120 English Proverbs With Meanings

Proverbs are short, commonly repeated statements that give advice or express a truth based on practical experience. They have been handed down over generations and contain tried and tested wisdom. The article shares 120 popular English proverbs along with their meanings and takes the reader through some timeless words of wisdom.

Proverbs play an important role in our daily lives and conversations. They can provide quick counsel in difficult situations or teach valuable life lessons in a direct yet indirect manner. References to proverbs are also often made casually during discussions to make a point in a familiar and easy-to-understand way. The phrases encapsulate insights in a concise and memorable form.

This article is structured to present a mix of well-known and some perhaps unfamiliar proverbs. Each entry provides the proverb itself followed by a brief explanation of its significance and implication. Readers can learn the origins and intents behind diverse sayings and also check their own understanding of certain phrases through this reference guide. Perusing this collection offers cultural insights as well as pragmatic guidance to reflect upon.

Common wisdom

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
It’s always darkest before the dawn.
A penny saved is a penny earned – Benjamin Franklin
Easy come, easy go.
Look before you leap.
The early bird catches the worm.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Beauty is skin deep but ugly goes to the bone.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Time flies when you’re having fun.
Don’t cry over spilled milk.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Variety is the spice of life.
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
Great oaks from little acorns grow.
What goes around comes around.
Everything in moderation.
Haste makes waste.
Experience is the best teacher.

Handy phrases

“Variety is the spice of life.” – Meaning: Diversity and new experiences help make life more interesting.
“One good turn deserves another.” – Meaning: If someone does something nice for you, you should do something nice for them in return.
“Out of sight, out of mind.” – Meaning: What you can’t see, you’re likely to forget about or pay less attention to.
“Idle hands are the devil’s workshop.” – Meaning: Having nothing to do can get you into trouble.
“Many hands make light work.” – Meaning: With more people working together on a task, it will get done faster and easier.
“One today is worth two tomorrows.” – Meaning: It’s better to act promptly rather than delaying until later.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.” – Meaning: True friends are those that help you when you need help.
“Two heads are better than one.” – Meaning: Working together and pooling knowledge and ideas usually leads to better solutions than working alone.
“Easy come, easy go.” – Meaning: Things obtained with little effort are often lost or wasted just as easily.
“People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.” – Meaning: Don’t criticize others for things you might be guilty of as well.
“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.” – Meaning: It’s better to hold onto something certain rather than take a chance on something uncertain.
“Look before you leap.” – Meaning: Consider the potential consequences before taking an important action.
“Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” – Meaning: Don’t make plans based on something that hasn’t happened yet.
“A bad penny always turns up.” – Meaning: Some unpleasant or unwanted people always seem to reappear no matter how many times you get rid of them.
“Close, but no cigar.” – Meaning: You almost succeeded but fell just short in the end.
“Haste makes waste.” – Meaning: Taking your time and being methodical leads to fewer mistakes and less wasted effort or resources.
“Cross that bridge when you come to it.” – Meaning: Deal with problems one at a time as they arise rather than borrowing trouble.
“Too many irons in the fire.” – Meaning: Taking on too much at once means nothing will likely get done well.
“Life is what happens while you’re busy making other plans.” – Meaning: Don’t get so caught up in plans for the future that you forget to live in the present.
“Experience is the best teacher.” – Meaning: Learning from mistakes and practicing over time improves skills far better than book learning alone.

Timeless teachings

“It’s always darkest before the dawn.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Little strokes fell great oaks.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Rome was not built in a day.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Slow and steady wins the race.” – Source unknown, possibly Aesop
“The cream always rises to the top.” – Source unknown, possibly Jonathan Swift
“A stitch in time saves nine.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Keep your eyes on the prize.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Success favors the prepared mind.” – Louis Pasteur
“Do not wish for things to happen easily; wish that you are strong and determined.” – Anam Thubten
“Don’t bite off more than you can chew.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Life is a succession of lessons that must be lived to be understood.” – Helen Keller
“When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” – Proverb, source unknown
“Difficulties are meant to rouse, not discourage. The human spirit is to grow strong by conflict.” – William Ellery Channing
“There is no substitute for hard work.” – Thomas Edison
“Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” – Confucius
“If you want something you have never had, you must be willing to do something you have never done.” – Thomas Jefferson
“We first make our habits, and then our habits make us.” – John Dryden
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” – Chinese Proverb
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.” – Thomas Edison
“Bloom where you’re planted.” – Source unknown, possibly attributed to multiple sources

Sayings of old

– “Good things come hard.” – English Proverb
– “In the old way, one would learn. No one into the new is easy to turn.” – English Proverb
– “The spirit that quickens the body.” – English Proverb
– “A crumb today is better than a loaf tomorrow.” – English Proverb
– “Experience keeps a dear school, but fools will learn in no other.” – English Proverb
– “Care killed the cat.” – English Proverb
– “Many little make a mickle.” – Scottish Proverb
– “The good pay for the bad.” – English Proverb
– “More haste less speed.” – English Proverb
– “The tongue cuts without drawing blood.” – Spanish Proverb
– “Those who serve others eat the sweetest fruit.” – Chinese Proverb
– “A bird in hand is worth two in the bush.” – English Proverb
– “East or west, home is best.” – English Proverb
– “A friend in need is a friend indeed.” – English Proverb
– “A man does what he must – in spite of personal consequences, in spite of obstacles and dangers and pressures – and that is the basis of all human morality.” – Winston Churchill
– “One today is worth two tomorrows.” – Benjamin Franklin
– “A short time is better than a long regret.” – English Proverb
– “A fair face may hide a foul heart.” – English Proverb
– “He that lies down with dogs shall rise up with fleas.” – English Proverb

Words of experience

Think before you speak. – Proverb advising consideration before vocalizing ideas or opinions.
It’s not what you say but how you say it. – Proverb emphasizing the importance of tone and delivery is as important as the words themselves.
Empty vessels make the most noise. – Proverb stating those who are ignorant or say the least tend to talk the most.
Fine feathers don’t make fine birds. – Proverb emphasizing that outward appearance isn’t as important as inner character or substance.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. – Proverb cautioning against premature assumptions of a good outcome before it has transpired.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. – Proverb advising against shallow judgments based on external appearances alone.
Experience is the best teacher. – Proverb stressing that wisdom is gained from practical involvement instead of theoretical knowledge alone.
Actions speak louder than words. – Proverb emphasizing that observable behavior provides stronger evidence of character or intentions than verbal claims.
Practice makes perfect. – Proverb highlighting that skills, abilities and talents improve with extensive training over time.
All that glitters is not gold. – Proverb cautioning against assuming value based on superficial attributes alone; appearances can be deceiving.
You can’t judge a man until you’ve walked a mile in his shoes. – Proverb advising empathy and perspective before criticizing others.
Better safe than sorry. – Proverb suggesting it is usually wiser to act cautiously than regret improper risk-taking.
If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. – Proverb encouraging perseverance and resilience in the face of difficulties and setbacks.
You reap what you sow. – Proverb teaching that outcomes/consequences correspond to one’s own behaviour or treatment of others.
Look before you leap. – Proverb advising prudence and consideration of risks before impetuous action.
Every cloud has a silver lining. – Proverb suggesting that even unfortunate events may have unforeseen benefits.
When the student is ready, the teacher will appear. – Indicating opportunities for learning and advice arise when one actively seeks knowledge and advice.
Variety is the spice of life. – Proverb affirming enjoyment from diversity of experience rather than constant repetition.
Haste makes waste. – Proverb cautioning against hurried or rash actions driven by impatience rather than rationale. Thorough consideration helps ensure efficiency.
Experience is often the best teacher. – Proverb highlighting that the most impactful and meaningful learning often comes from lived experience rather than passive education alone.

Ageworn advice

Birds of a feather flock together. – People of the same interests, beliefs, socioeconomic class tend to associate with each other. Similar people tend to form social bonds and groups more easily.
Don’t bite the hand that feeds you. – Means that you shouldn’t hurt or act against someone who is helping or supporting you. It’s unwise to mistreat those providing you with assistance or benefits.
Soon forgotten the sorrows; the joys live long in the memory. – Means that bad memories fade faster than good memories. People tend to dwell on happy experiences more than unhappy ones.
A Stitch in time saves nine. – Means that it is better to fix or repair things before they get worse. Doing small tasks now can prevent bigger problems later on.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. – Means that you shouldn’t make plans or assume something will happen until it actually does. It’s unwise to assume an outcome before it has occurred.
A rolling stone gathers no moss. – An idle or unsettled person does not establish lasting connections or stability in their life. Constant movement prevents setting down roots.
Never look a gift horse in the mouth. – Means that when receiving a generous gift, you shouldn’t examine or criticize it too closely. Be gracious about what you are given without conditions.
Too many irons in the fire. – Means that someone is trying to do or manage too many tasks and projects at once. Over-extending oneself leads to less effective results.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. – Means diversifying your investments, resources or opportunities. Relying on a single outcome risks potential failure or loss.
A barking dog seldom bites. – People who constantly threaten rarely follow through. Those who talk the most are usually the least likely to act.
You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. – Means that you can’t get something from someone/something if it simply does not have or is not capable of giving it. Some demands are just impossible to meet.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. – Means promoting good health through a balanced diet and lifestyle can prevent illness or disease. Proper self-care can minimize medical needs.
Lightning never strikes twice in the same place. – The odds of the exact same unlikely event occurring repeatedly to the same person are very low. Don’t assume past bad luck predicts future outcomes.
Money is the root of all evil. – Money itself is neutral, but lack of or desire for too much money can corrupt morality or disrupt priorities in life. Excessive focus on wealth leads away from spiritual health.
It’s an ill wind that blows nobody any good. – Means that even negative events usually benefit someone somehow. Every cloud has a silver lining.
The grass is always greener on the other side. – Tendency to want what you don’t have and overlook current blessings. Contentment comes from within, not from material advantages or alternate scenarios.
Experience is the best teacher. – Learning from direct involvement and action provides deeper understanding than just passive instruction alone. Hands-on learning yields lasting lessons.
Two wrongs don’t make a right. – Committing an injustice to try and “even the score” from a past hurt just perpetuates further harm. Morally the high road avoids continuing negative cycles.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way. – With motivation and determination, solutions can be found to overcome challenges or obstacles. Strong desire enables resourcefulness and success.
Look before you leap. – Consider risks and consequences carefully before taking an action, to avoid potential harm, loss or regret. Wise decision-making involves prudent forethought.

Conclusion

Proverbs have long been used to share wisdom and advice in a concise and memorable way. The proverbs covered in this article encapsulate important life lessons through simple yet profound statements. From adages about human nature and behavior to those pertaining to relationships and success, reflecting on these well-known quotes can offer fresh perspectives and food for thought. I encourage readers to ponder the meaning and implications of these proverbs in their own lives and contexts. Internalizing short statements that have stood the test of time could help guide decisions and shape attitudes for the better. May these English sayings from ages past continue to enrich understanding for generations present and future.

120 English Proverbs With Meanings