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Thursday, 29 July 2010

It is the first step that is difficult.
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Politeness -- The most acceptable hypocrisy.
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( Bierce, Ambrose | Politeness )
A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs

European Proverbs in 55 Languages with Equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese



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  • A fair FACE, foul heart.
    La chip frumos si la inimã gãunos.
    Sim. Fair without, foul within.

     

  • The FACE is the index of the mind.
    Chipul omului e oglinda sufletului.

     

  • We carry our neighbours' FAILINGS in sight; we throw our own crimes over our shoulders.
    Vezi mai întâi gunoiul din ochiul tãu si apoi vorbeste pe altul de rãu.

     

  • FAIR is not fair, but that which pleases.
    Nu e frumos ce e frumos, e frumos ce-mi place mie.
    Nu-mi place pentru cã-i frumos, ci-i frumos pentru cã-mi place.
    Sim. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
    Cf. The CROW thinks her own birds fairest.

     

  • No flying from FATE.
    Din ce ti-e ursitã nu poti sã scapi.
    Nu va scãpa omul de ce e ursit sã pãteascã.
    Sim. Whatever happens, all happens as it should.
    Cf. The FATED will happen / He that is born to be HANGED shall never be drowned / What MUST be, must be.

     

  • The FATED will happen.
    Ce ti-e scris, în frunte ti-e pus.
    Sim. Whatever happens all happens as it should.
    Cf. No flying from FATE / He that is born to be HANGED shall never be drowned / What MUST be must be.

     

  • After a thrifty FATHER, a prodigal son.
    Tatãl adunã paiele ca aurul, fiul risipeste aurul ca paiele.
    Banii strângãtorului pe mâna risipitorului.
    Sim. The father buys, the son bigs, the grandchild sells, and his son begs.
    Cf. After a great GETTER comes a great spender.

     

  • Like FATHER, like son.
    Ce fel e tata e si fiul.
    Cf. A CHIP off the old block / Like MOTHER, like daughter.

     

  • Like FATHER, like son; like mother like daughter.
    Copiii dupã pãrinti, ca poamele dupã pom.
    Cf. A CHIP off the old block / Like MOTHER, like daughter.

     

  • One FATHER can support ten children; ten children cannot support one father.
    Un tatã poate sã hrãneascã zece fii, dar zece fii nu pot sã hrãneascã un tatã.
    Cf. One FATHER is enough to govern one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons one father.

     

  • One FATHER is enough to govern one hundred sons, but not a hundred sons one father.
    Un pãrinte pe toti copiii îi hrãneste, iar copiii toti p-un pãrinte nu-l pot hrãni.
    Cf. One FATHER can support ten children; ten children cannot support one father.

     

  • The FATHERS have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge.
    Pãrintii au mâncat struguri necopti si au strepezit dintii copiilor.
    Pãrintii mãnâncã mere acre (aguridã) si copiilor li se strepezesc dintii.
    Pãrintii au mâncat aguridã si copiilor li s-au strepezit dintii.
    Adam a mâncat mãrul însã dintii nostri strepezesc.
    * Ezekiel 18, 2 / Iezechiel 18, 2

     

  • A FAULT confessed is half redressed.
    Pãcatul mãrturisit este pe jumãtate iertat.

     

  • Every one can find FAULT; few can do better.
    Lesne a critica, dar anevoie a alcãtui.

     

  • He that commits a FAULT thinks everyone speaks of it.
    Omul nedrept se teme de toti.
    Cine se stie cu musca pe cãciulã se apãrã.
    Vinovatul negonit fuge.
    Sim. The faulty stands on his guard.

     

  • FAULTS are thick where love is thin.
    Unde-i dragoste putinã, lesne-i a gãsi pricinã.

     

  • Hard is for any man all FAULTS to mend.
    Nu poti îndrepta lumea cu umãrul.

     

  • The first FAULTS are theirs that commit them, the second theirs that permit them.
    Când te-a înselat cineva o datã, e de vinã el; când te-a înselat a doua oarã, esti de vinã singur.
    Sim. He that deceives me once, shame fall him; if he deceives me twice, shame fall me.

     

  • FAVOUR is deceitful, and beauty is vain.
    Înselãtor este farmecul si desartã este frumusetea.
    * Proverbs 31, 30 / Pilde 31, 30

     

  • FEAR gives wings.
    Frica are picioare lungi.

     

  • FEAR hath a quick ear.
    Omul fricos totdeauna umblã cu gheata în sân.

     

  • FEAR is stronger than love.
    Unde este fricã nu încape dragoste.

     

  • FEAR keeps and looks to the vineyard, and not the owner.
    Frica pãzeste via (pãdurea, bostãnãria, pepenii).
    Var. Fear keeps the garden better than the gardener.

     

  • Foolish FEAR doubleth danger.
    Frica totdeauna aduce primejdie.
    Sim. Fear takes molehills for mountains.

     

  • No FENCE against ill fortune.
    Dacã n-ai noroc si parte, degeaba te scoli de noapte.

     

  • FIELDS have eyes, and woods have ears.
    Câmpu-i cu ochi, pãdurea cu urechi.
    Pãdurea are urechi si câmpul nu putini ochi.
    Sim. The day has eyes, the night has ears.
    Cf. WALLS have ears.

     

  • Give a clown your FINGER, and he will take your hand.
    Îi dai degetul, el îti apucã mâna.
    Dai un deget si-ti ia mâna toatã.
    Cf. Give him an INCH and he'll take an ell.

     

  • A little FIRE burns up a great deal of corn.
    O scânteie e de ajuns ca sã ardã gireada întreagã.
    Cf. Of a small SPARK a great fire.

     

  • FIRE is the test of gold; adversity of friendship.
    Vremea pe prieten, ca focul pe aur, în adevãr l-aratã.
    Var. Fire is the test of gold.
    Cf. GOLD is tried in the fire.

     

  • If you play with FIRE you get burnt.
    Cine se joacã cu focul se frige.
    Nu te juca cu focul, cã îndatã te pârlesti.
    Sim. He warms too near that burns.

     

  • It is a dangerous FIRE that begins in the bed straw.
    Scânteile pe paie cum cad le aprind.

     

  • No FIRE, no smoke.
    De unde nu-i foc, nici fum nu iese.
    Pânã nu faci foc nu iese fum.
    Var. Make no fire, raise no smoke.
    Cf. No SMOKE without fire.

     

  • Better be FIRST in a village than second at Rome.
    Mai bine cap la sat decât coadã la oras.
    Mai bine în satul tãu fruntas decât codas la oras.

     

  • FIRST come, first served.
    Pe rând, ca la moarã.
    Tine rândul, ca la moarã.

     

  • Big FISH eat little fish.
    Pestele cel mare înghite pe cel mic.
    Pestii cei mari manâncã pe cei mici.
    Var. The great fish eat up the small.

     

  • FISH and guests stink after three days.
    Dupã trei zile oaspetii se pun la râsnitã.
    Var. Fresh fish and new-come guests smell in three days.
    Sim. A constant GUEST is never welcome.

     

  • FISH must swim thrice.
    Pestele cere vin.

     

  • Old FISH and young flesh do feed men best.
    Carne tânãrã si peste bãtrân.

     

  • The FISH always stinks from the head downwards.
    Pestele de la cap se-mpute.
    Var. Fish begins to stink at the head.

     

  • You must not teach FISH to swim.
    Pe vultur înveti sã zboare?
    Sim. An old fox needs learn no craft.

     

  • It is good FISHING in troubled waters.
    Tulburã apa ca sã pescuiascã.

     

  • It is ill FISHING before the net.
    Sã nu prinzi peste înaintea sacului.

     

  • A FLATTERER's throat is an open sepulchre.
    Fereste-te de lingusitori, dacã nu vrei sã mori.

     

  • Keep FLAX from fire and youth from gaming.
    Tânãr lângã tânãrã ca paiele lângã foc.
    Sim. Fire cannot be hidden in flax / A woman is flax, man is fire, the devil comes and blows the bellows.

     

  • Hungry FLIES bite sore.
    Musca flãmândã înteapã rãu.

     

  • You will catch more FLIES with a spoonful of honey than with a gallon of vinegar.
    Cu o lingurã de miere mai multe muste prinzi decât cu o bute de otet.
    Cf. HONEY catches more flies than vinegar.

     

  • The FLOCK follow the bell-wether.
    Turma merge dupã berbec.

     

  • One FLOWER makes no garland.
    Numai c-o floare ghirlanda nu se face.
    Cu o floare nu se face primãvara.
    Cf. One SWALLOW does not make a summer.

     

  • A FLY follows the honey.
    La stup de miere, roi de muste.

     

  • He changes a FLY into an elephant.
    Face din tântar armãsar.
    Face musca cât cãmila.
    Mincinosul cu de-a sila face musca cât cãmila.
    Sim. To make a mountain out of a molehill.

     

  • The FLY has her spleen and the ant her gall.
    Si furnica, de e furnicã, tot are mânie, cât e de micã.
    Musca, si de nu muscã tare, tot ti-aduce supãrare.
    Var. Even a fly hath its spleen.
    Cf. Even a WORM will turn.

     

  • The FLY that plays too long in the candle, singes his wings at last.
    Fluturele când se-ntoarce pe lângã vâlvoare, aripile si le arde.

     

  • No FLYING without wings.
    Nu te încerca a zbura înainte de a avea aripi.
    Pasãrea fãrã aripi nicicum nu poate zbura.
    Cine fãrã aripi munceste sã zboare pururea îl vezi cã cade în bot.

     

  • A secret FOE gives a sudden blow.
    Cãrbunele acoperit pe nesimtite te arde.
    Fereste-te de cãrbunele acoperit.

     

  • Short FOLK are soon angry.
    Mic ca acul si rãu ca dracul.

     

  • FOLLY and learning often dwell together.
    Unde e învãtãturã multã e si nebunie multã.

     

  • A FOOL and his money are soon parted.
    Fiecare nebun poate sã câstige bani, dar nu poate sã-i pãstreze.

     

  • A FOOL believes everything.
    Omul prost crede tot.
    Prostul face ce vede si ce aude crede.
    * Proverbs 14, 15 / Pilde 14, 15

     

  • A FOOL may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.
    Un prost poate sã punã mai multe întrebãri decât poate un întelept sã rãspundã.
    Cf. FOOLS ask questions that wise men cannot answer.

     

  • A FOOL may give a wise man counsel.
    Sã-ti aduci aminte de cuvintele nebunului.
    Cel întelept de la cel nebun multe aflã si învatã.
    Sim. A fool may sometimes speak to the purpose.

     

  • A FOOL may throw a stone into a well, which a hundred wise men cannot pull out.
    Un nebun arunc-o piatrã în baltã si zece cuminti n-o pot scoate.

     

  • He is a FOOL (ass) that brayeth against another fool (ass).
    Cine cunoaste pe prost e si mai prost decât el.

     

  • He that is born a FOOL is never cured.
    Nebunia din nãscare niciodatã leac nu are.
    Prostia din fire n-are lecuire.

     

  • To promise and give nothing is comfort to a FOOL.
    Înteleptul fãgãduieste si nebunul trage nãdejde.

     

  • A FOOL's bolt is soon shot.
    Prostul întâi vorbeste si apoi se gândeste.

     

  • A FOOL's tongue is long enough to cut his own throat.
    Gura ucide mai mult decât sabia.

     

  • FOOLS are wise as long as silent.
    Prostul care tace trece de-ntelept.
    Chiar prostul, tãcând, de întelept toti-l cred.
    * Proverbs 17, 28 / Pilde 17, 28

     

  • FOOLS ask questions that wise men cannot answer.
    Un nebun întreabã si zece întelepti nu-i pot rãspunde.
    Cf. A FOOL may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.

     

  • FOOLS make feasts, and wise men eat them.
    Nebunii dau mese si înteleptii mãnâncã.
    Nebunul tine lingura iar înteleptul mãnâncã.
    Sim. Set a fool to roast eggs, and a wise man to eat them / Fools build houses, and wise men live in them.

     

  • If you had all the wit in the world FOOLS would fell you.
    Între multi nebuni si cel mai întelept se pierde.

     

  • Who has neither FOOLS nor beggars nor whores among his kindred, was born of a stroke of thunder.
    Hotul si curva au fost de când lumea.

     

  • Better a bare FOOT than none.
    Mai bine schiop decât fãrã picioare.

     

  • Better the FOOT slip than the tongue.
    Vorba pe unde a iesit, mai bine sã fi tusit.
    Mai bine este cãderea pe pamânt decât cãderea din pricina limbii.
    * Ecclesiasticus 20, 18 / Sirah 20, 18

     

  • One FOOT is better than two crutches.
    Un picior sãnãtos e mai de priintã decât douã catalige.

     

  • The master's FOOTSTEPS fatten the soil.
    Urmele stãpânului, economia casei.
    Var. The master's footsteps fattens the soil, and his foot the ground.

     

  • There is great FORCE hidden in a sweet command.
    Vorbele cele dulci deschid usa cea de fier.

     

  • It is not good praising a FORD till a man be over.
    Nu zi: hop! pânã n-ai sãrit.
    Nu zice "hop" pânã nu treci santu (puntea).
    Sim. Never fry fish till it's caught / Count not four, except you have them in the wallet / Do not halloo till you are out of the wood.
    Cf. Don't sell the BEAR's skin before you have caught him / Don't cross the BRIDGE till you come to it / Do not count your CHICKENS before they are hatched.

     

  • FOREWARNED is forearmed.
    Un om destept face cât doi.

     

  • FORGIVE all but thyself.
    Iartã pe toti numai pe tine nu.

     

  • It is easier to FORGIVE than to forget.
    A ierta e usor, a uita e greu.
    Este lesne a ierta, dar este greu a uita.

     

  • FORTUNE favours fools.
    Norocul prostului.

     

  • FORTUNE favours the brave (bold).
    Norocul ajutã pe cei îndrãzneti.

     

  • FORTUNE is blind.
    Norocu-i orb.
    Var. Fortune is blind and makes blind.

     

  • FORTUNE is made of glass.
    Norocu-i spart în fund.
    Var. Fortune is like glass.

     

  • FORTUNE is variant.
    Norocul e schimbãtor.

     

  • FORTUNE knocks once at least at every man's gate.
    Omul numai o datã-n viatã dã cu norocul fatã.
    Var. Opportunity never knocks twice at any man's door.

     

  • When FORTUNE knocks, open the door.
    Norocu nu stã în drum.
    Nu da binelui cu piciorul, cã pe urmã o sã-i duci dorul.
    Var. When fortune smiles, embrace her.

     

  • FORTUNE's wheel is never stopped.
    Norocul se-nvârte ca roata.
    Norocu-i ca o scarã, unul când se suie, altul se coboarã.
    Var. Not only ought fortune to be pictured on a wheel, but every thing else in the world.

     

  • He that has to do with what is FOUL never comes away clean.
    Cine umblã cu fer se umple de ruginã.
    Cf. He that measures OIL shall anoint his fingers / He that touches PITCH shall be defiled.

     

  • He that has but FOUR and spends five, has no need of a purse.
    Cinci câstig, sapte mãnânc, ce rãmâne bag în pungã.
    Cine cheltuieste peste ceea ce câstigã n-are-n casã mãmãligã.

     

  • An old FOX is not easily snared.
    Vulpea bãtrânã nu cade în curse.
    Sim. You cannot catch old birds with chaff.

     

  • At length the FOX is brought to the furrier.
    Vulpea dupã moarte de cojocari are parte.
    Sim. Every fox must pay his own skin to the flayer.

     

  • At length the FOX turns monk.
    Vulpea, dupã ce a îmbãtrânit, s-a fãcut gãinãritã.

     

  • He sets the FOX to keep his geese.
    S-a dus lupul sã-ngrãdeascã stâna si vulpea sã îngrijeascã gãinãria.
    Cf. To set the WOLF to keep the sheep.

     

  • The FOX knows much, but more he that catcheth him.
    Vulpea e vicleanã, dar mai viclean e cel ce o prinde.

     

  • The FOX may grow grey, but never good.
    Vulpea pãrul îsi schimbã, iar nãravul niciodatã.
    Cf. The WOLF may lose his teeth, but never his nature.

     

  • The sleepy FOX has seldom feathered breakfasts.
    Vulpea care doarme nu prinde gãini.
    Var. The sleeping fox catches no poultry.
    Sim. When the fox sleeps, no grapes fall in his mouth.

     

  • When the FOX preaches then beware your geese.
    Ia seama la gâste când vulpea tine predici.
    Pãzeste gâstele când vezi cã le descântã vulpea.

     

  • A faithful FRIEND is hard to find, remember man and keep in mind.
    Fericit cel ce a dobândit prieten bun si cinstit.

     

  • A FRIEND in a way is better than a penny in the purse.
    Un prieten face mai mult decât o pungã de galbeni.
    Sim. A friend in the market is better than money in the chest.

     

  • A FRIEND in need is a friend indeed.
    Prietenul la vreme de nevoie se cunoaste.
    În vremea necazului se cunosc prietenii.
    Var. A friend is never known till a man have need.

     

  • A good FRIEND is a treasure.
    Cine a aflat în lume prieten adevãrat, el o comoarã bogatã în viata sa a câstigat.
    Prieten adevãrat, avere nepretuitã.
    * Ecclesiasticus 6, 14 / Sirah 6, 14

     

  • A good FRIEND is my nearest relation.
    Mai bun este prietenul cel de aproape, decât fratele cel de departe.
    Mai bine un prieten apropiat decât o rudã depãrtatã.
    Cf. A near NEIGHBOUR is better than a far-dwelling kinsman.
    * Proverbs 18, 24 / Pilde 18, 24

     

  • Before you make a FRIEND eat a bushel of salt with him.
    Trebuie sã mãnânci un car cu sare cu cineva ca sã-l poti cunoaste bine.
    Pânã nu mãnânci cu omul o maje de sare nu-l poti cunoaste.
    Sim. You should know a man seven years before you stir his fire.

     

  • I cannot be your FRIEND and your flatterer too.
    Prieten adevãrat este acela care te sfãtuieste spre bine, iar nu acela care îti laudã nebuniile.

     

  • Love your FRIEND with his fault.
    Cine cautã prieteni fãrã cusur, fãrã prieteni rãmâne.

     

  • Admonish your FRIENDS in private, praise them in public.
    Pe prieten în spate sã-l bati.

     

  • FRIENDS may meet, but mountains never greet.
    Munte cu munte nu se-ntâlneste, dar om cu om se-ntâlneste.
    Deal cu deal se întâlneste, dar om cu om.

     

  • FRIENDS tie their purse with a cobweb thread.
    Punga i-a fãcut pãianjen la gurã.

     

  • Make new FRIENDS but keep the old.
    Prieteni noi sã-ti faci, dar d-ãi bãtrâni sã nu te lasi.
    Niciodatã, pentru un prieten nou câstigat, nu lepãda pe cel vechi.
    Sim. Old acquaintance will soon be remembered.

     

  • Many FRIENDS in general, one in special.
    Mai bine un prieten si bun decât o mie si nebuni.

     

  • Old FRIENDS and old wine and old gold are best.
    Prietenul vechi e ca si vinul; cu cât e mai vechi, cu atât e mai bun.
    Prietenul vechi e ca si vinul vechi: cu cât se-nvecheste, mai cu bucurie se bea.
    Var. Old friends and old wine are best.
    * Ecclesiasticus, 9, 10 / Sirah, 9, 10

     

  • A broken FRIENDSHIP may be soldered, but will never be sound.
    Dragoste pre-nnoite, ca bucatele încãlzite.
    Sim. Take heed of reconciled enemies and of meat twice boiled.
    Cf. CABBAGE twice cooked is death.

     

  • They must hunger in FROST that will not work in heat.
    Cine vara petrece cântând, iarna rãmâne flãmând.
    Cine vara stã si doarme, iarna, biet, moare de foame.
    Cine n-are vara minte, iarna nu mãnâncã plãcinte.

     

  • Forbidden FRUIT is sweet.
    Fructul oprit e mai dulce.
    Var. Stolen fruit is sweet.
    Cf. Stolen WATERS are sweet.
    * Genesis 3, 6 / Facerea, 3, 6

     

  • He that would eat the FRUIT must climb the tree.
    Pâinea nu vine singurã la tine, ci trebuie s-o cauti.

     

  • Out of the FRYING-PAN into the fire.
    A cãdea din cãldare (ceaun) în foc.

     

  • The FRYING-PAN said to the kettle, "Avaunt, black brows!"
    Râde ciob de oalã spartã.
    Sim. The kiln calls the oven burnt-hearth / The pot calls the kettle black.
    Cf. Thou art a bitter BIRD, said the raven to the starling / The KETTLE calls the pot black-brows (burnt-arse).

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