Henry Bohn
A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs / Comprising French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and / Danish, with English Translations and a General Index

PREFACE

While engaged in editing my Handbook of English Proverbs, it occurred to me that a Collection of Foreign Proverbs, arranged in monographs, and brought as far as possible into juxta-position by a General Index, would be an interesting volume, as well to the ordinary reader as to the linguist. And it happened that more than one public writer, in reviewing my Handbook, suggested nearly the same idea, which determined me to realise it as speedily as other engagements would permit.

After a lapse of more than two years, and much patient labour, during intervals of business or hours snatched from repose, I am enabled to present my gleanings to the public, and hope they will not be found deficient of grain.

It will be seen that many of the proverbs are quite new to the English reader, and that others, hitherto supposed to be essentially, if not exclusively, English, are common to several other languages.

A task so various and complicated could not well be executed without aid, nor do I pretend to be master of all the languages included. Accordingly, I sought the assistance of competent scholars, and have great pleasure in here proclaiming my acknowledgments to them. After the groundwork of the volume had been laid by selections from a great variety of sources, an operation in which Mr. W. K. Kelly was my principal collaborateur, I was aided in correcting the Italian by Signor Pistrucci, the Spanish by Señor Yrazoqui and the Chevalier Francisque Michel, the Portuguese by Senhôr Guerra, the Danish by Miss Rowan, and the Dutch by Mr. John van Baalen, of Rotterdam. It seemed to me advisable, to secure all possible accuracy, that each foreign language should be read over by a native of the country.

For the English translations (excepting those from the Danish) I am myself mainly responsible, as, where those already existing did not satisfy me, I generally substituted others. I have, however, been very forbearing towards some pleasant bits of doggerel and alliteration found in early volumes, and have occasionally indulged in similar playfulness of my own. One so deeply immersed in Proverb-lore may, perhaps, be forgiven for having imbibed such a tendency.

In the Index, a single line is often made to represent a whole group, although the several translations may not be exactly the same. That adopted as the key, being the last thought, ought to be the best. The running lines at the top indicate the pages of each of the several languages, so that by a comparison of them with the figures of reference below, it will be easy to see what monograph a proverb belongs to, without actually turning to the page.

HENRY G. BOHN.

August 30, 1857.

FRENCH PROVERBS

A

A barbe de fol apprend-on à raire. On a fool’s beard the barber learns to shave.

A beau demandeur, beau refuseur. Handsomely asked, handsomely refused.

A beau jeu beau retour. One good turn deserves another.

A beau mentir qui vient de loin. He may lie boldly who comes from afar.

A bon appétit il ne faut point de sauce. Hunger is the best sauce.

A bon chat bon rat. To a good cat a good rat.

A bon cheval point d’éperon. Spur not a willing horse.

A bon chien il ne vient jamais un bon os. A good dog never gets a good bone.

Abondance de biens ne nuit pas. Store is no sore.

A bon entendeur demi-mot. A word to the wise.

A bon pêcheur échappe anguille. An eel escapes from a good fisherman.

A bon vin point d’enseigne. Good wine needs no sign.

A brebis tondue Dieu mesure le vent. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

Absent le chat, les souris dansent. When the cat’s away the mice will play.

Absent n’est point sans coulpe ni présent sans excuse. Absent, none without blame; present, none without excuse.

A carême-prenant chacun a besoin de sa poële. At shrove-tide every one has need of his frying-pan.

A celui qui a son pâté au four on peut donner de son gâteau. To one who has a pie in the oven you may give a bit of your cake.

A chacun son fardeau pèse. Every one feels his own burden heavy.

A chair de loup sauce de chien. For wolf’s flesh dog sauce.

A chaque fou plaît sa marotte. Every fool likes his bauble.

A chaque jour suffit sa peine. Sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.

A chaque saint son cierge. To every saint his candle.

A chemin battu ne croît point d’herbe. No grass grows on a beaten road.

Acheter chat en poche. To buy a cat in a poke.

A cheval donné, il ne faut point regarder à la bouche. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

A chose faite conseil pris. When a thing is done advice comes too late.

A confesseurs, médecins, avocats, la vérité ne cèle de ton cas. From confessors, doctors, and lawyers, do not conceal the truth of your case.

Adieu paniers, vendanges sont faites. Farewell baskets, the vintage is ended.

A dur âne dur aiguillon. For a stubborn ass a hard goad.

A femme avare galant escroc. A covetous woman deserves a swindling gallant.

A force de mal aller tout ira bien. By dint of going wrong all will come right.

A fripon fripon et demi. To a rogue a rogue and a half.

A goupil endormi rien ne lui chet en gueule. Nothing falls into the mouth of a sleeping fox.

A homme hardi fortune tend la main. To a bold man fortune holds out her hand.

Aide-toi, le ciel t’aidera. Help thyself and heaven will help thee.

Aime-moi un peu, mais continue. Love me a little, but love me long.

Aimer et savoir n’ont même manière. To love and to be wise are two different things.

Ainsi dit le renard des mûres, quand il n’en peut avoir: elles ne sont point bonnes. The fox says of the mulberries when he cannot get at them: they are not good at all.

Aisé à dire est difficile à faire. Easy to say is hard to do.

A la chandelle la chèvre semble demoiselle. By candle-light a goat looks like a lady.

A la fin saura-t-on qui a mangé le lard. In the end it will be known who ate the bacon.

A la guerre comme à la guerre. At the wars as they do at the wars.

A l’amour et au feu on s’habitue. One grows used to love and to fire.

A la presse vont les fous. Fools go in throngs.

A la queue gît le venin. In the tail lies the venom.

A l’aventure on met les ”oe]ufs couver. Eggs are put to hatch on chance.

A laver la tête d’un âne on ne perd que le temps et la lessive. To wash an ass’s head is but loss of time and soap. (To reprove a fool is but lost labour.)

A l’impossible nul n’est tenu. No one is bound to do impossibilities.

Aller aux mûres sans crochet. To go mulberry-gathering without a crook.

Aller en vendanges sans panier. To go to the vintage without baskets.

A l’”oe]il malade la lumière nuit. Light is bad for sore eyes.

A l’”oe]uvre on connaît l’ouvrier. The workman is known by his work.

A l’ongle on connaît le lion. You may know the lion by his claw.

A longue corde tire qui d’autrui mort désire. He pulls at a long rope who desires another’s death.

A mal enfourner on fait les pains cornus. Loaves put awry into the oven come out crooked.

A mal pasteur le loup chie laine. An easy shepherd makes the wolf void wool.

A marmite qui bout mouche ne s’attaque. Flies will not light on a boiling pot.

A mauvais chien l’on ne peut montrer le loup. There’s no showing the wolf to a bad dog.

A méchant chien court lien. A vicious dog must be tied short.

A merle soûl cerises sont amères. Cherries are bitter to the glutted blackbird.

Ami de table est variable. A table friend is changeable.

A morceau restif éperon de vin. A restive morsel needs a spur of wine.

Amour de grands, ombre de buisson qui passe bientôt. The friendship of great men is like the shadow of a bush, soon gone.

Amour et seigneurie ne veulent point de compagnie. Love and lordship like no fellowship.

Amour fait moult, argent fait tout. Love does much, money everything.

Amour soumet tout hormis c”oe]ur de félon. Love subdues everything except the recreant’s heart.

Amour, toux, fumée, et argent, ne se peuvent cacher longuement. Love, a cough, smoke, and money, cannot long be hid.

Amour, toux, et fumée, en secret ne font demeurée. Love, a cough, and smoke will not remain secret.

Ane piqué convient qu’il trotte. A goaded ass must trot.

A nouveaux seigneurs nouvelles lois. New lords, new laws.

A nul ne peut être ami qui de soi-même est ennemi. He cannot be a friend to any one who is his own enemy.

A paroles lourdes oreilles sourdes. To rude words deaf ears.

A père avare enfant prodigue. A miserly father makes a prodigal son.

A petite achoison le loup prend le mouton. Upon a slight pretext the wolf takes the sheep.

A petite fontaine boit-on à son aise. At a little fountain one drinks at one’s ease.

A petit mercier, petit panier. A little pack serves a little pedlar.

Après bon vin bon cheval. Good wine makes the horse go.

Après dommage chacun est sage. After mischance every one is wise.

Après la fête on gratte la tête. After a feast a man scratches his head.

Après la pluie le beau temps. After rain fine weather.

Après la mort le médecin. After death the doctor.

Après le fait ne vaut souhait. After the act wishing is in vain.

Après moi le déluge. After me the deluge.

Après perdre perd-on bien. After one loss come many.

Après raire n’y a plus que tondre. After shaving there’s nothing to shear.

A quelque chose malheur est bon. Ill-luck is good for something.

A qui il meschet on lui meffaict. Where misfortune befals injuries follow.

A qui vendez-vous vos coquilles? A ceux qui viennent de Saint Michel. To whom do you offer your shells for sale? To people who come from Saint Michel (where shells abound).

A qui veut rien n’est impossible. Nothing is impossible to a willing mind.

A raconter ses maux souvent on les soulage. By telling our woes we often assuage them.

Argent ard gent. Money burns many.

Argent comptant porte médecine. Ready money works great cures.

Argent emprunté porte tristesse. Money borrowed is soon sorrowed.

Argent est rond, il faut qu’il roule. Money is round, it must roll.

Argent reçu, le bras rompu. The money paid, the workman’s arm is broken.

A Rome comme à Rome. At Rome do as Rome does.

A rude âne rude ânier. For a stubborn ass a stubborn driver.

Assez a qui se contente. He has enough who is content.

Assez demande qui bien sert. Who serves well asks enough.

Assez dort qui rien ne fait. He slumbers enough who does nothing.

Assez écorche qui le pied tient. He flays enough who holds the foot.

Assez gagne qui malheur perd. He gains enough who loses sorrow.

Assez n’y a si trop n’y a. There’s not enough if there’s not too much.

Assez parents, assez tourments. Much kindred, much trouble.

Assez sait qui sait vivre et se taire. He knows enough who knows how to live and keep his own counsel.

Assez tôt se fait ce qui bien se fait. That is done soon enough which is well done.

Assez tôt si assez bien. Soon enough if well enough.

A tard crie l’oiseau quand il est pris. Too late the bird cries out when it is caught.

A toile ourdie Dieu envoie le fil. For a web begun God sends thread.

A tout il y a commencement. Everything must have a beginning.

A tout oiseau son nid est beau. To every bird its nest seems fair.

A tout seigneur tout honneur. To every lord every honour.

A trop acheter n’y a que revendre. For overbuying there’s no help but selling again.

Au battre faut l’amour. By beating love decays.

Au besoin l’on connaît l’ami. A friend is known in time of need.

Au dernier les os. For the last-comer the bones.

Au diable tant de maîtres, dit le crapaud à la herse. To the devil with so many masters, said the toad to the harrow.

Aujourd’hui marié, demain marri. Married to-day, marred to-morrow.

Au long aller petit fardeau pèse. Light burdens borne far become heavy.

Au nouveau tout est beau. What is new is always fine.

Au pays des aveugles les borgnes sont rois. The one-eyed are kings in the land of the blind.

Au petit pourceau Dieu donne bonne racine. God puts a good root in the little pig’s way.

A un pauvre homme sa vache meurt et au riche son enfant. Death takes the poor man’s cow and the rich man’s child.

Au plus débile la chandelle à la main. The weakest must hold the candle.

Au premier coup ne chet pas l’arbre. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

Au prêter ange, au rendre diable. In borrowing an angel, in repaying a devil.

Au prêter cousin germain, au rendre fils de putain. At borrowing cousin german, at repaying son of a whore.

Aussi tôt meurt veau que vache. As soon dies the calf as the cow.

Autant chemine un homme en un jour qu’un limaçon en cent ans. A man travels as far in a day as a snail in a hundred years.

Autant dépend chiche que large, et à la fin plus davantage. The niggard spends as much as he who is liberal, and in the end more.

Autant de têtes, autant d’avis. So many men, so many minds.

Autant de trous, autant de chevilles. A peg for every hole.

Autant pèche celui qui tient le sac que celui qui met dedans. He sins as much who holds the bag as he who puts into it.

Autant vaut bien battre que mal battre. You may as well give a good beating as a bad one.

Autant vaut bien battu que mal battu. One may as well be well beaten as badly beaten.

Autant vaut être mordu d’un chien que d’une chienne. It is all one whether you are bit by a dog or a bitch.

Autant vaut l’homme comme il s’estime. A man is valued according to his own estimate of himself.

Autre temps, autres m”oe]urs. Other times, other manners.

Aux grands maux les grands remèdes. Desperate ills require desperate remedies.

A vaillant homme courte épée. A short sword for a brave man.

Avec du temps et de la paille les nèfles mûrissent. With time and straw medlars ripen.

Avec un Si on mettrait Paris dans une bouteille. With the help of an If you might put Paris into a bottle.

A vieille mule frein doré. A gilt bridle for an old mule.

A vieux comptes nouvelles disputes. Old reckonings breed new disputes.

Avoir des amis en paradis et en enfer. To have friends both in heaven and hell.

B

Bâton porte paix. A stick is a peacemaker.

Battre le chien devant le lion. To beat the dog in presence of the lion.

Beaucoup de mémoire et peu de jugement. Much memory and little judgment.

Beauté et folie sont souvent en compagnie. Beauty and folly are often companions.

Belle, bonne, riche, et sage, est une femme en quatre étages. Fair, good, rich, and wise, is a woman four stories high.

Belle chose est tôt ravie. Fair things are soon snatched away.

Belle fille et méchante robe trouvent toujours qui les accroche. A fine girl and a tattered gown always find something to hook them.

Belle hôtesse c’est un mal pour la bourse. A handsome hostess is bad for the purse.

Belle promesse fol lie. A fair promise binds a fool.

Besoin fait vieille trotter. Need makes the old woman trot.

Bien embarrassé celui qui tient la queue de la poële. He has enough to do who holds the handle of the frying-pan.

Bien dire fait rire; bien faire fait taire. Saying well causes a laugh; doing well produces silence.

Bien est larron qui larron dérobe. He is a thief indeed who robs a thief.

Bien nourri et mal appris. Well fed but ill taught.

Bien vient à mieux, et mieux à mal. Good comes to better, and better to bad.

Boire et manger, coucher ensemble, c’est mariage, ce me semble. To eat and drink, and sleep together, is marriage, methinks.

Bon avocat, mauvais voisin. A good lawyer is a bad neighbour.

Bon charretier tourne en petit lieu. A good driver turns in a small space.

Bon chien chasse de race. A good dog hunts by instinct.

Bon droit a besoin d’aide. A good cause needs help.

Bon fait voler bas à cause des branches. It is well to fly low on account of the branches.

Bon gaignage fait bon potage. Fat pastures make fat venison.

Bon guet chasse malaventure. Good watching drives away ill-luck.

Bon jour bonne ”oe]uvre. The better day the better deed.

Bonjour lunettes, adieu fillettes. Good morrow spectacles, farewell lasses.

Bon nageur de n’être noyé n’est pas sûr. A good swimmer is not safe against drowning.

Bonne bête s’échauffe en mangeant. A good beast heats with eating.

Bonne epée, point querelleur. A good swordsman is never quarrelsome.

Bonne est la maille qui sauve le denier. ’Tis a good farthing that saves a penny.

Bonne journée fait qui de fol se délivre. He does a good day’s work who rids himself of a fool.

Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée. Good repute is better than a golden belt.

Bon sang ne peut mentir. Good blood will never lie.

Bons mots n’épargnent nuls. Witticisms spare no one.

Bons nageurs sont à la fin noyés. Good swimmers are drowned at last.

Bouche serrée, mouche n’y entre. No flies get into a shut mouth.

Bourdes vrayes ne plaisent jamais. True jokes never please.

Brebis comptées, le loup les mange. Counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

Brebis qui bêle perd sa goulée. The sheep that bleats loses its mouthful.

Brebis trop apprivoisée de trop d’agneaux est tettée. The sheep that is too tame is sucked by too many lambs.

Bûche tortue fait bon feu. A crooked log makes a good fire.

C

Calomniez, calomniez: il en reste toujours quelque chose. Slander! slander! some of it always sticks.

Cela fait venir de l’eau au moulin. That brings water to the mill.

Celui à bon gage du chat qui en tient la peau. He has a good pledge of the cat who has her skin.

Celui est homme de bien qui est homme de biens. A good man is a man of goods.

Celui gouverne bien mal le miel qui n’en taste et ses doigts n’en lèche. He is a very bad manager of honey who leaves nothing to lick off his fingers.

Celui peut hardiment nager à qui l’on soutient le menton. He may swim boldly who is held up by the chin.

Celui qui est adonné aux dez, le diable le tire par le nez. The devil leads him by the nose who the dice too often throws.

Celui qui est sur les épaules d’un géant voit plus loin que celui qui le porte. He who rides on the giant’s shoulders sees further than he who carries him.

Celui qui tient la queue de la poële risque de se brûler. He that holds the handle of the frying-pan runs the risk of burning himself.

Ce ne sont pas les plus belles qui font les grandes passions. It is not the greatest beauties that inspire the most profound passion.

Ce n’est pas tout que des choux, il faut encore de la graisse. It is not enough to have cabbage, one must have something to grease it.

Ce n’est rien, c’est une femme qui se noye. It is nothing at all, only a woman drowning.

Cent ans bannière, cent ans civière. A hundred years a banner, a hundred years a barrow. ”A very old proverb, signifying the changeful fortunes of great feudal families.]

Cent ans de chagrin ne payent pas un sou de dettes. A hundred years of fretting will not pay a halfpenny of debt.

Cent ans n’est guère, mais jamais c’est beaucoup. A hundred years is not much, but never is a long while.

Cependant le bonhomme n’a pas son sac. But for all that the honest man has not got his purse.

Ce que fait la louve plaît au loup. What the she-wolf does (or brings forth) pleases the he-wolf.

Ce que femme veut Dieu le veut. What a woman wills God wills.

Ce que le gantelet gagne le gorgeret le mange. What the gauntlet wins the gorget consumes.

Ce que l’enfant oit au foyer est bientôt connu jusqu’au moustier. What the child hears at the fireside is soon known at the parish church.

Ce que le sobre tient au c”oe]ur est sur la langue du buveur. What the sober man keeps in his heart is on the tongue of the drunkard.

Ce que moine pense, il ose le faire. What a monk thinks he dares to do.

Ce qu’”oe]il ne voit, au c”oe]ur ne deult. What the eye sees not the heart rues not.

Ce que poulain prend en jeunesse il le continue en vieillesse. What the colt learns in youth he continues in old age.

Ce qui est différé n’est pas perdu. All is not lost that is delayed.

Ce qui nuit à l’un duit à l’autre. What is bad for one is good for another.

Ce qui suffit ne fut jamais peu. What is enough was never little.

Ce qui vient de la flûte s’en retourne au tambour. What comes from the fife goes back to the drum. (Lightly come, lightly go; or, what is got over the devil’s back is spent under his belly.)

Ce qu’on apprend au berceau dure jusqu’au tombeau. What is learned in the cradle lasts till the grave.

Ce sont les pires bourdes que les vraies. The worst jests are those that are true.

C’est folie de béer contre un four. It is folly to gape against an oven.

C’est folie de faire son médecin son héritier. He is a fool who makes his physician his heir.

C’est folie de faire un maillet de son poing. He is a fool who makes a mallet of his fist.

C’est la cour du roi Petaud, chacun y est maître. Like King Petaud’s court, where every one is master.

C’est la maîtresse-roue qui fait tourner le moulin. It is the master-wheel that makes the mill go round.

C’est le chien de Jean de Nivelle, il s’enfuit quand on l’appelle. He is like Jean de Nivelle’s dog, that runs away when he is called.

C’est le ton qui fait la musique. It is the tone that makes the music.

C’est le valet du diable, il fait plus qu’on ne lui commande. He is the devil’s valet, he does more than he is ordered.

C’est partout comme chez nous. ’Tis everywhere the same as here.

C’est peu que de courir, il faut partir à point. It is not enough to run; one must start in time.

C’est quand l’enfant est baptisé qu’il arrive des parrains. When the child is christened you will have godfathers enough.

C’est toujours la plus mauvaise roue qui crie. The worst wheel always creaks most.

C’est trop aimer quand on en meurt. It is loving too much to die of love.

C’est un cheval à quatre pieds blancs. He is a horse with four white feet (i.e., he is unlucky).

C’est un long jour qu’un jour sans pain. ’Tis a long day a day without bread.

Chacun à son goût. Every man to his taste.

Chacun a un fou dans sa manche. Every one has a fool in his sleeve.

Chacun chien qui aboye ne mord pas. Not every dog that barks bites.

Chacun dit: J’ai bon droit. Every one says: My right is good.

Chacun doit balayer devant sa porte. Every one should sweep before his own door.

Chacun le sien, ce n’est pas trop. Every one his own, is but fair.

Chacun n’est pas aise qui danse. Not every one that dances is glad.

Chacun porte sa croix. Every one bears his cross.

Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous. Every one for himself and God for all.

Chacun prêche pour son saint. Every one preaches for his own saint.

Chacun prend son plaisir où il le trouve. Every one takes his pleasure where he finds it.

Chacun se fait fouetter à sa guise. Every one takes his flogging in his own way.

Chacun sent le mieux où le soulier le blesse. Every one knows best where the shoe pinches him.

Chacun son métier, et les vaches seront bien gardées. Let every one mind his own business, and the cows will be well tended.

Chacun tire l’eau à son moulin. Every one draws the water to his own mill.

Chacun vaut son prix. Every man has his value.

Changer son cheval borgne contre un aveugle. To exchange a one-eyed horse for a blind one.

Chaque demain apporte son pain. Every to-morrow brings its bread.

Chaque potier vante son pot. Every potter vaunts his own pot.

Chaque médaille a son revers. Every medal has its reverse.

Charbonnier est maître chez soi. The coalheaver is master at home.

Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même. Well-regulated charity begins with one’s self.

Château abattu est moitié refait. A mansion pulled down is half built up again.

Chat échaudé craint l’eau froide. A scalded cat dreads cold water.

Chercher midi à quatorze heures. To look for noon at fourteen o’clock.

Chercher une aiguille dans une botte de foin. To look for a needle in a bundle of hay.

Cherté foisonne. Dearness gluts.

Cheval rogneux n’a cure qu’on l’étrille. A galled horse does not care to be curried.

Chien affamé, de bastonnade n’est intimidé. A hungry dog is not afraid of a cudgelling.

Chien enragé ne peut longuement vivre. A mad dog cannot live long.

Chien hargneux a toujours l’oreille déchirée. Snarling curs never want sore ears.

Chien qui aboie ne mord pas. Barking dogs don’t bite.

Chien sur son fumier est hardi. Every dog is valiant in his own kennel.

Chose perdue, chose connue. A thing lost is a thing known.

Choses promises sont choses dues. Things promised are things due.

Chose trop vue n’est chère tenue. A thing too much seen is little prized.

Chou pour chou. Cabbage for cabbage.

Comme on fait son lit on se couche. As you make your bed so you must lie on it.

Communautés commencent par bâtir leur cuisine. Communities begin by building their kitchen.

Compagnon bien parlant vaut en chemin chariot branlant. A pleasant companion on a journey is as good as a postchaise.

Comparaison n’est pas raison. Comparison is not proof.

Comparaisons sont odieuses. Comparisons are odious.

Contre coignée serrure ne peut. No lock avails against a hatchet.

Couard souvent coup mortel au preux donne. A coward often deals a mortal blow to the brave.

Coudre la peau du renard à celle du lion. To sew the fox’s skin to the lion’s.

Courte messe et long dîner. A short mass and a long dinner.

Courtoisie qui ne vient que d’un côté ne peut longuement durer. Courtesy that is all on one side cannot last long.

Craignez la colère de la colombe. Dread the anger of the dove.

Crier famine sur un tas de bled. To cry famine on a heap of corn.

Croyez cela et buvez de l’eau. Believe that, and drink some water (to wash it down.)

D

Dans la nuit tous chats sont gris. All cats are alike grey at night.

Débander l’arc ne guérit pas la plaie. Unstringing the bow does not cure the wound.

De court plaisir long repentir. From short pleasure long repentance.

Découvrir saint Pierre pour couvrir saint Paul. To strip St. Peter to clothe St. Paul.

De demain à demain le temps s’en va bien loin. From to-morrow till to-morrow time goes a long journey.

De deux maux il faut choisir le moindre. Of two evils choose the least.

De deux regardeurs il y en a toujours un qui devient joueur. Of two lookers on one is sure to become a player.

De fol juge brève sentence. A foolish judge passes brief sentence. (A fool’s bolt is soon shot.)

De forte coûture forte déchirure. The stronger the seam the worse the rent.

De grande montée, grande chute. The higher the rise the greater the fall.

De gerbe remuée chet le grain. The corn falls out of a shaken sheaf.

De jeune angelot vieux diable. A young angel, an old devil.

De la main à la bouche se perd souvent la soupe. Between the hand and the mouth the soup is often spilt. (’Twixt the cup and the lip there’s many a slip.)

De la panse vient la danse. A full belly sets a man jigging.

De maigre poil âpre morsure. A gaunt brute bites sore.

Demander de la laine à un âne. To ask wool of an ass.

Demandez-le à mon compagnon, qui est aussi menteur que moi. Ask my comrade, who is as great a liar as myself.

Deniers avancent les bediers. Money advances meacocks.

De oui et non vient toute question. Out of yes and no comes all dispute.

Dépends le pendard et il te pendra. Take down a rogue from the gallows and he will hang you up.

De peu de drap courte cape. Of little cloth but a short cloak.

De qui je me fie Dieu me garde. God save me from those I trust in.

Derrière la croix souvent se tient le diable. The devil often lurks behind the cross.

De toute taille bon chien. There are good dogs of all sizes.

De tout s’avise à qui pain faut. A man who wants bread is ready for anything.

Deux hommes se rencontrent bien, mais jamais deux montagnes. Two men may meet, but never two mountains.

Deux moineaux sur même épi ne sont pas long-temps unis. Two sparrows on the same ear of corn are not long friends.

Dieu aide à trois sortes de personnes: aux fous, aux enfants, et aux ivrognes. God helps three sorts of people: fools, children, and drunkards.

Dieu donne le froid selon le drap. God gives the cold according to the cloth.

Dieu garde la lune des loups. God saves the moon from the wolves.

Dieu sait qui est bon pélerin. God knows who is a good pilgrim.

Dieu seul devine les sots. God alone understands fools.

Dieu vous garde d’un homme qui n’a qu’une affaire. God save you from a man who has but one business.

Dis-moi qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es. Tell me the company you keep, and I will tell you who you are.

Dites toujours fanfare, vous ne mourrez jamais. Always talk big and you will never be forgotten.

Dites toujours nenni, vous ne serez jamais mariée. Always say no, and you will never be married.

D’oiseaux, de chiens, d’armes, d’amours, pour un plaisir mille doulours. In hawks, hounds, arms, and love, for one pleasure a thousand pains.

Donner de l’eau bénite de cour. To give court holy-water.

Donner une chandelle à Dieu et une au diable. To offer one candle to God and another to the devil.

Donner un ”oe]uf pour avoir un b”oe]uf. To give an egg to get an ox.

Dormir une heure avant minuit vaut mieux que trois après. One hour’s sleep before midnight is better than three after it.

Douce parole n’écorche pas langue. Soft words don’t scotch the tongue.

Du cuir d’un vieux mari on en achète un jeune. With an old husband’s hide one buys a young one.

Du dire au fait il y a grand trait. ’Twixt the word and the deed there’s a long step.

Du larron privé on ne peut se garder. There’s no guarding against the privy thief.

D’une vache perdue c’est quelque chose de recouvrer la queue, ne fût-ce que pour faire un tirouer à son huis. When a cow is lost it is something to recover its tail, were it only to make a handle for one’s door.

D’un sac à charbon ne saurait sortir de blanche farine. White meal is not got out of a coal-sack.

E

Ecorcher l’anguille par la queue. To begin skinning the eel at the tail.

Elève le corbeau, il te crèvera les yeux. Bring up a raven and he will peck out your eyes.

Enfants et fous sont devins. Children and fools are prophets.

En fin les renards se trouvent chez le pelletier. Foxes come at last to the furrier’s.

En forgeant on devient forgeron. By working in the smithy one becomes a smith.

En grand fardeau n’est pas l’acquêt. The greatest burdens are not the gainfullest.

En la cour du roi chacun y est pour soi. At the king’s court every one for himself.

En la maison du ménétrier chacun est danseur. In the fiddler’s house every one is a dancer.

En mariage trompe qui peut. In marriage cheat who can.

Ennemi ne s’endort. An enemy does not sleep.

En petit champ croît bien bon bled. Very good corn grows in little fields.

En petites boîtes met-on les bons onguents. Precious ointments are put in small boxes.

En peu d’heure Dieu labeure. God’s work is soon done.

En sûreté dort qui n’a que perdre. He sleeps securely who has nothing to lose.

Entre deux selles le cul à terre. Between two stools the breech comes to the ground.

Entre promettre et donner doit-on marier sa fille. Between promising and giving a man should marry his daughter.

En vaisseau mal lavé ne peut-on vin garder. Wine will not keep in a foul vessel.

Envie passe avarice. Envy goes beyond avarice.

Erreur n’est pas compte. A mistake is no reckoning.

Est assez riche qui ne doit rien. He is rich enough who owes nothing.

Evêque d’or, crosse de bois; crosse d’or, évêque de bois. Golden bishop, wooden crosier; wooden bishop, golden crosier.

F

Face d’homme porte vertu. There’s virtue in a man’s face (i.e., presence carries weight).

Faire bonne mine à mauvais jeu. To put a good face on a bad game.

Faire comme le singe, tirer les marrons du feu avec la patte du chat. To do like the monkey, get the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat’s paw.

Faire de nécessité vertu. To make a virtue of necessity.

Faire des châteaux en Espagne. To build castles in the air.

Faire du cuir d’autrui large courroie. To cut broad thongs from another man’s leather.

Faire d’une pierre deux coups. To make two hits with one stone.

Faire un trou pour en boucher un autre. To make one hole by way of stopping another.

Faisant son office la balance, d’or ni de plomb n’a connaissance. The balance in doing its office knows neither gold nor lead.

Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra. Do what you ought, come what may.

Fais-moi la barbe et je te ferai le toupet. Trim my beard and I will trim your topknot.

Femme, argent, et vin, ont leur bien et leur venin. Women, money, and wine have their balm and their harm.

Femme et melon à peine les connaît-on. A woman and a melon are hard to choose.

Femme qui beaucoup se mire peu file. A woman who looks much in the glass spins but little.

Femme qui prend, se vend; femme qui donne, s’abandonne. A woman who accepts, sells herself; a woman who gives, surrenders.

Femme rit quand elle peut, et pleure quand elle veut. A woman laughs when she can, and weeps when she pleases.

Femme sotte se cognoit à la cotte. A foolish woman is known by her finery.

Fiançailles vont en selle et repentailles en croupe. Wedlock rides in the saddle and repentance on the crupper.

Fi de manteau quand il fait beau. Fie upon a cloak in fair weather.

Fille oisive, à mal pensive. A girl unemployed is thinking of mischief.

Fin contre fin. Diamond cut diamond.

Fin contre fin n’est pas bon pour faire doublure. Fine and fine make but a slender doublet.

Foi de gentilhomme, un autre gage vaut mieux. The word of honour of a gentleman – another pledge would be better.

Folle est la brebis qui au loup se confesse. ’Tis a silly sheep that makes the wolf her confessor.

Force n’a pas droit. Might knows no right.

Fou qui se tait passe pour sage. The fool who is silent passes for wise.

Fumée, pluie, et femme sans raison, chassent l’homme de sa maison. Smoke, floods, and a troublesome wife, are enough to drive a man out of his life.

G

Gâteau et mauvaise coutume se doivent rompre. A cake and a bad custom ought to be broken.

Gâter une chandelle pour trouver une épingle. To burn out a candle in search of a pin.

Gentilhomme de Beauce qui reste au lit pendant qu’on raccommode ses chausses. A gentleman of Beauce who stays in bed till his breeches are mended.

Goutte à goutte emplit la cuve. Drop by drop fills the tub.

Goutte à goutte la pierre se creuse. Drop by drop wears away the stone.

Graissez les bottes d’un vilain, il dira qu’on les lui brûle. Grease a churl’s boots and he’ll say you are burning them.

Grand besoin a de fol qui de soi-même le fait. He has great need of a fool who makes himself one.

Grand bien ne vient pas en peu d’heures. A great estate is not gotten in a few hours.

Grande chère petit testament. A fat kitchen makes a lean will.

Grande dispute vérité rebute. Great disputing repels truth.

Grand parleur grand menteur. A great talker is a great liar.

Grands oiseaux de coutume sont privés de leurs plumes. Fine birds are commonly plucked.

Grand vanteur, petit faiseur. Great boaster, little doer.

Grosse tête, peu de sens. Big head, little wit.

H

Habillé comme un moulin à vent. Dressed like a windmill.

Habille-toi lentement quand tu es pressé. Dress slowly when you are in a hurry.

Hardiment heurte à la porte qui bonne nouvelle y apporte. He knocks boldly at the door who brings good news.

Hâtez-vous lentement. Hasten leisurely.

Heureux commencement est la moitié de l’”oe]uvre. Well begun is half done.

Heureux sont les enfants dont les pères sont damnés. Happy the child whose father goes to the devil.

Homme assailli à demi vaincu. A man assailed is half overcome.

Homme chiche jamais riche. A stingy man is always poor.

Homme matineux, sain, alègre, et soigneux. The early riser is healthy, cheerful, and industrious.

Homme ne connaît mieux la malice que l’abbé qui a été moine. No man understands knavery better than the abbot who has been a monk.

Homme plaideur, menteur. A litigious man, a liar.

Honnête pauvreté est clair semée. Honest poverty is thinly sown.

Honneur fleurit sur la fosse. Honour blossoms on the grave.

I

Il a battu les buissons et un autre a pris les oisillons. He beat the bushes and another caught the birds.

Il a beau se lever matin qui a le renom de dormir la grasse matinée. It is in vain for a man to rise early who has the repute of lying in bed all the morning.

Il a beau se taire de l’escot qui ne paie rien. He needs say nothing about the score who pays nothing.

Il advient souvent en un jour ce qui n’advient en cent ans. That often happens in a day which does not happen in a hundred years.

Il a mangé son blé en herbe. He has eaten his corn in the blade.

Il a mis tous ses ”oe]ufs dans un panier. He has put all his eggs into one basket.

Il attend que les alouettes lui tombent toutes rôties dans le bec. He expects that larks will fall ready roasted into his mouth.

Il cherche son âne et il est monté dessus. He looks for his ass and sits on its back.

Il est avis au renard que chacun mange poules comme lui. The fox thinks everybody eats poultry like himself.

Il est avis à vieille vache qu’elle ne fût oncques veau. It is the old cow’s notion that she never was a calf.

Il est bien aisé d’aller à pied quand on tient son cheval par la bride. It is pleasant enough going afoot when you lead your horse by the bridle.

Il est bien fou qui s’oublie. He is a great fool who forgets himself.

Il est bon d’avoir des amis partout. It is good to have friends in all parts.

Il est comme le chien du jardinier, qui ne mange point de choux, et n’en laisse pas manger aux autres. He is like the gardener’s dog, who don’t eat cabbages and will let no one else eat them.

Il est dit habile, qui fraude ami et pile. He is called clever who cheats and plunders his friend.

Il est du naturel du chat, il retombe toujours sur ses pieds. He is like a cat, he always falls on his feet.

Il est juste que le prêtre vive de l’autel. It is just that the priest should live by the altar.

Il est né coiffé. He was born with a caul.

Il est né dimanche, il aime besogne faite. He was born on a Sunday, he likes work ready done.

Il est plus aisé de se tirer de la rive que du fond. It is easier to get away from the bank than the bottom.

Il est tout prêché qui n’a cure de bien faire. He is past preaching to who does not care to do well.

Il est trop tard de fermer l’écurie quand les chevaux sont pris. It is too late to lock the stable-door when the steeds are stolen.

Il fait bien mauvais au bois quand les loups se mangent l’un l’autre. Very hard times in the wood when the wolves eat each other.

Il fait bon battre l’orgueilleux quand il est seul. It is good to beat a proud man when he is alone.

Il fait toujours bon tenir son cheval par la bride. It is always well to keep hold of your horse’s bridle.

Il faut amadouer la poule pour avoir les poussins. To get the chicks one must coax the hen.

Il faut avaler les pilules sans les mâcher. Pills must be swallowed without chewing.

Il faut battre le fer tandis qu’il est chaud. Strike while the iron is hot.

Il faut bien laisser le jeu quand il est beau. It is well to leave off playing when the game is at its best.

Il faut casser la noix pour manger le noyau. He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.

Il faut être enclume ou marteau. One must be either anvil or hammer.

Il faut faire ce qu’on fait. What you are doing do thoroughly. (Age quod agis.)

Il faut gratter les gens par où il leur démange. Scratch people where they itch.

Il faut hurler avec les loups. One must howl with the wolves.

Il faut laisser l’enfant morveux plutôt que lui arracher le nez. It is better to leave the child’s nose dirty than wring it off.

Il faut laver son linge sale en famille. Foul linen should be washed at home.

Il faut louer la mer et se tenir en terre. Praise the sea, and keep on land.

Il faut passer par la porte ou par la fenêtre. One must pass through the door or the window.

Il faut perdre un véron pour pêcher un saumon. One must lose a minnow to catch a salmon.

Il faut placer le clocher au milieu du village. Put the belfry in the middle of the village.

Il faut prendre le bénéfice avec les charges. The benefice must be taken with its liabilities.

Il faut que tout le monde vive. Everybody must live.

Il faut qu’une porte soit ouverte ou fermée. A door must either be open or shut.

Il faut reculer pour mieux sauter. One must step back to make the better leap.

Il faut se défier d’un ennemi réconcilié. Beware of a reconciled enemy. (Take heed of an enemy reconciled.)

Il faut se dire beaucoup d’amis et s’en croire peu. Give out that you have many friends, and believe that you have but few.

Il faut tendre voile selon le vent. Set your sail according to the wind.

Il faut tondre les brebis et non les écorchier. Shear the sheep but don’t flay them.

Il faut tourner sept fois sa langue dans sa bouche avant de parler. Turn your tongue seven times before speaking.

Il faut vouloir ce qu’on ne peut empêcher. One must needs like what one cannot hinder.

Il ment comme un arracheur de dents. He lies like a toothdrawer.

Il met sa faucille dans la moisson d’autrui. He puts his sickle into another man’s harvest.

Il n’a rien oublié, sinon de dire adieu. He forgot nothing except to say farewell.

Il ne choisit pas qui emprunte. Borrowers must not be choosers.

Il ne faut jamais défier un fou de mal faire. Never challenge a fool to do wrong.

Il ne faut pas badiner avec le feu. It won’t do to trifle with fire.

Il ne faut pas chômer les fêtes avant qu’elles ne soient venues. It will not do to keep holidays before they come.

Il ne faut pas clocher devant les boiteux. Never limp before the lame.

Il ne faut pas dire: Fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau. Never say, Fountain, I will not drink of thy water.

Il ne faut pas enseigner les poissons à nager. Don’t teach fishes to swim.

Il ne faut pas faire d’un diable deux. Do not make two devils of one.

Il ne faut pas faire passer tous les chats pour des sorciers. All cats are not to be set down for witches.

Il ne faut pas jeter des pierres dans le jardin de ton voisin. You must not throw stones into your neighbour’s garden.

Il ne faut pas laisser de semer pour crainte des pigeons. Do not abstain from sowing for fear of the pigeons.

Il ne faut pas lier les ânes avec les chevaux. Asses must not be tied up with horses.

Il ne faut pas mettre le doigt entre l’arbre et l’écorce. Never put your finger between the tree and the bark.

Il ne faut pas parler latin devant les cordeliers. Don’t talk Latin before the Franciscans.

Il ne faut pas se moquer des chiens qu’on ne soit hors du village. Don’t snap your fingers at the dogs before you are out of the village.

Il ne faut pas s’en rapporter à l’étiquette du sac. Don’t rely on the label of the bag.

Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l’ours avant de l’avoir mis par terre. Never sell the bearskin till you have killed the bear.

Il ne faut point parler de corde dans la maison d’un pendu. Never speak of a rope in the house of one who was hanged.

Il ne faut point se dépouiller avant de se coucher. Do not strip before bedtime.

Il ne faut que tourner le dos à Dieu pour devenir riche. To grow rich one has only to turn his back on God.

Il ne faut qu’une brebis galeuse pour gâter tout le troupeau. One scabby sheep is enough to spoil the whole flock.

Il ne faut rien dérober que la bourse d’un avocat. One may steal nothing save a lawyer’s purse.

Il ne perdra pas l’avoine faute de brailler. He will not lose his oats for want of braying.

Il ne se garde pas bien qui ne se garde toujours. He does not guard himself well who is not always on his guard.

Il n’est banquet que d’homme chiche. No feast like a miser’s.

Il n’est chasse que de vieux chiens. There is no hunting but with old hounds.

Il n’est cheval qui n’ait sa tare. ’Tis a good horse that has no fault.

Il n’est orgueil que de pauvre enrichi. There is no pride like that of a beggar grown rich.

Il n’est pas échappé qui traîne son lien. He is not escaped who drags his chain.

Il n’est pas si diable qu’il est noir. He is not so much of a devil as he is black.

Il n’est pire eau que l’eau qui dort. There is no worse water than that which sleeps.

Il n’est pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre. None so deaf as he that won’t hear.

Il n’est point de belles prisons ni de laides amours. Never seemed a prison fair or mistress foul.

Il n’est que d’avoir la clef des champs. There’s nothing like having the key of the fields.

Il n’est que d’être crotté pour affronter le bourbier. There’s nothing like being bespattered for making a man defy the gutter.

Il n’est rien si bien fait où l’on ne trouve à redire. There is nothing so well done but may be mended.

Il n’est secret que de rien dire. The only way to keep a secret is to say nothing.

Il n’est si bon charretier qui ne verse. The best driver will sometimes upset.

Il n’est si grand dépit que de pauvre orgueilleux. There is no spite like that of a proud beggar.

Il n’est si petite chapelle qui n’ait son saint. There is no chapel so small but has its saint.

Il n’est si riche festin, où il n’y ait quelqu’un qui mal dîne. There never was a banquet so sumptuous but some one dined ill at it.

Il n’y a cheval si bien ferré qui ne glisse. Be a horse ever so well shod, he may slip.

Il n’y a cheval si bon qui ne bronche. It is a good horse that never stumbles.

Il n’y a ni rime ni raison. There’s neither rhyme nor reason.

Il n’y a pas de gens plus affairés que ceux qui ne font rien. None so busy as those who do nothing.

Il n’y a pas de miroir au monde qui ait jamais dit à une femme qu’elle était laide. There never was a looking-glass that told a woman she was ugly.

Il n’y a pas de sots métiers, il n’y a que de sottes gens. There are no foolish trades, there are only foolish people.

Il n’y a plus d’enfans. There are no children now-a-days.

Il n’y a point d’amour sans jalousie. There is no love without jealousy.

Il n’y a point de héros pour son valet de chambre. No man is a hero in the eyes of his valet.

Il n’y a point de petit ennemi. There is no such thing as an insignificant enemy.

Il n’y a que la première bouteille qui est chère. It is only the first bottle that is dear.

Il n’y a que le premier pas qui coûte. The first step is all the difficulty.

Il n’y a que les bons marchés qui ruinent. It is only good bargains that ruin.

Il n’y a que les honteux qui perdent. It is only the bashful that lose.

Il n’y a qu’heur et malheur en ce monde. All is luck or ill luck in this world.

Il n’y a rien de fait tant qu’il reste à faire. Nothing is done while something remains undone.

Il n’y a rien si hardi que la chemise d’un meunier. Nothing so bold as a miller’s shirt (because it takes a thief by the throat every morning).

Il n’y a sauce que d’appétit. No sauce like appetite.

Il n’y a si bel acquêt que le don. No purchase like a gift.

Il n’y a si bonne compagnie qui ne se quitte, comme disait le roi Dagobert à ses chiens. The best company must part, as King Dagobert said to his hounds.

Il n’y a si grand jour qui ne vienne pas a vêpres. No day so long but has its evening.

Il n’y a si méchant pot qui ne trouve son couvercle. There is no pot so bad but finds its cover.

Il n’y a si petit buisson qui n’ait son ombre. There is no bush so small but casts its shadow.

Il n’y eut jamais bon marché de peaux de lions. Lion-skins were never had cheap.

Il porte le deuil de sa blanchisseuse. He wears the mourning of his washerwoman.

Il porte le feu et l’eau. He carries fire and water.

Il ressemble à chat brûlé, il vaut mieux qu’il ne se prise. He is like a singed cat, better than he looks.

Il se ruine à promettre, et s’acquitte à ne rien donner. He ruins himself in promises, and clears himself by giving nothing.

Il tombe sur le dos et se casse le nez. He falls on his back and breaks his nose.

Il vaut mieux avoir affaire à Dieu qu’à ses saints. It is better to have to do with God than with his saints.

Il vaut mieux être fou avec tous que sage tout seul. Better be mad with all the world than wise alone.

Il vaut mieux être le premier de sa race que le dernier. It is better to be the first of one’s race than the last (meanest).]

Il vaut mieux être marteau qu’enclume. It is better to be the hammer than the anvil.

Il vaut mieux faire envie que pitié. Better to be envied than pitied.

Il vaut mieux plier que rompre. It is better to bend than break.

Il vaut mieux trébucher une fois que toujours chanceler. Better to stumble once than be always tottering.

Il y a des calomnies contre lesquelles l’innocence même perd courage. There are calumnies against which even innocence loses courage.

Il y a des hochets pour tous les ages. There are toys for all ages.

Il y a fagot et fagot. There are fagots and fagots (all are not alike).

Il y a plus de fols acheteurs que de fols vendeurs. There are more foolish buyers than foolish sellers.

Il y a remède à tout fors à la mort. There is a remedy for everything but death.

J

J’aime mieux un raisin pour moi que deux figues pour toi. Rather a single grape for me than a brace of figs for thee.

Jamais bon chien n’aboie à faux. A good dog never barks at fault.

Jamais chapon n’aima géline. Never did capon love a hen.

Jamais chat emmitouflé ne prit souris. A muffled cat never caught a mouse.

Jamais coup de pied de jument ne fit mal à un cheval. A kick from a mare never hurt a horse.

Jamais grand nez n’a gâté joli visage. A big nose never spoiled a handsome face.

Jamais honteux n’eut belle amie. Faint heart never won fair lady.

Jamais la cornemuse ne dit mot si elle n’a le ventre plein. The bagpipe never utters a word till its belly is full.

Jean a étudié pour être bête. John has been to school to learn to be a fool.

Je ne vis oncques riche muet. I never saw a silent rich man.

Je sais à mon pot comment les autres bouillent. I know by my own pot how the others boil.

Jeter le manche après la cognée. To throw the helve after the hatchet.

Jeux de mains jeu de vilains. Manual jokes are clown’s jokes.

Joyeuse vie père et mère oublie. A merry life forgets father and mother.

L

L’abattu veut toujours lutter. He that is thrown would still wrestle.

La belle cage ne nourrit pas l’oiseau. A fine cage won’t feed the bird.

La belle plume fait le bel oiseau. Fine feathers make fine birds.

La borne sied très bien entre les champs de deux frères. A landmark is very well placed between the fields of two brothers.

La brebis sur la montagne est plus haute que le taureau dans la plaine. The sheep on the mountain is higher than the bull on the plain.

La caque sent toujours le hareng. The cask always smells of the herring.

La chandelle qui va devant vaut mieux que celle qui va derrière. The candle that goes before is better than that which comes after.

L’adresse surmonte la force. Policy goes beyond strength.

La faim chasse le loup hors du bois. Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood.

La faim regarde à la porte de l’homme laborieux, mais elle n’ose pas entrer. Hunger looks in at the industrious man’s door but dares not enter.

La farine du diable s’en va moitié en son. The devil’s meal turns half to bran.

La faute est grande comme celui qui la commet. The fault is great in proportion to him who commits it.

La fête passée, adieu le saint. The saint’s-day over, farewell the saint.

La fin couronne l’”oe]uvre. The end crowns the work. (All is well that ends well.)

La fortune est une femme; si vous la manquez aujourd’hui, ne vous attendez pas à la retrouver demain. Fortune is a woman; if you neglect her to-day, expect not to regain her to-morrow.

La fortune la plus amie vous donne le croc-en-jambe. The most friendly fortune trips up your heels.

La fortune ne peut nous ôter que ce qu’elle nous a donné. Fortune can take from us only what she has given us.

La gibecière de l’avocat est une bouche d’enfer. The lawyer’s pouch is a mouth of hell.

La gloire vaine ne porte graine. Vainglory bears no grain.

La gourmandise a tué plus de gens que l’épée. Gluttony has killed more than the sword.

La guerre fait les larrons, la paix les pend. War makes robbers, peace hangs them.

L’aigle ne chasse point aux mouches. The eagle does not hunt flies.

Laissez le moustier où il est. Leave the minster where it is.

La jeunesse revient de loin. Youth may stray afar yet return at last.

La lame use le fourreau. The blade wears out the sheath.

La langue des femmes est leur épée, et elles ne la laissent pas rouiller. A woman’s tongue is her sword, and she does not let it rust.

La langue va où la dent fait mal. The tongue goes to where the tooth aches.

La lisière est pire que le drap. The list is worse than the cloth.

La loi dit ce que le roi veut. The law says what the king pleases.

La mauvaise garde paît souvent le loup. Bad watch often feeds the wolf.

L’ami par intérêt est une hirondelle sur les toits. The interested friend is a swallow on the roof. (Prepared to leave at the approach of winter.)

La moitié du monde ne sait comment l’autre vit. One half the world knows not how the other half lives.

La moitié du monde se moque de l’autre. One half the world laughs at the other.

L’amour apprend aux ânes à danser. Love teaches asses to dance.

L’amour chasse jalousie. Love expels jealousy.

L’amour fait passer le temps, et le temps fait passer l’amour. Love makes time pass away, and time makes love pass away.

L’amour fait rage, mais l’argent fait mariage. Love does wonders, but money makes marriage.

L’âne de la montagne porte le vin et boit de l’eau. The mountaineer’s ass carries wine and drinks water.

L’âne du commun est toujours le plus mal bâté. The ass that is common property is always the worst saddled.

Langue de miel et c”oe]ur de fiel. A honeyed tongue with a heart of gall.

La nuit n’a point d’amis. Night has no friend.

La nuit porte conseil. The night brings counsel.

La nuit tous chats sont gris. By night all cats are grey.

Là où sont les poussins la poule a les yeux. The hen’s eyes are with her chickens.

La patience est la vertu des ânes. Patience is the virtue of asses.

La peau est plus proche que la chemise. The skin is nearer than the shirt.

La pelle se moque du fourgon. The shovel scouts the poker.

La petite aumône est la bonne. The little alms are the good alms.

La peur est grand inventeur. Fear is a great inventor.

La plus belle femme ne peut donner que ce qu’elle a. The handsomest woman can only give what she has.

La plus grande finesse est de n’en avoir point. The greatest cunning is to have none at all.

La pomme est pour le vieux singe. The old monkey gets the apple.

La poule ne doit pas chanter devant le coq. The hen ought not to cackle in presence of the cock.

L’appétit vient en mangeant. Appetite comes with eating.

La queue est la pire à écorcher. The tail is the hardest to scourge.

La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure. The arguments of the strongest have always the most weight.

L’arbre ne tombe pas du premier coup. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

L’argent est un bon serviteur, mais c’est un mauvais maître. Money is a good servant but a bad master.

L’argent ne se perd qu’à faute d’argent. Money is lost only for want of money.

La rouille use plus que le travail. Rust wastes more than use.

La seule victoire contre l’amour c’est la fuite. The only victory over love is flight.

La vanité n’a pas de plus grand ennemi que la vanité. Vanity has no greater foe than vanity.

L’avare et le cochon ne sont bons qu’après leur mort. The miser and the pig are of no use till dead.

L’avarice rompt le sac. Avarice bursts the bag.

La vérité est la massue qui chacun assomme et tue. Truth is the club that knocks down and kills everybody.

Lavez chien, peignez chien, toutefois n’est chien que chien. Wash a dog, comb a dog, still a dog remains a dog.

La vie est moitié usée avant qu’on ne sache ce qu’est la vie. Life is half spent before one knows what life is.

Le beau soulier blesse souvent le pied. A handsome shoe often pinches the foot.

Le bedeau de la paroisse est toujours de l’avis de monsieur le curé. The beadle of the parish is always of the vicar’s opinion.

Le b”oe]uf par la corne et l’homme par la parole. Take an ox by his horn, a man by his word.

Le bossu ne voit pas sa bosse, mais il voit celle de son confrère. The hunchback does not see his own hump, but he sees his brother’s.

Le bouton devient rose et la rose gratte-cul. The bud becomes a rose and the rose a hip.

Le bruit est si fort qu’on n’entend pas Dieu tonner. The noise is so great one cannot hear God thunder.

Le bruit pend l’homme. Repute hangs a man.

Le chaudron mâchure la poële. The kettle smuts the frying-pan.

Le c”oe]ur mène où il va. The heart leads whither it goes.

L’écoutant fait le médisant. The listener makes the backbiter.

Le dernier venu le mieux aimé. The last come is the best liked.

Le diable était beau quand il était jeune. The devil was handsome when he was young.

Le diable n’est pas toujours à la porte d’un pauvre homme. The devil is not always at a poor man’s door.

Le diable pourrait mourir que je n’hériterais pas de ses cornes. The devil may die without my inheriting his horns.

Le faux ami ressemble à l’ombre d’un cadran. The false friend is like the shadow of a sun-dial.

Le feu le plus couvert est le plus ardent. The most covered fire is always the most glowing.

Le fou cherche son malheur. The fool hunts for misfortune.

Le fou se coupe de son couteau. The fool cuts himself with his own knife.

Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle. The game is not worth the candle.

Le lièvre revient toujours à son gite. The hare always returns to her form.

Le loup mourra dans sa peau. The wolf will die in his skin.

Le mal an entre en nageant. The ill year comes in swimming.

Le mal de l’”oe]il il faut le panser avec le coude. If you have a sore eye wipe it with your elbow. (Elbow-grease is a great preventive of disease.)

Le mal vient à cheval et s’en va à pied. Misfortune comes on horseback and goes away on foot.

Le médecin est souvent plus à craindre que la maladie. The doctor is often more to be feared than the disease.

Le meilleur vin a sa lie. The best wine has its lees.

Le miel est doux, mais l’abeille pique. Honey is sweet, but the bee stings.

Le miel n’est pas pour les ânes. Honey is not for asses.

Le moine répond comme l’abbé chante. The monk responds as the abbot chants.

Le mortier sent toujours les aulx. The mortar always smells of the garlic.

Le moulin ne moult pas avec l’eau coulée en bas. The mill does not grind with water that is past.

L’empereur d’Allemagne est le roy des roys, le roy d’Espagne roy des hommes, le roy de France roy des ânes, et le roy d’Angleterre roy des diables. The Emperor of Germany is the king of kings, the King of Spain king of men, the King of France king of asses, the King of England king of devils.

Le mulet garde longuement un coup de pied à son maître. The mule long keeps a kick in reserve for its master.

L’encens entête et tout le monde en veut. Incense intoxicates and every one wishes for it.

L’entente est au diseur. The meaning is best known to the speaker.

Le papier souffre tout. Paper bears anything.

L’épine en naissant va la pointe devant. A thorn comes into the world point foremost.

Le plus riche n’emporte qu’un linceul. The richest man carries nothing away with him but a shroud.

Le plus sage est celui qui ne pense point l’être. He is the wisest man who does not think himself so.

Le premier coup en vaut deux. The first blow is as good as two.

Le premier pas engage au second. The first step binds one to the second.

Le premier venu engrène. The first comer grinds first. (First come, first served.)

Le repentir coûte bien cher. Repentance costs very dear.

Le riche a plus de parents qu’il ne connaît. The rich man has more relations than he knows.

Les abeilles ne deviennent point frelons. Bees do not become hornets.

Les absents ont toujours tort. The absent are always in the wrong.

Le sac ne fut oncques si plein que n’y entrât bien un grain. A sack was never so full but that it would hold another grain.

Les Allemands ont l’esprit aux doigts. The Germans carry their wit in their fingers.

Les battus payent l’amende. The beaten pay the fine.

Les beaux esprits se rencontrent. Great wits meet.

Les belles ne sont pas pour les beaux. Belles are not for the beaux.

Les belles robes pleurent sur des épaules indignes. Rich garments weep on unworthy shoulders.

Les bons comptes font les bons amis. Short reckonings make long friends.

Les bons marchés ruinent. Good bargains are ruinous.

Les chevaux courent les bénéfices et les ânes les attrapent. Horses run after benefices and asses get them.

Les cloches appellent à l’église mais n’y entrent pas. Bells call to church but do not enter.

Les conseillers ne sont pas les payeurs. Advisers are not the payers.

Les corbeaux ne crèvent pas les yeux aux corbeaux. Ravens do not peck out ravens’ eyes.

Les cordonniers sont toujours les plus mal chaussés. Shoemakers are always the worst shod.

Les derniers venus sont souvent les maîtres. The last comers are often the masters.

Les deux font la paire. The two make a pair.

Les enfants sont ce qu’on les fait. Children are what they are made.

Les envieux mourront, mais non jamais l’envie. The envious will die, but envy never.

Les extrêmes se touchent. Extremes meet.

Les fous inventent les modes et les sages les suivent. Fools invent fashions and wise men follow them.

Les gens fatigués sont querelleurs. Tired folks are quarrelsome.

Les grands b”oe]ufs ne font pas les grandes journées. It is not the big oxen that do the best day’s work.

Les grands clercs ne sont pas les plus fins. Great scholars are not the shrewdest men.

Les grands diseurs ne sont pas les grands faiseurs. Great talkers are not great doers.

Les gros larrons ont toujours les manches pleines de baillons. Great thieves always have their sleeves full of gags.

Les gros larrons pendent les petits. Great thieves hang the little ones.

Les gros poissons mangent les petits. The big fish eat the little ones.

Les gueux ne sont jamais hors de leur chemin. A beggar is never out of his road.

Les hommes sont rares. Men are rare.

Les honneurs changent les m”oe]urs. Honours change manners.

Les honneurs comptent. Much worship, much cost.

Les Italiens pleurent, les Allemands crient, et les Français chantent. The Italians cry, the Germans bawl, and the French sing.

Les jours se suivent et ne se ressemblent pas. The days follow each other and are not alike.

Les larrons s’entrebattent et les larcins se découvrent. When thieves fall out the thefts are discovered.

Les lois ont le nez de cire. Laws have wax noses.

Les loups ne se mangent pas entre eux. Wolves do not eat each other.

Les maisons des avocats sont faictes de la teste des folz. Lawyers’ houses are built of fools’ heads.

Les mal vêtus devers le vent. The worst clothed go to windward.

Les mariages sont écrits dans le ciel. Marriages are written in heaven.

Les mauvaises nouvelles ont des ailes. Bad news has wings.

Les morts sont bientôt oubliés. The dead are soon forgotten.

Les morveux veulent toujours moucher les autres. Snivelling folks always want to wipe other folks’ noses.

Les murs ont des oreilles. Walls have ears.

Les oisons veulent mener les oies paître. The goslings would lead the geese out to grass.

Le soleil lui-même n’a-t-il pas des taches? Are there not spots on the sun?

Le soleil luit pour tout le monde. The sun shines for all the world.

Les petits cadeaux entretiennent l’amitié. Little presents maintain friendship.

Les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières. Little brooks make great rivers.

Les plus courtes folies sont les meilleures. The shortest follies are the best.

Les plus rusés sont les premiers pris. The most cunning are the first caught.

Les pots fêlés sont ceux qui durent le plus. The flawed pot lasts longest.

Les premiers vont devant. First come first served.

Les princes ne veulent point de servitudes limitées. Princes will not be served on conditions.

Les princes se servent des hommes comme le laboureur des abeilles. Princes use men as the husbandman uses bees.

Les princes tiennent toujours leurs comptes, ils ne perdent jamais rien. Princes keep good reckoning, they never lose anything.

L’esprit qu’on veut avoir gâte celui qu’on a. The wit one wants spoils what one has.

Les raisonnements bannissent la raison. Reasonings banish reason.

Les rois ont les mains longues. Kings have long hands.

Les tonneaux vides sont ceux qui font le plus de bruit. Empty casks make the most noise.

Leurs chiens ne chassent point ensemble. Their dogs don’t hunt in couples.

Le ventre emporte la tête. The belly overrules the head.

Lever à cinq, disner à neuf, souper à cinq, coucher à neuf, font vivre d’ans nonante-neuf. To rise at five, dine at nine, sup at five, go to bed at nine, makes a man live to ninety-nine.

Lever à six, manger à dix, souper à six, coucher à dix, font vivre l’homme dix fois dix. To rise at six, eat at ten, sup at six, go to bed at ten, makes a man live years ten times ten.

Le vilain ne sait ce qu’éperons valent. The churl knows not the worth of spurs.

Le vin donné aux ouvriers est le plus cher vendu. The wine given to your workmen is that for which you get the best paid.

Le vin ne porte point de chausses. Wine wears no breeches.

Le vrai n’est pas toujours vraisemblable. What is true is not always probable.

L’habit ne fait pas le moine. The gown does not make the monk.

L’homme est bien heureux qui a une belle femme auprès d’une abbaye. Happy is the man who has a handsome wife close to an abbey.

L’homme est de feu, la femme d’étoupe; le diable vient qui souffle. Man is fire, woman is tow, and the devil comes and blows.

L’homme n’a ni sens ni raison, qui jeune femme laisse au tison. The man has neither sense nor reason who leaves a young wife at home.

L’homme propose et Dieu dispose. Man proposes and God disposes.

L’hôte et le poisson en trois jours sont poison. A guest and a fish after three days are poison.

L’ignorance des hommes fait bouillir le pot aux prêtres. Men’s ignorance makes the pot boil for priests.

L’intention est réputée pour le fait. The will is taken for the deed.

L’occasion fait le larron. Opportunity makes the thief.

L’”oe]il du maître engraisse le cheval. The eye of the master fattens the steed.

Loin des yeux loin du c”oe]ur. Out of sight out of mind.

L’oiseau ne doit pas salir son nid. The bird ought not to soil its own nest.

Longue demeure fait changer ami. Long absence changes friends.

Longue langue, courte main. Long tongue, short hand.

Longues paroles font les jours courts. Long talk makes short days.

M

Maille à maille on fait le haubergeon. Link by link the coat of mail is made.

Maints sont bons parce qu’ils ne peuvent nuire. Many a one is good because he can do no mischief.

Maison faite et femme à faire. A house ready made and a wife to make.

Mal d’autrui n’est que songe. Another’s misfortune is only a dream.

Mal soupe qui tout dîne. He sups ill who eats up all at dinner.

Mal sur mal n’est pas santé. Misfortune upon misfortune is not wholesome.

Marchand d’oignons se connaît en ciboules. A dealer in onions is a good judge of scallions.

Marchand qui perd ne peut rire. The merchant that loses cannot laugh.

Mariage d’épervier: la femelle vaut mieux que le mâle. A hawk’s marriage: the hen is the better bird.

Marie ton fils quand tu voudras, ta fille quand tu pourras. Marry your son when you please, your daughter when you can.

Mari sourd et femme aveugle font toujours bon ménage. A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple.

Mauvais c”oe]ur et bon estomac. A bad heart and a good stomach.

Mauvaise herbe croît toujours. Ill weeds grow apace.

Mauvais ouvrier ne trouvera jamais bon outil. A bad workman never finds a good tool.

Méchant chien, court lien. A wicked dog must be tied short.

Méchant poulain peut devenir bon cheval. A ragged colt may make a good horse.

Mère piteuse fait sa fille rogneuse. A tender-hearted mother makes a scabby daughter.

Mets ton manteau comme vient le vent. Arrange your cloak as the wind blows.

Mettre la charrue devant les b”oe]ufs. To put the plough before the oxen.

Mieux nourri qu’instruit. Better fed than taught.

Mieux vaut assez que trop. Enough is better than too much.

Mieux vaut avoir ami en voye qu’or ou argent en corroye. Better to have a friend on the road than gold or silver in your purse.

Mieux vaut bon repas que bel habit. Better a good dinner than a fine coat.

Mieux vaut couard que trop hardi. Better be a coward than foolhardy.

Mieux vaut engin que force. Contrivance is better than force.

Mieux vaut être tête de chien que queue de lion. Better be the head of a dog than the tail of a lion.

Mieux vaut faire envie que pitié. Better be envied than pitied.

Mieux vaut glisser du pied que de la langue. Better a slip of the foot than of the tongue.

Mieux vaut marcher devant une poule que derrière un b”oe]uf. Better walk before a hen than behind an ox.

Mieux vaut perdre la laine que la brebis. Better lose the wool than the sheep.

Mieux vaut plein poing de bonne vie que ne faict sept muys de clergie. A handful of good life is better than seven bushels of learning.

Mieux vaut plier que rompre. Better bend than break.

Mieux vaut règle que rente. Thrift is better than an annuity.

Mieux vaut tard que jamais. Better late than never.

Mieux vaut terre gâtée que terre perdue. Better a ruined than a lost land.

Mieux vaut une once de fortune qu’une livre de sagesse. An ounce of luck is worth a pound of wisdom.

Mieux vaut un pied que deux échasses. One foot is better than two stilts.

Mieux vaut un tiens que deux tu l’auras. One “take this” is worth more than two “you shall have.”

Moineau en main vaut mieux que pigeon qui vole. A sparrow in the hand is better than a pigeon on the wing.

Moine qui demande pour Dieu demande pour deux. The monk that begs for God’s sake begs for two.

Moins vaut rage que courage. Rage avails less than courage.

Moitié figue, moitié raisin. Half figs, half raisins.

Montre-moi un menteur je te montrerai un larron. Show me a liar and I’ll show you a thief.

Montrer le soleil avec un flambeau. To show the sun with a torch.

Morceau avalé n’a plus de goût. There is no flavour in a swallowed morsel.

Morte la bête, mort le venin. The beast dead, the venom is dead.

Mot à mot on fait les gros livres. Word by word the big books are made.

Muraille blanche papier de fou. A white wall is the fool’s paper.

N

Nager entre deux eaux. To swim between two waters.

Nage toujours et ne t’y fie. Swim on and don’t trust.

N’a pas fait qui commence. He has not done who is beginning.

Nécessité est mère d’invention. Necessity is the mother of invention.

Nécessité n’a pas de loi. Necessity has no law.

Ne crachez pas dans le puits, vous pouvez en boire l’eau. Spit not in the well, you may have to drink its water.

Ne croire à Dieu que sur bons gages. Trust not to God but upon good security.

Ne fais pas un four de ton bonnet ni de ton ventre un jardinet. Don’t make an oven of your cap or a garden of your belly.

Ne mets ton doigt en anneau trop étroit. Don’t put your finger into too tight a ring.

Ne meurs cheval, herbe te vient. Horse, don’t die yet, grass is coming.

Ne prêtez point votre argent à un grand seigneur. Do not lend your money to a great man.

Ne reprens ce que n’entens. Don’t find fault with what you don’t understand.

Ne sont pas tous chasseurs qui sonnent du cor. All are not hunters who blow the horn.

Ne touchez point à l’argent d’autrui, car le plus honnête homme n’y ajouta jamais rien. Touch not another man’s money, for the most honest never added to it.

N’éveille pas le chat qui dort. Wake not a sleeping cat.

Noblesse oblige. Nobility imposes obligations.

Noire geline pond blanc ”oe]uf. A black hen lays a white egg.

Nous verrons, dit l’aveugle. We shall see, as the blind man said.

Nul feu sans fumée. No fire without smoke.

Nul n’aura bon marché s’il ne le demande. No one will get a bargain he does not ask for.

Nul n’est prophète dans son pays. No man is a prophet in his own country.

Nul n’est si large que celui qui n’a rien à donner. No one is so liberal as he who has nothing to give.

Nul vent ne fait pour lui qui n’a point de port destiné. No wind can do him good who steers for no port.

O

Oignez vilain il vous poindra, poignez vilain il vous oindra. Anoint a villain and he will prick you, prick a villain and he will anoint you.

Oiseau débonnaire de lui-même se fait. The gentle hawk mans herself.

On a beau mener le b”oe]uf à l’eau s’il n’a soif. It is in vain to lead the ox to the water if he is not thirsty.

On achète tout fors le jour et la nuit. Everything may be bought except day and night.

On a plus de mal à se damner qu’à se sauver. People take more pains to be damned than to be saved.

On apprend en faillant. One learns by failing.

On a souvent besoin de plus petit que soi. One often has need of a lesser than oneself.

On a tant crié Noël qu’à la fin il est venu. Christmas has been talked of so long that it has come at last.

On a toujours assez de force pour supporter le malheur de ses amis. One has always strength enough to bear the misfortunes of one’s friends.

On compte les défauts de ceux qu’on attend. People count up the faults of those who keep them waiting.

On connaît l’ami au besoin. A friend is known in time of need.

Oncques mâtin n’aima levrier. Mastiff never liked greyhound. (A churl never liked a gentleman.)

Oncques souhait n’emplit le sac. Wishes never filled the bag.

Oncques vieil singe ne fit belle moue. An old ape never made a pretty grimace.

On dit est un sot. ”They say” is a fool.

On fait dire aux cloches tout ce qu’on veut. People make the bells say what they please.

On fait le loup plus grand qu’il n’est. The wolf is not so big as people make him.

On ferait un bien gros livre de tous les peut-être qui se disent en un jour. It would be a very big book that contained all the maybes uttered in a day.

On frotte tant le fer qu’à la fin il s’échauffe. Iron may be rubbed so long that it gets heated.

On lie bien le sac avant qu’il soit plein. A sack is best tied before it is full.

On n’a jamais bon marché d’une mauvaise marchandise. Bad ware is never cheap.

On n’a jamais de marchandise que pour son argent. One never gets more than one’s money’s worth of anything.

On n’a jamais vu chèvre morte de faim. No one ever saw a goat dead of hunger.

On n’a rien pour rien. Nothing is had for nothing.

On ne connaît point le vin aux cercles. The wine is not known by the hoops.

On ne doit pas à gras pourceau le cul oindre. There’s no need to grease the fat pig’s rump.

On ne doit pas laisser bonne terre pour mauvais seigneur. Good land should not be quitted for a bad landlord.

On ne fait pas de rien grasse porée. Fat broth cannot be made of nothing.

On ne jette des pierres qu’à l’arbre chargé de fruits. It is only at the tree loaded with fruit that people throw stones.

On ne peut contenter tout le monde et son père. One cannot please everybody and one’s father.

On ne peut faire qu’en faisant. To do, one must be doing.

On ne peut pas empêcher le vent de venter. One can’t hinder the wind from blowing.

On ne peut pas être en même temps au four et au moulin. One cannot be at the oven and the mill at the same time. (One cannot be in two places at once.)

On ne peut pas être et avoir été. One cannot be and have been.

On ne peut sonner les cloches et aller à la procession. One cannot ring the bells and walk in the procession.

On ne prend pas le lièvre au son du tambour. Hares are not caught by the sound of the drum.

On ne prête qu’aux riches. People lend only to the rich.

On ne sait pas pour qui on amasse. One knows not for whom he gathers.

On ne saurait faire boire un âne s’il n’a pas soif. You cannot make an ass drink if he is not thirsty.

On ne saurait faire d’une buse un épervier. You cannot make a hawk of a buzzard.

On ne saurait tirer de l’huile d’un mur. You cannot get oil out of a wall.

On n’est jamais crotté que par la boue. One is never soiled but by filth.

On n’est jamais si riche que quand on déménage. One is never so rich as when one removes (from one house to another).

On ne va jamais si loin que lorsqu’on ne sait pas où l’on va. One never goes so far as when one doesn’t know whither one is going.

On pêche bien en eau troublé. It is good fishing in troubled waters.

On peut payer l’or trop cher. One may buy gold too dear.

On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu’avec du vinaigre. Flies are easier caught with honey than with vinegar.

On prend son bien où on le trouve. A man takes his own wherever he finds it.

On revient toujours à ses premières amours. One always returns to one’s first love.

On se heurte toujours où l’on a mal. One always knocks oneself in the sore place.

On se soûle bien de manger tartes. One may tire of eating tarts.

On touche toujours sur le cheval qui tire. The horse that draws most is most whipped.

On trouve remède à tout fors à la mort. There is a remedy for everything but death.

On va bien loin depuis qu’on est las. One may go a long way after one is tired.

On voit plus de vieux ivrognes que de vieux médecins. There are more old drunkards than old doctors.

Or est qui or vaut. That is gold which is worth gold.

Ote-toi de là que je m’y mette. Get out of that place and let me take it.

Où il est faible le fil se rompt. Where the thread is weakest it breaks.

Où il n’y a point de mal il ne faut point d’emplâtre. Where there is no sore there needs no plaister.

Où il n’y a rien le roi perd ses droits. Where there is nothing the king loses his rights.

Où la chèvre est attachée il faut qu’elle broute. Where the goat is tied she must browse.

Où la guêpe a passé le moucheron demeure. Where the wasp has passed the fly sticks fast.

Où la haie est plus basse on saute dessus. Where the hedge is lowest men jump over.

Où l’hôtesse est belle le vin est bon. Where the hostess is handsome the wine is good.

Oy, voy, et te tay, si veux vivre en paix. Hear, see, and say nothing if you would live in peace.

P

Pain dérobé réveille l’appétit. Stolen bread stirs the appetite.

Pain tant qu’il dure, vin à mesure. Eat bread at pleasure, drink wine by measure.

Parens sans amis, amis sans pouvoir, pouvoir sans vouloir, vouloir sans effet, effet sans profit, profit sans vertu, ne vaut un fétu. Kindred without friends, friends without power, power without will, will without effect, effect without profit, profit without virtue, is not worth a rush.

Paris n’a pas été fait en un jour. Paris was not built in a day.

Parole jetée va partout à la volée. A word once out flies everywhere.

Partage de Montgomery: tout d’un côté, rien de l’autre. A Montgomery division: all on one side, nothing on the other.

Par trop débattre la vérité se perd. In too much disputing truth is lost.

Par trop presser l’anguille on la perd. To squeeze an eel too hard is the way to lose it.

Pas à pas on va bien loin. Fair and softly goes far.

Passez-moi la rhubarbe je vous passerai le séné. Give me the rhubarb and you may take the senna.

Pauvreté est une espèce de ladrerie. Poverty is a sort of leprosy.

Pauvreté n’est pas vice. Poverty is not a vice.

Péché caché est à demi pardonné. A sin concealed is half pardoned (meaning when care is taken to conceal the scandal).

Pendant que les chiens s’entre-grondent le loup dévore la brebis. Whilst the dogs are growling at each other the wolf devours the sheep.

Pense moult, parle peu, écris moins. Think much, say little, write less.

Petit à petit l’oiseau fait son nid. Little by little the bird builds its nest.

Petit chaudron, grandes oreilles. Little pitchers have long ears.

Petit dîner longuement attendu, n’est pas donné, mais chèrement vendu. A little dinner, long expected and cold, is by no means given, but dearly sold.

Petite brebiette toujours semble jeunette. A little sheep always seems young.

Petite chose aide souvent. A little thing often helps.

Petite étincelle luit en ténèbres. A little spark shines in the dark.

Petite pluie abat grand vent. A little rain stills a great wind.

Petit homme abat grand chêne. A little man fells a great oak.

Peu de levain aigrit grand’pâte. A little leaven leavens a great mass.

Pierre qui roule n’amasse point de mousse. A rolling stone gathers no moss.

Plumer l’oie sans la faire crier. To pluck the goose without making it cry out.

Plus fait douceur que violence. Gentleness does more than violence.

Plus le singe s’élève plus il montre son cul pelé. The higher the ape climbs the more he shows his rump.

Plus on est de fous, plus on rit. The more fools the more laughter.

Plus on remue la merde et plus elle pue. The more you stir it the more it stinks.

Plus on se découvre, plus on a froid. The more a man exposes his nakedness the colder he is.

Plus on se hâte moins on avance. The more haste the worse speed.

Point d’argent, point de Suisse. No money no Swiss.

Point de nouvelles bonnes nouvelles. No news is good news.

Point de roses sans épines. No rose without a thorn.

Porte fermée, le diable s’en va. When the devil finds the door shut he goes away.

Porter de l’eau à la rivière. To carry water to the river.

Porter lanterne à midi. To carry a lantern in mid-day.

Possession vaut titre. Possession is as good as a title.

Pour bien connaître un homme il faut avoir mangé un boisseau de sel avec lui. To know a man well one must have eaten a bushel of salt with him.

Pour de l’argent les chiens dansent. Money makes dogs dance.

Pour faire un bon ménage, il faut que l’homme soit sourd et la femme aveugle. To make a happy couple, the husband must be deaf and the wife blind.

Pour l’amour du chevalier baise la dame l’écuyer. For sake of the knight the lady kisses the squire.

Pour néant demande conseil qui ne le veut croire. He asks advice in vain who will not follow it.

Pour un moine l’abbaye ne faut point. The abbey does not fail for want of one monk.

Pour un plaisir mille douleurs. For one pleasure a thousand pains.

Prendre l’occasion aux cheveux. To take opportunity by the forelock.

Prends le premier conseil d’une femme et non le second. Take a woman’s first advice and not her second.

Près de l’église et loin de Dieu. The nearer the church the farther from God.

Près du moustier à messe le dernier. The nearer the minster the later to mass.

Promettre et tenir sont deux. Promising and performing are two things.

Promettre plus de beurre que de pain. To promise more butter than bread.

Puisque le vin est tiré il faut le boire. Since the wine is drawn it must be drunk.

Q

Quand Dieu envoie la farine le diable enlève le sac. When God sends flour the devil carries off the sack.

Quand il n’y a point de vent chacun sait naviguer. When there is no wind every man is a pilot.

Quand la cage est faite l’oiseau s’envole. When the cage is ready the bird is flown.

Quand la fille est mariée il arrive assez de gendres. After the daughter is married, then come sons-in-law in plenty.

Quand la porte est basse il faut se baisser. When the door is low one must stoop.

Quand l’arbre est tombé tout le monde court aux branches. When the tree is down everybody runs to the branches.

Quand l’aveugle porte la bannière, mal pour ceux qui marchent derrière. When the blind man carries the banner, woe to those who follow.

Quand le chien se noye chacun lui porte de l’eau. When the dog is drowning every one brings him water.

Quand le diable devient vieux il se fait ermite. When the devil grows old he turns hermit.

Quand le diable dit ses patenôtres il veut te tromper. When the devil says his paternosters he means to cheat you.

Quand le Français dort le diable le berce. When the Frenchman sleeps the devil rocks him.

Quand les biens viennent les corps faillent. When goods increase the body decreases.

Quand les paroles sont dites l’eau bénite est faite. When the words are said, the holy water is made.

Quand on a des filles on est toujours berger. He who has daughters is always a shepherd.

Quand on est bien il faut s’y tenir. When you are well off keep as you are.

Quand on est mort, c’est pour longtemps. When one is dead, it is for a long while.

Quand on n’a pas ce que l’on aime, il faut aimer ce que l’on a. When one has not what one likes, one must like what one has.

Quand on parle du loup, on en voit la queue. Talk of the wolf and you see his tail.

Quand tous péchés sont vieux l’avarice est encore jeune. When all other sins are old avarice is still young.

Quand vient la gloire s’en va la mémoire. When glory comes memory departs.

Que ta chemise ne sache ta guise. Let not your shirt know your way of thinking.

Qui a bonne tête ne manque pas de chapeaux. A good head does not want for hats.

Qui a bu boira. He who has drunk will drink.

Qui a compagnon a maître. He who has a companion has a master.

Qui a de l’argent a des pirouettes. He who has money has capers.

Qui a froid souffle le feu. Let him who is cold blow the fire.

Qui a honte de manger a honte de vivre. He that is ashamed to eat is ashamed to live.

Qui aime Bertrand aime son chien. Love Bertrand love his dog.

Qui aime bien châtie bien. Who loves well chastises well.

Qui aime bien tard oublie. Who loves well is slow to forget.

Qui a la bourse pleine prêche au pauvre. He who has his purse full preaches to the poor man.

Qui a tête de cire ne doit pas s’approcher du feu. He that hath a head of wax must not approach the fire.

Qui attend les souliers d’un mort risque d’aller pieds nus. He who waits for a dead man’s shoes is in danger of going barefoot.

Qui cache peut trouver. He that hides can find.

Qui casse les verres les paye. He pays for the glasses who breaks them.

Qui cesse d’être ami ne l’a jamais été. He never was a friend who has ceased to be one.

Qui chapon mange chapon lui vient. Who eats capon, capon comes to him.

Qui choisit, prend le pire. He who chooses takes the worst. (Pick and choose, and take the worst.)

Qui commence et ne parfait, sa peine perd. He who begins and does not finish loses his labour.

Qui compte sans son hôte, compte deux fois. He that reckons without his host must reckon again.

Qui court deux lièvres, n’en prendra aucun. He that hunts two hares will catch neither.

Qui crache contre le ciel, il lui tombe sur la tête. Who spits against heaven, it falls on his head.

Qui craint de souffrir, souffre de crainte. He who fears to suffer, suffers from fear.

Qui cuir voit tailler, courroye en demande. He who sees leather cut asks for a thong.

Qui dit averti, dit muni. Forewarned, forearmed.

Qui donner peut, il a maint bon voisin. He who can give has many a good neighbour.

Qui doute ne se trompe point. Who doubts errs not.

Qui écoute aux portes, entend plus qu’il ne désire. He who listens at doors hears more than he desires.

Qui en dit du mal, veut l’acheter. He who dispraises a thing, wants to buy it.

Qui épargne, gagne. Saving is getting.

Qui épargne le vice, fait tort à la vertu. He who spares vice wrongs virtue.

Qui est avec les loups, il lui faut hurler. He who kennels with wolves must howl.

Qui est bien, qu’il s’y tienne. Whose is well let him keep so.

Qui est sur la mer, il ne fait pas des vents ce qu’il veut. He who is at sea does not direct the winds.

Qui femme a, noise a. He that hath a wife is sure of strife.

Qui femme croit et âne mène, son corps ne sera jamais sans peine. He who trusts a woman and leads an ass will never be free from plague.

Qui gagne, joue bien. He plays well that wins.

Qui juge entre deux amis, perdra l’un ou l’autre. He who judges between two friends loses one of them.

Qui mal cherche, mal trouve. Harm watch harm catch.

Qui mange de l’oye du roi, chiera une plume quarante ans après. He who eats of the king’s goose will void a feather forty years after.

Qui mange la vache du roi maigre, la paie grasse. He who eats the king’s cow lean, pays for it fat.

Qui menace, a peur. He who threatens is afraid.

Qui monte la mule, la ferre. He who rides the mule shoes her.

Qui mouche trop son nez, en tire du sang. Who blows his nose too hard makes it bleed.

Qui naît le dimanche, jamais ne meurt de peste. A Sunday’s child never dies of the plague.

Qui n’amorce pas son haim, pèche en vain. He who does not bait his hook fishes in vain.

Qui n’a, ne peut. Who has not, cannot.

Qui n’a pas argent en bourse, ait miel en bouche. He that has not money in his purse should have honey in his mouth.

Qui naquit chat, court après les souris. Who is born of a cat will run after mice. (An allusion to one of Æsop’s fables.)

Qui n’a qu’un ”oe]il, bien le garde. A man who has but one eye must take good care of it.

Qui n’a rien, ne craint rien. He who has nothing fears nothing.

Qui n’a santé, n’a rien. He who has not health has nothing.

Qui ne châtie culot, ne châtie culasse. He that corrects not youth controls not age.

Qui ne dit mot, consent. Silence gives consent.

Qui ne fait pas quand il peut, il ne fait pas quand il veut. He that will not when he may, when he will shall have nay.

Qui ne fait rien, fait mal. He who does nothing does ill.

Qui ne gagne, perd. He who does not gain loses.

Qui ne hasarde rien, n’a rien. Nothing venture, nothing have.

Qui n’entend qu’une cloche, n’entend qu’un son. Who hears but one bell hears but one sound.

Qui ne parle, n’erre. He who holds his tongue does not commit himself.

Qui ne peut faire son salut par c”oe]ur, ne le fera par livre. Who cannot work out his salvation by heart will not do it by book.

Qui ne peut mordre, ne doit pas montrer les dents. Don’t show your teeth if you can’t bite.

Qui ne regarde pas en avant, se trouve en arrière. He who looks not before finds himself behind.

Qui ne retire de sa vache que la queue, ne perd pas tout. He who recovers but the tail of his cow does not lose all.

Qui ne sait bien parler de son métier, il ne le sait pas. He who cannot speak well of his trade does not understand it.

Qui ne s’aventure, n’a ni cheval ni mule; et qui trop s’aventure, perd cheval et mule. Who does not venture gets neither horse nor mule, and who ventures too much loses horse and mule.

Qui ne se lasse pas, lasse l’adversité. He who does not tire, tires adversity.

Qui ne sort que de jour, n’a que faire de lanterne. He who goes abroad by day has no need of a lantern.

Qui ne souffre pas seul, ne souffre pas tant. Company in distress makes trouble less.

Qui ne veut parler, ne veut gagner. Spare to speak and spare to speed.

Qui n’y va, n’y chet. He that ventures not fails not.

Qui parle, sème; qui écoute, recueille. Who speaks, sows; who listens, reaps.

Qui partout va, partout prend. He who goes everywhere gains everywhere.

Qui passe un jour d’hiver, il passe un de ses ennemis mortels. He who passes a winter’s day passes one of his mortal enemies.

Qui paye, a bien le droit de donner son avis. He who pays is fairly entitled to speak his mind.

Qui paye bien, est bien servi. He who pays well is well served.

Qui paye tôt, emprunte quand il veut. Who pays soon borrows when he will.

Qui perd, pèche. He who loses sins.

Qui peut lécher, peut mordre. He who can lick can bite.

Qui plus qu’il n’a vaillant dépend, il fait la corde à quoi se pend. He that spends more than he is worth spins a rope for his own neck.

Qui plus sait, plus se tait. Who knows most says least.

Qui porte un fardeau, en portera bientôt cent. He who carries one burden will soon carry a hundred.

Qui pourrait vivre sans espoir? Who could live without hope?

Qui prend femme, prend maître. He who takes a wife takes a master.

Qui prend une femme pour sa dot, à la liberté tourne le dos. Who wives for a dower, resigns his own power.

Qui prête à l’ami, perd au double. Who lends to a friend loses doubly.

Qui prouve trop, ne prouve rien. Who proves too much proves nothing.

Qui quitte sa place, la perd. He who quits his place loses it.

Qui refuse, muse. Who refuses, muses.

Qui répond, paye. Who answers for another pays.

Qui reste dans la vallée ne passera jamais la montagne. He that stays in the valley will not get over the hill.

Qui rien ne porte, rien ne lui chet. He who carries nothing loses nothing.

Qui s’acquitte, s’enrichit. He who gets out of debt enriches himself.

Qui s’arrête à chaque pierre, n’arrive jamais. He who stops at every stone never gets to his journey’s end.

Qui s’attend à l’écuelle d’autrui, dîne souvent par c”oe]ur. He who waits for another man’s trencher often dines in imagination (or with Duke Humphrey).

Qui saurait les aventures, ne serait jamais pauvre. Could a man foresee events he would never be poor.

Qui se couche avec des chiens, se lève avec des puces. He who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.

Qui se détourne, évite le danger. He who turns aside avoids danger.

Qui se fâche, a tort. He who loses his temper is in the wrong.

Qui se fait brebis, le loup le mange. Make yourself a sheep and the wolf will eat you.

Qui se marie à la hâte, se repent à loisir. Marry in haste and repent at leisure.

Qui se marie par amours, a bonnes nuits et mauvais jours. He who marries for love has good nights and bad days.

Qui sème des chardons, recueille des épines. He who sows thistles reaps thorns.

Qui sème épines, n’aille déchaux. Who sows thorns should not go barefoot.

Qui sème, recueille. Who sows reaps.

Qui se remue, Dieu l’adjue. God helps him who helps himself.

Qui se ressemble s’assemble. Like will to like.

Qui sert commun, nul ne le paye, et s’il défaut, chacun l’abbaye. Who serves the mass is thanked by none, but cursed if aught be left undone.

Qui se sent galeux, se gratte. Let him that itches scratch himself.

Qui se sent morveux, se mouche. Let him who feels he has a dirty nose wipe it.

Qui se tient à Paris, ne sera jamais pape. He who never budges from Paris will never be pope.

Qui s’excuse, s’accuse. He who excuses himself accuses himself.

Qui s’y frotte, s’y pique. No jesting with edged tools.

Qui terre a, guerre a. Whoso hath land hath war.

Qui tient la poële par la queue, il la tourne là où il veut. He who holds the handle of the frying-pan turns it as he pleases.

Qui tient le fil, tient le peloton. He who holds the thread holds the ball.

Qui tôt donne, deux fois donne. He gives twice who gives in a trice.

Qui tourmente les autres, ne dort pas bien. He who torments others does not sleep well.

Qui trébuche et ne tombe pas, avance son chemin. He that stumbles and falls not, mends his pace.

Qui trop change, empire. Who often changes, damages.

Qui trop embrasse, mal étreint. He who grasps too much holds not firmly.

Qui trop se hâte en cheminant, en beau chemin se fourvoye souvent. He that is too much in haste, may stumble on a good road.

Qui un punit, cent menace. Who punishes one threatens a hundred.

Qui va chercher de la laine, revient tondu. He who goes to collect wool may come back shorn.

Qui va et retourne, fait bon voyage. Who goes and returns makes a good journey.

Qui va, il lèche; qui repose, il sèche. He who bestirs himself sucks up, he who lies still dries up.

Qui veut apprendre à prier, aille souvent sur la mer. If a man would learn to pray let him go often to sea.

Qui veut être riche en un an, au bout de six mois est pendu. He who wants to be rich in a year is hanged at six months’ end.

Qui veut faire une porte d’or, il y met tous les jours un clou. He who wishes to make a golden door drives a nail into it every day.

Qui veut noyer son chien, l’accuse de rage. A man who wants to drown his dog says he is mad.

Qui veut plaire à tout le monde, doit se lever de bonne heure. He had need rise early who would please everybody.

Qui veut prendre un oiseau, qu’il ne l’effarouche. To scare a bird is not the way to catch it.

Qui veut tenir nette maison, il n’y faut prêtre ni pigeon. He that would keep his house clean must not let priest or pigeon into it.

Qui veut vivre à Rome, ne doit pas se quereller avec le pape. He who wishes to live at Rome must not quarrel with the pope.

Qui veut voyager loin, ménage sa monture. He who wants to travel far takes care of his beast.

Qui vient, est beau; qui apporte, est encore plus beau. Fair is he that comes, but fairer he that brings.

Qui vit à compte, vit à honte. Who lives on the score has shame evermore.

Qui vit longtemps, sait ce qu’est douleur. He who lives long knows what pain is.

Qui vivra, verra. Who lives will see.

Qui voit une épingle et ne la prend, vient un temps qu’il s’en repent. See a pin and let it lie, you’ll want a pin before you die.

Quoique fol tarde, jour ne tarde. Though the fool waits, the day does not.

R

Raison contre le fort est un trepiteux port. Reason not with the great, ’tis a perilous gate.

Renard qui dort la matinée, n’a pas la langue emplumée. The fox that sleeps in the morning has not his tongue feathered.

Rendre à quelqu’un la monnaie de sa pièce. To give change out for his coin.

Rendre pois pour fève. To give a pea for a bean. (A Rowland for an Oliver.)

Ressembler aux bahutiers, qui font plus de bruit que de besogne. Like box-makers, more noise than work.

Rien n’a qui assez n’a. He has nothing who has not enough.

Rien n’arrive pour rien. Nothing happens for nothing.

Rien ne pèse tant qu’un secret. Nothing is so burthensome as a secret.

Rien ne ressemble plus à un honnête homme qu’un fripon. Nothing is more like an honest man than a rogue.

Rien ne se donne si libéralement que les conseils. Nothing is so liberally given as advice.

Rien n’est bon comme le fruit défendu. Nothing so good as forbidden fruit.

Rien ne vaut poulain s’il ne rompt son lien. A colt is good for nothing if it does not break its halter.

Rien ne vieillit plus vite qu’un bienfait. Nothing grows old sooner than a kindness.

Rira bien qui rira le dernier. He’ll laugh well that laughs longest.

Rome n’a pas été faite en un jour. Rome was not built in a day.

S

Saint ne peut, si Dieu ne veut. Saint cannot if God will not.

Saint qui ne guérit de rien, n’a guère de pélerins. The saint who works no cures has few pilgrims to his shrine.

Sans pain, sans vin, amour n’est rien. Without bread and wine even love will pine.

Sauter de la poële sur la braise. To jump out of the frying pan into the fire.

Secret de deux, secret de Dieu; secret de trois, secret de tous. The secret of two is God’s secret, the secret of three is everybody’s secret.

Se faire d’évêque meunier. From bishop to turn miller.

Se faire marchand de poissons la veille de Pâques. To turn fishmonger on Easter-eve.

Se jeter dans l’eau de peur de la pluie. To jump into the water for fear of the rain.

Selon le bras la saignée. According to the arm be the bleeding.

Selon le saint l’encens. Like saint like incense.

Selon le vent la voile. As the wind so the sail. (Set your sail to the wind.)

Sers comme serf, ou fuy comme cerf. Serve as a serf or fly like a deer.

Service de grands n’est pas héritage. Service is no inheritance.

Si ce n’était le si et mais, nous serions tous riches à jamais. Were it not for “if” and “but,” we should all be rich for ever.

Si c’était un loup, il vous sauterait au cou. Were it a wolf it would spring at your throat.

Si enfer n’est plein, jamais n’y aura d’avocat sauvé. Unless hell is full no lawyer will ever be saved.

Signer pour les deux parties. To sign for both parties.

Si jeunesse savait! si vieillesse pouvait! If youth knew! if age could!

Si le ciel tombait il y aurait bien des alouettes prises. If the sky were to fall we should catch plenty of larks.

Si le diable sortait de l’enfer pour combattre, il se présenterait aussitôt un Français pour accepter le défi. Were the devil to come from hell to fight, there would forthwith be a Frenchman to accept the challenge.

S’il est vrai, il peut être. ’Tis possible if true.

S’il fait beau, prends ton manteau; s’il pleut, prends-le si tu veux. If the weather is fine, put on your cloak; if it rains, do as you please.

S’il ne tient qu’à jurer, la vache est à nous. If it only depends on swearing, the cow is ours.

Si nous payons la musique, nous voulons aussi danser. If we pay for the music we will join in the dance.

Si souhaits fussent vrais, pastoureaux rois seraient. If wishes were true, shepherds would be kings. (If wishes would bide, beggars would ride.)

Si tu as la tête de beurre, ne te fais pas boulanger. If your head is made of butter, don’t be a baker.

Si tu ne le peux dire, si le monstre au doigt. If you cannot say it, point to it with your finger.

Si vous lui donnez un pied, il vous en prendra quatre. Give him a foot and he’ll take four.

Six choses au monde n’ont mestier: prestre hardy, coüard chevalier, juge convoiteux, puant barbier, mère piteuse, rogneux boulengier. Six things have no business in the world: a fighting priest, a coward knight, a covetous judge, a stinking barber, a soft-hearted mother, and an itchy baker.

Sois vraiment ce que tu veux qu’on te croie. Be truly what thou wouldst be thought to be.

Soleil qui luisarne au matin, femme qui parle latin, enfant nourri de vin, ne viennent point à bonne fin. A glaring sunny morning, a woman that talks Latin, and a child reared on wine, never come to a good end.

Son cheval a la tête trop grosse, il ne peut sortir de l’écurie. His horse’s head is too big, it cannot get out of the stable.

Songes sont mensonges. Dreams are lies.

Soubs ombre d’asne entre chien en moulin. The dog gets into the mill under cover of the ass.

Souffler le chaud et le froid. To blow hot and cold.

Soupçon est d’amitié poison. Suspicion is the poison of friendship.

Souris qui n’a qu’un trou est bientôt prise. The mouse that has but one hole is soon caught.

Souvent les railleurs sont raillés. The biter is often bit.

Suivez la rivière et vous gagnerez la mer. Follow the river and you will reach the sea.

Surement va qui n’a rien. He goes safely who has nothing.

Sur un ”oe]uf pond la poule un ”oe]uf. Upon an egg the hen lays an egg.

T

Tant doit-on le chien blandir qu’on ait la voie passée. One must talk soothingly to the dog until one has passed him.

Tant va la cruche à l’eau qu’à la fin elle se brise. The pitcher goes often to the well and gets broken at last.

Tant vaut l’homme, tant vaut sa terre. As the man is worth his land is worth.

Tard donner, c’est refuser. To give tardily is to refuse.

Tel a beaux yeux qui n’y voit goutte. Some have fine eyes and can’t see a jot.

Tel a du pain qui n’a plus de dents. Some have bread who have no teeth left.

Tel croit se chauffer qui se brûle. Some who mean only to warm, burn themselves.

Tel cuide avoir fait qui commence. Some think they have done when they are only beginning.

Tel cuide venger sa honte qui l’accroît. Some thinking to avenge their shame increase it.

Tel en pâtit qui n’en peut mais. Many a one suffers for what he can’t help.

Tel maître, tel valet. Like master, like man.

Tel menace, qui a peur. A man may threaten yet be afraid.

Tel menace, qui est battu. The threatener sometimes gets a beating.

Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera. He that laughs on Friday may cry on Sunday.

Tel vend, qui ne livre pas. Some sell and don’t deliver.

Temps, vent, femme, et fortune, changent comme la lune. Weather, wind, women, and fortune change like the moon.

Tendresse maternelle toujours se renouvelle. Mother’s love is ever in its spring.

Tenir le loup par les oreilles. To hold the wolf by the ears.

Tête de fou ne blanchit jamais. A fool’s head never whitens.

Tirer le diable par la queue, ne mène loin jeunes ni vieux. Pulling the devil by the tail does not lead far young or old.

Tirer les marrons du feu avec la patte du chat. To take the chesnuts out of the fire with the cat’s paw.

Tôt gagné, tôt gaspillé. Soon gained soon squandered.

Toujours amoureux, jamais marié. Always in love, never married.

Toujours ne frappe-t-on pas ce à quoy l’on vise. One does not always hit what one aims at.

Toujours pêche qui en prend un. He fishes on who catches one.

Toujours truye songe bran. A sow is always dreaming of bran.

Tout bec crochu de proye est soustenu. Every hooked beak is maintained by prey.

Tout bois n’est pas bon à faire flèche. Not every sort of wood is fit to make an arrow.

Tout ce qui branle ne tombe pas. Every thing does not fall that totters.

Tout ce qui reluit n’est pas or. All is not gold that glitters.

Tout chemin mène à Rome. Every road leads to Rome.

Toute chair n’est pas venaison. All flesh is not venison.

Toute chose qui est bonne à prendre est bonne à rendre. What is worth receiving is worth returning.

Toute comparaison est odieuse. Comparisons are odious.

Toute eau éteint feu. Any water puts out fire.

Toutes les clefs ne pendent pas à une ceinture. All the keys don’t hang at one girdle.

Toutes têtes ne sont pas coffres à raison. All heads are not sense-boxes.

Toutes vérités ne sont pas bonnes à dire. All truths are not good to be uttered.

Tout état, et rien au plat. All state, and nothing on the plate.

Tout fait ventre, pourvu qu’il entre. A bellyful is a bellyful.

Tout le monde est sage après l’événement. Everybody is wise after the thing has happened.

Tout paraît jaune à qui a la jaunisse. To the jaundiced all things seem yellow.

Tout passe, tout casse, tout lasse. Everything passes, everything breaks, everything wearies.

Tout va à qui n’a pas besoin. Everything goes to him who does not want it.

Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre. Everything in time comes to him, who knows how to wait.

Tout y va par compère et commère. Everything goes by favour and cousinship.

Tricherie revient à son maître. Trickery comes back to its master.

Triste est la maison où le coq se tait et la poule chante. It is a sorry house in which the cock is silent and the hen crows.

Trois déménagements valent un incendie. Three removals are as bad as a fire.

Trois frères, trois châteaux. Three brothers, three castles.

Trop achète le miel qui le lèche sur les épines. He pays dear for honey who licks it off thorns.

Trop de zèle gâte tout. Too much zeal spoils all.

Trop gratter cuit, trop parler nuit. Too much scratching smarts, too much talking harms.

Trop tard crie l’oiseau quand il est pris. It is too late for the bird to scream when it is caught.

Trop tranchant ne coupe pas, trop pointu ne perce pas. Too keen an edge does not cut, too fine a point does not pierce.

Truie aime mieux bran que roses. A sow prefers bran to roses.

Tuer la poule pour avoir l’”oe]uf. To kill the hen by way of getting the egg.

Tuer un mercier pour un peigne. To kill a mercer for a comb.

U

Un ami de table et de vin, tenir ne faut pour bon voisin. A friend to my table and wine, is no good neighbour.

Un âne ne trébuche pas deux fois sur la même pierre. An ass does not stumble twice over the same stone.

Un apothicaire ne doit être longtemps cocu. An apothecary ought not to be long a cuckold.

Un aveugle mène l’autre en la fosse. One blind man leads another into the ditch.

Un barbier en rase un autre. One barber shaves another.

Un bienfait reproché tint toujours lieu d’offense. Upbraiding makes a benefit an injury.

Un boiteux ne veut aller avec un plus boiteux que lui. A lame man won’t walk with one who is lamer.

Un bon avis vaut un ”oe]il dans la main. A good advice is as good as an eye in the hand.

Un bon bailleur en fait bailler deux. A good gaper makes two gapers.

Un bon renard ne mange pas les poules de son voisin. A good fox does not eat his neighbour’s fowls.

Un bon repas doit commencer par la faim. A good repast ought to begin with hunger.

Un brochet fait plus qu’une lettre de recommandation. A jackfish does more than a letter of recommendation.

Un cerveau ne vaut guère sans langue. A brain is worth little without a tongue.

Un chien regarde bien un évêque. A dog may look at a bishop.

Un clou chasse l’autre. One nail drives out another.

Un coup de langue est pire qu’un coup de lance. The tongue wounds more than a lance.

Un courtisan doit être sans humeur et sans honneur. A courtier should be without feeling and without honour.

Une chandelle à Saint Michel et une à son diable. One candle for St. Michael, and another for his devil.

Une conscience pure est un bon oreiller. A clear conscience is a good pillow.

Une faute niée est deux fois commise. A fault denied is twice committed.

Une femme ne cèle que ce qu’elle ne sait pas. A woman conceals only what she does not know.

Une fleur ne fait pas une guirlande. One flower does not make a garland.

Une fois n’est pas coutume. Once is no custom.

Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps. One swallow does not make a spring.

Une once de faveur vaut mieux qu’une livre de justice. An ounce of favour goes further, or is worth more, than a pound of justice.

Une poule aveugle peut quelquefois trouver son grain. A blind hen can sometimes find her corn.

Une science requiert tout son homme. An art requires a whole man.

Une tromperie en attire une autre. One deceit brings on another.

Un fou avise bien un sage. A wise man may learn of a fool.

Un fou fait toujours commencement. A fool is always beginning.

Un homme averti en vaut deux. A man warned is as good as two.

Un homme bien monté est toujours orgueilleux. A man well mounted is always proud.

Un homme de paille vaut une femme d’or. A man of straw is worth a woman of gold.

Un homme mort n’a ni parents ni amis. A dead man has neither relations nor friends.

Un homme, nul homme. One man, no man.

Un homme qui se noie s’attache à un brin d’herbe. A drowning man clings to a blade of grass.

Un homme riche n’est jamais laid pour une fille. A rich man is never ugly in the eyes of a girl.

Un jour en vaut deux pour qui fait chaque chose en son lieu. One day is as good as two for him who does everything in its place.

Un malheur ne vient jamais seul. Misfortunes never come single.

Un marteau d’argent rompt une porte de fer. A silver hammer breaks an iron door.

Un mauvais accommodement vaut mieux qu’un bon procès. A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.

Un moineau dans la main vaut mieux qu’une grue qui vole. A sparrow in the hand is better than a crane on the wing.

Un noble prince ou roy n’a jamais pille ne croix. A noble prince or king never has a coin to bless himself.

Un petit homme projette parfois une grande ombre. A little man sometimes casts a long shadow.

Un peu d’absence fait grand bien. A little absence does much good.

Un peu d’aide fait grand bien. A little help does a great deal.

Un peu de fiel gâte beaucoup de miel. A little gall spoils a great deal of honey.

Un seigneur de paille mange un vassal d’acier. A lord of straw devours a vassal of steel.

Un seul homme ne peut suffire à tout. No living man all things can.

Un sot trouve toujours un plus sot qui l’admire. One fool always finds a greater fool to admire him.

Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l’auras. One take-this is better than two thou-shalt-haves.

Un ver se recoquille quand on marche dessus. Tread on a worm and it will turn.

Un vieux four est plus aisé à chauffer qu’un neuf. An old oven is easier to heat than a new one.

V

Vache de loin a lait assez. A cow from afar gives plenty of milk.

Vache ne sait ce que vaut sa queue jusqu’à ce qu’elle l’ait perdue. A cow does not know what her tail is worth until she has lost it.

Valet devant, maître derrière, en pont, en planche, en rivière. At a bridge, a plank, a river, the servant foremost, the master behind.

Vent au visage rend un homme sage. Adversity makes a man wise.

Ventre affamé n’a point d’oreilles. A hungry belly has no ears.

Ventre plein conseille bien. A full belly counsels well.

Veux-tu meilleur pain que de froment? Do you want better bread than wheaten?

Viande d’ami est bientôt prête. A friend’s meat is soon ready.

Vides chambres font femmes folles. Empty rooms make giddy housewives.

Vie de pourceau, courte et bonne. A pig’s life, short and sweet.

Vieilles amours et vieux tisons s’allument en toutes saisons. Old love and old brands kindle at all seasons.

Vieux amis et comptes nouveaux. Old friends and new reckonings.

Vieux b”oe]uf fait sillon droit. An old ox makes a straight furrow.

Vieux chien n’aboie pas en vain. An old dog does not bark for nothing.

Vilain affamé, demi enragé. A hungry clown is half mad.

Vilain enrichi ne connaît parent ni ami. A clown enriched knows neither relation nor friend.

Vilain ne sçait qu’esperon vaut. A churl knows not the worth of spurs (i. e. honour).

Ville qui parlemente est moitié rendue. The town that parleys is half surrendered.

Vin versé n’est pas avalé. Wine poured out is not wine swallowed.

Vivre au jour la journée. To live from hand to mouth.

Voix du peuple, voix de Dieu. The people’s voice, God’s voice.

Voler un voleur n’est pas voler. To rob a robber is not robbing.

Vouloir, c’est pouvoir. Will is power.

Vraie noblesse nul ne blesse. True nobility is invulnerable.

ITALIAN PROVERBS

A

Abbiamo pur fiorini che troveremo cugini. Let us have florins and we shall find cousins.

Abbi piuttosto il piccolo per amico, che il grande per nemico. Rather have a little one for your friend, than a great one for your enemy.

Abbondanza genera fastidio. Plenty makes daintiness.

A bisogni si conoscon gli amici. Friends are known in time of need. (Friends in need are friends indeed.)

A buona derrata pensaci su. At a good bargain pause and ponder.

A buon cavaliere non manca lancia. A good cavalier never lacks a lance.

A buon cavallo non manca sella. A good horse never lacks a saddle.

A buon cavallo non occorre dirgli trotta. No need to say “trot” to a good horse.

A buon intenditor poche parole. A word to the wise is enough.

A buon vino non bisogna frasca. Good wine needs no bush.

A cader va chi troppo in alto sale. He who climbs too high is near a fall.

A can che fugge, dagli, dagli. When a dog runs away, hit him! hit him!

A can che lecchi cenere, non gli fidar farina. The dog that licks ashes is not to be trusted with flour.

A cane scottato l’acqua fredda pare calda. A scalded dog thinks cold water hot.

A cattiva vacca Dio dà corte corna. God gives a curst cow short horns.

A cattivo cane corto legame. A mischievous dog must be tied short.

A causa perduta, parole assai. Plenty of words when the cause is lost.

A caval donato, non guardar in bocca. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

A caval donato, non si mira il pelo. Never heed the colour of a gift horse.

A cavalli tristi o buoni, sempre porta i tuoi sproni. Be the horse good or bad always wear your spurs.

A caval magro vanno le mosche. Flies flock to the lean horse.

A cavar di casa un morto, ci voglion quattro vivi. It takes four living men to carry one dead man out of a house.

Accasca in un punto quel che non accasca in cento anni. That happens in a moment which may not happen in a hundred years.

Accenna al savio e lascia far a lui. Give the wise man a hint and leave him to act.

Accordatevi, dice Arlotto, ed io farò piovere. Agree between yourselves (as to the time), quoth Arlotto, and I will make it rain.

Accosta più la camicia che il giubbone. The shirt is nearer than the doublet.

Accostati a’ buoni e sarai uno di essi. Associate with the good and you will be one of them.

A chi compra non bastan cent’occhi, e à chi vende ne basta un solo. For the buyer a hundred eyes are too few, for the seller one is enough.

A chi dici il tuo secreto, doni la tua libertà. To whom you tell your secret you surrender your freedom.

A chi fa male, mai mancano scuse. The wrong-doer never lacks excuses.

A chi fugge, ogni cosa dà impaccio. The fugitive finds everything impede him.

A chi ha testa, non manca cappello. He who has a head won’t want for a hat.

A chi la riesce bene, è tenuto per savio. He who succeeds is reputed wise.

A chi non si lascia consigliare, non si può aiutare. There is no helping him who will not be advised.

A chi parla poco, gli basta la metà del cervello. Half a brain is enough for him who says little.

A chi piace il bere, parla sempre di vino. He who likes drinking is always talking of wine.

A chi ti dà un porco, tu gli puoi ben dar una carbonata. To him who gives you a pig you may well give a rasher.

A chi ti può torre ciò che hai, dagli ciò che ti chiede. To him who can take what thou hast, give what he asks.

A chi troppo ride gli duole il cuore. He who laughs overmuch may have an aching heart.

A chi veglia tutto si rivela. To him who watches, everything reveals itself.

A chi vuole, non è cosa difficile. Nothing is difficult to a willing mind.

A chi vuole, non mancano modi. Where there’s a will there’s a way.

A chi vuol fare, non manca che fare. To him who is determined it remains only to act.

A colomba pasciuta la vescia par amara. Vetches seem bitter to the full-cropped pigeon.

A conti vecchi contese nuove. Old reckonings, new disputes.

Acqua che corre non porta veleno. Running water carries no poison.

Acqua cheta vermini mena. Still water breeds vermin.

Acqua, fumo, e mala femmina, cacciano la gente di casa. Water, smoke, and a vicious woman, drive men out of the house.

Acqua lontana non spegne fuoco vicino. Water afar does not quench a fire at hand.

Acqua passata non macina più. Water past will not turn the mill.

Acqua torbida non fa specchio. Muddy water won’t do for a mirror.

Acqua torbida non lava. Dirty water does not wash clean.

Acquista buona fama e mettiti à dormire. Get a good name and go to sleep.

A cuor vile forza non giova. Strength avails not a coward.

Adagio a’ mal passi. Go softly at bad bits of road.

Ad albero caduto accétta, accétta. To the fallen tree, hatchets! hatchets!

Ad arbor che cade ognun grida dàgli, dàgli. When a tree is falling, every one cries, down with it.

Ad arca aperta il giusto pecca. At an open chest the righteous sins.

A dono nuovo non convien grazia vecchia. Old thanks are not for new gifts.

Ad occhio infermo nuoce la luce. The light is painful to sore eyes.

Ad ogni santo la sua torcia. To every saint his torch.

Ad ogni santo vien la sua festa. Every saint has his festival.

Ad ogni uccello suo nido par bello. Every bird thinks its own nest beautiful.

Ad ogni volpe piace il pollaio. Every fox likes a henroost.

Ad ognuno par più grave la croce sua. Every one thinks his own cross the heaviest.

Ad ora ad ora vola tutto il tempo. Hour by hour time departs.

Ad un cieco mal può mostrarsi il cammino. It is not easy to show the way to a blind man.

Ad un colpo non cade à terra l’albero. The tree is not felled at one blow.

Ad un popolo pazzo, un prete spiritato. A mad parish, a mad priest.

Ad un uomo dabbene avanza la metà del cervello; ad un tristo non basta neanche tutto. For an honest man half his wits are enough; the whole is too little for a knave.

A fiume famoso non andar a pesca. Don’t go a-fishing to a famous stream.

A gatta che lecca spiedo non fidar arrosto. A cat that licks the spit is not to be trusted with roast meat.

A giovane cuor tutto è giuoco. To a young heart everything is sport.

A giovano soldato vecchio cavallo. An old horse for a young soldier.

Agli uomini ogni peccato mortale è veniale, alle donne ogni veniale è mortale. In men every mortal sin is venial, in women every venial sin is mortal.

A goccia à goccia s’incava la pietra. Drop by drop wears away the stone.

A gran ruscello passate l’ultimo. At a great river be the last to pass.

A gran salita gran discesa. The higher the rise the greater the fall.

A grassa cucina povertà è vicina. A fat kitchen is next door to poverty.

Ai mali estremi, estremi rimedi. For extreme ills extreme remedies.

A la barba de’ pazzi il barbier impara a radere. On a fool’s beard the barber learns to shave.

Albero spesso trapiantato mai di frutti è caricato. A tree often transplanted is never loaded with fruit.

Al bugiardo non si crede la verità. The liar is not believed when he speaks the truth.

Al cattivo cane tosto vien la coda. A cur’s tail grows fast.

Al confessore, medico, e avvocato, non tenere il ver celato. Hide not the truth from your confessor, your doctor, or your lawyer.

Al fin del giuoco si vede chi guadagna. At the end of the game we see who wins.

Al ladro fa paura anche un sorcio. The thief is frightened even by a mouse.

Al molino ed alla sposa, sempre manca qualche cosa. A mill and a wife are always in want of something.

Alla fama si va per varie strade. Various are the roads to fame.

All’amico mondagli il fico, all’inimico il persico. Peel a fig for your friend, a peach for your enemy.

Alla pace si può sacrificar tutto. Anything for a quiet life.

Alla pignatta che bolle non s’accostano le mosche. Flies don’t light on a boiling pot.

Alla porta chiusa il diavolo volge le spalle. The devil turns away from a closed door.

Alle belle donno le più volte toccano i brutti uomini. Handsome women generally fall to the lot of ugly men.

Alle volte più vale la feccia che il vino. Sometimes the lees are better than the wine.

Alle volte si dà un uovo per un bue. Sometimes an egg is given for an ox.

All’impossibile nessuno è tenuto. No one is bound to do impossibilities.

All’onor chi manca d’un momento, non lo ripara in anni cento. A hundred years cannot repair a moment’s loss of honour.

All’opera si conosce il maestro. The workman is known by his work.

All’orsa paiono belli i suoi orsatti. The she-bear thinks her cubs pretty.

Al lume di lucerna ogni rustica par bella. By lamplight every country wench seems handsome.

Al nimico che fugge il ponte d’oro. For the flying enemy a golden bridge.

Al più potente ceda il più prudente. The most prudent yields to the strongest.

Al più triste porco vien la meglior pera. The worst pig gets the best pear.

Al primo colpo non casca l’albero. The tree does not fall at the first stroke.

Altra cosa è il dire, altra il fare. Saying is one thing, doing another.

Altri tempi altri costumi. Different times different manners.

A Lucca ti vidi, a Pisa ti conobbi. I saw you at Lucca, I knew you at Pisa.

A lunga corda tira chi la morte altrui desidera. He hauls at a long rope who expects another’s death.

Al villano, se gli porgi il dito, ei prende la mano. Give a clown your finger he’ll grasp your fist.

Ama l’amico tuo col vizio suo. Love your friend with his faults.

A mal passo l’onore. At a dangerous passage yield precedence.

Amami, poco, ma continua. Love me little and love me long.

Amante non sia che coraggio non ha. Let him not be a lover who has not courage.

Amato non sarai, se à te solo penserai. You will not be loved if you think of yourself alone.

Ambasciator non porta pena. An ambassador beareth no blame.

Amicizia de’grandi vicinanza di leoni. The friendship of the great is fraternity with lions.

Amicizia riconciliata piaga mal saldata. Reconciled friendship is a wound ill salved.

Amico da sternuti, il più che se ne cava è un Dio ti aiuta. He’s a friend at sneezing-time, – the most that can be got from him is a “God bless you.”

Amico d’ognuno, amico di nessuno. Everybody’s friend, nobody’s friend.

Amico, e guardati. A friend, and look to thyself.

A molti puzza l’ambra. Many stop their noses at ambergris.

Amor dà per mercede gelosia e rotta fede. Love’s merchandise is jealousy and broken faith.

Amor è cieco ma vede da lontano. Love is blind but sees afar.

Amor è il vero prezzo con cui si compra amore. Love is the true price at which love is bought.

Amor e signoria non voglion compagnia. Love and lordship like not fellowship.

Amor non conosce travaglio. Love knows not labour.

Amor regge il suo regno senza spada. Love rules his kingdom without a sword.

Amor regge senza legge. Love rules without law.

Amor, tosse, e fumo malamente si nascondono. Love, a cough, and smoke, are hard to hide.

Amor vero non diventa mai canuto. True love never grows old.

Amor vuol fede, e fede vuol fermezza. Love demands faith, and faith firmness.

A nave rotta ogni vento è contrario. To a crazy ship every wind is contrary.

Anche delle pecore contate ne mangia il lupo. Even counted sheep are eaten by the wolf.

Anche delle volpi si pigliano. Even foxes are caught.

Anche i boschi hanno l’orecchie. Even woods have ears.

Anche il diritto ha bisogno d’aiuto. Even the just has need of help.

Anche il mar, che è si grande, si pacifica. Even the sea, great as it is, grows calm.

Anche il pazzo talvolta dice qualche parola da savio. Even the fool says a wise word sometimes.

Anche il sole passa sopra il fango, e non s’imbratta. The sun passes over filth and is not defiled.

Anche la mosca ha la sua collera. Even a fly has its anger.

Anche la rana morderebbe se avesse denti. Even a frog would bite if it had teeth.

Anch’io so menar le oche a bere quando piove. I too can lead the geese to water when it rains.

Anco gli apostoli ebbero un Giuda. Even among the apostles there was a Judas.

Anco il cane col dimenar la coda si guadagna le spese. Even the dog gets bread by wagging his tail.

Anco il cavallo si stanca, sebben ha quattro piedi. Even a horse, though he has four feet, stumbles.

Ancor le volpi vecchie rimangono al laccio. Even old foxes are caught in the snare.

Anco trà le spine nascono le rose. Among thorns grow roses.

A nessun confortator mai duole la testa. No comforter’s head ever aches.

A nessuno piace la giustizia à casa sua. No one likes justice brought home to his own door.

Anni e peccati sempre sono più che non si dice. Years and sins are always more than owned.

A penna a penna si pela l’oca. Feather by feather the goose is plucked.

Aperta ha la porta chiunque apporta. Whoever brings finds the door open for him.

Apri bocca, e fa ch’io ti conosca. Open thy mouth that I may know thee.

Arco per rallentar, piaga non sana. Unbending the bow does not heal the wound.

Arditamente batte alla porta chi buone nuove apporta. He knocks boldly at the door who brings good news.

Arte o sorte ne cava macchia. Skill or fortune will efface the spots.

A’segnali si conoscono le balle. By their marks the bales are known.

Asino che ha fame mangia d’ogni strame. A hungry ass eats any straw.

Asino che ragghia poco fieno mangia. A braying ass eats little hay.

Asino punto convien che trotti. A goaded ass must needs trot.

A’sottili cascano le brache. Cunning men’s cloaks sometimes fall.

Aspetta il porco alla quercia. Look for the hog at the oak.

Aspettare e non venire, stare in letto e non dormire, ben servire e non gradire, son tre cose da morire. To expect what never comes, to lie in bed and not sleep, to serve well and not be advanced, are three things to die of.

Aspetta tempo e loco à far la tua vendetta, che la non si fa mai ben in fretta. Wait time and place to take your revenge, for it is never well done in a hurry.

Assai acqua passa per il molino, che il molinaio non se n’accorge. Much water passes by the mill that the miller perceives not.

Assai basta, e troppo guasta. Enough is enough, and too much spoils.

Assai ben balla à chi fortuna suona. He dances well to whom fortune pipes.

Assai dimanda chi ben serve e tace. Who serves well and says nothing makes claim enough.

Assai è ricco à chi non manca. He is rich enough who does not want.

Assai guadagna, chi vano sperar perde. He gains much who loses a vain hope.

Assai presto si fa quel che si fa bene. That is done soon enough which is well done.

Assai romor e poca lana, disse colui che tosava la porca. Great cry and little wool, as the man said who shaved the sow.

Assai sa, chi non sa, se tacer sa. He who knows nothing knows enough, if he knows how to be silent.

Assenza nemica di amore; quanto lontan dall’occhio, tanto dal cuore. Absence is a foe to love; out of sight out of mind.

A tal labbra, tal lattuga. Like lips, like lettuce.

A tal pozzo, tal secchio. Like well, like bucket.

A tal santo, tal offerta. Like saint, like offering.

A tavola non vi vuol vergogna. At table bashfulness is out of place.

A tela ordita Dio manda il filo. For a web begun God sends thread.

A torto si lamenta del mare, chi due volte ci vuol tornare. He ought not to complain of the sea who returns to it a second time.

Attacca il majo ad ogni uscio. He hangs the May-branch at every door. (Alluding to the Italian custom of young men hanging out May-branches overnight before the door of their mistress.)

A tutti non si adatta una sola scarpa. The same shoe does not fit every foot.

A un gran bugiardo ci vuol buona memoria. A great liar has need of good memory.

Aver sentito dire è mezza bugia. To have “heard say” is half a lie.

Aver un occhio alla gatta, e l’altro alla padella. To have one eye on the cat and another on the frying-pan.

A veste logorata poca fede vien prestata. A ragged coat finds little credit.

B

Baldezza di signor, cappel da matto. Faith in a lord, a cap for the fool.

Bandiera vecchia, onor di capitano. An old flag is an honour to its captain.

Barba bagnata è mezza rasa. A beard well lathered is half-shaved.

Basta un matto per casa. One fool is enough in a house.

Batti il buono e’ megliora, batti il cattivo e’ peggiora. Chastise the good and he will mend, chastise the bad and he will grow worse.

Batti il ferro quando è caldo. Strike while the iron is hot.

Batti il villano, e lo avrai per amico. Beat the churl and he will be your friend.

Beata colei che di vecchio pazzo s’innamora. Happy is she who is in love with an old dotard.

Bel colpo non ammazzò mai uccello. A fine shot never killed a bird.

Bella cosa tosto è rapita. All that’s fair must fade.

Bella femmina che ride, vuol dire borsa che piange. A beautiful woman smiling, bespeaks a purse weeping.

Bella promessa lega il matto. Fair promises bind fools.

Belle parole e mele fracide. Fair words and rotten apples.

Belle parole, ma guarda la borsa. Fair words, but look to your purse.

Belle parole non pascon i gatti. Fair words won’t feed a cat.

Bellezza e follia sovente in compagnia. Beauty and folly are often companions.

Ben ama chi non oblia. He loves well who does not forget.

Benchè la bugia sia veloce, la verità l’arriva. Though a lie be swift, truth overtakes it.

Benchè la volpe corra, i polli hanno le ale. Though the fox runs, the pullets have wings.

Ben è cieco chi non vede il sole. He is very blind who cannot see the sun.

Benedetto è quel male che vien solo. Blessed is the misfortune that comes alone.

Ben faremo, ben diremo, mal va la barca senza remo. Say what we will, do what we will, the boat goes but sorrily without oars.

Ben perduto è conosciuto. A good thing lost is valued.

Berretta in mano non fece mai danno. Cap in hand never did any harm.

Bevendo vien la sete. Thirst comes from drinking.

Bevi del vino, e lascia andar l’acqua al mulino. Drink wine and let water go to the mill.

Biasimare i principi è pericolo, e il lodarli è bugia. To censure princes is perilous, and to praise them is lying.

Bisogna unger le ruote, chi vuol che il carro corra. You must grease the wheels if you would have the car run.

Bisogna voltar la vela secondo il vento. You must shift your sail with the wind.

Bocca chiusa ed occhi aperti. Mouth shut and eyes open.

Bocca unta non può dir di no. A greased mouth cannot say no.

Brutta cosa è il povero superbo e ’l ricco avaro. A proud pauper and a rich miser are contemptible beings.

Bue vecchio, solco diritto. An old ox makes a straight furrow.

Bugie hanno corte le gambe. Lies have short legs.

Buona incudine non tema martello. A good anvil does not fear the hammer.

Buon appetito non vuol salsa. A good appetite does not want sauce.

Buona quella lima che doma il ferro senza strepito. It is a good file that cuts iron without making a noise.

Buona vita non può tenere, quel che serve senz’avere. He cannot lead a good life who serves without wages.

Buon cavallo e mal cavallo vuole sproni; buona femmina e mala femmina vuol bastoni. A good horse and a bad horse need the spur; a good woman and a bad woman need the stick.

Buon cavallo non ha bisogno de’ sproni. Never spur a willing horse.

Buon pagatore dell’altrui borsa è signore. He who pays well is master of other men’s purses.

Buon pagatore non si cura di dar buon pegno. A good paymaster does not hesitate to give good security.

Buon principio è la metà dell’opra. Well begun is half done.

Buon principio fa buon fine. A good beginning makes a good ending.

Buon vino fa buon sangue. Good wine makes good blood.

C

Cader della padella nelle bragie. To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire.

Cade un cavallo, che ha quattro gambe. A horse falls though he has four legs.

Cadono le miglior pere in bocca a’ porci. The best pears fall into the pigs’ mouths.

Calcio di cavalla non fece mai male a poledro. The kick of a mare never hurt a colt.

Can ch’abbaia non morde. A barking cur does not bite.

Can che morde non abbaia in vano. The dog that bites does not bark in vain.

Can dell’ortolano non mangia la lattuga, e non la lascia mangiare agli altri. The gardener’s dog does not eat lettuce and will not let others eat it.

Cane abbaia, e bue pasce. The dog barks and the ox feeds.

Cane affamato non ha paura di bastone. A hungry dog does not fear the stick.

Cane di cucina non fu mai buon per la caccia. A kitchen dog never was good for the chase.

Cane vecchio non abbaia indarno. An old dog does not bark for nothing.

Can ringhioso e non forzoso, guai alla sua pelle. The dog that is quarrelsome and not strong, woe to his hide.

Can vecchio non s’avvezza a portar collare. An old dog does not grow used to the collar.

Capo grasso, cervello magro. Fat head, lean brains.

Carestia prevista non venne mai. Dearth foreseen never came.

Carica volontaria non carica. A voluntary burthen is no burthen.

Caro costa quel che con preghi si compra. That costs dear which is bought with begging.

Caro mi vendi, e giusto mi misura. Sell me dear, and measure me fair.

Casa fatta, possession disfatta. The house completed, possession defeated.

Casa il figlio quando vuoi, e la figlia quando puoi. Marry your son when you please, your daughter when you can.

Casa mia, casa mia, per piccina che tu sia, tu mi sembri una badìa. Home, dear home, small as thou art, to me thou art a palace.

Castello che dà orecchia si vuol rendere. The fortress that parleys soon surrenders.

Cattiva è quella lana che non si può tingere. Bad is the wool that cannot be died.

Cattive nuove presto corrono. Ill news travels fast.

Cattivo è quel sacco che non si può rappezzare. Bad is the sack that will not bear patching.

Cavallo che corre non ha bisogna di sproni. Spur not a willing horse.

Cavallo ingrassato tira calci. A horse grown fat kicks.

Cavallo magro non tira calci. A lean horse does not kick.

Cavallo scappato da sè si gastiga. A runaway horse punishes himself.

Cava un chiodo, e pianta un cavicchio. He takes out a nail and puts in a pin.

Cerca cinque piedi al montone. He is in search of a ram with five feet.

Che ne può la gatta se la massaia è matta? How can the cat help it if the maid be a fool?

Che sarà, sarà. What will be, will be.

Chi abbisogna, non abbia vergogna. He that wants should not be bashful.

Chi affoga, grida ancor che non sia udito. He that is drowning shouts though he be not heard.

Chi altri giudica, sè condanna. Who judges others, condemns himself.

Chi altri tribola, sè non posa. Who troubles others has no rest himself.

Chi ama, crede. Who loves, believes.

Chiama l’arbore, ama il ramo. Who loves the tree loves the branch.

Chi ama me, ama il mio cane. Love me, love my dog.

Chi ama, teme. Who loves, fears.

Chi asino è, e cervo esser si crede, al saltar del fosso sè ne avvede. He who is an ass and thinks himself a stag, finds his mistake when he comes to leap the ditch.

Chi aspettar puole, ha ciò che vuole. He who can wait obtains what he wishes.

Chiave d’oro apre ogni porta. A gold key opens every door.

Chi ben ama, ben gastiga. Who loves well chastises well.

Chi ben comincia ha la metà dell’opra. Well begun is half done.

Chi ben congettura, bene indovina. He who guesses well prophesies well.

Chi ben dona, caro vende, se villano non è chi prende. Who gives well, sells dear, if the receiver be not a churl.

Chi ben dorme, non sente le pulci. He who sleeps well does not feel the fleas.

Chi ben vive, ben predica. He preaches well who lives well.

Chi biasima, vuol comprare. He who decries, wants to buy.

Chi burla, si confessa. He that jokes, confesses.

Chi burla, vien burlato. The biter is sometimes bit.

Chi butta via oro con lo mani lo cerca co’ piedi. He who throws away money with his hands will seek it with his feet.

Chi canta, i suoi mali spaventa. He who sings drives away sorrow.

Chi cerca mal, mal trova. Harm watch, harm catch.

Chi cerca, trova, e talor quel che non vorrebbe. He that seeks, finds, and sometimes what he would rather not.

Chi colomba si fa, il falcon se la mangia. He who makes himself a dove is eaten by the hawk.

Chi compra a tempo, compra a buon mercato. He who buys betimes buys cheaply.

Chi compra ciò che pagar non può, vende ciò che non vuole. He who buys what he cannot pay for, sells what he would rather not.

Chi compra il magistrato, forza è che venda la giustizia. He that buys the office of magistrate must of necessity sell justice.

Chi compra la scopa, può anche comprar il manico. He who buys the broom can also buy the handle.

Chi compra terra, compra guerra. Who buys land buys war.

Chi con l’occhio vede, di cuor crede. Seeing is believing.

Chi contra il cielo getta pietra, in capo gli ritorna. Who throws a stone at the sky, it falls back on his head.

Chi dà del pane a’ cani d’altri, spesso viene abbaiato da suoi. He who gives bread to others’ dogs is often barked at by his own.

Chi dà, insegna a rendere. Who gives, teaches a return.

Chi dà presto, dà il doppio. He gives twice who gives in a trice.

Chi della serpa è punto, ha paura della lucertola. He who has been stung by a serpent is afraid of a lizard.

Chi dice i fatti suoi, mal tacerà quelli d’altrui. He who tells his own affairs will hardly keep secret those of others.

Chi dimanda non commanda. He who demands does not command.

Chi dinanzi mi pinge, di dietro mi tinge. Who paints me before blackens me behind.

Chi di venti non è, di trenta non sa, di quaranta non ha, mai non sarà, nè mai saprà, nè mai havra. He that at twenty is not, at thirty knows not, and at forty has not, will never be, nor ever know, nor ever have.

Chi divide il miele con l’orso ha la minor parte. Who divides honey with the bear, will be like to get the lesser share.

Chi dorme con cani si leva con pulci. Who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.

Chi dorme non piglia pesci. He who sleeps catches no fish.

Chi due lepri caccia, l’una non piglia e l’altra lascia. He who hunts two hares does not catch the one and lets the other escape.

Chi due padroni ha da servire, ad uno ha da mentire. He who serves two masters must lie to one of them.

Chi è al coperto quando piove, è ben matto se si muove. He who is under cover when it rains is a great fool if he stirs.

Chi è causa del suo male, pianga se stesso. He who is the cause of his own misfortune may bewail it himself.

Chi è dell’arte ne può ragionare. He who is of the craft can discourse about it.

Chi è diffamato, è mezzo impiccato. He who hath an ill name is half hanged. (Give a dog an ill name, and you may as well hang him.)

Chi è imbarcato col diavolo, ha da passar in sua compagnia. He who is embarked with the devil must make the passage in his company.

Chi è in difetto, è in sospetto. He that is in fault is in suspicion.

Chi è in inferno non sà ciò che sia cielo. He who is in hell knows not what heaven is.

Chi è in peccato, crede che tutti dicano male di lui. He who is guilty believes that all men speak ill of him.

Chi è nato per la forca mai s’annegherà. He that is born to be hanged will never be drowned.

Chi è ritto può cadere. He that stands may fall.

Chi erra nelle decine, erra nelle migliaja. Who errs in the tens errs in the thousands.

Chi esce di commissione, paga del suo. He that exceeds his commission must answer for it at his own cost.

Chi fa à suo modo, non gli duole il capo. He who does as he likes has no headache.

Chi fabbrica su quel d’altri, perde la calcina e le pietre. He who builds on another’s ground loses his stone and mortar.

Chi fabbrica vicino alla strada, ha molti sindicatori. He who builds by the roadside has many surveyors.

Chi fa il conto senza l’oste, gli convien farlo due volte. He that reckons without his host must reckon again.

Chi fa la casa in piazza, o la fa troppo alta o troppo bassa. He who builds a house in the market-place, builds either too high or too low.

Chi fa li fatti suoi, non s’imbratta le mani. He who doth his own business defileth not his fingers.

Chi fa quel ch’e’ può, non fa mai bene. Who does all he may never does well.

Chi fonda in sul popolo, fonda in sulla rena. Who builds on the mob builds on sand.

Chi frequenta la cucina, sente di fumo. Who frequents the kitchen smells of smoke.

Chi giura, è bugiardo. He who swears is a liar.

Chi ha buon cavallo in stalla, può andare a piedi. He who has a good horse in his stable may go on foot.

Chi ha buon vicino, ha buon mattino. He who has a good neighbour has a good morning.

Chi ha capo di cera, non vada al sole. He who has a head of wax must not walk in the sun.

Chi ha cattivo nome, è mezzo impiccato. He who has a bad name is half hanged.

Chi ha coda di paglia, ha sempre paura che gli pigli fuoco. He who has a straw tail is always in fear of its catching fire.

Chi ha compagno, ha padrone. He who has a mate has a master.

Chi ha da esser zanaiuolo, nasce col manico in mano. He who is meant to be a basket-carrier is born with the handle in his hand.

Chi ha danari da buttar via, metta gli operaj, e non vi stia. He who has money to throw away, let him employ workmen, and not stand by.

Chi ha denti, non ha pane; e chi ha pane, non ha denti. He who has teeth has no bread, and he who has bread has no teeth.

Chi ha de’ pani, ha de’ cani. He who has loaves has dogs.

Chi ha, è. Who has, is.

Chi ha il lupo per compagno, porti il cane sotto il mantello. Who makes the wolf his companion should carry a dog under his cloak.

Chi ha l’amor nel petto, ha lo sprone a’ fianchi. Who has love in his heart has spurs in his sides.

Chi ha lingua in bocca, può andar per tutto. Who has a tongue in his head can go all the world over.

Chi ha mala lingua, bisogna che abbia buone reni. He who has a bad tongue should have good loins.

Chi ha mangiato il diavolo, mangia anche le corna. He that has swallowed the devil may swallow his horns.

Chi ha passato il guado, sa quant’acqua tiene. He who has crossed the ford knows how deep it is.

Chi ha pazienza, ha i tordi grassi a un quattrin l’uno. Who has patience may get fat thrushes at a farthing apiece.

Chi ha pazienza, vede la sua vendetta. Who has patience sees his revenge.

Chi ha paura del diavolo, non fa roba. He that is afraid of the devil does not grow rich.

Chi ha paura d’ogni fronde, non vada al bosco. Who is in fear of every leaf must not go into the wood.

Chi ha poca vergogna, tutto il mondo è suo. Who hath little shame the world is all his own.

Chi ha qualche cosa, è qualche cosa. Who has something is something.

Chi ha ragion, teme; chi ha torto, spera. Who is in the right fears, who is in the wrong hopes.

Chi ha sospetto, di rado è in difetto. He who suspects is seldom at fault.

Chi ha tegoli di vetro, non tiri sassi al vicino. He who has a glass roof should not throw stones at his neighbour’s.

Chi ha terra, ha guerra. He who has land has war.

Chi ha un sol porco, facilmente l’ingrassa. He that has but one pig easily fattens it.

Chi la fa, se la dimentica, ma non chi la riceve. He who does the wrong forgets it, but not he who receives it.

Chi lingua ha, a Roma va. He who has a tongue, may go to Rome.

Chi mal comincia, peggio finisce. He who begins ill finishes worse.

Chi mal pensa, mal abbia. Evil be to him who evil thinks.

Chi mal semina, mal raccoglie. Who sows ill reaps ill.

Chi mangia peri col suo signore, non sceglie i migliori. He who eats pears with his master should not choose the best.

Chi molte cose comincia, poche ne finisce. He who begins many things finishes few.

Chi mostra i quattrini, mostra il giudizio. He that shows his money shows his judgment.

Chi muta paese, muta ventura. Who changes country changes luck.

Chi muta stato, muta fortuna. Who changes his condition changes fortune.

Chi nasce bella, nasce maritata. She who is born a beauty is born betrothed.

Chi nasce matto, non guarisce mai. Who is born a fool is never cured.

Chi nel fango casca, quanto più si dimena, più s’imbratta. When a man has fallen into the mire, the more he flounders the more he fouls himself.

Chi niente dice, mai non mente. He who says nothing never lies.

Chi niente sa, di niente dubita. He who knows nothing never doubts.

Chi non arde, non accende. Who glows not burns not.

Chi non dà fine al pensare, non dà principio al fare. Who has never done thinking never begins doing.

Chi non fallisce, non arricchisce. He that never fails never grows rich.

Chi non fa quando può, non fa quando vuole. He who does not when he can, cannot when he will.

Chi non ha cuore, abbia gambe. Who hath no courage must have legs.

Chi non ha danari in borsa, abbia miel in bocca. Who has no money in his purse must have honey in his mouth.

Chi non ha debito, non ha credito. He who is without debt is without credit.

Chi non ha figliuoli, non sa che cosa sia amore. Who has no children does not know what love is.

Chi non ha niente, non teme niente. Who has nothing fears nothing.

Chi non ha, non è. Who has not is not.

Chi non ha nulla, non è nulla. Who has nothing is nothing.

Chi non ha piaghe, se ne fa. Who has no plagues makes himself some.

Chi non ha quattrini, non abbia voglie. Who has no money must have no wishes.

Chi non ha testa, abbia gambe. Who has no head should have legs.

Chi non ha vergogna, tutto il mondo è suo. Who has no shame all the world is his own.

Chi non può batter il cavallo, batte la sella. Who cannot beat the horse let him beat the saddle.

Chi non può far la sua vendetta è debole, chi non vuole è vile. He who cannot revenge himself is weak, he who will not is contemptible.

Chi non può, sempre vuole. He who is unable is always willing.

Chi non rompe le uova, non fa la frittata. There is no making pancakes without breaking the eggs.

Chi non sa adulare, non sa conversare. Who knows not how to flatter knows not how to talk.

Chi non sa dissimulare, non sa regnare. Who knows not how to dissemble knows not how to reign.

Chi non sa orare, vada in mare a navigare. Who knows not how to pray let him go sail the sea.

Chi non s’arrischia non guadagna. He who risks nothing can gain nothing. (Nothing venture nothing have.)

Chi non stima altri che sè, è felice quanto un re. He who esteems none but himself is as happy as a king.

Chi non va, non vede; chi non prova, non crede. Who goes not, sees not; who proves not, believes not.

Chi non vede il fondo, non passi l’acqua. Don’t cross the water unless you see the bottom.

Chi non vuol affaticarsi in questo mondo, non ci nasca. He that will not strive in this world should not have come into it.

Chi non vuol piedi sul collo, non s’inchini. Who would not have feet set on his neck, let him not stoop.

Chi non vuol rassomigliarsi al lupo, non porti la sua pelle. Who does not wish to be like the wolf let him not wear its skin.

Chi non vuol servir ad un sol signore, a molti ha da servire. He who will not serve one master must needs serve many.

Chiodo con chiodo da se si cava. One nail drives out another.

Chi offende, non dimentichi. Let the injurer not forget.

Chi offende, non perdona mai. The injurer never forgives.

Chi offende, scrive nella rena; chi è offeso nel marmo. Who offends writes on sand; who is offended, on marble.

Chi paga debito, fa capitale. Who pays a debt creates capital.

Chi paga innanzi, è servito indietro. Who pays beforehand is served behindhand.

Chi parla, semina; chi tace, raccoglie. The talker sows, the listener reaps.

Chi perde, ha sempre torto. He who loses is always in fault.

Chi piglia l’anguilla per la coda, e la donna per la parola, può dir che non tiene niente. Who takes an eel by the tail and a woman at her word, may say he holds nothing.

Chi piglia leone in assenza, teme la talpa in presenza. Who takes a lion at a distance fears a mole present.

Chi pinge il fiore, non gli dà l’odore. He that paints a flower does not give it perfume.

Chi più intende, più perdona. Who knows most, forgives most.

Chi più sa, meno crede. Who knows most believes least.

Chi più sa, meno parla. Who knows most says least.

Chi pratica co’grandi, l’ultimo è a tavola, e’l primo a’strapazzi. Who dangles after the great is the last at table and the first to be cuffed.

Chi prende, si vende. Who accepts, sells himself.

Chi primo arriva al molin, primo macina. The first at the mill grinds first.

Chi raro viene, vien bene. Who comes seldom, is welcome.

Chi ride del mal d’altri, ha il suo dietro l’uscio. Who laughs at others’ ills, has his own behind the door.

Chi s’aiuta, Dio l’aiuta. God helps him who helps himself.

Chi sa la strada, può andar di trotto. He who knows the road can ride full trot.

Chi sa meglio nuotare, è il primo a sommergersi. The best swimmer is the first to drown himself.

Chi sa poco, presto lo dice. He who knows but little quickly tells it.

Chi semina spine, non vada scalzo. Who sows thorns should not go barefoot.

Chi serba, serba al gatto. Who saves, saves for the cat.

Chi serve al commune, ha cattivo padrone. He who serves the public has a sorry master.

Chi serve al commune, serve nessuno. Who serves the public, serves no one.

Chi servo si fa, servo s’aspetta. He who makes himself a servant is expected to remain a servant.

Chi si affoga, s’attaccherebbe a’ rasoj. A drowning man would catch at razors.

Chi si è scottato una volta, l’altra vi soffia su. He who has scalded himself once blows the next time.

Chi si fa fango, il porco lo calpestra. He that makes himself dirt is trod on by the swine.

Chi si fa pecorella, i lupi la mangiano. Make yourself a sheep and the wolves will eat you.

Chi si lascia mettere in spalla la capra, indi a poco è sforzato a portar la vacca. He who lets the goat be laid on his shoulders is soon after forced to carry the cow.

Chi si loda, s’imbroda. He who praises himself befouls himself.

Chi si marita in fretta, stenta adagio. Marry in haste, repent at leisure.

Chi si scusa, s’accusa. Who excuses himself accuses himself.

Chi si scusa senz’esser accusato, fa chiaro il suo peccato. Who excuses himself without being accused makes his fault manifest.

Chi soffia nella polvere, se ne empie gli occhi. He who blows upon dust fills his eyes with it.

Chi sta a vedere, ha due terzi del gioco. He who looks on has two-thirds of the game.

Chi sta bene, non si muova. Let him who is well off stay where he is.

Chi tace, acconsente. Silence gives consent.

Chi tardi arriva, mal alloggia. The late comer is ill lodged.

Chi tocca la pece, s’imbratta. He who touches pitch defiles himself.

Chi troppo abbraccia, nulla stringe. He who grasps too much holds nothing fast.

Chi tutto nega, tutto confessa. He who denies all confesses all.

Chi tutto vuole, tutto perde. All covet, all lose.

Chi un ne castiga, cento ne minaccia. He who chastises one threatens a hundred.

Chi va al mulino, s’infarina. He who goes to the mill gets befloured.

Chi va, lecca, e chi sta, secca. Who moves picks up, who stands still dries up.

Chi va piano, va sano, e chi va sano, va lontano. Who goes softly goes safely, and he that goes safely goes far.

Chi va, vuole; chi manda, non se ne cura. Who goes himself is in earnest, who sends is indifferent.

Chi vien dietro, serra l’uscio. The last comer shuts the door.

Chi vive a minuto, fà le spese a’ suoi ed agli altri. He who buys by the pennyworth keeps his own house and other men’s too.

Chi vive tra lupi, impara a urlare. He who lives among wolves learns to howl.

Chi vuol amici assai, ne pruovi pochi. Who would have many friends let him test but few.

Chi vuol ammazzar il suo cane, basta che dica ch’è arrabbiato. He who wants his dog killed has only to say he’s mad.

Chi vuol andar salvo per lo mondo, bisogna aver occhio di falcone, orecchio d’asino, viso di scimia, bocca di porcello, spalle di camello, e gambe di cervo. To go safely through the world you must have the eye of a falcon, the ear of an ass, the face of an ape, the mouth of a pig, the shoulders of a camel, and the legs of a deer.

Chi vuol arricchire in un anno, è impiccato in sei mesi. He who would be rich in a year gets hanged in six months.

Chi vuol assai, non dimandi poco. He who wants a good deal must not ask for a little.

Chi vuol con piacer mangiare, non veda cucinare. He who would relish his food must not see it cooked.

Chi vuol dar al cane, trova facilmente il bastone. He that would beat his dog can easily find a stick.

Chi vuol dell’acqua chiara, vada alla fonte. He who would have clear water should go to the fountain head.

Chi vuol esser lungo tempo vecchio, bisogna cominciar a buon’ora. He who would be long an old man must begin betimes.

Chi vuol esser mal servito tenga assai famiglia. He that would be ill served should keep plenty of servants.

Chi vuol goder la festa, digiuni la vigilia. He who would enjoy the feast should fast on the eve.

Chi vuol il lavoro mal fatto, paghi innanzi tratto. If you would have your work ill done, pay beforehand.

Chi vuol molti amici, non n’ha nessuno. He that seeks to have many friends never has any.

Chi vuol presto e ben, faccia da se. He that would have a thing done quickly and well must do it himself.

Chi vuol Quaresima corta, faccia debiti da pagar a Pasqua. Who wishes for a short Lent let him contract debts to be paid at Easter.

Chi vuol riposare, convien travagliare. He who would rest must work.

Chi vuol saldar piaga, non la maneggi. He that would heal a wound must not handle it.

Chi vuol turar la bocca a tutti, bisogna che abbia assai farina. He who would stop every man’s mouth must have a great deal of meal.

Ciascuno ha un matto nella manica. Every man has a fool in his sleeve.

Ci è chi vede male, e vorrebbe veder peggio. There are some who see ill, and would like to see worse.

Cieco è l’occhio, se l’animo è distratto. The eye is blind if the mind is absent.

Ciò che si usa, non ha scusa. That which is customary requires no excuse.

Città affamata tosto è espugnata. A starved town is soon forced to surrender.

Coda d’asino non fa crivello. An ass’s tail will not make a sieve.

Cogli la rosa, e lascia star le spine. Pluck the rose and leave the thorns.

Colle chiavi d’oro s’apre ogni porta. The golden key opens every door.

Col tempo e con la paglia, si maturan le nespole. With time and straw medlars ripen.

Col Vangelo si può diventare eretici. With the Gospel men may become heretics.

Come l’arbore è caduto, ognun vi corre colla scure a far legna. When the tree is down every one runs to it with a hatchet to cut wood.

Comincia a diventar cattivo chi si tien buono. He begins to grow bad who believes himself good.

Compra il letto d’un gran debitore. Buy the bed of a great debtor.

Con arte e con inganno si vive mezzo l’anno; con inganno e con arte si vive l’altra parte. With art and knavery we live through half the year; with knavery and art we live through the other. Con la pelle del cane si sana la morditura. With the skin of the dog its bite is cured.

Con la voglia cresce la doglia. With wishing comes grieving.

Con la volpe convien volpeggiare. With the fox one must play the fox.

Conoscon gl’infelici quali siano i veri amici. The unfortunate know who are their real friends.

Con poco cervello si governa il mondo. The world is governed with little brains.

Contento io, contento il mondo. I being satisfied, the world is satisfied.

Contesa vecchia tosto si fa nuova. An old quarrel is easily renewed.

Contro amore non è consiglio. Counsel is nothing against love.

Corpo satollo non crede al digiuno. The full belly does not believe in hunger.

Corre lontano chi non torna mai. He runs far who never turns.

Corta coda non para mosche. A short tail won’t keep off flies.

Corte Romana non vuol pecora senza lana. The court of Rome likes not sheep without wool.

Corvi con corvi non si cavan gli occhi. Ravens do not peck out ravens’ eyes.

Cosa fatta capo ha. A thing done has a head. (The exultation of an ancient sculptor on his satisfactorily completing the head of his statue.)

Costa men del don quel che si compra. What is bought is cheaper than a gift.

Credenza è morta, il mal pagar l’uccise. Credit is dead, bad pay killed it.

Credi al vantatore come al mentitore. Believe a boaster as you would a liar.

Cuor forte rompe cattiva sorte. A stout heart overcomes ill fortune.

D

Da cattivo pagatore togliete paglia. From a bad paymaster take straw– i.e. any trifle.

Da chi mi fido, mi guardi Iddio; da chi non mi fido, mi guarderò io. From those I trust God guard me, from those I mistrust I will guard myself.

Da chi ti dona, guardati. Beware of him who makes you presents.

Dà del tuo a chi ha del suo. Give to him that has.

Dà tempo al tempo. Give time time.

Dal conto sempre manca il lupo. The wolf is always left out of the reckoning.

Dal detto al fatto vi è un gran tratto. From saying to doing is a long way.

Dall’acqua cheta, mi guardi Iddio; che dalla corrente, mi guarderò io. From still water God keep me; from running water I will keep myself.

Dalla mano alla bocca si perde la zuppa. Between the hand and the month the soup is spilt.

Dalla neve o cotta o pesta non caverai altro che acqua. From snow whether cooked or pounded you will get nothing but water.

Dalla rapa non si cava sangue. There is no getting blood from a turnip.

Dallo stesso fior l’ape cava il miele, e la vespe il fiele. From the same flower the bee extracts honey and the wasp gall.

Dall’unghia si conosce il leone. The lion is known by his claws.

Danari di poveri e arme di poltroni si veggono spesso. Poor men’s money and cowards’ weapons are often flourished.

Dannoso è il dono che toglie la libertà. Injurious is the gift that takes away freedom.

Da stagione tutto è buono. Everything is good in its season.

Date bere al prete, che il chierico ha sete. Give the priest drink, for the clerk is thirsty.

De’ grandi e de’ morti o parla bene, o taci. Of the great and of the dead either speak well or say nothing.

Dei gusti non se ne disputa. There’s no disputing about tastes.

Dell’amico bene; del nemico nè bene nè male. Speak well of your friend; of your enemy neither well nor ill.

Del can che morde, il pelo sana. A hair of the dog cures the bite.

Del cervello ognuno si pensa d’averne più che parte. Every one thinks he has more than his share of brains.

Del cuoio d’altri si fan larghe stringhe. Broad thongs may be cut from other men’s leather.

Del giudizio, ognun ne vende. Of judgment every one has a stock on hand for sale.

Dell’albero, non si giudica dalla scorza. The tree is not to be judged of by its bark.

Della sua istessa colpa amor è scusa. Love is an excuse for its own faults.

Del senno di poi è piena ogni fossa. Every ditch is full of after-wit.

Del tempo passato non vi è appello. There is no appeal from time past.

Del tutto non è savio chi non sa far il pazzo. He is not a thorough wise man who cannot play the fool on occasion.

Del vero s’adira l’uomo. It is truth that makes a man angry.

Dentro da un orecchio e fuori dall’altro. In at one ear and out at the other.

De’ peccati de’ signori fanno penitenza i poveri. Poor men do penance for rich men’s sins.

Di’ all’amico il tuo segreto, e ti terrà il piè sul collo. Tell your secret to your friend and he will set his foot on your neck.

Di buona volontà sta pieno l’inferno. Hell is full of good intentions.

Di casa la gatta il topo non esce a corpo pieno. The mouse does not leave the cat’s house with a bellyful.

Dico a te figliuola, intendilo tu nuora. I speak to you, daughter; hear it daughter-in-law.

Di cosa che non ti cale, non dir nè ben nè male. Of what does not concern you say nothing, good or bad.

Di dove meno si pensa, si leva la lepre. The hare starts from where it is least expected.

Di’ il fatto tuo, e lascia far al diavolo. Tell everybody your business and the devil will do it for you.

Di mal erba non si fà buon fieno. Bad grass does not make good hay.

Dimmi con chi vai, e ti dirò chi sei. Tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you what you are.

Di notte tutti i gatti sono neri. By night all cats are black.

Di novello tutto par bello. Everything new is beautiful.

Dio ci manda la carne, ma il diavolo i cuochi. God sends meat and the devil sends cooks.

Dio guarisce, e il medico è ringraziato. God heals and the doctor has the thanks.

Dio manda il freddo secondo i panni. God sends cold according to the clothes.

Dio mi guardi da chi non bee. God save me from one who does not drink.

Dio mi guardi da chi studia un libro solo. God save me from him who studies but one book.

Dio mi guardi da chi ha una faccenda sola. God save me from him who has but one occupation.

Dio non manda se non quel che si può portare. God sends nothing but what can be borne.

Di questo mondo ciascuno n’ha quanto se ne toglie. Of this world each man has as much as he takes.

Dio ti salvi da un cattivo vicino, e da un principiante di violino. God save you from a bad neighbour, and from a beginner on the fiddle.

Di padre santalotto figlio diavolotto. The father a saint the son a devil.

Di picciol uomo spesso grand’ombra. A little man often casts a long shadow.

Di rado il medico piglia medicina. The doctor seldom takes physic.

Di rado visto, presto scordato. Seldom seen soon forgotten.

Dispicca l’impiccato, e impiccherà poi te. Take down a thief from the gallows and he will hang you up.

Di tre cose il diavol si fa insalata: di lingue d’avvocati, di dita di notari, e la terza è riservata. Of three things the devil makes a salad: advocates’ tongues, notaries’ fingers, and a third that shall be nameless.

Di tutte le arti maestro è amore. Love is master of all arts.

Di uovo bianco spesso pulcin nero. Out of a white egg often comes a black chick.

Doglia di moglie morta dura fino alla porta. Grief for a dead wife lasts to the door.

Dolce vivanda vuole salsa acerba. Sweet meat requires sour sauce.

Dolor di capo non toglie la corona reale. A crown is no cure for the headache.

Domanda al mio caro se sono ladro. Ask my chum if I am a thief.

Domandar chi nacque prima, l’uovo o la gallina. Ask which was born first, the hen or the egg.

Donar si chiama pescar. Giving is fishing.

Don differito, e troppo aspettato, non è donato, ma caro venduto. A gift delayed, and long expected, is not given, but sold dear.

Donna che dona di rado è buona; donna che piglia è nell’ altrui artiglia. The woman who gives is seldom good; the woman who accepts is in the power of the giver.

Donna di finestra, uva di strada. A woman who loves to be at the window is like a bunch of grapes on the wayside.

Donna si lagna, donna si duole, donna s’ammala quando la vuole. A woman’s in pain, a woman’s in woe, a woman is ill, when she likes to be so.

Donne, asini, e noci voglion le mani atroci. Women, asses, and nuts, require strong hands.

Donne, preti, e polli non son mai satolli. Women, priests, and poultry, never have enough.

Dopo che i cavalli sono presi, serrar la stalla. To lock the stable after the horses are taken.

Dopo il radere non ci è più che tosare. After shaving there is nothing to shear.

Dopo un papa se ne fa un altro. After one pope another is made.

Dove bisognan rimedj, il sospirar non vale. Where remedies are needed, sighing avails not.

Dove ci manca la pelle di leone, convien cucirvi cuoi di volpe. Where the lion’s skin falls short, piece it out with that of the fox.

Dove è grand’amore, quivi è gran dolore. Where there is great love there is great pain.

Dove è il Papa, ivi è Roma. Where the Pope is there is Rome.

Dov’è l’amore, là è l’occhio. Where love is there the eye is.

Dove è manco cuore, quivi è più lingua. Where there is least heart there is most tongue.

Dove entra il bere, se n’esce il sapere. When the wine’s in the wit’s out.

Dove entra il vino, esce la vergogna. When wine enters modesty departs.

Dove il dente duole, la lingua v’inciampa. The tongue goes to where the tooth aches.

Dove il fiume ha più fondo, fa minor strepito. Where the river is deepest it makes least noise.

Dove la siepe è bassa, ognun vuol passare. Where the hedge is low every one will cross it.

Dove la voglia è pronta, le gambe son leggiere. When the will is prompt the legs are nimble.

Dove l’oro parla, ogni lingua tace. When gold speaks every tongue is silent.

Dove l’uscio è basso, bisogna inchinarsi. He must stoop that has a low door.

Dove non basta la pelle del leone, bisogna attaccarvi quella della volpe. Where the skin of the lion does not suffice, we must join that of the fox.

Dove non è egualità, mai perfetto amor sarà. Where there is not equality there never can be perfect love.

Dove non si crede, l’acqua rompe. The water breaks out where it is not expected.

Dove non sono i cani, la volpe è re. Where there are no dogs the fox is a king.

Dove sono molti cuochi, la minestra sarà troppo salata. Where there are too many cooks the soup will be too salty.

Dove il lupo trovò un agnello, ve ne cerca uno novello. Where the wolf found a lamb he looks for another.

Dove va la nave, può andar il brigantino. Where the ship goes the brig can go.

Due donne e un’oca fanno un mercato. Two women and a goose make a market.

Due teste son migliori che una. Two heads are better than one.

Dura più l’incudine che il martello. The anvil lasts longer than the hammer.

Duro a vecchia licenza nuova legge. Hard is a new law imposed on old licence.

Duro con duro non fece mai buon muro. Hard upon hard never made a good wall.

E

E ardito il gallo sopra il suo letame. The cock is bold on his own dunghill.

E bello predicare il digiuno a corpo pieno. It is easy to preach fasting with a full belly.

E bene aver degli amici per tutto. It is good to have friends everywhere.

E buon comprare quando un altro vuol vendere. It is good to buy when another wants to sell.

E buon tenere i panni a chi nuota. It is good to hold the clothes of one who is swimming.

E come l’ancora, che sta sempre nel mare e non impara mai nuotare. He is like the anchor that is always in the sea, yet does not learn to swim.

E facile far paura al toro dalla finestra. It is easy to threaten a bull from a window.

Egli ben sa dove la spina il punge. He knows well where the thorn pricks him.

Egli dà le pecore in guardia al lupo. He sets the wolf to guard the sheep.

Egli è buono a mandarlo per la morte. He would be a good one to send for death.

Egli ha bel dir bugie chi viene da lontano. He may lie safely who comes from afar.

Egli ha fatto come quel Perugino, che subito che gli fu rotto il capo, corse a casa per la celata. He has done like the Perugian who, when his head was broken, ran home for his helmet.

Egli misura gli altri con la sua canna. He measures others with his own yard.

Egli sa dove il diavolo tiene la coda. He knows where the devil carries his tail.

Egli scannerebbe una cimice per bersi il sangue. He would slaughter a bug to drink its blood.

Egli vende l’uccello in su la frasca. He sells the bird on the branch.

Egli venderebbe sino alla sua parte del sole. He would sell even his share of the sun.

Ei grida pria d’esser battuto. He cries out before he is hurt.

E la peggior ruota quella che fa più rumore. The worst wheel creaks most.

E mala cosa esser cattivo, ma è peggiore esser conosciuto. It is a bad thing to be a knave, but worse to be known for one.

E mal rubare a casa de’ ladri. It is not easy to steal in thieves’ houses.

E meglio aver oggi un uovo che domani una gallina. Better have an egg to-day than a hen to-morrow.

E meglio aver un’ape sola che un esercito di mosche. Better have one bee than a host of flies.

E meglio cader dalla finestra che dal tetto. Better to fall from the window than the roof.

E meglio dare che aver a dare. Better give than have to give.

E meglio dar la lana che la pecora. Better give the wool than the sheep.

E meglio domandar che errare. Better to ask than go astray.

E meglio esser capo di gatto che coda di leone. Better be the head of a cat than the tail of a lion.

E meglio esser capo di lucertola che coda di dracone. Better be the head of a lizard than the tail of a dragon.

E meglio esser solo che mal accompagnato. Better alone than in bad company.

E meglio esser uccel di bosco che di gabbia. Better be a bird of the wood than a bird in the cage.

E meglio il cuor felice che la borsa. A happy heart is better than a full purse.

E meglio invidia che pietà. Better be envied than pitied.

E meglio lasciare che mancare. It is better to leave than to lack.

E meglio perder la sella che il cavallo. Better lose the saddle than the horse.

E meglio piegare che rompere. Better bend than break.

E meglio sdrucciolare col piè che con la lingua. Better slip with the foot than with the tongue.

E meglio sentir cantar il rossignuolo che rodere il topo. It is better to hear the nightingale sing than the mouse gnaw.

E meglio stuzzicare un cane che una vecchia. It is better to irritate a dog than an old woman.

E meglio tardi che mai. Better late than never.

E meglio una volta che mai. Better once than never.

E meglio un magro accordo che una grassa sentenza. Better a lean agreement than a fat sentence.

E meglio un papa vivo che dieci morti. One living pope is better than ten dead.

E meglio un prossimo vicino che un lontano cugino. A near neighbour is better than a distant cousin.

E meglio un uccello in gabbia che cento fuori. A bird in the cage is worth a hundred at large.

E meglio vin torbo che acqua chiara. Thick wine is better than clear water.

E’ non mi morse mai cane ch’io non avessi del suo pelo. A dog never bit me but I had some of his hair.

E’ non si grida mai al lupo che non sia in paese. There is never a cry of “Wolf!” but the wolf is in the district.

E padron del mondo chi lo disprezza, schiavo chi lo apprezza. He is the world’s master who despises it, its slave who prizes it.

E padrone della vita altrui chi la sua sprezza. He is master of another man’s life who is indifferent to his own.

E picciola la punta della spina, ma chi sente il dolore non se ne dimentica. The point of the thorn is small, but he who has felt it does not forget it.

E ricco chi non ha debiti. He is rich who owes nothing.

Erra il prete all’altare. The priest errs at the altar.

Errore non fa pagamento. Error is no payment.

E sempre buono aver due corde al suo arco. It is always good to have two strings to your bow.

E troppo un nemico, e cento amici non bastano. One enemy is too many, and a hundred friends are too few.

E un cattivo boccone quello che affoga. It’s a bad mouthful that chokes.

E un mal giuoco dove nessun guadagna. It is a bad game where nobody wins.

E’ va più d’un asino al mercato. There goes more than one ass to market.

F

Fa bene, e non guardare a chi. Do good, and care not to whom.

Facilmente si trova un bastone per dar ad un cane. It is easy to find a stick to beat a dog.

Fammi indovino, e ti farò ricco. Make me a prophet and I will make you rich.

Fanciulli piccioli, dolor di testa; fanciulli grandi, dolor di cuore. Little children and headaches, great children and heartaches.

Fa quel che devi, e n’arrivi ciò che potrà. Do what you ought come what may.

Far conto dell’uovo non ancor nato. Don’t reckon your eggs before they are laid.

Far due chiodi ad un caldo. To make two nails at one heat.

Far d’una mosca un elefante. To make an elephant of a fly.

Fare e dire son due cose. Saying and doing are two things.

Farò quel che potrò, e un poco manco per potervi durare. I will do what I can, and a little less, to be able to continue at it.

Fatta la legge, trovata la malizia. No sooner is the law made than its evasion is discovered.

Fatti di miele, e ti mangeran le mosche. Make yourself honey and the flies will eat you.

Felice non è chi d’esser non sa. He is not happy who knows it not.

Femmine e galline per troppo andar si perdono. Women and hens are lost by too much gadding.

Fidati era un buon uomo, Nontifidare era meglio. Trust was a good man, Trust-not was a better.

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