The most important English Proverbs This is a list of some of the most important and well-known English proverbs. Below each one, there's
a simple explanation.
The meanings of some of these phrases have shifted over the years, so a proverb might have originally
had a different meaning than the one I explain.
1. «Two wrongs don't make a right». Tweet This! When someone has done something bad to you, trying to get revenge will only make things
worse.
2. «The pen is mightier than the sword». Tweet This! Trying to convince people with ideas and words is more effective than trying to force
people to do what you want.
3. «When in Rome, do as the Romans». Tweet This! Act the way that the people around you are acting. This phrase might come in handy when
you're traveling abroad notice that people do things differently than you're used to.
4. «The squeaky wheel gets the grease» « Tweet This! You can get better service if you complain about something. If you wait patiently, no one's going to help you. «When the going gets tough, the tough get going». Tweet This! Strong people don't give up when they come across challenges. They just work harder.
5. «No man is an island». Tweet This! You can't live completely independently. Everyone needs help from other people.
6. «Fortune favors the bold». Tweet This! People who bravely go after what they want are more successful than people who try to
live safely.
7. «People who live in glass houses should not throw stones». Tweet This! Don't criticize other people if you're not perfect yourself.
8. «Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst». Tweet This! Bad things might happen, so be prepared.
9. «Better late than never». Tweet This! It's best to do something on time. But if you can't do it on time, do it late.
