A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

Den som ei vil lyde Fader, faaer vel at lyde Stivfader. He who will not obey father, will have to obey stepfather.

Den som er bidt af en Snog er bange for en Aal. He who has been bitten by a snake is afraid of an eel.

Den som Hönen föder, bör at have Ægget. He who feeds the hen ought to have the egg.

Den som kaster sig selv under Bænken, den lader de andre nok ligge. He who throws himself under the bench will be left to lie there.

Den som siger hvad han vil, maa höre hvad han ikke vil. He who says what he likes, must hear what he does not like.

Den som skal æde af en Andens Haand, bliver sielden mæt. He who is fed by another’s hand seldom gets enough.

Den som vel kan tigge, kan lade sine Penge ligge. He who knows how to beg may leave his money at home.

Den som vil gienne en anden over tre Gierder, maa selv over de to. He who would drive another over three dikes must climb over two himself.

Den Steen bliver eengang vaad, som Hvermand spytter paa. The stone that everybody spits upon will be wet at last.

Den Steen der ofte flyttes, bliver ikke mossegroet. The oft moved stone gathers no moss.

Den sviges værst, som sviger sig selv. He is most cheated who cheats himself.

Den taber ei i Trætte, som tvinger sin Tunge. He loses least in a quarrel who keeps his tongue in check.

Den veed bedst hvor Skoen trykker, som har den paa. He knows best where the shoe pinches who wears it.

Den Vei er ond at kiende, som Skibet löber i Havet. It is hard to track the path the ship follows in the ocean.

Der ere tre onde Naboer: store Floder, store Herrer, og Alfarvei. There are three bad neighbours: great rivers, great lords, and great roads.

Der er haardt i Stivmoders Haand. A stepmother has a hard hand.

Der er ikke saa liden Fisk, han stunder jo til at blive en Hval. Every little fish expects to become a whale.

Der er ingen Ild som jo haver nogen Smög. There is no fire without smoke.

Der er ingen Lægedom mod Bagvadskers Bid. There is no cure against a slanderer’s bite.

Der er mange Dage i Aaret, og end flere Maaltider. There are many days in the year, and still more meals.

Der er Raad mod Alt, uden mod Döden. There is help for everything, except death.

Der gaae mange Ord i en Sæk. It takes many words to fill a sack.

Der hörer Lykke til at fange Harer med Tromme. You must have good luck to catch hares with a drum.

Der hörer mere til Dands end et Par Kork Skoe. A pair of light shoes is not all that is needed for dancing.

Der hörer Styrke til at drage om Reb med sin Overmand. You must be strong to pull a rope against a stronger.

Der hvor Forstanden slipper, tager Lykken ved. When wisdom fails, luck helps.

Der hvor Lov slipper bör Hæder at möde. Where law lacks, honour should eke it out.

Der kommer ingen Klogskab ud, hvor ingen er inde. Where there is no wit within no wit will come out.

Der kommer ofte Ild i Spotterens Huus. The scoffer’s own house is often on fire.

Der löber meget Vand i Dammen, medens Mölleren sover. Much water runs by while the miller sleeps.

Der skal ædes, vare end alle Træer Galger. People must eat, even were every tree a gallows.

Der skal en höi Muur til at holde Frygten ude. It needs a high wall to keep out fear.

Der skal være mange Muus om at bide en Kat. It takes a good many mice to kill a cat.

Dersom Hönen ikke kaglede, vidste man ikke hvad hun havde giort. If the hen did not cackle no one would know what she had been about.

Dersom Skiægget gialdt, kunde Giedebukken præke. If the beard were all, the goat might preach.

Der vil let Hu til tung Skiæbne. It needs a light spirit to bear a heavy fate.

Der vil Salt til at drysse Sandhed med, om hun ellers skal ned. Truth must be seasoned to make it palatable.

Der vil skarp Lud til skurvet Hoved. A scald head needs strong lye.

Desmere man rörer ved Skarn desværre lugter det. The more you stir filth the worse it stinks.

De sove ikke alle der snive og snarke. All who snore are not asleep.

Det Barn der faaer Stivmoder faaer ogsaa Stivfader. The child who gets a stepmother also gets a stepfather.

Det bedste Giödsel sidder under Bondens Sko. The best manure is under the farmer’s shoe.

Det bliver vel Dag om end Hanen ei galer. Daylight will come, though the cock do not crow.

Det den Ædru har i Hiertet, har den Drukne i Munden. What the sober man has in his heart, the drunken man has on his lips.

Det dig ikke brænder, behöver du ei at blæse paa. There is no need to blow what does not burn you.

Det duer ikke for Svanen, at lære Örneunger at synge. It is not for the swan to teach eaglets to sing.

Det duer til intet at gjöre Skoe til Gæs. It is of no use making shoes for geese.

Det ene Sværd holder det andet i Skeden. One sword keeps another in the scabbard.

Det er bedre at möde vred Mand end fastende. Better cross an angry man than a fasting man.

Det er bedre at see ved Ord end ved Hugg. Better be convinced by words than by blows.

Det er bedre at spörge to Gange, end at fare vild en Gang. Better ask twice than lose your way once.

Det er daarligt at drukne paa tört Land. It is folly to drown on dry land.

Det er daarligt at synge to Viser for den Döve. It is folly to sing twice to a deaf man.

Det er daarligt at tage Tornen af en Andens Fod og sætte den i sin egen. It is folly to take a thorn out of another’s foot and put it into your own.

Det er dit som ingen kan tage fra dig. You may call that your own which no one can take from you.

Det er dyrt Smör som slikkes af en Hegle. It is dearbought butter that is licked off a woolcomb.

Det er ei alt Guld som glimrer. It is not all gold that glitters.

Det er ei Alt i Mave godt (som) i Mund södt er. What is sweet in the mouth is not always good in the stomach.

Det er ei Börneværk naar Kiærling dandser. It is no child’s play when an old woman dances.

Det er ei for Koens Bedste, at hun kommer op at age. It is not for the good of the cow when she is driven in a carriage.

Det er ei hvert Slags Træ som duer til Træskoe. Not every wood will make wooden shoes.

Det er ei hvert Sviin Kragen vil ride. It is not every hog that the crow will ride.

Det er en arm Steg, som intet drypper af. It is a poor roast that gives no dripping.

Det er en dristig Muus der giör Rede i Kattens Öre. It is a bold mouse that makes her nest in the cat’s ear.

Det er en fattig Roes, man skal laane af Forfædre. Praise borrowed from ancestors is but very sorry praise.

Det er en lad Fugl, der ei gider bygge sin egen Rede. It is a lazy bird that will not build its own nest.

Det er en ond Brönd som man skal bære Vand udi. It is a bad well that needs water to be carried to it.

Det er en ond Haand, der ei vil sit Hoved værge. It is a bad hand that refuses to guard the head.

Det er en ond Hest som ikke er Havren værd. It is a poor horse that is not worth its oats.

Det er en ond Hielp, at hielpe een fra Dynen i Halmen. That is poor help that helps you from the feather-bed to the straw.

Det er en ond Skade som kommer ingen til Gavn. It is an ill turn that does no good to any one.

Det er en ond Smed der ræddes for Gnister. He is a poor Smith who is afraid of sparks.

Det er en ringe Aarsag, hvorfor Ulven æder Faaret. It needs but slight provocation to make the wolf devour the lamb.

Det er en slem Höne, der giör Æg uden Gaarde. It is a bad hen that lays her eggs away from the farm.

Det er et klogt Barn der kiender sin egen Fader. It is a wise child that knows its own father.

Det er farligt at æde Kirsebær med store Herrer, de kaste een Stenene i Hovedet. It is dangerous to eat cherries with the great, they throw the stones at your head.

Det er for sildigt at raabe Kat, naar Flæsket er ædt. It is too late to cry cat, when the bacon is eaten.

Det er for sildigt at skyde Brönden igien naar Barnet er druknet. It is too late to cover the well when the child is drowned.

Det er for sildigt at slaae Vand paa Asken, naar Huset er brændt. It is too late to throw water on the cinders when the house is burnt down.

“Det er godt at gjöre med god Rede,” sagde Fanden, han redede sin Moders Haar med en Möghakke. ”It is easy to work with a good comb,” said the devil, when he combed his mother’s hair with a pitchfork.

Det er godt at laane Gud og Ageren, de give gode Renter. It is good to lend to God and to the soil – they pay good interest.

Det er godt at raade naar Lykken er med. It is easy to manage when fortune favours.

Det er godt at sove paa heelt Skind. It is good to sleep on a whole skin.

Det er godt at stange under anden Mands Blus. It is easy to poke another man’s fire.

Det er godt at svömme, naar en anden holder Hovedet op. It is easy to swim, when another holds up your head.

Det er godt at være kostfri af en andens Pung. It is easy to be generous out of another man’s purse.

Det er godt at være Præst om Paaske, Barn om Faste, Bonde om Juul, Föl om Hösten. It is good to be priest at Easter, child in Lent, peasant at Christmas, and foal in harvest-time.

Det er haard Kost at æde sine egne Ord. It is bitter fare to eat one’s own words.

Det er ikke enhver som veed at tage den rette So ved Öret. It is not every one who takes the right sow by the ear.

Det er ikke for ingenting naar Fanden lægger sig i Gröften. It is not for nothing that the devil lays himself down in the ditch.

Det er ikke godt at kiende sit Smör i en andens Kaal. It is not easy to know your butter in another man’s cabbage.

Det er ikke godt at skride paa Fandens Iis. It is not easy to walk upon the devil’s ice.

Det er ikke godt at stinge Biörn med Skiev. It is not easy to sting a bear with a straw.

Det er ikke hver Mand der kan bære Hög paa Haand. It is not every man that can carry a falcon on his hand.

Det er ikke lang Vei til Vennehuus. To a friend’s house the road is never long.

Det er ilde for Hönen, naar Ægget vil lære hende at kagle. The hen is ill off when the egg teaches her how to cackle.

Det er ingen liden Skalk der kiender en stor. He is no small knave who knows a great one.

Det er Konst at lee, naar det gaaer een selv ilde. It is a great art to laugh at your own misfortunes.

Det er let at byde Fanden til Gjæst, men ondt at faae ham af Huset. It is easy to bid the devil be your guest, but difficult to get rid of him.

Det er let at krybe i Træ naar det er fældet. It is easy to stride a tree when it is down.

Det er let at lægge Riis til, naar en anden lægger Rumpen til. It is easy to find the rod when another finds the bottom.

Det er lige nær til Himmels, i hvor man döer. The road to heaven is equally short, where’er we die.

Det er ondt at faae mange Hoveder under een Hat. It is difficult to get many heads under one hat.

Det er ondt at gabe mod en Ovns Mund. It is useless to gape against an oven.

Det er ondt at giöre Ild paa kold Arne. It is hard to make a fire on a cold hearth.

Det er ondt at lære gammel Hund at kure. It is hard to teach an old dog tricks.

Det er ondt at lokke Höge med tomme Hænder. It is hard to lure hawks with empty hands.

Det er ondt at plukke Haar af den Skaldede. It is not easy to pluck hairs from a bald pate.

Det er ondt at sidde imellem to Ilde. It is bad to be between two fires.

Det er ondt at skiule det hver Mand veed. It is difficult to hide what everybody knows.

Det er ondt at spytte Honning for den som har Munden fuld af Galde. It is difficult to spit honey out of a mouth full of gall.

Det er ondt at vogte den Höne som borte vil værpe. It is not easy to guard the hen that lays her eggs abroad.

Det er ondt Faar der ei gider baaret sit eget Fæt. It is a bad sheep that is too lazy to carry its own fleece.

Det er ondt Jern, som ikke er Staal udi. It is bad iron in which there is no steel.

Det er saa godt at ligge nögen som intet at have paa sig. It is as well to be naked as to have no covering.

Det er saa ondt at spytte Ilden ud og skiende sig, som at synke den og brænde sig. It is as bad to spit out the fire and be shamed, as it is to swallow it and be burnt.

Det er Sæd at Börn giöre Börne-Gierning. From children you must expect childish acts.

Det er strengt at trælle med tom Tarm. It is hard to labour with an empty belly.

Det er ringe Tröst for Beenbrud, at en anden har brudt Halsen. It is poor comfort for one who has broken his leg, that another has broken his neck.

Det er Tid at tage Hatten af, naar man seer Manden. It is time enough to take off your hat when you see the man.

Det förste Raad af en Qvinde er det bedste. A woman’s first counsel is the best.

Det giöres ei Behov at blæse ad den Ild som selv brænder. There is no use in blowing a fire that burns well.

Det har blæst haardt – Skarnet er flöiet op i Höisædet. It has been blowing hard – the dirt has been blown into high places.

Det hjælper ei at dölge for Ven det Uven veed. It is no use hiding from a friend what is known to an enemy.

Det höieste Bierg at komme over er Dörtærskelen. The most difficult mountain to cross is the threshold.

Det kan snart skee, som længe maa angres. That may be soon done, which brings long repentance.

“Det kommer igien,” sagde Manden, han gav sin So Flæsk. ”It will come back,” said the man, when he gave his sow pork.

Det kommer op i Tö (som) man fjæler i Snö. Thaw reveals what has been hidden by snow.

Det kommer vel der skee skal. That which must be, will be.

Det Korn vorder ilde malet, som bæres paa en ond Qværn. The corn that is taken to a bad mill, will be badly ground.

Det man adlyster kommer ikke far snart. A pleasant thing never comes too soon.

Det man æder af Gryden, faaer man ikke paa Fadet. That which has been eaten out of the pot cannot be put into the dish.

Det man lærer med Skade, husker man længe. What you learn to your cost you remember long.

Det Ord som er talt, sletter man ikke ud med en Svamp. Words once spoken cannot be wiped out with a sponge.

Det qvemmer bedre at skrabe Osten end skrælde den. It is better to scrape the cheese than to peel it.

Det Saar man ei kan hele, skal man ei rive op. If you cannot heal the wound, do not tear it open.

Det skal aarle kröge, som god Krog skal vorde. The branch must be bent early that is to make a good crook.

Det skal være en haard Vinter, om den ene Ulv æder den anden. It must be a hard winter when one wolf devours another.

Det som er taugt kan siges; det som er sagt kan ei ties. That which is unsaid, may be spoken; that which is said, cannot be unsaid.

Det sömmer ikke Spurv at gaae i Tranedands. It does not become the sparrow to mix in the dance of the cranes.

Det spörger en Blind om, hvorfor den elskes som er smuk. It is only the blind who ask why they are loved who are fair.

Det staaer ikke til Hunde, naar Hors skal döe. It does not depend upon the dog when the horse shall die.

Det stille Vand har den dybe Grund. Still water runs deep.

Det Ung nemmer, Gammel ei glemmer. What youth learns, age does not forget.

De Unge skal man lære, de Gamle skal man ære. Young people must be taught, old ones be honoured.

Det var Lyst at age, skulde man ikke vælte. It is pleasant driving when there is no danger of upsetting.

Döden blæser ei Lyd for sig. Death does not blow a trumpet.

Dören lukkes haardt i Laas for sandför Mand. A truthteller finds the doors closed against him.

Dristig Mand har Lykken i sit Fölge. A bold man has luck in his train.

Drukken Mand kan snart komme op at dandse. A drunken man may soon be made to dance.

Drukken Mands Glæde er tidt ædru Mands Sorg. The drunken man’s joy is often the sober man’s sorrow.

Du har nok af Munden og lidt af Ulden, sagde Fanden, han klippede en So. Much noise and little wool, said the devil, when he was shearing the sow.

Duk dig, lad gaae over; Veiret vil have sin Villie. Stoop, and let it pass; the storm will have its way.

Dyden i Midten, sagde Fanden, han sad imellem to Procuratorer. Virtue in the middle, said the Devil, when seated between two lawyers.

E

Eed og Æg ere snart brudte. Eggs and oaths are easily broken.

Een er ikke ond fordi en anden er god. One man is not bad because another is good.

Een er skabt til Pengene, den Anden til Pungen. One man is born to the money, and another to the purse.

Een Fjende er for meget, og hundrede Venner ere ei nok. One enemy is too much, and a hundred friends are not enough.

Een Haand fuld af Penge, er stærkere end to Hænder fulde af Sandhed. One hand full of money is stronger than two hands full of truth.

Een imod een, og to imod Fanden. One to one, and two to the devil.

Een Nar giör flere. One fool makes many.

Een plöier, en Anden saaer, den Tredie veed ei hvo det faaer. One ploughs, another sows, who will reap no one knows.

Een Skalk skal man fange med en anden. Set a thief to catch a thief.

Een Skilling er bedre paa Land, end ti paa Havet. One penny is better on land than ten on the sea.

Een snakker tidt den anden af Bænken, og sætter sig selv op. One man often talks another off his bench, and seats himself upon it.

Een Svale giör ingen Sommer. One swallow don’t make a summer.

Eet godt Raad er bedre end en Pose fuld. One piece of good advice is better than a bag full.

Eet Haar efter andet, gjör Bonden skaldet. Hair by hair, and the head gets bald.

Eet Jomfru Haar drager stærkere end ti Par Öxen. One hair of a maiden’s head pulls harder than ten yoke of oxen.

Eet skabet Faar fordærver en heel Flok. One mangy sheep spoils a whole flock.

Efter en god Avler kommer en god Oder. After one that earns comes one that wastes.

Efter god Mad og from Hustru töver man ei for længe. For a good dinner and a gentle wife you can afford to wait.

Efter söd Klöe kommer suur Svie. After pleasant scratching comes unpleasant smarting.

Egen Arne er Guld værd. A hearth of your own is worth gold.

Egen Arne koger bedst. The pot boils best on your own hearth.

Elsk mig lidt og elsk mig længe. Love me little and love me long.

En Ambolt er ikke ræd for en god Forhammer. The anvil does not fear a good sledge-hammer.

En andens Hest og egen Svöbe, kan meget taale. Another man’s horse and your own whip can do a great deal.

En Bonde bliver Bonde, sov han end paa Silkebolster. A boor remains a boor, though he sleep on silken bolsters.

En döv Hörer giör en galen Svarer. A deaf auditor makes a crazy answerer.

En döv Sax giör en skievmundet Skrædder. Dull scissors make crooked-mouthed tailors.

End vinder folsk Mand förste Leg. A fool only wins the first game.

Ene i Raad, ene i Sorg. Alone in counsel, alone in sorrow.

En Fisk og en Gjæst lugter ilde den tredie Dag. Fish and guests smell at three days old.

En Gaas drikker saa meget som en Gasse. A goose drinks as much as a gander.

En god Dag skal man rose om Aftenen. Praise a fair day in the evening.

En grön Juul giver en fed Kirkegaard. A green Christmas makes a fat churchyard.

Enhver bær sin Fjende i egen Barm. Every man carries an enemy in his own bosom.

Enhver Dag har sin Aften. Every day has its evening.

Enhver er sin Lykkes Smed. Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

Enhver faaer at bære sin egen Sæk til Mölle. Let every man carry his own sack to the mill.

Enhver Fugl har sine Fieder behov. Every bird needs its own feathers.

Enhver Fugl synger af sit Næb. Let every bird sing its own note.

Enhver mener hans Kobber er Guld. Every man thinks his copper is gold.

Enhver Tosse mener, han er klog nok. Every fool thinks he is clever enough.

Enhver vil gjerne over Gierdet hvor det er lavest. Every one tries to cross the fence where it is lowest.

Enhver vil rage Ild ad sin Gryde. Every one rakes the fire under his own pot.

Enhver Vind er læk Skib imod. Every wind is against a leaky ship.

En liden Ild at varme sig paa, er bedre end en stor at brænde sig paa. A small fire that warms you, is better than a large one that burns you.

En Nar kan spörge meer end ti Vise kunne svare til. One fool may ask more questions than ten wise men can answer.

En ond Hest æder saa meget som en god. A bad horse eats as much as a good one.

En ond Mund skal lave sig paa en stærk Ryg. A foul mouth must be provided with a strong back.

En Skalk kan vel skiules under en Messesærk. There’s many a knave concealed under a surplice.

En Skilling er i Tide saa god som en Daler. A penny in time is as good as a dollar.

En So kan saa vel finde et Agern, som en Galt. A sow may find an acorn as well as a hog.

En Spurv har saa ondt af at bryde sit Laar, som en Friis Hest. A sparrow suffers as much when it breaks its leg as does a Flanders horse.

En villig Hielper töver ei til man beder. A willing helper does not wait until he is asked.

Er Fuglen af Haanden er den ond at faae tilbage. The bird once out of hand is hard to recover.

Et andet Aar kommer der en anden Juleaften. Another year will bring another Christmas.

Ethvert Kar maa staa paa sin egen Bund. Every tub must stand on its own bottom.

Et lidet Muln kan skiule baade Sol og Maane. A small cloud may hide both sun and moon.

Et skabet Faar fordærver den hele Hjord. One scabbed sheep will mar a whole flock.

F

Faaer man ei Fuglen, da faaer man vel en Fieder deraf. If you cannot get the bird, get one of its feathers.

Faa have Lykken, alle have Döden. Few have luck, all have death.

Faa Qvinder graaner for Mandens Död. Few women turn grey because their husband dies.

Faar som bræge meest, malke mindst. The sheep that bleat the most give the least milk.

Fader og Moder ere gode, end er Gud bedre. Father and mother are kind, but God is kinder.

Fagerhed uden Tugt – Rose uden Lugt. Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent.

Fagert Ansigt faaer Lov nok, dog man selv tier stille. A fair face will get its praise, though the owner keep silent.

Fagre Börn qvæde fagre Viser. Pretty children sing pretty songs.

Fagre Ord fryde en Daare, og stundom fuldvis en Mand. Fair words please the fool, and sometimes the wise.

Fagre Ord uden Fynd naae ikke langt. Fine words without deeds go not far.

Falder Himlen ned, da briste mange Leergryder. Should the heavens fall, many pipkins will be broken.