Alphabetical List - U-V

Union is strength	A group has more force than an individual.
Unwillingness easily finds an excuse.	A person who doesn't want to do something always finds a reason to avoid it.
Variety is the spice of life.	Doing a lot of different things makes life more interesting.
Virtue is its own reward.	You should not expect praise for acting in a correct or moral way.

Alphabetical List - W

Walls have ears.	Be careful.  People could be listening.
Waste not, want not.	If you never waste anything, you will have is when you need it.
(A) watched pot never boils.	If you wait anxiously for something to happen, it seems to take a long time.
(The) way to a man's heart is through his stomach.	Feed a man well and he will love you.
What the eye doesn't see, the heart doesn't grieve over.	If a person doesn't know about something, it cannot hurt them.
What a man says drunk, he thinks sober.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
What soberness conceals, drunkenness reveals.	People are less discreet under the influence of alcohol.
When the cat's away, the mice play.	People sometimes misbehave when the person in authority, is absent.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.	You should adopt the customs of the people or country you are visiting and behave in the same way.
When poverty comes in the door, love goes out the window.	When a couple loses everything, their relationship becomes difficult.
Where there's life there's hope.	As long as a person is breathing, there is hope for recovery.
Where there's a will there's a way.	If you are determined to do something, you will find a way to do it.
Who makes himself a sheep will be eaten by the wolves.	Possible interpretation: an easily influenced person can be mislead.
(A) wise head keeps a still tongue	An intelligent person knows when to stay silent.
Wisdom is better than strength.	It is preferable to use one's intelligence than one's physical strength.
(The) wish is father to the thought.	You think that something is true because you want it to be so.
(A) wonder lasts but nine days	The effects of an amazing or stirring event last only nine days; after that, life goes on as before.
Wonders will never cease!	Expresses surprise at an unexpected pleasure or event.
Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.	Worrying over small details can make them seem worse.
(Two) wrongs don't make a right.	It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you.

Alphabetical List - T

Tall oaks grow from little acorns.	Great things may come from small beginnings.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.	Children resemble their parents.
The best advice is found on the pillow.	A good night's sleep may help us find an answer to our problem.
The best things in life are free.	You don't have to pay for what is important: happiness, friendship, good health.
The darkest hour is just before dawn.	The most difficult moment is just before a problem is solved.
The devil looks after his own.	Success comes to those who deserve it least.
The devil makes work for idle hands.	People who have no work, or are idle, often get into trouble.
The die is cast.	A decision has been made and it is impossible to change it.
The early bird catches the worm.	Act early, or before anyone else, if you want to have an advantage or be successful.
The end justifies the means.	Wrong or unfair methods may be used if the result of the action is good.
The first step is the hardest.	The most difficult part of an action is the beginning.
The more haste, the less speed.	A person makes more progress if they take time to do things carefully.
The more you have, the more you want.	People have a constant desire to possess more.
The mouse that has but one hole is quickly taken.	If you depend on just one thing, and it fails, you have no alternatives.
The pen is mightier than the sword.	Words and communication have a greater effect than war and fighting.
The proof of the pudding is in the eating.	The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested.
The road to hell is paved with good intentions.	It is not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it.
The tongue wounds more than a lance.	Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries.
The truth is in the wine.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.	Feed a man well and he will love you.
The wish is father to the thought.	You think that something is true because you want it to be so.
There is a black sheep in every flock.	There is always someone who doesn't behave or perform like the others.
There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.	We do not own something until we actually get it.
There is a trick in every trade.	There is an established way of doing things.
There is no fool like an old fool.	An older person is expected to behave more sensibly.
There is safety in numbers.	Being in a crowd makes you feel more confident.
(A) tidy house holds a bored woman.	If a house is always tidy, the owner (woman) has nothing but housework to occupy her time.
Time and tide wait for no man.	Delaying a decision will not prevent events from taking place.
Time has wings.	Time goes by quickly.
Time heals all wounds.	The passage of time lessens the impact of bad events.
Time is money.	Time is valuable and should not be wasted.
To err is human, to forgive divine.	It is human nature to make mistakes, therefore one should forgive them.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.	If too many people are involved in something, it will not be done properly.
Too much bed makes a dull head.	When you sleep too much, you are not able to think clearly.
(The) tongue wounds more than a lance.	Insults can be more hurtful than physical injuries.
A tree is known by its fruit.	A person is judged by their actions.
Trust not a horse's heel nor a dog's tooth.	A horse kicks from behind, a dog attacks with its teeth.
Truth has no answer.	You cannot argue against facts or refute what is true.
(The) truth is in the wine.	People speak more freely under the influence of alcohol.
Truth is stranger than fiction.	Events in real life are often stranger than in fiction.
Two wrongs don't make a right.	It is wrong to harm someone because they have harmed you.

Alphabetical List - R

Revenge is sweet.	There is satisfaction in returning an injury.
(A) rising tide lifts all boats.	Refers to something that will be helpful to all.
(The) road to hell is paved with good intentions.	It is not enough to intend to do something, you must actually do it.
(A) rolling stone gathers no moss	If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor possessions. Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down!
Rome was not built in a day.	It takes time to a job properly.  You should not expect to do it quickly.
(A) rotten apple spoils the barrel.	A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group.

Alphabetical List - S

Save me from my friends.	Friends can be more dangerous than enemies.
Saying is one thing, doing is another.	People don't always do what they announce.
Short reckonings make long friends.	Debts paid quickly encourage friendship.
Sickness in the body brings sadness to the mind.	Physical suffering can lead to sadness or depression.
Silence gives consent.	If you don't object something, it is assumed that you agree with it.
(A) soft answer turneth away wrath.	If your reply is polite and tactful you will avoid anger.
(A) smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.	Overcoming adversity leads to competence.
Snug as a bug in a rug.	Feeling very comfortable.
Spare the rod and spoil the child.	If you don't punish a child when he does wrong, you will spoil his character.
Speech is silver, silence is golden.	Speaking is good, but discretion can be better.
Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.	Physical attacks may harm me, but cruel words will  not.
Still waters run deep.	A quiet person with a calm outward appearance can have much knowledge or wisdom.
(A) stitch in time saves nine.	It's better to deal with a problem at an early stage so as to prevent it from getting worse.
Stolen fruit is sweet / the sweetest Stolen pleasures are the sweetest.	What is forbidden is the most tempting.
(A) stumble may prevent a fall.	Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one.
(A) swallow does not make the summer.	One good event does not mean that everything is alright.

Alphabetical List - P-Q

(The) pen is mightier than the sword.	Words and communication have a greater effect than war and fighting.
Penny wise, pound foolish.	Refers to a person who is careful about spending small amounts of money, but not careful about spending large amounts.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.	One should not criticize others for faults similar to one's own and risk retaliation.
(A) picture paints a thousand words.	A picture is better than a long description.
Pity is akin to love.	If you begin to feel sorry for someone, you may start to love them.
Poverty waits at the gates of idleness.	If you do not work, you will not earn any money.
Practice makes perfect.	Doing something repeatedly is the only way to become good at it.
Practice what you preach.	Do yourself what you advise others to do.
Prevention is better than cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or cure the disease later.
Pride comes before a fall.	Don't be too self-confident or proud; something may happen to make you look foolish.
(A) problem shared is a problem halved.	It is easier to deal with a problem when you discuss it with someone.
Procrastination is the thief of time.	Delaying an action for too long is a waste of time.
(The) proof of the pudding is in the eating.	The real value of something can be judged only after it has been tried or tested.
Punctuality is the soul of business.	You should always be on time for your business appointments.
Put all your eggs in one basket.	Risk everything by relying on one plan (e.g. by putting all one's money into one business).

English Proverbs

A bad excuse is better than none.	Always give an excuse, even if it's a poor one.
A bad penny always turns up.	An unwanted or disreputable person constantly comes back.
A bad tree does not yield good apples.	A bad parent does not raise good children.
A bad workman blames his tools.	Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of skill.
A barking dog seldom bites.	Someone who constantly makes threats rarely carries them out.
A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.	It is better to keep what you have rather than to risk losing it by searching for something better.
A black plum is as sweet as a white.	People should not be judged by their appearance.
A book holds a house of gold.	There is a wealth of knowledge in books.
A broken friendship may be soldered but will never be sound.	Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
A burden of one's own choice is not felt.	Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
A burnt child dreads the fire.	A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.
A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.	A person shows their competence or ability when difficulties arise.
A cat has nine lives.	1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury. 2) Nine lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.	The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
A change is as good as a rest.	A change in routine is often as refreshing as a break or a holiday.
A constant guest is never welcome.	If you come to visit too often, your host will be less pleased to see you.
A danger foreseen is half avoided.	If you are prepared to face a problem or difficulty, it will be easier to deal with.
A day of sorrow is longer than a month of joy.	Times goes by very quickly when you are happy and very slowly when you are sad.
A drop of ink may make a million think.	A thought expressed in writing (perhaps published in a newspaper) can influence a large number of people.
A dry March, a wet April and a cool May fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.	Harvest predictions are made according to the weather.
A fault confessed is half redressed.	Confession is the beginning of forgiveness.
A flower blooms more than once.	If you miss an occasion, you can avail yourself of it another time.
A fly will not get into a closed mouth. A closed mouth catches no flies.	If you learn when to keep silent you will avoid trouble.
A fool and his money are (soon) easily parted.	A foolish person usually spends money carelessly.
A fool at forty is a fool forever.	If a person hasn't matured by the age of 40, they never will.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.	Someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
A friend to all is a friend to none.	Someone who is a friend to everyone makes none of them feel special.
A friend's eye is a good mirror.	A real friend will tell you the truth.
A good beginning makes a good end.	If a task is carefully planned, there's a better chance that it will be well done.
A good conscience is a soft pillow.	You sleep well when you have nothing to be guilty about.
A good example is the best sermon.	Giving a good example is better than giving advice.
A good mind possesses a kingdom.	Intellectual assets are more valuable than material ones.
A good name is better than a good face.	A good reputation is better than a good appearance.
A growing youth has a wolf in his belly.	Young boys eat a lot / are often hungry.
A guilty conscience needs no accuser.	If you know that you have done something wrong, you don't need anyone to tell you that you're guilty.
A handful of patience is worth more than a bushel of brains.	Patience is more precious than intelligence.
A happy heart is better than a full purse.	Happiness is better than wealth.
A heavy purse gives to a light heart.	When you have money you feel more cheerful and secure.
A hedge between keeps friendship green.	It is important to respect the privacy of others.
A hungry belly has no ears.	A hungry person is totally concentrated on their need for food and nothing else interests them.
A hungry wolf is fixed to no place.	A desperate person will go from place to place when they need to satisfy their needs.