Dutch proverbs
Traditional saying. The library holds 812 of them. Here are the 60 most quoted; search the library in the maker for the rest.
Often about: wisdom, nature, money, time, family, faith
The 60 best known
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Cut your coat according to your cloth.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Give him an inch and he’ll take an ell.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
A fool and his money are soon parted.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He that will not be counselled cannot be helped.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Thistles and thorns prick sore, but evil tongues prick more.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
While the grass grows the steed starves.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Too much of one thing is good for nothing.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Little thieves have iron chains and great thieves gold ones.
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Greed is never satisfied till its mouth is filled with earth.
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A house full of daughters is a cellar full of sour beer.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He who would gather honey must brave the sting of bees.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
God gives birds their food, but they must fly for it.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Charity begins at home.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Let every one look to himself, and no one will be lost.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Poor folk’s wisdom goes for little.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Before you make a friend, eat a peck of salt with him.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Fools ask what’s o’clock, but wise men know their time.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He that is embarked with the devil must sail with him.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Geese are plucked as long as they have any feathers.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
If you pull one pig by the tail all the rest squeak.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He that’s born to be hanged will never be drowned.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He that is at sea has not the wind in his hands.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Money lost, nothing lost; courage lost, much lost; honour lost, more lost; soul lost, all lost.
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Proverbs are the daughters of daily experience.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
A smart coat is a good letter of introduction.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Who reckons without his host must reckon again.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
One must sometimes hold a candle to the devil.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He who would gather roses must not fear thorns.
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In the land of promise a man may die of hunger.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Promises make debts, and debts make promises.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Young folk, silly folk; old folk, cold folk.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Better poor with honour than rich with shame.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
The devil is not so black as he is painted.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Who serves the public serves a fickle master.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Were fools silent they would pass for wise.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
In prosperity caution, in adversity patience.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Don’t cry herrings till they are in the net.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Great cry and little wool.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
It is a poor mouse that has but one hole.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Every one is a preacher under the gallows.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Sooner or later the truth comes to light.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
One fool makes many.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
From small beginnings come great things.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
No better masters than poverty and want.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Necessity knows no law.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Many hands make light work.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Every shot does not bring down a bird.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
There are more thieves than are hanged.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He cannot lay eggs, but he can cackle.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Who has many servants has many thieves.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Touch a galled horse and he’ll wince.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
A cock is valiant on his own dunghill.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
A wreck on shore is a beacon at sea.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He that hath an ill name is half hanged.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
The cow does not know the value of her tail till she has lost it.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
He is so wise, that he goes upon the ice three days before it freezes.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Oil is best at the beginning, honey at the end, and wine in the middle.
translated by Henry G. Bohn -
Who would regard all things complacently must wink at a great many.
translated by Henry G. Bohn