Proverbs & Sayings

"A stitch in time saves nine" means that fixing a small problem right away prevents it from becoming a much larger one. The idea is that one stitch now avoids nine stitches later.

"The early bird catches the worm" means that those who act promptly or arrive first have the best chance of success. It dates back to a 1670 collection of English proverbs.

"Don't count your chickens before they hatch" warns against assuming success before it actually happens. Not every egg will produce a chick, so it's wise not to rely on uncertain outcomes.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do" advises adapting to the customs of wherever you find yourself. It is attributed to Saint Ambrose in the 4th century.

"A rolling stone gathers no moss" means that a person who keeps moving and never settles down won't accumulate responsibilities or attachments. It dates back to the Latin writer Publilius Syrus.

"People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones" means you shouldn't criticize others for faults you share yourself. The saying has been traced back to Geoffrey Chaucer's writings in the 14th century.

"The pen is mightier than the sword" means that written words and ideas can be more powerful and influential than military force. It was coined by Edward Bulwer-Lytton in his 1839 play 'Richelieu'.

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush" means it's better to hold onto something you already have than to risk it for something greater that you might not get. It appears in print as early as the 15th century.

"You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink" means you can give someone an opportunity, but you can't force them to take it. It is one of the oldest English proverbs, recorded as early as 1175.

"The road to hell is paved with good intentions" means that merely intending to do good is not enough — what matters is actually following through. The saying is often attributed to Saint Bernard of Clairvaux in the 12th century.

"Discretion is the better part of valour" means that it is often wiser to avoid a dangerous situation than to confront it recklessly. It comes from Shakespeare's 'Henry IV, Part 1', spoken by the character Falstaff.

"A watched pot never boils" means that time seems to pass more slowly when you're anxiously waiting for something to happen. The saying is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin.

"Necessity is the mother of invention" means that difficult situations inspire creative solutions. The concept traces back to Plato's 'Republic', and the English phrasing became common in the 17th century.

"The apple doesn't fall far from the tree" means that children often resemble their parents in character or behaviour. The proverb has roots in German and other European languages dating to the 16th century.

"Still waters run deep" means that a quiet or calm person may have great depth of character, knowledge, or feeling beneath the surface. It dates back to at least the 15th century in English.