Enhance your strategic thinking and communication skills by mastering English proverbs about behavior and attitude.
18 topics184 words
Strategy & Tactic21 words
persuasion is better than forcesentenceused to imply that it is more effective and beneficial to convince or influence someone to do something through reasoning and negotiation, rather than through the use of threats or violence
it takes a thief to catch a thiefsentenceused to suggest that a person with experience in a particular activity, even if it is illegal or unethical, may be the most effective at identifying and catching others who engage in that activity
cross the stream where it is shallowestsentenceused to suggest that instead of taking a difficult or dangerous route, it is better to look for the simplest or most efficient way to reach one's goal
a (clever|talented) hawk hides its clawssentenceused to imply that it is important to be strategic and patient in pursuing one's goals, and to avoid showing all of one's strengths and weaknesses at once
a fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insultsentenceused to suggest that it is unwise to react impulsively or emotionally to insults or provocations, and that it is better to respond calmly and thoughtfully
the first blow is half the battlesentenceused to imply that taking the initiative and acting decisively can provide a significant advantage in achieving one's goals
if you cannot beat them, (you might as well|) join themsentenceused to imply that it may be more advantageous to align with a group or situation that cannot be defeated or overcome in order to gain some benefit or advantage
nothing must be done hastily but killing of fleassentenceused to advise exercising patience and careful consideration in important matters, while recognizing that some minor tasks can be dealt with quickly
old poacher makes the best gamekeepersentenceused to imply that someone who has experience breaking rules or doing things wrong can be more effective at enforcing those same rules, or teaching others how to do things right
send the helve after the hatchetsentenceused to suggest that it is important to be resourceful and proactive in solving problems, and to take action to address issues as they arise
you cannot catch old birds with chaffsentenceused to imply that experienced or wise individuals cannot be easily fooled or misled by things of little or no value
a soft answer turns away wrathsentenceused to imply a gentle and kind response to anger can help calm the situation and prevent it from escalating
{not} cast a clout (until|till) May (be|is) outsentenceused to suggest that it is wise to wait and avoid making significant decisions or taking action until the situation or circumstances have become clearer or more certain
waste not, want notsentenceused to emphasize that being mindful of resource usage and avoiding wastefulness can prevent future scarcity or need
hope for the best, (and|) prepare for the worstsentenceused to suggest that one should remain optimistic while being realistic and taking practical steps to prepare for potential negative outcomes or obstacles
the customer is always rightsentenceused to emphasize the importance of avoiding disputes or conflicts with customers and maintaining positive customer relations in business
keep your friends close and your enemies closersentenceused to advise one to maintain a close relationship with enemies or competitors in order to stay informed about their actions and intentions
say well or be stillsentenceused to suggest that sometimes it is better to stay silent rather than saying something that could cause harm or lead to unwanted consequences
the second mouse gets the cheesesentenceused to imply that there can be an advantage in being cautious and waiting for others to take risks first, as it may lead to less risk and more reward by learning from the mistakes of others
it is good to make a bridge of gold to a flying enemysentenceused to advise one to help the enemy when they are trying to retreat, as it can make it more difficult for them to continue to fight against one
ne'er cast a clout till may be outsentenceused to advise caution: do not assume that a difficult period is over, or relax too early, just because things seem to be improving
Taking Risks11 words
a pack of cards is the devil's prayer booksentenceused to suggest that gambling can be addictive and can lead people to engage in other vices or immoral activities
it is ill (jesting|meddling) with edged toolssentenceused to warn against making jokes or jests about serious or dangerous matters, implying that casual or lighthearted engagement with dangerous people or things can be risky or even harmful
a ship in a harbor is safe, but that is not what a ship is forsentenceused to imply that it is not enough to simply stay safe and comfortable, in order to achieve our full potential, we must take risks and step outside of our comfort zones
a wager is a fool's argumentsentenceused to point out the potential negative outcomes or drawbacks of engaging in gambling or reckless behavior
he who rides a tiger is afraid to dismountsentenceused to imply that someone engaged in a dangerous or risky endeavor may find it difficult to quit or change course, even if they want to, due to the potential consequences of doing so
lose the horse or win the saddlesentenceused to warn that in a risky situation, one may have to choose between losing what they already have or taking a chance to gain something else
nothing ventured, nothing gainedsentenceused to imply that one must dare to take risks in order to achieve something or to be successful
the cat would eat fish, but would not wet her feetsentenceused to imply that one desires something but lacks the willingness to put in effort or take risks to achieve it, suggesting a lack of ambition or laziness
if you do not speculate, you cannot accumulatesentenceused to imply that in order to achieve success or acquire valuable things or experiences, one must be willing to take risks and try new things
faint heart never won fair (lady|maiden)sentenceused to suggest that one must be bold and take risks to achieve one's goals
faint heart never won fair ladysentenceused to suggest that one must be bold and take risks to achieve one's goals
Tactlessness & Inconsideration12 words
while two dogs are fighting for bone, a third (one|dog) runs away with itsentenceused to imply that while two people or groups are too busy competing or fighting with each other, a third person or group can take advantage of the situation and benefit from it
burn not your house to fright away the micesentenceused to imply that it is unwise to use drastic or extreme measures to solve a small problem, as it may cause greater harm than good
in vain the net is spread in the sight of the birdsentenceused to suggest that efforts made in plain sight or without strategy are often futile and ineffective
the mouse that has but one hole is (quickly|easily) takensentenceused to imply that having only one option or plan can be risky and leave a person vulnerable to danger or failure, emphasizing the importance of being resourceful and adaptable
if you run after two hares, you will catch neithersentenceused to suggest that trying to do too many things at once can lead to a lack of focus and a decrease in overall effectiveness
the tongue is but three inches long, yet (it|) can kill a man six feet tallsentenceused to highlight the power of words to cause harm or destruction, encouraging individuals to use them thoughtfully and with care for their impact on others
the tongue is not (made of|) steel, yet it cutssentenceused to suggest that words have the power to hurt or harm others, and that care should be taken to use them wisely and with consideration for their impact
a (joke|jest) never gains an enemy, but often loses a friendsentenceused to warn that while humor may not create enemies, it can often offend or hurt friends and cause them to distance themselves
gentility without ability is worse than plain beggarysentenceused to emphasize the importance of valuing competence over social status, as having a high status without the necessary skills can lead to arrogance, incompetence, and ultimately failure
it is an ill bird that (fouls|defiles) its own nestsentenceused to advise against harming one's own environment, community, or relationships, as it will ultimately lead to negative consequences for oneself
the pitcher will go to the well once too oftensentenceused to warn against overusing a particular approach or strategy, as doing so can lead to diminishing returns or even failure
a cat in gloves catches no micesentenceused to imply that being overly cautious or passive prevents one from taking action and achieving desired results
Haste10 words
anger and haste hinder good counselsentenceused to suggest that making decisions or taking action when one is angry or in a hurry can lead to poor judgment and mistakes
draw not your bow till your arrow is fixedsentenceused to imply that rushing into action without proper preparation or planning can lead to failure or negative consequences
fool's haste is no speedsentenceused to imply that rushing into action without proper planning or consideration can lead to mistakes or setbacks that ultimately slow down progress
hurry no man's cattlesentenceused to suggest that being patient and respectful of others' possessions and affairs is important, and rushing or interfering without permission can lead to negative consequences
make haste slowlysentenceused to suggest that it is important to move forward quickly and efficiently, but not at the cost of making hasty or impulsive decisions
the sharper the storm, the sooner it is oversentenceused to imply that the more intense a difficult situation or problem is, the quicker it will pass, encouraging perseverance and patience in the face of adversity
haste trips over its own heelssentenceused to imply that rushing into something without proper planning or thought can cause more harm than good, and it is better to be patient and deliberate in one's actions
hasty climbers have (their|) sudden fallssentenceused to imply that rushing into things without proper planning or consideration can lead to sudden setbacks, mistakes, or problems that ultimately lead to failure
haste makes waste (, and waste makes want|)sentenceused to suggest that acting hastily or without proper consideration can lead to wasted resources or opportunities, which in turn can lead to a state of want or need
more haste, less speedsentenceused to suggest that trying to do something too quickly or without sufficient care may result in mistakes and ultimately take longer to complete than if one had approached the task with more patience and attention to detail
Foresight & Prudence9 words
a danger foreseen is half avoidedsentenceused to imply that if one anticipates a potential danger or problem, one can take steps to reduce the risk and potential harm
catch not at the shadow and lose the substancesentenceused to emphasize that one should not become distracted by superficial or insignificant details and lose sight of what is truly important or valuable
failing to plan is planning to failsentenceused to suggest that without proper planning, one is more likely to encounter failures or setbacks
life is too short to do something that does not mattersentenceused to emphasize that time is a precious and limited resource, and should be used wisely on things that truly matter
{not} empty the water jar until the rain fallssentenceused to imply that one should not use up all of one's resources before they can be refilled or replaced
think much, speak little, and write lesssentenceused to imply that one should think deeply and carefully before speaking or writing, emphasizing the importance of reflection and restraint in communication
{not} throw out your dirty water until you get in freshsentenceused to suggest that one should not discard or dispose of something that they currently have until they have found a suitable replacement or something of greater value
measure twice, (and|) cut oncesentenceused to imply that taking the time to double-check measurements and details before proceeding can prevent mistakes and save time and resources in the long run
a stitch in time saves ninesentenceused to imply that it is better to address a problem or make a small repair early on, rather than waiting and allowing the problem to become more serious and difficult to fix later
Imprudence10 words
a bleating sheep loses a bitesentenceused to suggest that those who talk too much or make too much noise may miss out on an opportunity to obtain something that they desire
a drunkard's purse is a bottlesentenceused to imply that someone who is addicted to alcohol often prioritizes obtaining and consuming alcohol over their other financial obligations and responsibilities
confess and be hangedsentenceused to suggest that admitting to a crime or wrongdoing can lead to negative consequences, particularly when the punishment is certain or severe
fools live poor to die richsentenceused to imply that some people may accumulate wealth throughout their lives, but fail to enjoy it or use it wisely
fools rush in where angels fear to treadsentenceused to imply that inexperienced or reckless people tend to take risks in dangerous situations that wiser individuals avoid
the hasty bitch brings forth blind whelpssentenceused to imply that rushing into a task without proper planning or preparation can lead to poor outcomes or mistakes
he that will not when he may, when he will he may have naysentenceused to imply that if one does not take advantage of an opportunity when it is available, one may not have the same opportunity in the future when one desires it
if you cannot bite, never show your teethsentenceused to advise against making empty threats or starting something one is not capable of carrying out
three moves are as bad as a firesentenceused to warn against the disruptive and damaging effects of frequent relocation or change
wilful waste makes woeful wantsentenceused to imply that if someone wastes resources or spends recklessly, they are likely to experience financial hardship and scarcity in the future
Prevention9 words
a stumble may prevent a fallsentenceused to suggest that a small mistake or setback can serve as a warning or wake-up call that helps one avoid a larger, more serious problem or failure down the line
an ounce of (prevention|protection) is worth a pound of curesentenceused to imply that it is better to take steps to prevent problems from happening in the first place, rather than waiting to deal with the consequences of those problems later
better safe than sorrysentenceused to suggest that it is preferable to take precautions and be cautious in order to avoid problems or regret later on
it is easier to raise the devil than to lay himsentenceused to imply that it is easier to create a problem or cause trouble than it is to solve it or correct the situation
over shoes, over bootsphraseused to imply that it is better to be overly cautious and prevent issues from arising than having to deal with the consequences later
prevention is (always|) better than curesentenceused to imply that it is more effective to take preventative measures to avoid problems or illnesses before they occur, rather than waiting to deal with them after they have already happened
safe bind, safe findsentenceused to suggest that securely binding or storing something ensures its safe retrieval later, emphasizing the importance of taking precautions and being organized
a little fire is quickly trodden outsentenceused to emphasize that it is important to deal with issues as soon as they arise, before they have a chance to grow and become more difficult to handle
never trouble trouble (till|until) trouble troubles yousentenceused to advise against being overly anxious or worrying about potential problems that have not yet arisen and suggests that one should only deal with problems when they actually occur
Reaction & Approach12 words
a carper can cavil at anythingsentenceused to suggest that a person who is overly critical or fault-finding can find fault with anything, regardless of its merit or quality
a little pot is soon hotsentenceused to imply that those who lack emotional maturity or self-control may be quick to overreact to minor issues
sufficient unto the day is the evil thereofsentenceused to suggest that it is best to deal with the challenges and difficulties of each day as they come, without adding unnecessary worry about what may or may not happen in the future
(the|a) squeaky wheel (always|) gets the (grease|oil)sentenceused to suggest that those who speak up or make their needs known are more likely to be noticed or helped than those who remain silent or passive
as water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heartsentenceused to suggest that a person's character and true nature are revealed through the way they live their life
life is ten percent what happens to you and ninety percent how you (respond|react) to itsentenceused to imply that a person's attitude, mindset, and actions have a greater impact on their life than external circumstances
the same fire that melts the butter, hardens the eggsentenceused to imply that people respond differently to the same external circumstances based on their individual traits, and that external circumstances alone do not determine a person's outcome
take each day as it comessentenceused to advise to focus on the present, deal with challenges as they arise, and not to worry too much about the future
take not a musket to kill a butterflysentenceused to imply that it is important to use the appropriate tool or approach to accomplish a task, and not to use excessive force or resources
there is more than one way to skin a catsentenceused to suggest that there are multiple paths to success, and that it is important to be open-minded and flexible in one's approach to problem-solving or achieving goals
(great|much) cry and little woolphraseused to refer to the act of making a lot of fuss or noise over something that is insignificant or unimportant
there are more ways to the wood than onesentenceused to imply that there are multiple ways to approach a situation or solve a problem, and encourages individuals to be open-minded and flexible in finding a solution
Hope & Positive Outlook10 words
it is an ill wind that blows (no one|nobody) any goodsentenceused to express that even an undesirable situation will often benefit someone
all is not lost that is in perilsentenceused to suggest that there is still hope for a situation or outcome that is at risk or in danger, emphasizing the importance of maintaining optimism and perseverance in difficult times
the better the day, the better the deedsentenceused to suggest that a good day or positive mindset can serve as a driving force for individuals to perform better and achieve success in their endeavors
better to light a (single|) candle than to curse the darknesssentenceused to suggest taking positive action, even if it is small, is more effective and productive than simply complaining or criticizing a situation without doing anything to improve it
the darkest hour is just before the dawnsentenceused to suggest that when things seem to be at their worst and most difficult, it is often a sign that a positive change or breakthrough is about to happen
every cloud has a silver liningsentenceused to imply that even in difficult or negative situations, there is often something positive or hopeful to be found
(every|each) day brings its bread (with it|)sentenceused to imply that one should focus on the present moment and not let concerns about what might happen in the future cause unnecessary stress or anxiety
he that lives in hope dances to an ill tunesentenceused to suggest that relying solely on hope without taking practical steps to achieve one's goals can lead to disappointment and negative outcomes
in the end things will mendsentenceused to imply that, despite the difficulties and challenges that one may face, there is hope for a positive outcome in the future with patience and perseverance
it is always (darkest|darker) before the dawnsentenceused to imply that things often appear at their worst just before a significant positive change or improvement occurs
Optimism11 words
never say diesentenceused to encourage people to maintain a positive attitude, stay persistent, and keep trying until they achieve their goals
never say neversentenceused to encourage people to keep an open mind and avoid making definitive statements about the future or their abilities, as circumstances and perspectives can change
nothing so bad, as not to be good for somethingsentenceused to imply that even the worst experiences or situations can have a beneficial impact, as they can provide valuable lessons and opportunities for personal growth and development
nothing so bad but (it|) might have been worsesentenceused to indicate that a difficult situation could have been much worse, encouraging gratitude and a positive attitude toward overcoming challenges
there is always room at the topsentenceused to suggest that success and achievement are not limited to a select few, but can be achieved by anyone who works hard and stays dedicated to their goals
tomorrow is another daysentenceused to suggest that if things do not go as planned or if someone experiences a setback or failure, there is always another opportunity to try again the next day
watch the doughnut and not the holesentenceused to suggest that people should focus on the positive aspects of a situation, rather than the negative ones, and appreciate what they have, instead of focusing on what they lack
(while|where) there is life there is hopesentenceused to emphasize that as long as someone is alive, there is always a chance for positive change or improvement
hope springs eternalsentenceused to imply that hope and optimism are a fundamental part of human nature, and that people have an inherent ability to remain positive and hopeful, even during difficult times
hope is a good breakfast but a bad suppersentenceused to imply that while hope and optimism can be beneficial at the beginning of a task, a realistic and practical approach may be necessary to overcome obstacles and achieve success
if it were not for hope, the heart would breaksentenceused to imply that hope is a powerful and necessary force that helps us endure difficult times and overcome challenges
Openness11 words
believe nothing of what you hear, and only half of what you seesentenceused to warn against blindly accepting information as true, advising that one should be skeptical and verify before accepting it
let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidancesentenceused to emphasize the importance of being open-minded, receptive to new knowledge, and seeking guidance to enhance one's wisdom and understanding
a reed before the wind lives onsentenceused to highlight the importance of being flexible and adaptable in difficult or changing circumstances, as it can help one to survive and thrive
a wise man changes his mind, a fool neversentenceused to imply that a wise person is willing to admit their mistakes and change their opinion, while a foolish person is too stubborn or prideful to do so
if all you have is a hammer, everything looks like a nailsentenceused to convey that if one's only tool is one narrow skill or way of thinking, one will tend to try to use that single approach for everything, even when it is not the most appropriate solution
you cannot teach an old dog new trickssentenceused to imply that older people are less adaptable to change and new ideas than younger people, as it is difficult or impossible to change someone's old behaviors or habits
a closed mind is like a closed book (, just a block of wood|)sentenceused to imply that when someone is not open to new ideas or experiences, they are limiting their own personal and intellectual growth
when a twig grows hard, it (is|becomes) difficult to twist (it|)sentenceused to imply that it is easier to influence and shape someone's character and behavior when they are young, as it is difficult to change once they become set in their ways
you cannot shift an old tree without it dyingsentenceused to highlight the challenges and risks associated with attempting to disrupt or change long-standing or deeply rooted aspects of a person or system
a new broom sweeps clean, but the old brush knows all the cornerssentenceused to suggest that while the new may bring efficiency, the old has valuable experience and knowledge, and so combining both can lead to optimal outcomes
the sea refuses no riversentenceused to suggest that people should be open and accepting of others despite their differences
Choices & Decisions6 words
a bad bush is better than the open fieldsentenceused to suggest that it is often better to choose or settle for something that may not be ideal but is familiar or known, rather than taking a chance on something unknown or uncertain
a burden of one's own choice is not feltsentenceused to imply that people are more willing to bear the weight of a task or responsibility that they have willingly taken on, as opposed to something that has been imposed on them
a door must be either shut or opensentenceused to suggest that when faced with a choice or decision, one should make a clear decision and commit to it, rather than being indecisive
be slow in choosing, but slower in changingsentenceused to advise that it is better to take one's time and carefully consider one's options before making a decision, and once a decision has been made, to fully commit to it
he who hesitates is (forever|) lostsentenceused to imply that delaying or hesitating can result in missed opportunities or negative consequences, and that being decisive and taking action is important for achieving success
the gray mare is the better horsesentenceused to emphasize that sometimes the less obvious or less flashy option is actually the better choice
Accountability & Responsibility16 words
a fault confessed is half redressedsentenceused to imply that by acknowledging and taking responsibility for one's fault, a person has already made progress toward resolving the issue
accusing the times is but excusing ourselvessentenceused to say that blaming external circumstances or conditions for one's failures or shortcomings is just a way of making excuses for one's lack of effort, skill, or commitment
every bird (must|has to) hatch (her|its) own eggsentenceused to emphasize the importance of individuals taking responsibility for their own actions and outcomes
everybody's business is (basically|) nobody's businesssentenceused to emphasize the importance of clearly assigning responsibilities, as when no one takes ownership of a task or issue, it tends to be neglected or ignored
success has many fathers, failure is an orphansentenceused to emphasize the importance of taking accountability in both success and failure, as people tend to claim credit for successes but disassociate themselves from failures
if you would be well served, (you might as well|) serve yourselfsentenceused to suggest that people should do things for themselves, since they cannot always rely on others to do things exactly the way they want
every tub must stand on its own bottomsentenceused to emphasize that every person should be self-reliant and work toward achieving their own goals and meeting their own needs, rather than expecting others to do it for them
every man is (meant to be|) the architect of his own fortunesentenceused as a reminder that individuals have the power to shape their own destiny through their choices and actions
life is what you make itsentenceused to emphasize that a person's life is largely determined by their own choices, actions, and attitudes
business before pleasuresentenceused to advise individuals to prioritize their work or responsibilities before engaging in leisure activities or personal pursuits
creditors have better memory than debtorssentenceused to imply that people who are owed money are more likely to remember the debt and pursue the repayment while those who owe the money may be inclined to forget or delay the payment
with great power comes great responsibilitysentenceused to imply that individuals who hold significant power or influence have a corresponding obligation to use it in a responsible and ethical manner for the greater good
the married man must turn his staff into a stakesentenceused to emphasize the idea that once a person is married, they must prioritize and focus their efforts on providing for their family and fulfilling their obligations
promise is a debtsentenceused to imply that making a promise carries a moral obligation to fulfill it, similar to a financial debt that must be repaid
a dog is for life, not just for Christmassentenceused to emphasize that owning a dog is a long-term commitment that requires love, care, and responsibility throughout its life, rather than just as a holiday gift
let every fox take care of his own tailsentenceused to imply that individuals should be responsible for their own actions and well-being, without relying on others to help or protect them
Acceptance6 words
things past cannot be recalledsentenceused to imply that events or actions that have already occurred cannot be changed or undone, suggesting that one should accept the consequences of one's past actions and move forward with a positive attitude
what is done is donesentenceused to say that once something has been completed or taken place, it cannot be altered or undone, and thus it is best to accept the outcome and move on
past cure, past caresentenceused to emphasize the importance of accepting the reality of a situation and moving on when it is not possible to change or fix what has already happened
live and let livesentenceused to promote tolerance and acceptance of different lifestyles, opinions, or beliefs
be like a tree stay grounded, keep growing, and know when to let gosentenceused to emphasize being grounded in values while being adaptable, learning, and letting go of things that no longer serve us to make room for positive growth and change
you cannot always get what you wantsentenceused to imply accepting limitations and finding contentment in what is available, rather than focusing on unattainable desires
Involvement & Interference7 words
little pitchers (tend to|) have (big|large) earssentenceused to caution adults to be mindful of what they say and do around children, as they may be more aware and perceptive than they appear
the day has eyes, the night has earssentenceused to advise that people should be aware of their surroundings and actions, as they may be observed or overheard
(eavesdroppers|listeners) never hear any good of themselvessentenceused to imply that if someone listens in on conversations that were not meant for their ears, they are likely to hear unfavorable things being said about themselves
every man to his tradesentenceused to suggest that people should respect the skills and expertise of others and not interfere in their work, but rather allow them to do their job to the best of their ability
sweep before your own doorsentenceused to suggest that individuals should take care of their own problems and faults before criticizing or attempting to correct others
walls have earssentenceused to imply that one should be careful about what is said in private, as there may be others listening or eavesdropping
let every fox take care of his own tailsentenceused to suggest that individuals should not interfere in the affairs of others, but rather focus on their own lives and well-being
Boastfulness6 words
(each|every) bird loves to hear himself singsentenceused to imply that people may have a tendency to talk too much about themselves or their own ideas and abilities, without considering the interests or perspectives of others
every potter praises his own potsentenceused to imply that people tend to have a high opinion of their own abilities or accomplishments, and may not always be objective or accurate in their self-assessment
great barkers are no biterssentenceused to suggest that someone who makes a lot of noise or boasts excessively may not be as capable or effective as they claim to be
{not} bark if you cannot bitesentenceused to advise that it is better to avoid making empty threats or promises, as it can result in loss of respect or credibility
threatened men live longsentenceused to suggest that those who have experienced threats or danger may be better equipped to handle potential risks or dangers in the future due to their past experiences
in a calm sea every man is a pilotsentenceused to suggest that people often overestimate their abilities or expertise when they are not being challenged, and that true skill and leadership are only tested in difficult or challenging situations
Silence6 words
no wisdom like silencesentenceused to imply that sometimes it is wiser to remain silent than to speak, as it can prevent one from saying something unnecessary or hurtful and allow one to listen, reflect, and learn from others
beware of a silent man and still watersentenceused to imply that people who do not speak much or show their emotions can sometimes have hidden motives or qualities, and one should be cautious and attentive around them
silence is half consentsentenceused to suggest that when someone remains silent in a situation where they could speak out or object, it can be interpreted as a form of agreement or acceptance
speech is silver, (but|) silence is goldensentenceused to suggest that sometimes it is better to remain quiet and not speak out, as silence can be more valuable and effective than speaking
a still tongue makes (for|) a wise headsentenceused to imply that it is often wise to remain quiet and listen carefully before speaking or taking action
silence is the best response to a foolsentenceused to suggest that it is often wiser to remain silent and refrain from engaging in arguments or discussions with foolish, ignorant, or irrational individuals
Justifications & Excuses11 words
all is fair in love and warsentenceused to imply that in certain situations, such as relationships or conflicts, people may be willing to take any action to achieve their goals, even if it is not morally or ethically right
a (bad|poor) workman blames his toolssentenceused to emphasize the importance of taking responsibility for one's actions and not blaming external factors for one's lack of competence or effort
the end [justify] the meanssentenceused to suggest that the desired outcome or goal of a particular action is more important than how it was achieved, even if that involves unethical or immoral methods
ignorance of the law is no excuse for breaking itsentenceused to imply that being unaware of a law does not excuse someone from being punished for breaking it
finders keepers (,losers weepers)sentenceused to suggest that if someone finds something that is not theirs, they are entitled to keep it, and that the original owner has no claim to it
desperate times call for desperate measuressentenceused to imply that in times of extreme hardship or difficulty, it may be necessary to take unconventional or extreme actions in order to solve a problem or overcome an obstacle
excuses are the nails used to build a house of failuresentenceused to imply that making excuses for one's failures is self-defeating and ultimately leads to a lack of progress and success
an excuse is worse and more terrible than a lie, for an excuse is a lie guardedsentenceused to imply that an excuse is a form of dishonesty that is even more harmful than a lie because it is a deceptive attempt to justify or explain one's actions while avoiding accountability
a bad excuse is better than nonesentenceused to imply that even a weak excuse is better than not offering any explanation or justification
he who excuses himself, accuses himselfsentenceused to imply that when someone tries to explain or justify their actions or behavior, it can actually make them appear guilty or at fault, so taking responsibility is often better
a bird never flew on one wingsentenceused as an excuse for indulging in an additional beverage, etc.
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