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

Part 23

Chapter 234,166 wordsPublic domain

Necio he quem cuida, que outro naõ cuida. _He is a fool who thinks that others do not think._

Nem barbeiro mudo, nem cantor surdo. _Neither a dumb barber nor a deaf singer._

Nem com cada mal ao medico, nem com cada trampa ao letrado. _Go not with every ailment to the doctor, nor with every plaint to the lawyer._

Nem com toda a fóme á arca, nem com toda a sede ao cantaro. _Go not with every hunger to the cupboard, nor with every thirst to the pitcher._

Nem estopa com tiçoens, nem molher com varoens. _Trust not tow with firebrands, nor a woman with men._

Nem por muito madrugar, amanhece mais asinha. _It dawns none the sooner for all one’s early rising._

Nem tanto puxar, que se quebre a corda. _Don’t pull hard enough to break the rope._

Nem taõ formosa que mate, nem taõ fea, que espante. _Neither handsome enough to kill nor ugly enough to frighten away._

Nem todos os que vaõ à guerra, saõ soldados. _All are not soldiers who go to the wars._

Nem tudo o que he verdade, se diz. _Not all that is true is to be spoken._

Nem tudo o que luz he ouro. _All is not gold that glitters._

Ninguem he bom juiz em causa propria. _No one is a good judge in his own cause._

Ninguem se contenta com sua sórte. _No one is content with his lot._

Ninguem se metta no que naõ sabe. _Meddle not in what you don’t understand._

Ninguem sempre acerta. _No one is always right._

Ninho feito, pega morta. _The nest made, the bird dead._

No rosto de minha, filha, vejo quando, o demo toma a meu genro. _I see by my daughter’s face when the devil lays hold of my son-in-law._

Nos trabalhos se vem os amigos. _Friends are known in adversity._

Nunca de má arvore bom fruto. _Good fruit never comes from a bad tree._

Nunca falta hum caõ, que vos ladre. _There is never wanting a dog to bark at you._

Nunca foi bom amigo, quem por pouco quebron a amizade. _He never was a friend who ceased to be so for a slight cause._

Nunca lobo mata outro. _One wolf does not kill another._

Nunca muito custou pouco. _Much never cost little._

Nunca se matou ouriço cacheiro às punhadas. _Hedgehogs are not to be killed with the fist._

Nunca se queixe do engano, quem pela mostra compra o panno. _He should not complain of being cheated who buys the cloth by the sample._

O.

O amigo ha de se levar com a sua tacha. _A friend is to be taken with his faults._

O amor, e a fé, nas obras se vé. _Love and faith are seen in works._

O amor naõ tem lei. _Love knows no law._

O bem soa, e o mal voa. _Good news is rumoured, bad news flies._

O boi bravo na terra alheia se faz manso. _The savage ox grows tame on strange ground._

O bom vinho naõ ha mester ramo. _Good wine needs no bush._

Obra começada, meia acabada. _Well begun is half done._

Obra de commum, obra de nenhum. _What’s everybody’s work is nobody’s work._

Obra feita dinheiro espera. _Work done expects money._

Obras saõ amores, e naõ palavras doces. _Deeds are love, and not sweet words._

O buraco chama ao ladraõ. _The hole invites the thief._

O caõ velho, quando ladra, dà conselho. _When the old dog barks, he gives counsel._

O caro he barato, e o barato he caro. _Dear is cheap, and cheap is dear._

O couce da egoa naõ faz mal ao potro. _The mare’s kick does not harm the colt._

O dia de amanhã ninguem o vio. _No one has seen to-morrow._

O dinheiro do avarento, duas vezes vai à feira. _Misers’ money goes twice to market._

Officio alheio custa dinheiro. _Another man’s trade costs money._

Officio de conselho, honra sem proveito. _A seat in the council is honour without profit._

O filho de tua visinha, tira-lhe o ranho, e casa-o com tua filha. _Wipe the nose of your neighbour’s son, and marry him to your daughter._

O filho do asno huma hora no dia orneja. _The ass’s son brays one hour daily._

O fim coroa a obra. _The end crowns the work._

O galgo, à larga, a lebre mata. _In the long run, the greyhound kills the hare._

O homem he fogo, e a mulher estopa, vem o diabo, assopra. _Man is fire, woman is tow, and the devil comes and blows._

O homem pobre a dobrado custo come. _The poor man eats at double cost._

O hospede, e o peixe a os tres dias fede. _A guest and a fish stink in three days._

O ladraõ cuida que todos taes saõ. _The thief thinks that all are like himself._

O ladraõ da agulha ao ouro, e do ouro à forca. _The thief proceeds from a needle to gold, and from gold to the gallows._

Olhos verdes, em poucos os veredes. _You will not see many with green eyes._

O lobo perde os dentes, mas naõ o costume. _The wolf loses his teeth, but not his inclination._

O mal do olho cura-se com o cotovelo. _Wipe your sore eye with your elbow._

O mal, que naõ tem cura, he loucura. _The malady that is most incurable is folly._

O marido antes com hum só olho, que com hum filho. _Rather a husband with one eye than with one son._

O melhor penso do cavallo, he o olho de seu amo. _The horse’s best allowance is his master’s eye._

O mentir naõ paga sisa. _Lying pays no tax._

O moço, e o gallo hum sò anno. _A servant and a cock must be kept but one year._

O moço preguiçoso, por naõ dar huma passada, da oito. _The lazy servant takes eight steps to avoid one._

Onde a gallinha tem os ovos, là se lhe vaõ os olhos. _The hen’s eyes turn to where she has her eggs._

Onde entra o beber, sahe o saber. _When the wine is in, the wit is out._

Onde está o gallo, naõ canta a gallinha. _Where the cock is the hen does not crow._

Onde fogo naõ ha, fumo naõ se levanta. _Where there is no fire, no smoke rises._

Onde força naõ ha, direito se perde. _Where there’s no might there’s no right._

Onde ha amigos, ha riquezas. _Where friends, there riches._

Onde ha muito riso, ha pouco siso. _Much laughter, little wit._

Onde irá o boi, que naõ are? _Where shall the ox go, and not have to plough?_

Onde naõ ha honra, naõ ha deshonra. _Where there is no honour there is no dishonour._

Onde o lobo acha hum cordeiro, busca outro. _Where the wolf picks up one sheep he looks for another._

Onde vai mas fundo o rio, ahi faz menos ruido. _Where the river is deepest it makes least noise._

O olho do amo engorda o cavallo. _The master’s eye makes the horse fat._

O parvo, se he callado, por sabio he reputado. _The fool passes for wise if he is silent._

O peior porco come a melhor lande. _The worst pig eats the best acorn._

O perro com raiva a seu amo morde. _The mad dog bites its master._

O perro do hortelão naõ come as versas, nem a outrem as deixa comer. _The gardener’s dog neither eats greens nor lets any one else eat them._

O pouco faz devedor, e o muito inimigo. _A little makes a debtor and much an enemy._

O que faz o doudo á derradeira, faz o sesudo à primeira. _What the fool does at last the wise man does at first._

O que he duro de passar, he doce de lembrar. _What was hard to bear is sweet to remember._

O que naõ pòde al ser, deves soffrer. _What can’t be cured must be endured._

O rei das abelhas naõ tem aguilhaõ. _The king of the bees has no sting._

O sacco do genro nunca he cheio. _The son-in-law’s sack is never full._

Os dedos da maõ naõ saõ iguaes. _The fingers of the same hand are not alike._

Os erros dos medicos a terra os cobre. _The blunders of physicians are covered by the earth._

O sisudo naõ ata o saber á estaca. _The man of sense does not hang up his knowledge._

Os mortos aos vivos abrem os olhos. _The dead open the eyes of the living._

O tramposo asinha engana ao cobiçoso. _The swindler readily cheats the covetous man._

Ouro he o que ouro vale. _That is gold which is worth gold._

Ouve, ve, e calla, se queres viver em paz. _Hear, see, and say nothing, if you would live in peace._

Ovelha farta, do rabo se espanta. _The full-fed sheep is frightened at her own tail._

Ovelha, que berra, bocado perde. _The sheep that bleats loses a mouthful._

O ventre em jejum naõ ouve a nenhum. _A hungry belly hears nobody._

P.

Paga o justo pelo peccador. _The righteous pays for the sinner._

Paga o que deves, sararàs do mal que tens. _Pay what you owe, you will get well of your malady._

Pagar na mesma moeda. _To pay one in his own coin._

Palavra fóra da boca, pedra fóra da maõ. _A word from the mouth, a stone from the hand._ (_A word and a blow._)

Palavras de santo, e cenhas de gato. _Saint’s words, cat’s claws._

Palavras naõ enchem barriga. _Words don’t fill the belly._

Panella que muito ferve, o sabor perde. _The pot that boils too much loses its flavour._

Paõ alheio caro custa. _Another’s bread costs dear._

Paõ comido, companhia desfeita. _The bread eaten, the company departs._

Paz de cajado guerra he. _Peace with a cudgel in hand is war._

Peccado confessado, he meio perdoado. _A fault confessed is half forgiven._

Pedra movediça, naõ cria bolor. _A rolling stone gathers no moss._

Peleijaõ os ladrones, descobrem-se os furtos. _When thieves fall out, their knaveries come to light._

Peleijaõ os touros, mal pelos ramos. _When bulls fight, woe to the frogs._

Pelos Santos novos esquecem os velhos. _The old saints are forgotten in the new._

Penhor que come, ninguem o tome. _Beware of a pledge that eats._

Pequenas rachas accendem o fogo, e os madeiros grossos o sustentaõ. _Little chips kindle the fire, and big logs sustain it._

Pequeno machado parte grande carvalho. _A small hatchet fells a great oak._

Perdendo tempo, naõ se ganha dinheiro. _Money is not gained by losing time._

Perro ladrador, nunca bom caçador. _A barking dog was never a good hunter._

Pés costumados a andar, naõ pódem quedos estar. _Feet accustomed to go cannot be still._

Pobreza nunca em amores fez bom feito. _Poverty never sped well in love._

Porcos com frio, e homens com vinho, fazem grande ruido. _Pigs in the cold and men in drink make a great noise._

Por falta de homens fizeraõ a meu pai juiz. _For lack of men they made my father a justice._

Porfia mata a caça. _Perseverance kills the game._

Pouco damno espanta, e muito amansa. _A little injury dismays, and a great one stills._

Pouco fel damna muito mel. _A little gall spoils much honey._

Preguiça, chave de pobreza. _Sloth is the key of poverty._

Primeiro que cases, vé o que fazes. _Before you marry consider what you do._

Principio querem as cousas. _Everything must have a beginning._

Prometter naõ he dar, mas a nescios contentar. _Promising is not giving, but serves to content fools._

Q.

Qual mais, qual menos, toda a lã he pelos. _All the wool is hair, more or less._

Qual o pai, tal o filho. _Like father, like son._

Qual o Rei, tal a lei; qual a lei, tal a grei. _Like king, like law; like law, like people._

Quando em casa naõ está o gato, estende-se o rato. _When the cat’s away the mice will play._

Quem pouco sabe, asinha o reza. _He who knows little soon blabs it._

Quem quando póde naõ quer, quando quer naõ póde. _Who will not when he can, can’t when he will._

Quem quer pescar, ha-se-de molhar. _He who would catch fish must not mind wetting himself._

Quem quizer olho saõ, ate a maõ. _He that would keep his eye sound must tie up his hand._

Quem quizer ser muito tempo velho, comece-o a ser cedo. _He that would be old long must begin betimes._

Quem se cala, e pedras apanha, tempo vem que as derrama. _Who holds his peace and gathers stones, will find a time to throw them._

Quem só come seu gallo, só sella seu cavallo. _Who eats his fowl alone, must saddle his horse alone._

Quem te faz festa, naõ soendo fazer, ou te quer enganar, ou te há mister. _He who makes more of you than he is wont, either means to cheat you or wants you._

Quem tem boca, naõ diga ao outro, assopra. _Let not him that has a mouth ask another to blow._

Quem tem bom ninho, tem bom amigo. _He who has a good nest, finds good friends._

Quem tem quatro, e gasta cinco, naõ há mister bolsa, nem bolsinho. _He who has four and spends five, has no need of a purse._

Quem tem telhado de vidro, naõ atire pedras ao do vizinho. _He who has a glass roof must not throw stones at his neighbour’s._

Quem tudo lo quier, tudo lo pierde. _All covet, all lose._

Que queira, que naõ queira, o asno ha de ir á feira. _Will he nill he, the ass must go to the fair._

Queres conhecer tua filha, olha-lhe a companhia. _Would you know your daughter? See her in company._

Queres que te siga o caõ, da-lhe paõ. _If you would have the dog follow you, give him bread._

Quereis que vos sirva, bom Rey, dai-me, de que viva. _Would you have me serve you, good king, give me the means of living._

R.

Raposa dormida, naõ lhe cahe nada da boca. _Nothing falls into the mouth of a sleeping fox._

Rato, que naõ sabe mais que hum buraco, asinha he tomado. _The rat that knows but one hole is soon caught._

Roga ao santo, até passar o barranco. _Pray to the saint until you have passed the slough._

Rogos de Rei mandados saõ. _King’s entreaties are commands._

Roim seja, quem por roim se tem. _Vile let him be who deems himself vile._

S.

Sal vertido, nunca bem colhido. _Spilt salt is never well collected._

Sangrai-o, purgai-o, e se morrer, enterrai-o. _Bleed him, purge him, and if he dies, bury him._

Sempre o alheio suspira por seu dono. _What is another’s always sighs for its master._

Senta-te no teu lugar, naõ te faraó levantar. _Seat yourself in your place, and they will not make you rise._

Se queres a agoa limpa, tira-a da fonte viva. _If you want clear water, draw it from the spring._

Se queres saber quanto val hum cruzado, busca-o emprestado. _If you would know what a dollar is worth, try to borrow it._

Se queres ser bem servido, serve a ti mesmo. _If you want to be served, serve yourself._

Se queres ser bom juiz, ouve o que cada hum diz. _If you would be a good judge, hear what every one says._

Se queres ser pobre sem o sentir, mette obreiro, deita-te a dormir. _If you would grow poor without perceiving it, employ workmen and go to sleep._

Se queres ter boa fama, naõ te tome o sol na cama. _If you would be in good repute, let not the sun find you in bed._

Se queres viver saõ, faze-te velho ante tempo. _If you would be healthy, be sage betimes._

Serve a senhor, saberàs que he dor. _Serve a lord, and you will know what it is to be vexed._

Se te dà o pobre, he para que mais te tome. _If a poor man gives to you, he expects more in return._

Se te fizeres mel, comer-te-haõ as moscas. _Make yourself honey, and the flies will eat you._

Se tens physico teu amigo, manda-o a casa de teu inimigo. _If you have a friend who is a physician, send him to your enemy’s house._

T.

Tambem os ameaçados comem paõ. _Threatened folks eat bread._

Tanta culpa tem o ladraõ como o consentidor. _The accomplice is as bad as the thief._

Tanto morre o Papa, como o que naõ tem capa. _Death spares neither Pope nor beggar._

Tantos morrem dos cordeiros, como dos carneiros. _There die as many lambs as wethers._

Tanto val a cousa, quanto daõ por ella. _The worth of a thing is what it will bring._

Taõ bom he Pedro como seu amo. _Jack is as good as his master._

Tarde dar, e negar, estaõ a par. _To be slow in giving and to refuse, are alike._

Tempo, e hora naõ se ata com soga. _Time and the hour are not to be tied with a rope._

Tres irmaõs, tres fortalezas. _Three brothers, three fortresses._

V.

Vai-se o tempo, como o vento. _Time passes like the wind._

Vender gato por lebre. _To sell a cat for a hare._

Vender mel ao colmeeiro. _To sell honey to one who keeps hives._

Vento, e ventura, pouco dura. _Wind and fortune are not lasting._

Ventura te dé Deos, filho, que saber pouco te basta. _God give you luck, my son, for little wit must serve your turn._

Vi hum homem, que vio outro homem, que vio o mar. _I saw a man, who saw another man, who saw the sea._

DUTCH PROVERBS.

A.

Aan den verstandigen is een woord genoeg. _A word is enough to the wise._

Aan een krank touw zal men zachkens trekken. _Pull gently at a weak rope._

Aangeboden dienst is onwaard. _Proffered service is little valued._ (_Proffered service stinks._)

Aanhoude doet verkrigen. _Perseverance brings success._

Aan het werk kent men den werkman. _The workman is known by his work._

Aan velen belast wordt minst gedaan. _Little is done where many command._

Achter iederen berg ligt weer een dal. _Behind every mountain lies a vale._

Al eer dat gij een vriend betrouwt, zoo eet met hem een mudde zout. _Before you make a friend, eat a peck of salt with him._

Alle ampten zijn smeerig. _All offices are greasy_ (i. e. _open to receive what the Dutch call smear-money, a term derived from the fee paid for greasing wheels_).

Alle baat helpt. _Every little helps._

Alle beetjes helpen en alle vrachtjes ligten, zei de schipper en hij smeet zijne vrouw overboord. _Every little helps to lighten the freight, said the captain, as he threw his wife overboard._

Alle beginselen zijn zwaar, zei de dief, en voor de eerste maal stal hij een aanbeeld. _All beginnings are hard, said the thief, and began by stealing an anvil._

Alle dagen een draadje is een hemdsmouw in het jaar. _Every day a thread makes a skein in the year._

Alle dagen kan men dragen uitgezondert goede dagen. _Men can bear all things except good days._

Alle dingen hebben een einde behalve God. _Everything has an end excepting God._

Alle dingen hebben twee handvatsels. _Everything has two handles (or two sides)._

Alle ding heeft een waarom. _Everything has a wherefore._

Alle ding is wel: heeft de bruel geen geel haer, zij heeft een geel vel. _All is well: for if the bride has not fair hair, she has a fair skin._

Alle hanen moeten een kam hebben. _All cocks must have a comb._

Allemans vriend, is allemans gek. _Every man’s friend, is every man’s fool._

Allengskens gaat men ook verre. _Step by step one goes far._

Alle vloed heeft zijne ebbe. _Every flood has its ebb._

Alle waarom heeft zijn daarom. _Every why has its wherefore._

Alle wolken regenen niet. _All clouds do not rain._

Als alle de waerelt ziet dat gij een verken zijt, eu moet gij niet in ’t schot? _When every one sees that you are a pig, why don’t you go into the sty?_

Als apen hoog willen klimmen, ziet men hun naakte billen. _When apes climb high, they show their naked rumps._

Als de armoede de deur binnenkomt, vliegt de liefde het venster uit. _Where poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window._

Als de buik zat is, is ’t harte vrolijk. _When the stomach is full the heart is glad._

Als de ezel te wel is, soo gaat hij op ’t s danssen. _When the ass is too happy he begins dancing on the ice._

Als de herder doolt, doolen de schapen. _When the shepherd strays, the sheep stray._

Als de hond onder ligt, al de wereld wil hem bijten. _When the dog is down, every one is ready to bite him._

Als de kat slaapt, spelen de muizen. _When the cat sleeps, the mice play._

Als de katten muizen, miaauwen ze niet. _When cats are mousing they don’t mew._

Als de kat van huis is, dan hebben de muizen bruis. _When the cat’s away, it is jubilee with the mice._

Als de kok met den bottelier kijft, dan hoort men waar de boter blijft. _When the cook and the steward fall out we hear who stole the butter._

Als de man wel wint de vrouw wel spint. _When the husband earns well the wife spins well._

Als de muggen in January danssen, wordt de boer een bedelaar. _When gnats swarm in January, the peasant becomes a beggar._

Als de muggen in Maart danssen, dat doet het schaap den dood aan. _When flies swarm in March, sheep come to their death._

Als de muis zat is, zo wordt het meel bitter. _When the mouse has had its fill, the meal turns bitter._

Als de wijn ingaat, gaat de wijsheid uit. _When the wine goes in the wit goes out._

Als de wolf oud wordt regen hem de kraaijen. _When the wolf grows old the crows ride him._

Als de zak vol is, reegt hij zijn oren. _When the sack is full it pricks up its ears._

Als de zotten ter markt kommen, so krijgen de kramers geld. _When fools go to market, pedlars make money._

Als een muis in de meelzak gevallen is, meent zij dat zij de molenaar zelf is. _When a mouse has fallen into a meal sack, he thinks he is the miller himself._

Als een oude hond blaft, zo ziet uit. _When an old dog barks, look out._ (_When the old dog barks, he giveth counsel._)

Als één schaap over den dam is, volgen de anderen. _When one sheep is over the dam, the rest follow._

Als elk voor zijn huis veegt, zoo worden alle straten schoon. _Were every one to sweep before his own house, every street would be clean._

Als God een land plagen wil, dan beneemt hij den heeren hunne wijsheid. _When God means to punish a nation, He deprives its rulers of wisdom._

Als God een mensch plagen wil, dan bijt hem wel een muis dood. _When it is God’s will to plague a man, a mouse can bite him to death._

Als God niet wil, dan kan de heilige niet. _When God will, the saint cannot._

Als had komt, zo is hebben te laat. _When had comes, have is too late._

Als het God belieft, zoo regent het met alle winden. _When God pleases, it rains with every wind._

Als hij lang genoeg wacht, wordt de wereld zijn eigendom. _If he waits long enough the world will be his own._

Als men hem den vinger geeft, neemt hij de geheele hand. _Give him your finger and he will seize your hand._ (_Give him an inch and he’ll take an ell._)

Als men van den duivel spreekt, dan rammelt reeds zijn gebeente. _Talk of the devil and you hear his bones rattle._

Als men van den wolf spreekt, ziet men weldra zijn staart. _Talk of the wolf and his tail appears._

Als niet komt tot iet, zo kent het zich zelf niet. _When nought comes to aught, it does not know itself._

Als ’t geluk u tegen lacht, sta dan op de wacht. _When prosperity smiles, beware of its guiles._

Als ’t hoofd ziek is, is al ziek. _When the head is sick the whole body is sick._

Als ’t varken zat is, zoo stoot het de trog om. _When the pig has had a bellyful it upsets the trough._

Als ’t wel gaat zo is het goet raden. _When things go well it is easy to advise._

Als twee honden vechten om een been, loopt de derde er meê heen. _When two dogs fight for a bone, the third runs away with it._

Als u vijand gaat te rug, maakt hem vrij een gulden brug. _When thine enemy retreateth, make him a golden bridge._ (_For a flying enemy make a silver bridge._)

Als uws buurmans huis brandt, is ’t tijd uit te zien. _When thy neighbour’s house is on fire it’s time to look about thee._

Al te goed is buurmans (_of_ allemans) gek. _All too good is every man’s fool._ (_He that makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolf._)

Arbeid verwarmt, luiheid verarmt. _Labour warms, sloth harms._

Arenden brengen geene duiven voort. _Eagles don’t breed doves._

Arenden vangen geene vliegen. _Eagles catch no fleas._

Arme lui wijsheid gaat meest verloren. _Poor folk’s wisdom goes for little._

Armoede is luiheids loon. _Poverty is the reward of idleness._

B.

Bedelaars erf ligt in alle landen. _A beggar’s estate lies in all lands._

Belofte maakt schuld, en schuld maakt belofte. _Promises make debts, and debts make promises._

Beloven en houden zijn twee dingen. _Promising and performing are two things._

Beloven is een, en woord houden is twee. _Promising is one thing, performing another._

Bemin wel and’ren, maar u zelven boven al; zijt aan den goeden goed, doch mijd uw ongeval. _Love others well, but love thyself the most; give good for good, but not to thine own cost._

Beter alleen dan kwalijk verzelt. _Better alone than in bad company._

Beter arm met eere, dan rijk met schande. _Better poor with honour than rich with shame._

Beter arm te land, dan rijk op zee. _Better poor on land than rich at sea._

Beter bedorven dan verloren land. _Better a ruined than a lost land._

Beter benijd dan beklaagt. _Better be envied than pitied._

Beter buik geborsten, dan goede spijs verloren. _Better belly burst than good victuals spoil._

Beter de hand als den hals uit te strekken. _Better stretch your hand than your neck._ (_Better beg than steal._)

Beter door een’ ezel gedragen, dan door een paard in ’t zand geslagen. _Better be carried by an ass than thrown by a horse._