Enrich your vocabulary with English proverbs that express emotional themes like love, happiness, belonging, and beliefs.
10 topics134 words
Love & Romance22 words
better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at allsentenceused to suggest that the joy and fulfillment of love, even if temporary, outweighs the pain of losing it
greater (love|life) hath no man (than this|)sentenceused to imply that the ultimate expression of love is to put the needs and well-being of another person above one's own, even if it requires personal sacrifice or hardship
hot love (is|) soon coldsentenceused to imply that intense passion in a romantic relationship tends to fade quickly, highlighting the importance of building a relationship on a strong foundation of mutual respect and shared values
love me little, love me longsentenceused to suggest that a long-lasting and steady love, even if it is not intense or passionate, is more valuable and fulfilling than a fleeting and intense love that burns out quickly
love begets lovesentenceused to imply that when a person shows love and affection towards others, they are likely to receive love and affection in return
love and cough cannot be hiddensentenceused to imply that attempting to conceal feelings of love or affection is often unsuccessful, as they have a tendency to become apparent to others, just like the physical reflex of coughing
love is blindsentenceused to imply that love can make a person overlook or excuse flaws or shortcomings in their partner that they might otherwise find unacceptable
love sees no (faults|flaws)sentenceused to suggest that when a person is in love, they tend to overlook or forgive the faults and shortcomings of their loved one and see only their positive qualities
faults are thick where love is thinsentenceused to suggest that when there is little love or emotional connection between people, they are more likely to focus on each other's flaws or shortcomings instead of offering support and understanding
love makes the world go (round|around)sentenceused to imply that love is a powerful and positive force that can bring people together, inspire acts of kindness and selflessness, and create a sense of community and belonging
love me, love my dogsentenceused to emphasize the importance of accepting and respecting the unique qualities and interests of others in relationships
the course of true love never did run smoothsentenceused to imply that true love may encounter difficulties but remains strong and endures despite the challenges
love laughs at locksmithssentenceused to imply that when two people are in love, they will find a way to be together, regardless of any obstacles that stand in their way
love will (always|) find a waysentenceused to imply that when two people are meant to be together, their love will overcome any obstacles or challenges that may arise
love cannot exist where there is no trustsentenceused to emphasize the notion that trust is essential for building deep emotional connections and intimacy between individuals
there is always one who kisses, and one who turns the cheeksentenceused to imply that there is often an imbalance of affection or effort in any relationship or interaction, with one person giving more than the other
there is more pleasure in loving than in being (beloved|loved)sentenceused for saying that experiencing the joy of loving someone brings greater satisfaction than being the object of someone's love
a loveless life is living deathsentenceused to imply that a life without love and meaningful connections is empty and unfulfilling, similar to a state of emotional death or numbness
all the world loves a loversentenceused to imply that people are universally drawn to and admire those who are in love
every Jack has his Jillsentenceused to suggest that there is a perfect match for everyone, and every person will eventually find their ideal partner or soulmate
he that would the daughter win, (must|shall) with the mother first beginsentenceused to imply that a man must win the approval of a young woman's mother if he wishes to pursue a relationship with her, emphasizing the importance of respecting family opinions in matters of love
hope is a lover's staffsentenceused to imply that hope is a powerful force that helps people in love to endure difficulties and overcome obstacles, providing them with the strength and support they need to pursue their desires
Contentment & Happiness14 words
a contented mind is a perpetual feastsentenceused as a reminder that true happiness and contentment come from within, and that a person who is satisfied with what they have will always feel fulfilled and satisfied
humble hearts (often|tend to|) have humble desiressentenceused to suggest that modest and unpretentious people tend to have more realistic expectations and are less likely to be disappointed or frustrated by unattainable goals or desires
bird in the hand is worth two in the bushsentenceused to imply that it is better to hold onto something you already have for sure, rather than risking it for the possibility of getting more in the future
a happy heart is better than a full pursesentenceused to emphasize that true happiness and contentment come from within, and that material wealth is not a guarantee of happiness or fulfillment
better an egg in peace than an ox in warsentenceused to emphasize that having a peaceful and contented life is more important than having wealth or material possessions that come at the cost of constant conflict or stress
better an egg today than a hen tomorrowsentenceused to emphasize the importance of valuing what one has in the present moment instead of waiting for something better in the future, which may not materialize
better half an egg than an empty shellsentenceused as a reminder to be grateful for what one has and to appreciate the value of even small possessions or accomplishments
little fish are sweetsentenceused to imply that one should appreciate and value the small things in life, as even small pleasures or accomplishments can bring joy and satisfaction
when all fruit fails, welcome hawssentenceused to suggest that when one's first choice or preferred option is not available, one should be flexible and willing to accept something else that may be less desirable but still of value
if you cannot live longer, live deepersentenceused to emphasize that pursuing a purposeful and fulfilling life is more valuable than simply living a long time
it is better to travel hopefully than to arrivesentenceused to imply that the experience of working towards a goal can be fulfilling in itself, and that the journey is often more valuable than the destination
being happy is better than being kingsentenceused to emphasize that personal happiness and contentment are more important than power or status, as material possessions do not necessarily lead to happiness
better a lean peace than a fat victorysentenceused to imply that it is better to achieve a peaceful resolution, even if it means making some compromises, rather than achieving a victory that comes at a high cost
it is better to be happy than wisesentenceused to imply that personal happiness and fulfillment are more important than knowledge or academic achievement
Sense of Belonging10 words
there is no place like home (, wherever you wander|)sentenceused to imply that one's own home is the most comfortable and enjoyable place to be, where one can feel safe, relaxed, and content
East (or|,) West, home's (the|) bestsentenceused to emphasize the idea that home is the most comfortable, safe, and familiar place where one can relax and be oneself
a house is not a homesentenceused to say that a physical structure or dwelling does not necessarily become a home until it is filled with love, warmth, personal memories and experiences, and a sense of belonging
home is home, be it ever so homelysentenceused to imply that even if a home is modest or plain, it still holds a special place in one's heart because it is a place of comfort and familiarity
home is where the heart issentenceused to imply that one's true home or place of belonging is where one's loved ones, family, and cherished memories are, rather than a physical location or a specific house
a man's home is his castlesentenceused to emphasize the importance of having control over one's living space and the happenings therein, and the right to privacy and security within the home
every dog is a lion at homesentenceused to suggest that people tend to feel more comfortable, confident, and powerful in their own familiar surroundings
every dog is valiant at his own doorsentenceused to imply that people or animals tend to be more confident and assertive in their own familiar surroundings, and may show more courage when defending their own territory
(every|a) cock crows (on|upon) his own dunghillsentenceused to suggest that people may feel more confident and assertive in their own familiar surroundings, where their behavior is unlikely to be challenged or tested
every bird likes its own nestsentenceused to imply that people have a natural attachment to their own home or familiar surroundings and may find it difficult to adjust to new environments or ways of life
Negative Feelings12 words
anger is the one thing made better by delaysentenceused to highlight the importance of controlling emotions and suggests that delaying a response to situations that cause anger can lead to a more appropriate reaction
let not the sun go down on your (wrath|anger)sentenceused to imply that one should not hold onto feelings of anger or resentment for too long and should strive to resolve conflicts or issues before the end of the day
it is not work that kills, but worrysentenceused to suggest that stress and anxiety can be more harmful to one's health and well-being than hard physical labor
you can only die once, so do not die a thousand times worrying about itsentenceused to suggest that excessive worry and anxiety can be more harmful than the actual event that is causing the worry
envy (has|) never enriched any mansentenceused t suggest that being envious of others does not lead to personal success or enrichment, emphasizing the importance of focusing on one's own strengths and accomplishments
envy shoots at others and wounds (itself|herself)sentenceused to suggest that envy can harm oneself more than the person one is envious of, emphasizing the negative impact of envy on personal well-being and success
jealousy is a green-eyed monstersentenceused to highlight the negative impact of jealousy on personal relationships, emphasizing its potential to breed resentment, suspicion, and destructive behavior
age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soulsentenceused to imply that while aging may cause physical changes, a lack of passion or enthusiasm can have a more profound effect on one's inner self and sense of fulfillment
it is a (poor|sad) heart that never rejoicessentenceused to imply that joy can be found even in difficult circumstances, and that a life without joy or happiness is lacking in richness and fulfillment
all things grow with time except griefsentenceused to suggest that with the passage of time, the intensity of grief gradually decreases
a guilty conscience needs no accusersentenceused to suggest that feelings of guilt or unease can be a powerful motivator for someone to confess or seek forgiveness, even if no one else is aware of their wrongdoing
nice work if you can get itsentenceused for expressing jealousy over what someone already has or achieved without putting much effort
Beliefs & Viewpoints10 words
opinions are like noses, everyone has onesentenceused to imply that opinions can vary widely from person to person, and everyone is entitled to their own viewpoint or perspective
a man convinced against his will, is of the same opinion stillsentenceused to imply that if someone is forced to accept an idea or belief against their own will, may still hold onto their original beliefs and opinions, even if they do not express them openly
there are two sides to every coinsentenceused to highlight the importance of considering multiple perspectives when evaluating a situation or concept
to the pure all things are puresentenceused to suggest that those with a pure and innocent nature tend to see the world in a positive light, interpreting people and situations with goodwill and purity of intention
the wish is father to the thoughtsentenceused to imply that our desires and wishes can influence the way we think and perceive things, leading us to believe what we want to believe, rather than what is objectively true
man is the measure of all thingssentenceused to imply that human perception and experience are the basis for all knowledge and understanding, which makes it inherently subjective and lacking an objective or absolute truth
lookers-on see most of the gamesentenceused suggest that people who are not directly involved in a situation or activity often have a clearer or more objective perspective than those who are directly participating
standers-by see more than gamesterssentenceused to imply that people who are not directly involved in a situation often have a better understanding of it than those who are deeply involved, and so, are able to make more objective judgments
seeing is believingsentenceused to imply that people are more likely to believe something if they can see it or experience it for themselves, rather than relying on hearsay or second-hand information
absence is the mother of disillusionsentenceused to suggest that prolonged absence can create unrealistic expectations that lead to disappointment when reunited with what was missed
Judgment & Assessment13 words
blind men can judge no colorssentenceused to imply that someone who lacks knowledge or experience in a particular area cannot make accurate judgments or opinions about it
judge not, that ye be not judgedsentenceused to advise people to avoid being critical or judgmental of others, as they may be judged in the same manner themselves, encouraging compassion and understanding instead
the devil is not (so|as) black as he is paintedsentenceused to suggest that things or people are often not as bad as they seem or as they are portrayed
comparisons are odioussentenceused to suggest that comparing people or things is often unproductive and can lead to negative feelings or judgments
fools and bairns (should|shall) never see (a|) half done worksentenceused to imply that unfinished work should not be shown to inexperienced or uninformed individuals, as it may lead to negative perceptions or incorrect assumptions about the final outcome
there are two sides to every questionsentenceused to imply that individuals should be open-minded and consider different perspectives before making a judgment or decision
every horse thinks its own pack is (the|) heaviestsentenceused to imply that people tend to believe that their problems, responsibilities, or burdens are more difficult than those of others, and may lack empathy towards others' struggles
first impressions are the most lastingsentenceused to suggest that the way people perceive someone or something during their initial encounter can have a strong and lasting impact on their opinion
(one|a) swallow does not make a summersentenceused to indicate that a single occurrence or piece of evidence is insufficient to establish a trend or draw a firm conclusion
hatred is (just|) as blind as lovesentenceused to imply that intense emotions, whether they be love or hatred, can cloud one's judgment and make one unable of seeing things objectively
whoever writes a book, (should|shall) be ready to accept criticismsentenceused to suggest that those who create or present their work to the public should be willing to listen to criticism and feedback and use it to improve the quality of their work
(you|) show me the man, and I will show you the rulesentenceused to imply that a person's behavior reflects their character, emphasizing the ability to make judgments about a person based on their actions
do not judge a man until you have walked (a mile|) in his shoessentenceused to encourage empathy and understanding by emphasizing that an individual should not judge or criticize someone's situation or behavior without experiencing it themselves
Stereotypic Assumptions22 words
a whistling woman and a crowing hen are neither fit for God nor mensentenceused to imply that women who engage in behaviors that are traditionally associated with men or masculinity are inappropriate and unworthy of respect or acceptance
a woman's place is in the homesentenceused to imply that women's primary role is within the household, and that their most valuable contribution to society is as a wife and mother
a woman's work is never donesentenceused to imply that women have an endless list of responsibilities and duties that often go unnoticed or undervalued, and that they are expected to prioritize others over themselves
{not} choose {one's} women or {one's} linen by candlelightsentenceused to suggest that it is essential to see things clearly without any illusions or romanticized ideas before making a significant decision
daughters and dead fish are not keeping waressentenceused to imply that a daughter's worth lies only in her ability to get married and that she is a burden on her family if she remains unmarried
England is the paradise of women, the hell of horses and the purgatory of servantssentenceused to imply women live luxuriously in England, while horses are mistreated and overworked, and domestic servants lead a challenging life
female of the species is more deadly than the malesentenceused to suggest that women are more dangerous or aggressive than men
hell hath no fury like a woman scornedsentenceused to suggest that a woman's anger and retaliation can be intense and powerful, and that it is unwise to underestimate or provoke her in such circumstances
old maids lead apes in hellsentenceused to insult unmarried women by suggesting that they are inferior, undesirable, and destined for a life of misery and punishment in the afterlife
one tongue is enough for a womansentenceused to suggest that women talk too much or are too outspoken and that they should be more restrained in their speech
silence is a woman's best garmentsentenceused to imply that a woman's virtue and beauty are best demonstrated by her silence
a tidy house holds a bored womansentenceused to suggest that a woman who focuses solely on maintaining a clean house may not be engaging in more stimulating or fulfilling activities
the way to a man's heart is through his stomachsentenceused to suggest that cooking and serving food that a man enjoys is a way to win his affection and love
six hours' sleep for a man, seven for a woman, and eight for a foolsentenceused to suggest that men require less sleep than women, and anyone who sleeps for more than eight hours is foolish
a man is as old as he feels, (and|) a woman as old as she lookssentenceused to suggest that women are primarily valued for their beauty and youth, while men are valued for their experience and wisdom
to {not} [reveal] a man's wage and (a|) woman's agephraseused to imply that it is impolite or inappropriate to disclose a man's salary or a woman's age in public
good men are scarcesentenceused to suggest that men who possess desirable qualities such as honesty, kindness, and reliability are not common or easy to find
boys will be boyssentenceused to excuse or dismiss negative behavior by boys or men, with the implication that it is simply part of their nature
children should be seen and not heardsentenceused to imply that children should remain quiet and obedient in the presence of adults, and that their voices and opinions are not valuable or deserving of respect
words are for women, actions for mensentenceused to suggest that it is men who are known for honoring their word, not women
girls will be girlssentenceused to suggest that certain behavior or actions, such as being emotional or talkative, are typical or expected of girls or women
the gray mare is the better horsesentenceused to imply that sometimes a woman can be more skilled, capable, or better than a man, emphasizing that gender does not determine one's abilities or qualities
Superstition & Folklore11 words
(early|) morning dreams come truesentenceused to suggest that the dreams one has in the early morning hours may predict future events
dreams go by contrariessentenceused to suggest that the opposite of what one dreams about may happen in reality
dream of a funeral and you hear of a marriagesentenceused to imply that dreaming of a funeral can signal a positive event like a wedding, suggesting that negative dreams can have positive outcomes
bad things come in threessentenceused to suggest that misfortune or bad luck often happens in groups of three, and when one negative event occurs, two more will follow
a cat has nine livessentenceused to suggest that cats are resilient creatures that can survive dangerous situations
sing before breakfast, (and|) you will cry before nightsentenceused to suggest that being overly optimistic or confident at the start of the day can lead to disappointment or failure later on, as unforeseen events or circumstances may arise
(speak|talk) of the devil, and he (shall|will) appearsentenceused to acknowledge the arrival of someone who was being discussed, suggesting that talking about someone who is absent can attract their attention or presence unexpectedly
he that follows freits, freits (will|shall) follow himsentenceused to imply that those who are superstitious and rely on omens may be more likely to experience misfortune, as their beliefs can become a self-fulfilling prophecy
May chickens come cheepingsentenceused to suggest that the children that are born in May are more vulnerable to illness or health issues
clear moon, frost soonsentenceused to refer to the traditional belief that a clear moonlit sky is often associated with the prediction of frost or cold weather in the near future
beware of an oak, it draws the strokesentenceused to warn one to be cautious of large trees, especially oak trees, during thunderstorms as they are more likely to be struck by lightning
Faith & Religion13 words
the wages of sin is deathsentenceused to imply that engaging in immoral or sinful behavior leads to negative consequences, which may be fatal or result in spiritual death or separation from God
begin to weave and God will give the threadsentenceused to suggest that taking action and starting a project or pursuing a goal is the most important step, and that the necessary resources and support will come as one goes along
the danger past, and God forgottensentenceused to criticize people who only seek divine help during times of crisis but do not maintain a consistent practice of faith or spirituality
faith (can|will) move mountainssentenceused to emphasize the power of strong faith and belief in oneself, as it can overcome seemingly impossible challenges and enable individuals to accomplish difficult tasks
family that prays together stays togethersentenceused to suggest that shared faith and spirituality can strengthen family bonds and promote a sense of togetherness and support
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instructionsentenceused to imply that being open to instruction and willing to learn leads to gaining knowledge and understanding, while rejecting wisdom and being closed-minded is foolish and hinders growth
put your trust in God, and keep your powder drysentenceused to highlight the importance of balance between relying on higher powers and taking responsible action
thou shalt not killsentenceused to promote the value of human life and the importance of non-violence
whom the gods love, (shall|must|) die youngsentenceused to suggest that individuals who are highly favored or blessed by the gods are often taken away from the world at a young age
God tempers the wind to the shorn lambsentenceused to suggest that even in difficult circumstances, those who are vulnerable or disadvantaged will be provided with the necessary strength and protection to overcome adversity
all is for the best in the best of all possible worldssentenceused to imply that everything happens for a good reason and the world is as good as it can be, emphasizing the idea of optimism and the belief that everything works out for the best
confession is good for the soulsentenceused for saying that admitting one's mistakes, sins, or wrongdoings can bring spiritual and emotional healing and relief
there but for the grace of god go isentenceused to express a sense of humility and gratitude, acknowledging that one's circumstances could have been different if not for the benevolence or favor of a higher power
Fate7 words
fate leads the willing and drags (along|) the unwillingsentenceused to imply that while fate may guide people toward their destined path, their willingness to cooperate with their circumstances and take action can greatly impact the outcomes they experience
if it is meant to be, it will besentenceused to imply that some things are beyond human control and that events will unfold according to a predetermined plan or fate
if you are born to be hanged, then you will never be drownedsentenceused to emphasize that a person's fate is predetermined and unchangeable, and that they will inevitably experience the fate that has been determined for them
man proposes, (heaven|God) disposessentenceused to suggest that while people can make plans and decisions, ultimately the outcome of events is determined by fate or a higher power
you plan and God laughssentenceused to imply that despite one's careful planning and preparations, unforeseen circumstances or events may disrupt or alter one's intended outcomes
every bullet has (a|its) billetsentenceused to imply that destiny or fate determines who shall be killed, rather than chance or random occurrence
every bullet has a billetsentenceused to imply that destiny or fate determines who shall be killed, rather than chance or random occurrence
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