts, feelings, or character.

306. The grapes are sour.
This refers to someone's behavior or opinion when they are angry because something they want is unattainable.

307. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
Anything such as situation, place, job, lifestyle, etc that is not our own always seems to be better.

308. The greater the truth, the greater the libel.
Some people are hurt more by a true accusation than a false one.

309. The jury is still out.
This means to say people do not yet know the answer or have a definite opinion about something.

310. The king can do no wrong.
This means the king above the law as the king is not bound by the rules and regulations that apply to others.

311. The last straw that breaks the camel's back.
The last one in a series of problems, provocations, etc. that finally causes a person to react such as giving up, getting angry, retaliating, etc.

312. The love of money is the root of all evil.
Greed is the main cause of much of the evil in this world.

313. The more the merrier.
There is usually more fun when there are more people participating in an activity.

314. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Thinking and writing have more influence on people and events than the use of force or violence.

315. The pot calling the kettle black.
Someone criticizes another person for a fault that they have themselves.

316. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
One cannot be certain of the quality of something until one has tasted, felt or used it.

317. The remedy is worse than the disease.
The means used to solve a problem is more damaging than the original problem.

318. The sky's the limit.
There is almost no limit to what one can do such as indulging, spending, earning, achieving, etc.

319. The stream cannot rise above its source.
Nothing can be better than the source from which it originates.

320. The unexpected always happens.
Something not anticipated or predicted will happen for which we are not prepared and this is always a certainty.

321. There are more ways to kill a cat than by choking it with cream.
If we fail in one way to accomplish something, there are other ways we can choose from.

322. There are two sides to every question.
One should view an issue from two different angles, both of which are worthy of careful thought.

323. There's no smoke without fire / Where there is smoke there is fire.
If unpleasant things are said about someone or something, there is probably a good reason for it.

324. There's safety in numbers.
Being a member of a group makes one feel protected or not exposed to danger.

325. Throw the baby out with the bath water.
Get rid of the whole thing when only part of it is no longer useful or desirable and as a result, lose valuable ideas.

326. Tied to one's mother's/wife's apron strings.
Being strongly influenced and controlled by someone.

327. Time and tide waits for no man.
We should not delay doing things as we cannot stop the passing of time.

328. To cut off your nose to spite your face.
To do something to hurt others but it causes more harm to you.

329. To kill two birds with one stone.
Everybody makes mistakes and it is necessary to forgive them for their mistakes.

330. To look for a needle in a haystack.
Something that is virtually impossible to look for.

331. To put the cart before the horse.
Not following the proper order when doing something.

332. To turn over a new leaf.
To start becoming better than before.

333. Tomorrow is another day.
Don't worry or even if you worry, just think that tomorrow things may become better.

334. Tomorrow never comes.
Things will never get done if we keep putting them off until tomorrow.

335. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Too many people involved in doing something will destroy the quality of the outcome.

336. Trifles make perfection, and perfection is no trifle.
Striving for perfection requires focusing on things which are of little value or importance and is no small matter.

337. Truth is stranger than fiction.
Real events are more unusual than imaginary ones.

338. Two wrongs don't make a right.
Wrongful acts can never be justifiable, even if another person does the same.

339. Two's company, three's none.
Two people who take pleasure in each other's company will regard another person as an unwelcome intruder.

340. Upset the apple cart.
Cause trouble, especially by spoiling another person's plans.

341. Virtue is its own reward.
The feeling of satisfaction of having done something right is itself a reward.

342. Walls have ears.
What we say may be overheard.

343. Water seeks its own level.
People tend to be drawn toward, or end up with, others of the same background.

344. Waste not, want not.
Don't waste anything and you will never be in need of it.

345. Well begun is half done.
A good start to a task ensures its quick completion.

346. What can't be cured must be endured.
We must learn to put up with things that cannot be endured.

347. What/whatever man has done, man can do.
If someone has done something, it is not impossible for others to do it.

348. What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.
We are not bothered by or feel concern about what we are not aware of.

349. Whatever's worth doing at all is worth doing well.
Completing a task is not enough, one must put in one's best effort.

350. When in doubt, leave out / When in doubt, do nothing.
If one is not sure what to do, it's best to do nothing at all.

351. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
When visiting or living another country, one should behave like the people in that country.

352. When the cat's away, the mice will play.
When the person in charge is away, the people there do as they please.

353. Where there is smoke there is fire / There's no smoke without fire.
If unpleasant things are said about someone or something, there is probably a good reason for it.

354. Where there's a will there's a way.
If you are determined enough, you will find a way to achieve it, even if it is very difficult.

355. Where there's life there's hope.
As long as we are alive, there's within us a feeling of expectation.

356. While the grass grows the steed starves.
Something that we have been waiting for a long time may arrive too late to be of use.

357. Who goes a-borrowing goes a-sorrowing.
Borrowing usually leads to trouble as one is unable to repay what is owed.

358. Who knows most says least.
People who are knowledgeable say little.

359. With friends like that, who need enemies.
Friends who are disloyal, betray and deceive you are your actual enemies.

360. Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
If you employ somebody to do something for you, there is no point in doing it yourself.

361. You can't eat your cake and have it.
You can't have two good things at the same time that are impossible to have at the same time.

362. You can't get blood out of a stone.
You can't make someone give you something when he refuses to do so for some reason.

363. You can't lose what you never had.
Failure to get what you never have is not a real loss.

364. You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs.
One has to give up something in order to get something else.

365. You can't teach an old dog new trick.
It is very difficult to teach old people a new skill or method, or change their habits.

366. You may take a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink.
You can provide someone with an opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to do it.

367. You never know what you can do till you try.
People often don't realize what they are capable of until they try new things.

368. Young men may die, but old men must die.
This is to say that anyone can die at any age, but it is definitely going to happen in old age.

369. You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours.
Return favour to someone who receives your favour which applies specifically to corruption or an action of conspiring.

370. Young saint, old devil.
Bad to be virtuous too early which, in other words, means those who behave best when they are young are often those who behave worst when they are old.

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