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English Proverbs (1301-1400)

Revenge is sweet.

Every bee's honey is sweet.

Every spot is not the leprosy.

It is not for everyone to catch a salmon.

He that woos a maid must come seldom in her sight,
but he that woos a widow
must woo her day and night.

A good man is no more to be feared than a sheep.

The dog that fetches will carry.

Take away the cause and the effect must cease.

He that can make a fire well can end a quarrel.

He that would the daughter win must with the mother first begin.

All things fit not all men.

What children hear at home soon flies abroad.

He that flings dirt at another dirties himself most.

The fire in the flint shows not till it's struck.

Poor folks are glad of porridge.

The folly of one man is the fortune of another.

Success makes a fool seem wise.

A fool looks to the beginning, a wise man regards the end.

Life without a friend is death without a witness.

The frost hurts not weeds.

Shameful leaving is worse than shameful eating.

Willful waste makes woeful want.

Refuse a wife with one fault and take one with two.

A willing mind makes a light foot.

Like crow like egg.

He that makes a good war makes a good peace.

Patience is a good nag, but she'll bolt.

The race is got by running.

A little with honesty is better than a great deal with knavery.

The greater the right, the greater the wrong.

The belly carries the legs, and not the legs the belly.

A guilty conscience is a self-accuser.

Evil words corrupt good manners.

A good wife and health is a man's best wealth.

The cat would not eat fish but would not wet her feet.

The beggar is never out of his way.

Everything is best when it is ended.

An ill wound is cured, not an ill name.

All is not gold that glitters.

Take heed you find not what you do not seek.

Fair play is a jewel.

Money is welcome though it comes in a dirty clout.

Scheming seldom has success.

Like priest like people.

No fishing like fishing in the sea.

Little wit in the head makes much work for the feet.

The way to live much is to begin to live well betimes.

All is well when the mistress smiles.

He plays well that wins.

Tell the truth and shame the devil.

Art is long, life short.

The longest road must have an end.

Better lose a jest than a friend.

When poverty comes in at the door,
love flies out of the window.

Mickle ado and little help.

Where none else will, the devil must bear the cross.

He that is well sheltered is a fool if he stir out into the rain.

Home is home though never so homely.

The mad dog bites his master.

Use makes perfect.

A poison embitters much sweetness.

When fortune smiles, embrace her.

Counsel is ti be given by the wise, the remedy by the rich.

The mother-in-law remembers not that she was a daughter-in-law.

Nothing more smooth than glass,
yet nothing more brittle; nothing more fine than wit,
yet nothing more fickle.

The more your years, the nearer your grave.

Rule lust, temper tongue, and bridle the belly.

Full bowls make empty brains.

Wealth is enemy to health.

Boys will be men.

Poison is poison though it comes in a golden cup.

An honest miller has a golden thumb.

Trusting often makes fidelity.

Hell and Chancery are always open.

Stars are not seen by sunshine.

Sudden trust brings sudden repentance.

Misfortunes, when asleep, are not to be awakened.

Good weight and measure is heaven's treasure.

Foul water will quench fire as well as fair.

Not so good to borrow as be able to lend.

The best go first, the bad remain to mend.

A good beginning makes a good ending.

Distance lends enchantment.

God sends fortune to fools.

He that will not endure labor in this world, let him not be born.

Learning has no enemy but ignorance.

All general rules have their exceptions.

The corruption of one is the generation of another.

Beg from beggars and you'll never be rich.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

A pennyweight of love is worth a pound of law.

Wealth and content are not always bedfellows.

Where sense is wanting, everything is wanting.

Providence is better than rent.

From hearing comes wisdom; from speaking, repentance.

A grain of prevention is worth a ton of remedy.

Gentle is that gentle does.

Where cobwebs are plenty, kisses are scarce.

The king's chaff is better than other people's corn.

It is easy to keep a castle that was never assaulted.

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