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

Part 31

Chapter 314,320 wordsPublic domain

Raad efter giort Gierning er som Regn naar Kornet er höstet. _Counsel after action is like rain after harvest._

Raad efter Skaden er som Lægedom efter Döden. _Advice after the mischief is like medicine after death._

Raad er ei bedre end Uraad, uden det tages i Tide. _Good counsel is no better than bad counsel, if it be not taken in time._

Ræd Mand har tynd Lykke. _A timid man has little chance._

Ræven gaaer ei to Gange paa eet Gilder. _The fox does not go twice into the same trap._

Ravnen synes altid at hendes Unger ere de hvideste. _The raven always thinks that her young ones are the whitest._

Ravn er fager, naar Raage ei er hos. _The raven is fair when the rook is not by._

Red Hunden för end Haren löber. _Hold your dog in readiness before you start the hare._

Reen Haand færdes tryg giennem Land. _A clean hand moves freely through the land._

Retfærdig bliver aldrig braadrig. _The upright never grow rich in a hurry._

Rigdom bliver vel lastet, men aldrig forkastet. _Riches are often abused, but never refused._

Rigdom har Sorg, og Armod har Tryghed. _Riches breed care, poverty is safe._

Rigdom og Gunst gaaer for Visdom og Kunst. _Riches and favour go before wisdom and art._

Rig Hustru er Trættetynder. _A rich wife is a source of quarrel._

Riig Enkes Taarer törres snart. _The rich widow’s tears soon dry._

Riis er bedre end Rævesvands. _A rod is better than a fox’s brush._

Ringe Mistanke kan spilde godt Rygte. _A slight suspicion may destroy a good repute._

Roes Ganten saa faaer du gavn af ham. _Praise a fool, and you may make him useful._

Runde Hænder gjöre mange Venner. _Liberal hands make many friends._

Rust æder Jern og Avind æder sig selv. _Rust consumes iron, and envy consumes itself._

Rygtet kommer för til Byes end Manden. _A man’s character reaches town before his person._

Ry og Rygte fölger Mand til Dör. _Fame and repute follow a man to the door._

S.

Saa er hver hædt som han er klædt. _As a man dresses so is he esteemed._

Saa flyver hver Fugl som han er fiedret. _According to his pinions the bird flies._

Saa grynte Griis efter som gammel Sviin fore (för dem). _Young pigs grunt as old swine grunted before them._

Saa kan man böie Bue, at den brister. _The bow may be bent until it breaks._

Saa længe en Mand er unævnt er han uskiændt. _A man who is not spoken of is not abused._

Saa lever Hönen af sit Skrab, som Löven af sit Rov. _The hen lives by pickings, as the lion by prey._

Saa mange Hoveder saa mange Sind. _So many heads, so many minds._

Sæl er den, der kan see ved anden Mands Skade. _Happy he who can take warning from the mishaps of others._

Sælg ikke Bælgen för du har fanget Ræven. _Don’t sell the skin till you have caught the fox._

Sammen söge Sellige, et skabbet Ög og et sandigt Dige. _Like seeks like—a scabbed horse and a sandy dike._

Sandhed er en suur Kost. _Truth is bitter food._

Sandhed og Daarskab sidde begge i Viinfadet. _Truth and folly dwell in the wine-cask._

Sandhed skal man lære af Börn og drukne Folk. _Children and drunken men speak the truth._

Sandtalende Qvinde har faae Venner. _A truth-telling woman has few friends._

See Dig vel for, Fraade er ikke Öl. _Beware, froth is not beer._

Seil mens Vinden blæser, Bören bier efter Ingen. _Sail while the breeze blows, wind and tide wait for no man._

Selvgiort er velgiort. _What you do yourself is well done._

Sielden bliver blu Hund fed. _A modest dog seldom grows fat._

Sielden dandser bold Kiortel saa vel som mæt Bug. _A full belly dances better than a fine coat._

Sielden er Grenen bedre end Bullen. _The branch is seldom better than the stem._

Sielden kommer Sorg ene. _Sorrow seldom comes alone._

Sielden skiærer man godt Korn af ond Ager. _Good corn is not reaped from a bad field._

Sielden sukker glad Hierte, men tidt leer sorrigfuld Mund. _A glad heart seldom sighs, but a sorrowful mouth often laughs._

Silde Bod er sielden god. _Late repentance is seldom worth much._

Silketunge og Blaargarns Hierte fölges ofte ad. _Silken tongue and hempen heart often go together._

Skaden kommer ei gierne ene til Huus. _Misfortune seldom comes alone to the house._

Skal Lögnen troes, da maae den flikkes med Sandhed. _If lies are to find credence, they must be patched with truth._

Skindtiig faaer ei söd Mælk uden der er druknet Muus i. _The watch-dog does not get sweet milk unless there be drowned mice in it._

Skjorten er Kroppen nærmere end Kiortelen. _The shirt is nearer to the body than the coat._

Skov haver Ören, og Mark haver Öien. _The forest has ears, and the field has eyes._

Slagt ei meer end du kan salte, eller du faaer sure Stege. _Kill no more than you can salt, or you will have tainted meat._

Smaae Börn, smaae Sorger; store Börn, store Sorger. _Little children, little sorrows; big children, great sorrows._

Smaae Helgen giöre og Jertegn. _Little saints also perform miracles._

Smaae Sorger tale, de store tie. _Little sorrows are loud, great ones silent._

Smedebörn rædes ei for gnister. _Blacksmith’s children are not afraid of sparks._

Smiger er söd mad, hov den gider ædt. _Flattery is sweet food for those who can swallow it._

Smör fordærver ingen Mad, og Lemfældighed skader ingen Sag. _Butter spoils no meat, and moderation injures no cause._

Smuler ere og Bröd. _Even crumbs are bread._

Snart og vel ere sielden sammen. _Quick and well seldom go together._

Söde Ord fylde kun lidt i Sækken. _Fair words won’t fill the sack._

Soen er helst i Söle. _The sow prefers the mire._

Sög Raad hos Ligemænd, og Hielp hos Overmænd. _Ask advice of your equals, help of your superiors._

Sölv og Guld er hver Mand Huld. _Silver and gold are all men’s dears._

Som de Gamle siunge saa tviddre de Unge. _As the old ones sing, the young ones twitter._

Som Herren er saa fölge ham Svende. _As the master is, so are his men._

Som Manden, saa og hans Tale. _As the man is, so is his speech._

Som man reder til, saa ligger man. _As you make your bed so you must lie on it._

Sqvalder drukner for god Kones Dör. _Slander expires at a good woman’s door._

Stagrende Mand skal sig ved Kiep stöde. _A tottering man must lean upon a staff._

Stakkarl er Staadder værst, naar han Magt fanger. _No one so hard upon the poor as the pauper who has got into power._

Stakket er Höneflu, uden Hane fluer med. _The hen flies not far unless the cock flies with her._

Stakket Hör giver og lang Traad. _Short flax makes long thread._

Stakket Hund, kuldet Ko, og liden Mand ere gierne hovmodige. _A little dog, a cow without horns, and a short man, are generally proud._

Stakket Lyst har tidt lang anger. _Short pleasure often brings long repentance._

Stærke Mands Spil er kranke Mands Död. _What is play to the strong is death to the weak._

Store Drikke, og lang Morgensövn, gjöre snart fattig. _Deep draughts, and long morning slumbers, soon make a man poor._

Store Herrer have lange Hænder, men de naae ikke til Himlen. _Great lords have long hands, but they do not reach to heaven._

Store Herrer ville have meget, og fattigt Folk kan lidet give. _Great lords will have much, and poor folk can give but little._

Store Ord giöre sielden from Gierning. _Big words seldom go with good deeds._

Styr Hest med Bidsel og ond Kone med Kiep. _Govern a horse with a bit, and a shrew with a stick._

Svig og Sqvalder have lang Alder. _Treachery and slander are long lived._

Sygdom er hver Mands Herre. _Sickness is every man’s master._

Sygdom kommer selvbuden—man har ei nödig at sende efter den. _Sickness comes uninvited—no need to bespeak it._

Sygen löber til og kryber fra. _Sickness comes in haste, and goes at leisure._

Syn gaaer altid for Sagn. _Sight goes before hearsay._

T.

Taalmodigheds Urt groer ikke i hver Mands Have. _The herb patience does not grow in every man’s garden._

Tag Gæssene vare naar Ræven prædiker. _Take care of your geese when the fox preaches._

Tag Mange til Hielp og Faa til Raad. _Take help of many, advice of few._

Tag Raad af rödskjægged Mand, og gaae snart fra ham. _Take advice of a red-bearded man, and be gone._

Takkelös Mand giör aldrig tækkelig Gierning. _A thankless man never does a thankful deed._

Tal sagte om din Skade, og roes ikke din Lykke. _Speak little of your ill luck, and boast not of your good luck._

Tanden bider ofte Tungen og dog bliver de eens. _The tooth often bites the tongue, and yet they keep together._

Taus Mand troes mest. _The silent man is most trusted._

Tiden bier efter ingen Mand. _Time waits for no man._

Tiden er ei bunden ved Pæl, som Hest ved Krybbe. _Time is not tied to a post, like a horse to the manger._

Tidt er Gift og Galde under Honningtale. _Honeyed speech often conceals poison and gall._

Tidt er vanskabt Sind under fagert Skind. _A fair skin often covers a crooked mind._

Tidt faaer man det Tungt paa sin Ryg, som man tog let paa sin Samvittighed. _You may often feel that heavily on your back which you took lightly on your conscience._

Tidt forer man Sandheds Kaabe med Lögn. _Truth’s cloak is often lined with lies._

Tidt gaaer Retten frem som Pungen veier til. _Justice oft leans to the side where the purse pulls._

Tidt meder man ei did som man vil skyde. _A man does not always aim at what he means to hit._

Tidt nok galer Hanen uden Seir. _The cock often crows without a victory._

Tidt vil den du sætter paa din Axel, sidde paa dit Hoved. _He that you seat upon your shoulder will often try to get upon your head._

Tiende Mands Ord komme ei til Tinge. _A silent man’s words are not brought into court._

Til Hove ere hale Trapper. _The steps at court are slippery._

Til Hove sælges megen Rög uden Ild. _At court they sell a good deal of smoke without fire._

Til Nabotrætte bære flere Ild end Vand. _When neighbours quarrel, lookers-on are more apt to add fuel than water._

Til Udyd behöves ingen Skolemester. _Vice is learnt without a schoolmaster._

Ti Nei er bedre end een Lögn. _Ten noes are better than one lie._

To ere een Mands Herre. _Two are the masters of one._

To Hund og kæm Hund, dog er Hund som han förre var. _Wash a dog and comb a dog, he still remains a dog._

To maae saa lyve, at den tredie hænger. _Two may lie so as to hang a third._

Tom Kjelder giör galen Rede-Svend. _An empty cellar makes an angry butler._

Tomme Tönder buldre mest. _Empty barrels give the most sound._

Tomme Vogne buldre meest. _Empty waggons make most noise._

Tordenregn og Herregunst falder altid ujevnt. _Thundershowers and great men’s favour are always partial._

Tör Ved giör rask Ild. _Dry wood makes a quick fire._

Trang og Nöd bryde Tro og Ed. _Want and necessity break faith and oaths._

Træet bliver vel stækket för det voxer til Sky. _The tree is sure to be pruned before it reaches the skies._

Tre ere onde i Huus: Rög, Regn og en ond Qvinde. _Smoke, rain, and a scolding wife, are three bad things in a house._

Tre Qvinder og een Gaas gjöre et Marked. _Three women and a goose make a market._

Tre Ting giöre ikke godt uden Hugg: Valnödtræet, Asenet, og en ond Qvinde. _There are three things from which no good can be got without a beating: a walnut-tree, a donkey, and a shrew._

Tro alle vel, men dig selv bedst. _Trust everybody, but thyself most._

Tro ei stille Vand og tiende Mand. _Trust not still water nor a silent man._

Tungen slides ei af gode Ord. _Kind words don’t wear out the tongue._

Tyv tænker Hvermand stiæler. _A thief thinks every man steals._

U.

Udi söd Tale ligger Falskhed i dvale. _Treachery lurks in honeyed words._

Uglen mener hendes Börn ere de fagerste. _The owl thinks her children the fairest._

Uglen priser ei Dagen, eller Ulven ei Hunden. _The owl does not praise the light, nor the wolf the dog._

Ukrud forgaaer ikke. _Weeds never die out._

Ulv tager ei Brad paa sin egen Mark. _The wolf preys not in his own field._

Under hvid Aske ligger ofte gloende Kul. _Under white ashes lie often glowing embers._

Under hvide Liin, skiules tidt skabet Skind. _Fine linen often conceals a scabby skin._

Unge Hunde har skarpe Tænder. _Young dogs have sharp teeth._

Ungt Föl og gammel Hest de drage ei tillige. _A young foal and an old horse draw not well together._

Uraad kommer tidligt nok. _Mischief comes soon enough._

Uvillig Gierning tiener ingen Tak. _Unwilling service earns no thanks._

V.

Vad ikke over Vand, hvor du ei seer Bund. _Do not wade where you see no bottom._

Vandet löber, mens Mölleren sover. _The water runs while the miller sleeps._

Vaer dig for Hunden, Skyggen bider ikke. _Beware of the dog himself, his shadow does not bite._

Var Avind en Feber, var al Verden syg. _If envy were a fever, all the world would be ill._

Var det giort med Skiægget, da vandt Giedebukken. _If a beard were all, the goat would be the winner._

Vare Tanker Tingsvidne, da blev mangen, ærlig Mand til en Skielm. _If thoughts were legal witnesses, many an honest man would be proved a rogue._

Vælsk Andagt og tydsk Faste gjelder intet. _Italian devotion and German fasting have no meaning._

Var Lögn Latin, da var der mange lærde Folk. _If lies were Latin, there would be many learned men._

Varp ei mere op end du kan væve. _Do not put in more warp than you can weave._

Værge byder Landefred. _The sword keeps the peace of the land._

Vee vorde ondt Öie. _Woe be to an evil eye._

Vel begyndt er halv fuldendt. _Well begun is half done._

Velgiort skal man aldrig angre. _Never repent a good action._

Venlige Ord og faa ere Qvinders Pryd. _Kind words and few are a woman’s ornament._

Venners Feil maa man mærke, men ei laste. _A friend’s faults may be noticed, but not blamed._

Vigtig Gierning vil drives med faa Ord. _Weighty work must be done with few words._

Vi sidde nu alle vel, sagde Katten han sad paa Flesket. _We are all well placed, said the cat, when she was seated on the bacon._

Vognen faaer at gaa, hvor Hestene drage ham. _The waggon must go whither the horses draw it._

Vor Herre kommer nok, om han end ikke kommer til Hest. _The Lord will not fail to come, though he may not come on horseback._

INDEX.

French 1-64. Italian 65-132. German 133-192. Spanish 193-262. Portuguese 263-295. Dutch 296-345. Danish 346-403.

A.

A bad beginning may make a good ending, 167

A bad (or lean, or meagre) compromise is better than a good (or fat) lawsuit, 62, 97, 135, 144, 231, 314, 350

A bad heart and a good stomach, 38

A bad horse eats as much as a good one, 366

A bad knife cuts one’s finger instead of the stick, 273

A bad labour, and a daughter after all, 239

A bad man’s gift is like his master, 210

A bad penny always comes back, 136

A bad thing never dies, 209

A bad tree does not yield good apples, 394

A bad wife wishes her husband’s heel turned homewards, and not his toe, 394

A bad workman never finds a good tool, 38

A bad wound may be cured, bad repute kills, 227

A baptised Jew is a circumcised Christian, 149

A bargain is a bargain, 150

A barking cur does not bite, 76

A barking dog was never a good biter, 240—_see_ Barking dogs

A barking dog was never a good hunter, 291

A barren sow is never kind to pigs, 371

A bashful dog never fattens, 147

A beard lathered is half shaved, 74, 268

A beard well lathered is half shaved, 204

A beautiful woman smiling, bespeaks a purse weeping, 74

A beggar is never out of his road, 35

A beggar’s estate lies in all lands, 300

A beggar’s hand is a bottomless basket, 306

A beggar’s wallet is never full, 277

A bellyful is a bellyful, 59

A bespattered hog tries to bespatter another, 261

A better seldom comes after, 168

A big (long) nose never spoiled a handsome face, 27

A bird in the cage is worth a hundred at large, 97

A bird may be ever so small, it always seeks a nest of its own, 346

A black hen lays a white egg, 40

A blind hen can sometimes find her corn, 61

A blind horse goes straightforward, 136

A blind man is no judge of colours, 101

A blind man may sometimes shoot a crow, 312

A blind man swallows many a fly, 142

A blind man’s stroke, which raises a dust from beneath water, 239

A blind pigeon may sometimes find a grain of wheat, 351

A blow from a frying-pan, if it does not hurt, smuts, 217

A bold attempt is half success, 369

A bold man has luck in his train, 363

A bold onset is half the battle, 170

A bolt does not always fall when it thunders (There are more threatened than struck), 147

A boor remains a boor, though he sleep on silken bolsters, 365

A borrowed horse and your own spurs make short miles, 383

A boy’s love is water in a sieve, 199

A brain is worth little without a tongue, 61

A braying ass eats little hay, 72

A brilliant daughter makes a brittle wife, 312

Abroad one has a hundred eyes, at home not one, 141

A buffeting threatened is never well given, 205

A burnt child dreads the fire, 149, 313

A burnt child dreads the fire, and a bitten child dreads a dog, 351

A bustling mother makes a slothful daughter, 280

A buxom widow must be married, buried, or cloistered, 262

A cake and a bad custom ought to be broken, 19

A calm portends a storm, 105

A capon eight months old is fit for a king’s table, 208, 272

A cat has nine lives, as the onion seven skins, 143

A cat may look at a king, 169, 314

A cat pent up becomes a lion, 99

A cat that licks the spit is not to be trusted with roast meat, 68

A cat that meweth much catcheth but few mice, 314

A child must creep until it learns to walk, 348

A child of a year old sucks milk from the heel, 210

A child’s back must be bent early, 348

A child’s sorrow is short-lived, 348

A church stone drops gold—(Galician), 239

A churl knows not the worth of spurs (_i.e._ honour), 64

A clean hand moves freely through the land, 395

A clean mouth and an honest hand, will take a man through any land, 166

A clear bargain, a dear friend, 118

A clear conscience is a good pillow, 61

A clever man’s inheritance is found in every country, 354

A cloak is not made for a single shower of rain, 114

A close mouth and open eyes never did any one harm, 172

A clown enriched knows neither relation nor friend, 64

A cock is valiant on his own dunghill, 314

A colt is good for nothing if it does not break its halter, 55

A contented ass enjoys a long life, 267

A courtier should be without feeling and without honour, 61

A covetous abbot for one offering loses a hundred, 193

A covetous woman deserves a swindling gallant, 2

A cow does not know what her tail is worth until she has lost it, 63

A cow from afar gives plenty of milk, 63

A cow is not called dappled unless she has a spot, 381

A cow-year, a sad year; a bull-year, a glad year, 314

A coward often deals a mortal blow to the brave, 14

A cracked bell will never be sound, 207

A cracked pot never fell off the hook, 120

A crazy vessel never falls from the hand, 261

A crooked log makes a good fire, 9

A cross-grained woman and a snappish dog take care of the house, 347

A crow is never the whiter for often washing, 383

A crown is no cure for the headache, 93, 146, 318

A cur’s tail grows fast, 69

A curse will not strike out an eye unless the fist go with it, 348

A daily guest is a great thief in the kitchen, 312

A dainty stomach beggars the purse (Much taste, much waste), 190

A dead man does not make war, 131

A dead man does not speak (Dead men tell no tales), 279

A dead man has neither relations nor friends, 62

A deaf auditor makes a crazy answerer, 365

A deaf husband and a blind wife are always a happy couple, 38

A dealer in onions is a good judge of scallions, 38

A determined heart will not be counselled, 209

A devotee’s face and a cat’s claws, 208

A doctor and a boor know more than a doctor alone, 142

A dog in the manger, that neither eats nor lets others eat, 271

A dog is a dog whatever his colour, 380

A dog is never offended at being pelted with bones, 114

A dog may look at a bishop, 61

A dog never bit me but I had some of his hair, 97

A dog with a bone knows no friend, 314

A door must either be open or shut, 22

A dram of discretion is worth a pound of wisdom, 144

A drop of honey catches more flies than a hogshead of vinegar, 162

A drop of water breaks a stone, 124

A drowning man clings to a blade of grass, 62

A drowning man would catch at razors, 86

A drunken man may soon be made to dance, 363

A dull ass near home trots without the stick, 267

A fair exchange bring no quarrel, 384

A fair face will get its praise, though the owner keep silent, 367

A fair promise binds a fool, 8

A fair skin often covers a crooked mind, 400

A fair-weather friend changes with the wind, 198, 265

A farthing saved is twice earned, 123

A fast day is the eve of a feast day, 217

A fast horse does not want the spur, 272

A fat kitchen, a lean testament, 100

A fat kitchen is next door to poverty, 69

A fat kitchen makes a lean will, 19, 148

A father’s love, for all other is air, 199

A father maintains ten children better than ten children one father, 145

A fault confessed is half forgiven, 291

A fault denied is twice committed, 61

A fence between makes love more keen, 145

A fence lasts three years, a dog lasts three fences, a horse three dogs, and a man three horses, 145

A fifth wheel to a cart is but an incumbrance, 228

A fine cage won’t feed the bird, 28

A fine girl and a tattered gown always find something to hook them, 8

A fine shot never killed a bird, 74

A finger’s length in a sword, and a palm in a lance, are a great advantage, 274

A fish should swim three times: in water, in sauce, and in wine, 138

A flying crow always catches something, 316

A fool and his money are soon parted, 313

A fool can ask more questions than seven wise men can answer, 130

A fool, if he holds his tongue, passes for wise, 216

A fool is always beginning, 62

A fool is like other men as long as he is silent, 393

A fool knows his own business better than a wise man knows that of others, 124

A fool laughs when others laugh, 347

A fool may chance to say a wise thing, 313

A fool only wins the first game, 365

A fool sometimes gives good counsel, 213

A fool throws a stone into a well, and it requires a hundred wise men to get it out again, 130

A fool, unless he know Latin, is never a great fool, 259

A foolish judge passes a brief sentence (A fool’s bolt is soon shot), 14

A foolish woman is known by her finery, 18

A fool’s bolt is soon shot, 144, 163

A fool’s head never whitens, 58

A fortress on its guard is not surprised, 208

A foul mouth must be provided with a strong back, 366

A friend, and look to thyself, 71

A friend at one’s back is a safe bridge, 316

A friend in need is a friend indeed, 316

A friend is known in time of need, 6, 41

A friend is better than money in the purse (Better a friend than money to spend), 316

A friend is not known till he is lost, 106

A friend is to be taken with his faults, 287

A friend to my table and wine, is no good neighbour, 60

A friend’s dinner is soon dressed, 341

A friend’s fault should be known but not abhorred, 264

A friend’s faults may be noticed, but not blamed, 403

A friend’s meat is soon ready, 63

A full belly counsels well, 63

A full belly dances better than a fine coat, 397

A full belly is neither good for flight nor fighting, 260

A full belly sets a man jigging, 15

A full man is no eater, 279

A full sack pricks up its ear, 124

A full stomach praises Lent, 390

A full vessel must be carried carefully, 369

A galled horse does not want to be curried, 13

A gaunt brute bites sore, 15

A gentleman of Beauce who stays in bed till his breeches are mended, 19

A gift delayed, and long expected, is not given, but sold dear, 93

A gilt bridle for an old mule, 7

A girl, a vineyard, an orchard, and a bean-field, are hard to watch, 283

A girl draws more than a rope, 231

A girl unemployed is thinking of mischief, 18

A glad heart seldom sighs, but a sorrowful mouth often laughs, 397

A glaring sunny morning, a woman that talks Latin, and a child reared on wine, never come to a good end, 57

A glutton young, a beggar old, 156