if you trust before you try, you may repent before you die/ɪf juː tɹˈʌst bɪfˌoːɹ juː tɹˈaɪ juː mˈeɪ ɹɪpˈɛnt bɪfˌoːɹ juː dˈaɪ/sentence
used to advise against trusting or believing in someone or something without first verifying their reliability or effectiveness, as it may lead to regret or negative consequences in the future
"Trust too early and you will regret it — if you trust before you try, you may repent before you die."
"She had taken the partnership at face value and paid dearly — if you trust before you try, you may repent before you die."
you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire/juː ʃˌʊd nˈoʊ ɐ mˈæn sˈɛvən jˈɪɹz bɪfˌoːɹ juː stˈɜː hɪz fˈaɪɚ/sentence
used to advise patience and careful consideration in forming close relationships, indicating that trust and loyalty are built over time and through experience
"Take time to know someone before becoming close — you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire."
"She was cautious about new relationships, believing you should know a man seven years before you stir his fire."
a dog that will (bring|fetch) a bone will carry a bone/ɐ dˈɑːɡ ðæt wɪl bɹˈɪŋ fˈɛtʃ ɐ bˈoʊn wɪl kˈæɹi ɐ bˈoʊn/sentence
used to imply that a person who shares gossip with one cannot be trusted, as they are likely to spread gossip about one as well
"Gossips will gossip."
"She shared nothing with him, knowing a dog that will bring a bone will carry a bone."
promises are like pie [crust], (they are|) made to be broken/pɹˈɑːmɪsᵻz ɑːɹ lˈaɪk pˈaɪ kɹˈʌst ðeɪ ɑːɹ ɔːɹ mˌeɪd təbi bɹˈoʊkən/sentence
used to suggest that promises are often insincere or easily broken, and should not be relied upon too heavily
"His promises were empty."
"She made dozens of promises about the project, yet promises are like pie crust, made to be broken."
be slow to promise, but quick to (perform|deliver)/biː slˈoʊ tə pɹˈɑːmɪs bˌʌt kwˈɪk tə pɚfˈɔːɹm ɔːɹ dɪlˈɪvɚ/sentence
used to emphasize that one should not make promises lightly or without careful consideration, but once a promise is made, it should be fulfilled promptly and without delay
"Act fast after promising."
"She committed only when she was certain she could deliver — be slow to promise but quick to perform."
jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today/dʒˈæm təmˈɔːɹoʊ ænd dʒˈæm jˈɛstɚdˌeɪ bˌʌt nˈɛvɚ dʒˈæm tədˈeɪ/sentence
used to caution people against being deceived or distracted by empty promises that offer future rewards or benefits that are not fulfilled in the present moment
"Future rewards are fake."
"The bonus was always promised for next quarter — jam tomorrow and jam yesterday, but never jam today."
a fool's speech is a bubble of air/ɐ fˈuːlz spˈiːtʃ ɪz ɐ bˈʌbəl ʌv ˈɛɹ/sentence
used to suggest that the words spoken by a fool lack substance or depth, and therefore should not be trusted or taken seriously
"Foolish words are empty."
"His confident prediction turned out to be entirely without substance — a fool's speech is a bubble of air."
bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails/bˈiːz ðæt hæv hˈʌni ɪn ðɛɹ mˈaʊðz hæv stˈɪŋz ɪn ðɛɹ tˈeɪlz/sentence
used to suggest that people or things that seem harmless or kind may conceal hidden dangers or harmful intentions, advising one to be wary and cautious of potential risks or threats
"Sweet words hide danger."
"He was charming in every meeting but ruthless in every contract — bees that have honey in their mouths have stings in their tails."
good accounting makes (for|) good friends/ɡˈʊd ɐkˈaʊntɪŋ mˌeɪks fɔːɹ ɔːɹ ɡˈʊd fɹˈɛndz/sentence
used to imply when people are honest and accurate in their accounting, they are less likely to have disagreements about money which can help to keep friendships peaceful and harmonious
"Honest money keeps friends."
"They kept a precise record of every shared expense — good accounting makes good friends."
Learn all 9 words in this list with spaced repetition