A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

Wat niets en kost en deugd niet. What costs nothing is worth nothing.

Wat u niet brand, dat koel niet. That which burns thee not, cool not.

Wat van daag onregt is, is morgen geen regt. What is wrong to-day won’t be right to-morrow.

Weinig gezegd is haast verbeterd. The less said the sooner mended.

Weinig houts veel vruchten. Little wood, much fruit.

Weinig met eer, wat behoef je meer. With honour and store, what would you more.

Wel voorgaan doet wel volgen. Good leading makes good following.

Werelds goed is eb en vloed. Worldly good is ebb and flood.

Wie de roos wil plukken moet de doornen niet ontzien. He who would gather roses, must not fear thorns.

Wie een’ schalk wil vangen, moet achter de deur staan. He who would catch a rogue must watch behind the door.

Wie geen dorst heeft, wat doet hij bij de fontein. Who has no thirst has no business at the fountain.

Wie in zijn 23e jaar niet sterft, in zijn 24e niet verdrinkt, en in zijn 25e niet wordt verslagen, die mag wel spreken van goede dagen. He who dies not in his twenty-third year, drowns not in his twenty-fourth, and is not slain in his twenty-fifth, may boast of good days.

Wie is ’t die zonder op-spraak blijft, die voor de wereld spreekt of schrijft? Who can escape envy and blame, that speaks or writes for public fame?

Wie loopt, die wordt gejaagd. Who runs is followed.

Wie op twee hazen te gelijk jaagt, vangt geen van beide. He who hunts two hares at once, catches neither.

Wie pepers te veel heeft die pepert zijne boonen. Who has plenty of pepper may pepper his beans.

Wie tegen wind spuwt, maakt zijn baard vuil. Who spits against the wind, fouls his beard.

Wie veeltijds spiegelen, zelden spinnen. They who are often at the looking-glass seldom spin.

Wie zich onder den draf mengt, dien eten de zwijnen. He who mixes himself with the draff will be eaten by the swine.

Wie zijn buren beledigt, maakt het zich zelven daarna zuur. He who slanders his neighbour makes a rod for himself.

Wie zijn kind straft, die heeft eere van hem; wie het niet straft, die zal schande beleven. Who chastises his child will be honoured by him, who chastises him not will be shamed.

Wie zonder eten gaat te bed, dien wordt het slapen ligt belet. Who goes fasting to bed will sleep but lightly.

Wij appelen zwemmen, zei de paardenkeutel. How we apples swim! said the horse-t – d.

Wijsheid in mans, geduld in vrouwen, dat kan het huis in ruste houen. Wisdom in the man, patience in the wife, brings peace to the house, and a happy life.

Wijst mij een’ leugenaar, en ik wijs u een’ dief. Show me a liar, I’ll show you a thief.

Wil men alle dingen met goede oogen aanzien dan moet men staâg door de vingeren kijken. Who would regard all things complacently must wink at a great many.

Z

Zaai geen geld op zee: ’t moet zinken. Sow not money on the sea, lest it sink.

Zacht gaan en verre zien. Go softly and look afar.

Zachte meesters maken stinkende wonden. Tender surgeons make foul wounds.

Zachtzens en soergens gaat verre. Soft and fair goeth far.

Zegt ons met wie dat gij verkeert, en heb ik uwen raad geleerd. Tell me the company you keep, and I’ll tell you what you are.

Zelfs lief niemands lief. Self-love nobody else’s love.

Zet u teeringe, na u neeringe. Set thy expense according to thy trade.

Zich bij den neus laten leiden. To be led by the nose.

Zij bijten niet al die haar tanden laten zien. All do not bite that show their teeth.

Zij leven te zamen als honden en katten. They agree like cats and dogs.

Zijn geld bekleed bij hem de plaats van wijsheid. His money takes the place of wisdom.

Zij steekt den bezem uit. She hangs out the broom (wants a husband).

Zij verstaan elkander als dieven op eene kermis. They understand one another like thieves in a fair.

Zij zijn niet allen gelijk die met den keizer rijden. All are not princes who ride with the emperor.

Zoo de gekken geen brood aten, het koren zogoed koop zijn. If fools ate no bread, corn would be cheap.

Zoo gewonnen, zoo geronnen. So got, so gone.

Zoo gij een gek de vingers bied, ’t is vreemd neemt hij de vuisten niet. Offer a clown your finger, and he’ll take your fist.

Zoo gij zaait zoo zult gij maaien. As you sow you shall reap.

Zoo pot, zoo deksel. Like pot, like cover.

Zoo veel hoofden, zoo veel zinnen. So many men, so many minds.

Zuinigheid is een groote rente. Economy is a great revenue.

Zulk begin, zulk einde. So begun, so done.

Zulke heer, zulke knecht. Like master, like man.

Zware beurzen en ligte harten kunnen veel verzetten. Heavy purses and light hearts can sustain much.

Zweegen de dwazen zij waren wijs. Were fools silent they would pass for wise.

Zwijgen antwoordt veel. Silence answers much.

DANISH PROVERBS

A

Aaret har en vid Mund og en stor Mave. The year has a wide mouth and a big belly.

Adam fik en Hak og Eva fik en Rok, deraf er al vor Adels-Flok. Adam got a hoe, and Eve got a spinning-wheel, and thence come all our nobles.

Af Falsk og Svig vorder ingen riig. Deceit and treachery make no man rich.

Af Læp vorder Hund læderaadig. By gnawing skin a dog learns to eat leather.

Af liden Gnist kommer ofte stor Ild. A large fire often comes from a small spark.

Af Ögler komme Ögleunger. Vipers breed vipers.

Af Skade bliver man klog, men sielden rig. Damage suffered makes you knowing, but seldom rich.

Af to onde Kaar skal man vælge det bedste. Of two evils choose the least.

Alderdom er ond Reisebroder. Age is a sorry travelling companion.

Alderdom giör mangen hvidere, men ikke bedre. Age makes many a man whiter, but not better.

Aldrig er Fugl saa liden, söger jo eget Bo. A bird may be ever so small, it always seeks a nest of its own.

Aldrig er saa gammel en Kiærling, kommer der Ild i hende hun springer jo. A woman may be ever so old, if she takes fire she will jump.

Aldrig læges Saar saa vel, at Arret jo synes. A wound never heals so well that the scar cannot be seen.

Aldrig var færre Adel, end naar hver vil være det. There were never fewer nobles than when all would be so.

Alle Baader hiælpe, sagde Soen, hun greb et Myg. Every little helps, said the sow, when she snapped at a gnat.

Alle Nögle ere ei bundne ved en Kones Laar. All keys hang not at one woman’s girdle.

Alle Qvinder ere gode lutherske de prædike heller end de höre Messe. All women are good Lutherans, they would rather preach than hear mass.

Alle see hans bolde Arm, ingen seer hans slunkne Tarm. Every one sees his smart coat, no one sees his shrunken belly.

Alle ville længe leve, men Ingen vil gammel hedde. All wish to live long, but none to be called old.

Almisse tömmer ei Pung, og ei Messe Dagsfærd. Alms do not empty the purse, and a mass does not exhaust the day’s duty.

Alting har en Ende – uden Pölsen, den har to. Everything has an end – except a sausage, which has two.

Altid at spare, er altid at fattes. Always to be sparing is always to be in want.

Alt leer folsk Mand, naar Anden leer. A fool laughs when others laugh.

Alt Vand vil til Strand, og Pengene til rig Mands Haand. As water runs towards the shore, so does money towards the rich man’s hand.

Alt voxer Rakketand, mens gammel Hund bider Been. The teeth of the puppy are growing, while the old dog is gnawing bones.

Alvor og Gammen kunne bedst sammen. Earnestness and sport go well together.

Anden Tid giver andet Folk. Other times, other folk.

Arbeide har en bitter Rod, men söd Smag. Labour has a bitter root, but a sweet taste.

Arm er den Muus som kun har et Hul. It is a poor mouse that has but one hole.

Armod og Kiærlighed ere onde at dölge. Love and poverty are hard to conceal.

Arne Bande bider bedst. The curse on the hearth wounds the deepest.

Arrig Quinde og bidsk Hund vogte Huset. A cross-grained woman and a snappish dog take care of the house.

At bede og smöre sinker ei at kiöre. To bait and to grease does not retard a journey.

At bie og lide, stiller mangen en Qvide. To wait and be patient soothes many a pang.

At sige Daaren Raad, det er som at slaae Vand paa en Gaas. To give counsel to a fool is like throwing water on a goose.

At skære i fremmed Öre er ikke anderledes end i Filtehat. To cut into another man’s ear is like cutting into a felt hat.

At tie Sandhed, er at begrave Guld. To withhold truth is to bury gold.

At vide Lov og giöre Ret er tvende haande. To know the law and do the right are two things.

Ave er god naar hun kommer i Tide. Correction is good when administered in time.

Avind kommer ikke i öde Huus. Envy does not enter an empty house.

Avindsyg er sin egen Böddel. Envy is its own torturer.

Avind var aldrig god Talsmand. Envy was never a good spokesman.

Ærlig Mand er ei disværre, at en Hund göer ad ham. An honest man is not the worse because a dog barks at him.

B

Bag efter kommer tyndt Öl. Small beer comes the last.

Bande bider ei Öie ud, uden Næven fölger med. A curse will not strike out an eye, unless the fist goes with it.

Bange Hierte vandt aldrig fager Mö. Faint heart never won fair lady.

Barneryg vil böies i Tide. A child’s back must be bent early.

Barn skal krybe til det lærer at gaae. A child must creep until it learns to walk.

Barne Sorg varer stakket. A child’s sorrow is short-lived.

Bær Asenet en Guldsæk, det æder dog Tidsel. Though the ass may carry a sack of gold, it nevertheless feeds on thistles.

Beder Gud dig drage, han faaer dig vel Reb; beder han dig ride, han faaer dig vel Hest. If God bids thee draw, he will find thee a rope; if he bids thee ride, he will find thee a horse.

Bedre Ægget i Dag end Hönen i Morgen. Rather the egg to-day than the hen to-morrow.

Bedre at Barn græder end at Moder sukker. Better the child cry, than the mother sigh.

Bedre at blæse hart end at brænde sig. Better blow hard than burn yourself.

Bedre at gaae en liden Krog end at væde sin Brog. Better make a short circuit than to wet your hose.

Bedre at komme seent til Kirke end aldrig. Better come late to church than never.

Bedre at spare paa Bredden, end paa Bunden. Better spare at the brim than at the bottom.

Bedre at være fri Fugl end fangen Konge. Better to be a free bird than a captive king.

Bedre brænder den vaade Green end den törre Steen. The wet branch burns better than the dry stone.

Bedre een Fugl i Haanden end to paa Taget. One bird in the hand is better than two on the roof.

Bedre en salt Sild over sit eget Bord, end en fersk Giedde over et fremmed. Better a salt herring on your own table, than a fresh pike on another man’s.

Bedre er aaben Fjende end Hykle-Ven. Better an open enemy than a false friend.

Bedre er at Barn græder, end gammel Mand. Better the child cry than the old man.

Bedre er at gaae fri i en grön Eng, end at være bunden til en Tornebusk. Better walk unshackled in a green meadow, than be bound to a thorn-bush.

Bedre er at lide for Sandhed, end at Lönnes for Lögn. Better suffer for truth, than prosper by falsehood.

Bedre er at stemme Bækken end Aaen. It is easier to stem the brook than the river.

Bedre er at tinge ved Busken end ved Boien. It is better to make conditions in the bush than in prison.

Bedre er at Verden veed du er en Synder end at Gud veed du er en Hykler. Better the world should know you as a sinner than God know you as a hypocrite.

Bedre er Bröd end Fuglesang. Bread is better than the song of birds.

Bedre er den Green der böier, end den der brister. Better is the branch that bends, than the branch that breaks.

Bedre er dyrt at kiöbe, end ilde at svelte. It is better to buy dearly than to hunger direly.

Bedre er een Ko med Ro end syv med Uro. Better one cow in peace than seven in trouble.

Bedre er et magert Forliig, end en fed Trætte. A meagre compromise is better than a fat lawsuit.

Bedre er et Ord for, end ti Ord efter. One word beforehand is better than ten afterwards.

Bedre er grov Traad, end bart Laar. Better coarse cloth than naked thighs.

Bedre er heelt end med Guld bödet. Better whole than patched with gold.

Bedre er Held end hundrede Mark. Luck is better than a hundred marks.

Bedre er liden Nagle for Huus end slet ingen. A small bolt to the house is better than none at all.

Bedre er selv at have, end Söster at bede. Better to have something yourself, than to beg of your sister.

Bedre er snild Tunge, end kæmt Haar. A smooth tongue is better than smooth locks.

Bedre er strax at nægte, end længe at love. Better to deny at once, than to promise long.

Bedre er svang Hest end tom Grime. Bedre er halvt Bröd end Alt mist. Bedre er lidet Boskab end tomt Huus. Better a poor horse than an empty stall. Better half a loaf than none at all. Better a little furniture than an empty house.

Bedre er tiende Ord end tarvlös Tale. Speaking silence is better than senseless speech.

Bedre er tösser maalt, end eengang og galt. Better twice measured than once wrong.

Bedre er tyndt Öl end tom Tönde. Better weak beer than an empty cask.

Bedre er Venne-Napp, end Fiende-Klap. Better a friend’s bite than an enemy’s caress.

Bedre i gammel Vogn end i nyt Skib. Better in an old carriage than in a new ship.

Bedre ingen Lov, end uden Fremgang. Better no law, than law not enforced.

Bedre lidt med Ro og Rette, end meget med Uro og Trætte. Better a little in peace and with right, than much with anxiety and strife.

Bedre noget paa Armen end alt i Tarmen. Better something on the arm than all in the stomach.

Bedre paa Træbeen at gaae, end paa Baar at bæres. Better walk on wooden legs, than be carried on a wooden bier.

Bedre sildig end aldrig. Better late than never.

Bedst brænder Ild paa egen Arne. The fire burns brightest on one’s own hearth.

Bid byder anden. One bite brings another.

Blind Due finder ogsaa stundom Hvedekorn. A blind pigeon may sometimes find a grain of wheat.

Blodet er aldrig saa tyndt, at det jo er tykkere end Vand. Let the blood be ever so thin, it is always thicker than water.

Blomster er Frugtens Fæstepenge. Flowers are the pledges of fruit.

Bondens Fied giör Ageren fed. The foot of the farmer manures the field.

Bön er dyrest Kiöb. What is got by begging is dearly bought.

Börn er fattig Mands Rigdom. Children are the riches of the poor.

Börn er vis Sorg, men uvis Glæde. Children are certain sorrow, but uncertain joy.

Brændt Barn rædes gierne Ilden, og bidt Barn Hund. A burnt child fears the fire, and a bitten child fears a dog.

Bugen vil intet borge. The belly gives no credit.

D

Daare lader Raad gaae ind ad det ene Öre, og ud ad det andet. Advice to a fool goes in at one ear and out at the other.

Daarligt er at frygte det man ei kan flye. It is folly to fear what one cannot avoid.

Da begynde Svanerne at synge, naar Raagerne tie. When the rooks are silent the swans begin to sing.

Da er Ild god inde, naar Hunsegel hænger ude. The fire is welcome within, when icicles hang without.

Dagen er aldrig saa hellig at jo Gryden vil syde. The day is never so holy that the pot refuses to boil.

De ere ei alle Jægere, som blæse i Horn. All are not hunters that blow the horn.

De ere ikke alle gode Stegere som bær lange Knive. All are not good cooks who carry long knives.

De flye ei Alle, som vende Ryggen. It is not all who turn their backs that flee.

De gamle Stude har de stive Horn. Old oxen have stiff horns.

De Gamle til Raad – de Unge til Daad. The aged in council – the young in action.

Deilig er Frugten som Dyden er i Træet. As the virtue in the tree, such is the fruit.

Deilighed bær Medgiften i Ansigtet. Beauty carries its dower in its face.

De lumske Sviin æde Masken, de galne löbe uden om. The still swine eat the mash, the wild ones run past it.

Den Bænk er vel prydet (som) med gode Qvinder er sat. That bench is well adorned that is filled with virtuous women.

Den Dag kommer vel, at Koen haver sin Hale behov. The day is sure to come when the cow will want her tail.

Den der er slaaet til en Skilling bliver aldrig Daler. That which is stamped a penny will never be a pound.

Den der har Glastag paa sit eget Huus, maa ikke kaste Steen paa andres. He who has a glass roof on his own house, must not throw stones at others’.

Den der ikke sparer paa Skillingen, faaer aldrig Daleren. He that does not save pennies, will never have pounds.

Den der jager to Harer af een Busk, faaer sielden nogen af dem. He who hunts two hares from one bush, is not likely to catch either.

Den der tager en Enke med tre Börn, tager fire Tyve. He who marries a widow with three children, marries four thieves.

Den der venter paa död Mands Skoe, kommer længe til at gaae barfodet. He who waits for dead men’s shoes, may have to go long barefoot.

Den der vil have Hunden hængt, siger den bider Faar. He that wants to hang a dog, says that it bites the sheep.

Den Ene jager, den Anden æder Haren. One hunts the hare, and another eats it.

Den ene Ravn hugger ikke Öinene ud paa den Anden. One raven does not peck out another’s eyes.

Den ene Stodder lider ikke at den anden har to Poser. One beggar likes not that another has two wallets.

Den er en Giek sig selv roser, og en Gal sig selv vil laste. He is a fool that praises himself, and he a madman that speaks ill of himself.

Den er god at borge Byg som eier Havre. It is safe to lend barley to him who has oats.

Den er ilde skikket til Bager, der har et Hoved af Smör. He is little suited to be a baker, whose head is made of butter.

Den er ingen nyttig, som ei er sig selv nyttig. He who is of no use to himself, is of no use to any one.

Den er ingensteds som allesteds vil være. He who would be everywhere will be nowhere.

Den er let at lokke, som efter vil hoppe. He is easy to lure, who is ready to follow.

Den er Mand, som giör Mands Gierning. He is a man, who acts like a man.

Den er næst Gud som mindst behöver. He is nearest to God who has the fewest wants.

Den er Tingen næst, som har den i Hænder. He is nearest a thing, who has it in his hands.

Den er ung nok som er sund, og rig nok som er uden Gield. He is young enough who has health, and he is rich enough who has no debts.

Den er værd det Söde som har smagt det Suure. He is worthy of sweets, who has tasted bitters.

Den Fattige fattes meget, men den Gierrige alt. The poor man wants much, the miser everything.

Den fede So veed ei hvad den sultne lider. The fat sow knows not what the hungry sow suffers.

Den förste Fugl fanger det förste Korn. The first bird gets the first grain.

Den Gaas kiækker höit, der har en god Gasse. The goose that has a good gander cackles loudly.

Den Gaas kiækker ikke mere som Hovedet er af. The goose that has lost its head no longer cackles.

Den Gamle skal man ære, den Unge skal man lære. Honour the old, teach the young.

Den giemmer til Kat, som giemmer til Nat. He who puts by for the night, puts by for the cat.

Den glæder sig meest, som selv qvæder. He that sings himself is the best pleased.

Den har svært Löb, som nödes til at löbe. He runs heavily who is forced to run.

Den Hund man skal nöde til Skovs, beder ikke mange Dyr. The dog that is forced into the woods will not hunt many deer.

Den kan snarest spilde, som har Karret i Haand. He is most likely to spill who holds the vessel in his hand.

Den Kloges Arv findes i alle Lande. A clever man’s inheritance is found in every country.

Den Korset haver signer sig selv först. He that bears the cross, blesses himself first.

Den lade Dreng og den varme Seng kunne ei vel skilles ad. A lazy boy and a warm bed are difficult to part.

Den Lade faaer ingen Lön uden Last. Blame is the lazy man’s wages.

Den leder ikke gierne bag Dören, som ei selv har staaet der. A man does not look behind the door unless he has stood there himself.

Den leer bedst som leer sidst. He who laughs last, laughs best.

Den lever ikke i al Verden, som kan flaae Huden af en Qvadsteen. He does not live in this world that can skin a grindstone.

Den Milde giver sig rig, den Gierrige tager sig fattig. The generous man grows rich in giving, the miser poor in taking.

Den Penge man sparer er saa god som den man avler. Money saved is as good as money gained.

Den Pung er tom anden Mands Penge ligge udi. That’s but an empty purse which is full of other men’s money.

Den Qværnsteen maler og, der under ligger. The millstone that lies undermost also helps to grind.

Den raader for Hesten, der rider ham. He who rides the horse is his master.

Den ræddes at komme i Sæk, som för har været i. He fears the sack who has been in it.

Den sanker god Rigdom der varer sig for Skade. He that keeps out of harm’s way will gather goodly riches.

Den sene Ko faaer det sure Græs. The laggard cow gets the sour grass.

Den sidder vel, som kan selv reise sig. He sits well who can rise without help.

Den skal ei være vaanden ad Svar, som giver andre onde Ord. He who abuses others must not be particular about the answer he gets.

Den skal endnu födes, der kan befalde alle. He is not yet born who can please everybody.

Den skal have en lang Skee, der vil söbe af Fad med Fanden. He needs a long spoon that would eat out of the same dish with the devil.

Den skal have meget Meel der vil stoppe alle Munde. He must have much meal who would stop all mouths.

Den skal have rene Fingre som en andens Næse vil snyde. He must have clean fingers who would blow another’s nose.

Den skal see ilde ud, som skal kyse Fanden. He must be ill-favoured who scares the devil.

Den skal sig selv love, der haver onde Grander. He who has bad neighbours is fain to praise himself.

Den skal staae paa et höit Bierg, der skal see sin Skiebne til Ende. He must stand high that would see the end of his own destiny.

Den skal staae tidlig op, der vil giöre alle tilpas. He had need rise betimes who would please everybody.

Den skal være en klog Vært, som vil tage Fanden i Herberge. He must be a clever host that would take the devil into his hostelry.