A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

Naar Træet falder, vil alle sanke Spaaner. When the tree falls every one runs to gather sticks.

Naar Tyvene trættes, faaer Bonden sine Koster. When thieves fall out the peasant recovers his goods.

Naar Verten leer gladest, da mener han Giæstens Pung. When the host smiles most blandly he has an eye to the guest’s purse.

Naar Vognen helder, vil enhver skyde efter. When the waggon is tilting everybody gives it a shove.

Nabos Öie er avindsfuldt. A neighbour’s eye is full of jealousy.

Nær hielper mangen Mand. All but saves many a man.

Narren er andre Folk liig saa længe han tier. A fool is like other men as long as he is silent.

Nærved slaaer ingen Mand ihiel. Almost kills no man.

Nei er et godt Svar naar det kommer i Tide. No is a good answer when given in time.

Nei og ja giöre lang Trætte. No and yes cause long disputes.

Nöd bryder alle Love. Necessity knows no law.

Nöd kommer gammel Kierling til at trave. Need makes the old wife trot.

Nok er en stor Rigdom. Enough is great riches.

Nye Koste feie vel. New brooms sweep clean.

Nye Viser höres helst. New songs are liked the best.

Nykommen er altid velkommen. New comers are always welcome.

Nyt er altid kiært, Gammelt er stundom bedre. The new is always liked, though the old is often better.

O

Ofte bedes det igien som bort kastes. That which has been thrown away has often to be begged for again.

Ofte er Skarlagens Hierte under reven Kaabe. A royal heart is often hid under a tattered cloak.

Ofte er Ulvesind under Faareskind. Wolves are often hidden under sheep’s clothing.

Ofte finder Muus Hul, om Stuen end var fuld af Katte. The mouse may find a hole, be the room ever so full of cats.

Ofte gielder Griis det gammel So gjorde. The young pig must often suffer for what the old sow did.

Ofte kommer Regn efter Solskin, og efter Muln klart Veir. Rain comes oft after sunshine, and after a dark cloud a clear sky.

Ofte sidder rigt Barn paa fattig Moders Skjöd. A rich child often sits in a poor mother’s lap.

Öientieneste er Hofmands Art. Eye-service is the courtier’s art.

Ond Afkom brouter mest af god Æt. Unworthy offspring brag the most of their worthy descent.

Onde Tunger onde Ören, de ene saa gode som de andre. Between evil tongues and evil ears, there is nothing to choose.

Onde Urter voxe mest, og forgaae senest. Ill weeds grow the fastest and last the longest.

Ond Giæst er velkommen som Salt i suur Öie. An unpleasant guest is as welcome as salt to a sore eye.

Ond Gierning har Vidne i Barmen. An evil deed has a witness in the bosom.

Ond Kone önsker Mandens Hæl til Gaarde og ikke hans Taa. A bad wife wishes her husband’s heel turned homewards, and not his toe.

Ond Qvinde er Fandens Dörnagle. An ill-tempered woman is the devil’s door-nail.

Ond Rod giver ei godt Æble. A bad tree does not yield good apples.

Ondt Barn skal man ilde vugge. A naughty child must be roughly rocked.

Ondt bliver aldrig godt för halv værre kommer. Bad is never good until worse happens.

Ondt er at gildre for gammel Ræv. It is difficult to trap an old fox.

Ondt er at sanke Ax efter gierrig Agermand. It is hard to glean after a niggardly husbandman.

Ondt er at sejle uden Vind og at slibe uden Vand. It is hard to sail without wind, and to grind without water.

Ondt er at stötte sig til ludende Væg. It is bad to lean against a falling wall.

Ondt er snart giort, men seent bodet. Evil is soon done, but slowly mended.

Ondt öder sig selv. Evil wastes itself.

Ondt Öie skal intet Godt see. An evil eye can see no good.

Opædt Bröd vil nödig betales. It is hard to pay for bread that has been eaten.

Ord binde en Mand og Hampereb Oxen. A man is bound by his word, an ox with a hempen cord.

P

“Peder, sagde Gaasen, “jeg ager,” der Ræven löb ad Skoven med hende. ”Peter, I am taking a ride,” said the goose, when the fox was running into the wood with her.

Penge tale meer end tolv Tingmænd. Money is more eloquent than a dozen members of parliament.

Præsten Bogen, Bonden Plogen. The priest to his book, the peasant to his plough.

Præstesæk er ond at fylde. A priest’s pocket is not easily filled.

R

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.