100+ Famous Proverbs in English With Meaning and Examples

Have you ever heard the saying ‘A penny saved is a penny earned’ or ‘Actions speak louder than words’? These wise phrases, called proverbs, have been passed down through generations, offering valuable lessons and insights into life. Proverbs are short, memorable expressions that simply convey universal truths or advice.

In this blog, we’ll explore 100+ proverbs in English, their meanings, origins, and how they apply to our everyday lives. Whether you’re a native English speaker or learning the language, understanding proverbs can greatly enrich your communication skills and deepen your understanding of the culture.

What are Proverbs?

Proverbs are concise, traditional expressions of wisdom that encapsulate universal truths, moral principles, or practical advice. They are often passed down orally from one generation to another within a culture, embodying the collective wisdom and experiences of a community. These succinct phrases are characterized by their simplicity, clarity, and memorable nature, making them easily accessible and applicable in various contexts. Proverbs offer insights into human behaviour, relationships, and societal norms, serving as guidelines for ethical conduct and decision-making. They address common life situations and dilemmas, offering concise solutions or perspectives that have stood the test of time. Proverbs are found in every culture and language, reflecting the values, beliefs, and cultural heritage of different societies. One of the key features of proverbs is their metaphorical or figurative language, which often employs vivid imagery or symbolism to convey complex ideas succinctly. This figurative language adds depth and resonance to the proverb, making it more memorable and impactful.

Types of Proverbs in English

Proverbs in English can be classified into several categories based on their themes, structures, and origins. Here are some common types:

1. Traditional Proverbs: These are timeless expressions that have been passed down through generations orally and are deeply rooted in cultural heritage. Examples include “A stitch in time saves nine” and “All’s fair in love and war.”
2. Biblical Proverbs: Derived from the Bible, these proverbs offer moral and practical guidance. Examples include “Pride goes before destruction” and “Honesty is the best policy.”
3. Literary Proverbs: Found in works of literature, these proverbs often reflect the themes and values of specific authors or literary movements. Examples include “To thine own self be true” from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and “Where there’s a will, there’s a way” from Charles Dickens’ David Copperfield.
4. Modern Proverbs: These are newly coined expressions that capture contemporary wisdom and reflect current societal trends. Examples include “YOLO (You Only Live Once)” and “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
5. Regional Proverbs: Specific to certain regions or cultures, these proverbs reflect the unique perspectives and values of different communities. Examples include “The early bird catches the worm” in English-speaking countries and “Laughter is the best medicine” in various cultures worldwide.
6. Occupational Proverbs: These proverbs are associated with specific professions or trades and often offer practical advice or insights related to those fields. Examples include “Measure twice, cut once” in carpentry and “Practice makes perfect” in sports and music.

10 Most Common Proverbs in English

Below mentioned proverbs are widely known and often used in various contexts to convey wisdom, advice, or observations about life.

1. “A penny saved is a penny earned.”
2. “Actions speak louder than words.”
3. “Birds of a feather flock together.”
4. “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.”
5. “Every cloud has a silver lining.”
6. “Honesty is the best policy.”
7. “The early bird catches the worm.”
8. “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”
9. “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
10. “You reap what you sow.”

List of 100 Proverbs in English

Here’s a comprehensive list of 100 proverbs in English that you can use in daily life:

1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
2. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
3. A penny saved is a penny earned.
4. A picture is worth a thousand words.
5. A stitch in time saves nine.
6. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
7. Actions speak louder than words.
8. All good things must come to an end.
9. All is fair in love and war.
10. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
11. April showers bring May flowers.
12. Beggars can’t be choosers.
13. Better late than never.
14. Better safe than sorry.
15. Birds of a feather flock together.
16. Blood is thicker than water.
17. Charity begins at home.
18. Cleanliness is next to godliness.
19. Curiosity killed the cat.
20. Don’t bite the hand that feeds you.
21. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
22. Don’t cry over spilled milk.
23. Don’t judge a book by its cover.
24. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
25. Don’t put the cart before the horse.
26. Don’t sweat the small stuff.
27. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater.
28. Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
29. Easy come, easy go.
30. Every cloud has a silver lining.
31. Every dog has its day.
32. Every man for himself, and the devil take the hindmost.
33. Familiarity breeds contempt.
34. Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
35. Give credit where credit is due.
36. Good things come to those who wait.
37. Haste makes waste.
38. He who hesitates is lost.
39. Home is where the heart is.
40. Honesty is the best policy.
41. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
42. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.
43. If the shoe fits, wear it.
44. Ignorance is bliss.
45. It takes two to tango.
46. Kill two birds with one stone.
47. Laughter is the best medicine.
48. Let bygones be bygones.
49. Let sleeping dogs lie.
50. Life is a journey, not a destination.
51. Look before you leap.
52. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
53. Necessity is the mother of invention.
54. No man is an island.
55. Out of sight, out of mind.
56. Practice makes perfect.
57. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
58. Seeing is believing.
59. Silence is golden.
60. Slow and steady wins the race.
61. Speak softly and carry a big stick.
62. Strike while the iron is hot.
63. The early bird catches the worm.
64. The grass is always greener on the other side.
65. The pen is mightier than the sword.
66. The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
67. There’s no smoke without fire.
68. There’s no such thing as a free lunch.
69. Time heals all wounds.
70. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
71. Two heads are better than one.
72. Two wrongs don’t make a right.
73. Variety is the spice of life.
74. Waste not, want not.
75. What goes around comes around.
76. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
77. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
78. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
79. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
80. You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
81. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
82. You reap what you sow.
83. Actions speak louder than words.
84. Better safe than sorry.
85. The early bird catches the worm.
86. Every cloud has a silver lining.
87. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
88. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
89. Two heads are better than one.
90. The grass is always greener on the other side.
91. A watched pot never boils.
92. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
93. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
94. A friend in need is a friend indeed.
95. Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
96. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
97. Better late than never.
98. Fortune favors the bold.
99. It’s better to be safe than sorry.
100. You can’t judge a book by its cover.

20 Examples of Using Proverbs in English

Below mentioned sentences showcase the usage of proverbs in everyday communication, each encapsulating a nugget of wisdom or advice.

1. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. She decided to accept the job offer she had instead of waiting for a better one.
2. Actions speak louder than words. Instead of promising to help, he actually showed up and assisted with the project.
3. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. Sarah was already planning her vacation before she had won the lottery, but she remembered not to count her chickens before they hatch.
4. Every cloud has a silver lining. Despite losing his job, he found a new opportunity that he wouldn’t have discovered otherwise.
5. Honesty is the best policy. Even though it was difficult, she admitted her mistake rather than trying to cover it up.
6. The early bird catches the worm. Getting up early allowed him to finish his work before everyone else even arrived at the office.
7. Don’t judge a book by its cover. Despite his rugged appearance, he turned out to be one of the kindest people she had ever met.
8. Where there’s a will, there’s a way. Despite facing many obstacles, they were determined to make their business successful.
9. You reap what you sow. By putting in the effort to study every day, she was able to ace her exams.
10. Practice makes perfect. She knew that the more she practiced playing the piano, the better she would become.
11. Two wrongs don’t make a right. Even though he was angry, he knew that seeking revenge wouldn’t solve the problem.
12. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. While traveling abroad, she made sure to respect and follow the customs of the local culture.
13. Necessity is the mother of invention. Faced with a power outage, they had to get creative and find alternative sources of light.
14. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. Despite her best efforts, her grandfather refused to learn how to use a smartphone.
15. Beggars can’t be choosers. Although she didn’t like the color, she was grateful for the jacket that was given to her.
16. The grass is always greener on the other side. Even though she was unhappy with her job, she realized that others might envy her position.
17. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Instead of investing all of his money in one stock, he diversified his portfolio.
18. Better late than never. Although she missed the deadline, she still submitted her assignment, thinking it’s better late than never.
19. Speak softly and carry a big stick. He preferred to avoid confrontation but was always prepared to defend himself if necessary.
20. Familiarity breeds contempt. Spending too much time together led to them getting on each other’s nerves.

Proverbs in English- FAQs

What are proverbs?

Proverbs are short, traditional sayings that offer wisdom, advice, or reflections on human behavior and experience. They are often passed down orally from generation to generation.

What is the use of proverbs?

Proverbs serve various purposes, including providing guidance for decision-making, teaching moral values, and conveying cultural wisdom. They offer concise and memorable insights into life situations and human nature.’

Where do proverbs come from?

Proverbs originate from diverse sources such as folklore, literature, religious texts, and oral traditions. They reflect the values, beliefs, and experiences of different cultures and societies throughout history.

How are proverbs used in everyday language?

Proverbs are commonly used in everyday language to emphasize a point, offer advice, or express a universal truth. They can be used in conversations, speeches, writing, and teaching to illustrate concepts or convey messages succinctly.