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Questions tagged [proverbs]

A simple truth that expresses an idea or fact.

A proverb is a saying that is often repeated that contains some common sense that is applicable to many situations. Many proverbs, because of their constant use have become clichés or trite sayings.

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What is the English equivalent to the Chinese/Japanese saying, “塞翁失馬— Life is like Old Sai’s horse”?

Dr. Shinya Yamanaka, 2012 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine, the initiator of all-around (iPS) cells told a recently-held public symposium, quote: “I’m often asked by many people: ‘You are happy that you've won the Nobel Prize, aren’t…
Yoichi Oishi
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Are there English proverbs that warn against “speaking up” in front of people?

I recall a Japanese proverb, “犬も歩けば棒に当たる,” of which literal translation is “When a dog rambles around outside, he get a hit with a neighbor’s stick,” meaning, “Don’t come on the surface, don’t try to do anything new, don't say anything, otherwise…
Yoichi Oishi
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Is there English proverb equivalent to Japanese and Korean one, “The ground becomes solid after a heavy rain”?

In the speech after toasting at the dinner party hosted by President of the Republic of Korea subsequent to the Meeting of Three-country (China, Japan and Korea - in Alphabetic order) Leaders held in Seoul on November 1st, President Park of the…
Yoichi Oishi
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Is there English proverb or saying equivalent to Chinese / Japanese common proverb 李下に冠を正さず- Don’t touch (redress) your coronet under the plum tree?

Recently I made an inadvertent mistake, which reminded me a familiar Japanese proverb to admonish us to stay away from situation and the likelihood to be suspected as a rule-offender. It is a set of words, 李下に冠を正さず - Don’t touch your coronet under…
Yoichi Oishi
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Are there any English sayings equivalent to the Japanese proverb, “Go to bed early and wait for the good news”?

When politicians are waiting for the results in a Primary election, your son is waiting for admission to Harvard, an entrepreneur is waiting the bank’s approval for a financial loan, everyone frets about the outcome over sleepless night. We have a…
Yoichi Oishi
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English proverb for when a solution comes too late

In Flemish we have a saying "Vijgen na pasen". Translated: "figs after Easter". It means a solution comes too late to be of any use. What is the English equivalent for this? Some googling gives me "Closing the barn door when the cow has bolted", but…
Boris Callens
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What is the similar meaning proverb in English?

We have a proverb in Bengali, if I translate it directly into English, it emerges as: Who is in there in the temple? I did not eat the banana! Meaning in the temple banana is used for prayer to the God. So stealing banana from temple is very bad.…
Mistu4u
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English equivalent to the Japanese saying "高転びに転ぶ" - A haughty man should tumble down?

I was asked by my friend who happened to see my question I posted before about English equivalents to Chinese (and Japanese) proverbs, 塞翁失馬 Life is like old Sai’s horse, whether there is an English equivalent to the Japanese saying, ‘高転びに転ぶ’ meaning…
Yoichi Oishi
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Responding to a poor question

There's a proverb in my native language (Norwegian) which is used as a reply to a person who complains about a poor answer given to his/her poor question. It says that the quality of the answer is relative to the quality of the question. You asked…
Bjørn-Roger Kringsjå
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Is there English counterpart to Japanese proverb, 一期一会 , meaning "Cherish once -in -a-lifetime encounter"?

I met a married couple of elderly American tourists to Japan who are both attorney at law in Connecticut a few days ago, and happened to have to introduce a Japanese proverb, “一期一会 - Ichigo ichie” in our conversation over the dinner. The word is…
Yoichi Oishi
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Proverb about cultural differences

There is a Czech proverb which translates roughly to "different countries, different customs". Is there an English equivalent? Thanks!
Peter
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Mexican Proverb equivalent

I'm looking for an equivalent to the following proverb which states, "The cactus is only visited when he has prickly pears." It means something like "He is only visited when he has money." I can't think of any in English to be equal.
Parmenides Ephesus
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Meaning of Corsican Proverb "Ropes that are too long become snakes"?

I came across this proverb recently Ropes that are too long become snakes. This is a direct translation from the Corsican of I funi longhi diventani sarpi. However, I could neither understand its meaning nor the context in which this proverb…
Tachyon
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Proverb for Someone will work, but another will get the benefit

Can you suggest what would be a good proverb for "Someone will work, but another will get the result"? Like for the situation when one person does the hard work, but some other reaps the benefits. EDIT: Just wanted to mention that I just meant a…
Disco Stu
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Is there a proverb to the effect of "Ignorance is not bliss"?

Suppose you discover you have a brain tumor. You are terrified by the sudden danger -- you thought you were in perfect health! While having the tumor is certainly bad, discovering it is certainly good. Now that we know about it we can treat it.…
Daron
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