French proverbs

French proverbs are short expressions of popular wisdom in French-speaking countries. The wisdom is in the form of a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation.

A

• À bois noueux, hache affilée.
  • Idiomatic translation: You must meet roughness with roughness.
  • Example: If someone treats you poorly, you should treat him equally poorly.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 12. ISBN 0415160502. 

• À goupil endormi rinen ne tombe en la geule.
  • Translation: Into a closed mouth no flies ever entered.
  • English equivalent: A close mouth catches no flies.
  • Meaning: It is wise not to speak when it is not necessary.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 0415096243. 

• À mauvais ouvrier point de bon outil.
  • Translation: A bad craftsman blames his tools.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 0415160502. 

• A chaque oiseaux son nid est beau.
  • Idiomatic translation: The bird loves her own nest.
  • Meaning: If we were to grade ourselves, the grade would virtually always be very good; We most often vastly overestimate ourselves.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 776. ISBN 0415096243. 

• À cheval donné on ne regarde pas les dents (French) / la bride (Canadian).
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
  • Literal translation: At a given horse one doesn't look at the teeth / bridle (the bit in the horse's mouth).
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 0415160502. 

• A confesseurs, médicins, avocats, la vérité ne cèle de ton cas.
  • Idiomatic translation: Conceal not the truth from thy physcian and lawyer.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 666. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A l'étroit mais entre amis.
  • Idiomatic translation: The more the merrier.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1094. ISBN 0415096243. 

• À l'œuvre, on connaît l'artisan.
  • Translation: The craftsman by his work is known.
  • Jean de La Fontaine, Fables (1668–1679), I., 21, Les Frelons et les Mouches à miel; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 1.

• À raconter ses maux, souvent on les soulage.
  • Idiomatic translation: A problem shared is a problem halved.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 351. ISBN 0415096243. 

• À tort se lamente de la mer qui ne s'ennuie d'y retourner.
  • Idiomatic translation: He complains wrongfully at the sea that suffer shipwreck twice.
  • Meaning: Don't do the same thing again and expect different results.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 898. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A qui il a été beaucoup donné, il sera beaucoup demandé.
  • Translation: To whom much is entrusted, much is required.
  • English equivalent: Much is expected where much is given.
  • Meaning: With great resources comes great responsibility.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1095. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera.
  • Translation: Help yourself and heaven will help you.
  • English equivalent: Heaven help those who help themselves; God helps those who help themselves.
  • Meaning: When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 150. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Lamy, Marie-Noklle (1997). The Cambridge French-English Thesaurus (illustrated, reprint ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 103. ISBN 0521425816. 

• Amour, toux et fumée En ne secret sont demeurée.
  • Idiomatic translation: Love, smoke and cough are hard to hide.
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 50. 

• A tout pourquoi il y a (un) parce que.
  • Idiomatic translation: Every why has a wherefore.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A qui la tete fait mal, souffre par tout le corps.
  • Translation: Which has the head hurts, the whole body suffers.
  • English equivalent: When the head is sick, the whole body is sick.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1117. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A vrai dire peu de paroles.
  • Translation: The truth says a few words.
  • English equivalent: Truth gives a short answer, lies go round about.
  • Latin equivalent: Obscuris vera involvens.
    • Translation: Obscurity envelops truth.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1183. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Au bout du fossé, la culbute.
  • Translation: Pride comes before fall.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1148. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Aux grands maux, les grandes remèdes.
  • Idiomatic translation: Fight fire with fire.
  • Meaning: One must defeat evil with the same type of evil. For example, if someone is being ironic – be equally ironic in return.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 688. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Attente tourmente.
  • Idiomatic translation: Who lives by hope will die of hunger.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 952. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Au fruit on connaît l'arbre..
  • Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 488. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Aux derniers les bons morceaux.
  • Idiomatic translation: The sweetest flesh is near the bones.
  • Meaning: Nearest is the best.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1176. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Aujourd'hui à moi, demain à toi.
  • Translation: Today for me, and tomorrow for you.
  • English equivalent: Today me, tomorrow thee.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1038. ISBN 0415096243. 

B

• Bacchus a noyé plus de gens que Neptune: La gourmandise tue plus de gens que l'épée.
  • Idiomatic translation: Gluttony kills more than the sword; Wine has drowned more than the sea.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 864. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Beacoup de paille, peu de grains.
  • Idiomatic translation: Much bran and little meal.
  • Meaning: Great talkers are little doers.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1095. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Bois tortu fait feu droit.
  • Idiomatic translation: Crooked logs make straight fires.
  • Meaning: If nothing better is available, anything flawed is also useful; Instead of being frustrated by a bad situation, try to find ways to improve it.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 683. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Bon marché tire agent de bourse.
  • Translation: What is cheap is the most costly.
  • English equivalent: If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 53. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Bon sang ne peut mentir.
  • Translation: Good blood cannot lie.
  • English equivalent: Good blood always shows itself.
  • Alain-René Lesage, Gil Blas (1715-1735), X., 1; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 13.
  • Alternately reported as Bon sang ne saurait mentir, "Good blood wouldn't know how to lie".

• Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée.
  • Idiomatic translation: A good reputation is better than riches.
  • Literal meaning: A good reputation is worthier than a golden belt.
  • English equivalent: A good name is the best of all treasures.
  • Source: Rozan, Charles (1887). Petites ignorances de la conversation. P. Ducrocq. p. 460. 

• Bonnee volontee est reputee pour le fait.
  • Idiomatic translation: Take the will for the deed.
  • Meaning: Judge by the well intentioned effort, and not its effects.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 881. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Bons nageurs sont a las fin noyes.
  • Idiomatic translation: Good swimmers are often drowned.
  • Meaning: Beware of letting your competence lead you into overconfidence.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

C

• C'est donner deux fois, donner promptement.
  • Idiomatic translation: He gives twice, who gives in a trice.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 38. 

• Ce que chante la corneille, chante le corneillon.
  • Translation: As the old crow sing, so sings its fledglings.
  • Meaning: Children will become like older generations.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Ce qui croit soudain, perit le lendemain.
  • Idiomatic translation: Early ripe, early rotten.
  • Meaning: Precocious children will mean much trouble later on.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 758. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ce que l'enfant out au foyer, est bientot connu jusqu'au Moustier.
  • Idiomatic translation: Little pitchers have big ears.
  • Meaning: (Small) children observes and understands more than one might think.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 653. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ce que tout le monde dit doit être vrai.
  • Idiomatic translation: What everybody says must be true.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Celui qui n'est pas avec moi est contre moit.
  • Idiomatic translation: He who is not with me is against me.
  • Originally from the Bible, Luke 11:23 and Matthew 12:30. Specificed as a proverb in (Strauss, 1994 p. 974)

• Celui que est lent à manger est lent à travailler.
  • Idiomatic translation: Quick at meat, quick at work.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1150. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Celui que veut etre jeune quand il est vieux, doit etre veux quand il est jeune.
  • Idiomatic translation: Reckless youth makes rueful age.
  • Meaning: Regretfullness is the reward of recklessness.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1151. ISBN 0415096243. 

• C'est l'exception qui confirme la règle.
  • Translation: It's the exception that proves the rule.
  • Source: Verlaan, P.; Déry, M. (2006). Les conduites antisociales des filles: Comprendre pour mieux agir. Presses de l'Université du Québec. p. 49. ISBN 9782760514249. 

• C'est la poule qui chante qui a fait l'œuf.
  • Literal meaning: It is the hen which sings which has laid the egg.
  • Idiomatic translation: The guilty dog barks the loudest.
  • Source: Cassagne, Jean-Marie (1998). 101 French proverbs: understanding French language and culture through common sayings. McGraw-Hill. p. 49. ISBN 0844212911. 

• C'est le ton qui fait la chanson.
  • Literal meaning: It's the tone that makes the song.
  • Idiomatic translation: It's not what you say but the way you say it.
  • Source: Cassagne, Jean-Marie (1998). 101 French proverbs: understanding French language and culture through common sayings. McGraw-Hill. p. 49. ISBN 0844212911. 

• C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron.
  • Literal meaning: By dint of forging one becomes a blacksmith.
  • Idiomatic translation: Practice makes perfect.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 698. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• C'est trop d'un ennemi et pas assez de cent amis.
  • Idiomatic translation: Do not think that one enemy is insignificant, or that a thousand friends are too many.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 718. ISBN 0415096243. 

• C'est volour prendre la lièvre au son du tampour.
  • Idiomatic translation: Drumming is not the way to catch a hare.
  • Meaning: Don't expect anyone to change his ways by scolding him.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 754. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ce n'est pas la vache qui crie le plus fort qui donne le plus de lait.
  • Idiomatic translation: Great cry, little milk.
  • Literal meaning: It is not the cow who shouts the loudest who gives the most milk.
  • Source: Société liégeoise de littérature wallonne (1892). Bulletin de la Société liégeoise de littérature wallonne, Volym 31. Indiana University. p. 450. 

• Ce qui est fait n'est plus à faire.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don´t leave till tomorrow what can be finished today.
  • Literal translation: What is done no longer needs to be done.
  • Source: Both, Anne (2009). Ce qui est fait n'est plus à faire: ethnographie d'un centre d'archives municipales : [étude réalisée dans le cadre du] programme de recherche Les fabriques du patrimoine. Direction de l'architecture et du patrimoine. 

• Chaque chose vaut son prix.
  • Translation: All things are worth their price.
  • English equivalent: Everything is worth its price.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 800. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cuex que Jupiter veut perdre, il commence par leur oter la raison.
  • Idiomatic translation: Whom God will destroy, he first make mad.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 841. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous.
  • Translation: Every one for himself and God for us all.
  • Henri Estienne, Les Prémices (1595), Epigramme CXXX; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 28 (reported in Harbotle as "pour soy", rather than "pour soi").

• Chacun peut être riche en promesses.
  • Idiomatic translation: Eggs and oaths are soon broken.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Chacun sent le mieux oů le soulier le blesse.
  • Idiomatic translation: No one knows where the shoe pinches, but he who wears it.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 4. 

• Chagrin partagé, chagrin diminué; plaisir partagé, plaisir doublé.
  • Translation: Joy shared, joy doubled: sorrow shared, sorrow halved.
  • English equivalent: Also: Joy shared, joy doubled: sorrow shared, sorrow halved.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 249. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même.
  • Translation: Charity begins at home.
  • Adrien de Montluc, La Comédie de Proverbes, Act III., Scene VII (translated by Le Prevost); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 29 (reported in Harbotle as "soy-même", rather than "soi-même").

• Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide.
  • Idiomatic translation: Once bitten, twice shy.
  • Literal meaning: A scalded cat fears cold water.
  • Signification : If you ever have been hurt by something, you'll be over-cautious of anything that even looks the same.
  • Adrien de Montluc, La Comédie de Proverbes, Act I, Scene VI (translated by Macee); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 30.

• Chassez le naturel, il revient au galop.
  • Idiomatic translation: A leopard cannot change its spots. or If you cast out nature with a fork, it will still return.
  • Literal meaning: Chase away the natural and it returns at a gallop.
  • Philippe Néricault Destouches, Le Glorieux, Act III., Scene V (translated by Lisette); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 29.

• Cherchons la femme.
  • Literal meaning: Let us look for the woman.
  • Idiomatic translation: A woman is probably at the heart of the quarrel.
  • Alexandre Dumas, père, Les Mohicans de Paris, Vol. II., Chapter XL (translation by M. Jackal); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 30. Alternately reported as Cherchez la femme ("Look for the woman").

• Chien qui aboie ne mord pas.
  • Literal meaning: Dog that barks does not bite.
  • Idiomatic translation: Barking dogs seldom bite.
  • Translation 2: His bark is worse than his bite
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 97. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Comparaison n'est pas raison.
  • Translation: Comparison is no reason.
  • English equivalent: Comparisons are odious.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 320. ISBN 0415160502. 

• C'est dans le besoin qu'on reconnaît ses vrais amis.
  • Literal translation: It's when in need that one recognises one's true friends.
  • Idiomatic translation: A friend in need is a friend indeed.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 43. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Ce n'est pas aux vieux singes qu'on apprend à faire des grimaces.
  • Idiomatic translation: You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
  • Literal meaning: You can't teach old monkeys how to make faces.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 116. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées.
  • Idiomatic translation: One should mind one's own business.
  • Literal meaning: Each to his craft, and the cows will be well looked after.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 660. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Coucher de poule et lever de corbeau écartent l'homme du tombeau.
  • Idiomatic translation 1: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
  • Literal meaning: Going to bed with the hen and waking with the crow keeps
  • Source: Bulman, F, F. (1998). Dictionnaire Des Proverbes Anglais-Francais, Francais-Anglais. Presses de l'Université Laval. p. 69. ISBN 9782763776064. 

• Courte priére pénètre les cioux .
  • Idiomatic translation: Short prayers reach heaven.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 75. 

D

• D'un costé Dieu poingt, de l'autre il vingt.
  • Idiomatic translation: God who gives the wound gives the salve.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 874. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Dans le doute, abstiens-toi.
  • Translation: When in doubt, abstain.
  • English equivalent: When in doubt, don't.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1223. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Dans le royaume des aveugles les borgnes sont rois.
  • Translation: In the kingdom of the blind the one-eyed are kings.
  • Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Les Confessions (1770, published 1782), Part I, Book V; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 37.

• De la mesure dont nous mesurons les autres nous serons mesurés.
  • Idiomatic translation: Whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt back to you.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1219. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De mauvais grain jamais bon pain.
  • Idiomatic translation: "A golden bit does not make the horse any better."
  • Meaning: An ugly thing will remain ugly even if its appeareance is taken care of.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 0415160502. 

• De tout s'avise a qui pain faut.
  • Idiomatic translation: Catch not a shadow and lose the substance.
  • Meaning: We should not waste time on trivial aspects of a matter and neglect the essential matter itself..
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 638. ISBN 0415160502. 

• De qui je me fie Dieu me garde.
  • Idiomatic translation: "A mans worst enemies are often those of his own house.”
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Deux ancres sont bonnes au naivre.
  • Idiomatic translation: Good riding at two anchors, men have told, for if the one fails, the other may hold.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Don d'ennemi c'est malencountreux.
  • Translation: Gifts of enemies are no gifts.
  • English equivalent: Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.
  • Meaning: Gifts from enemies are dangerous.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 855. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Donnant donnant.
  • Idiomatic translation: Nothing for nothing.
  • Meaning: He who works for nothing shall receive nothing from others except complaint.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1111. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Donner un oeuf pour avoir une fève.
  • Translation: Who wants to win a gander, you need to weigh Drake.
  • English equivalent: Set a herring to catch a whale.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1134. ISBN 0415096243. 

E

• En toute chose il faut considérer la fin.
  • Translation: In your every endeavor reflect the end.
  • English equivalent: Whatever you do, act wisely, and consider the end.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 600. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Entre l'arbe et l'écorce il ne faut pas mettre le doigt.
  • Idiomatic translation: "Don't go between the tree and the bark."
  • Meaning: Do not interfere when two parts are having an argument.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 729. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Envie est toujours en vie.
  • Idiomatic translation: Envy takes no holiday.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 767. ISBN 0415096243. 

F

• Faire d'una mosca en elefante.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 58. 

• Faire le pas plus long que la jambe.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't have too many irons in the fire.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 977. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Fais comme je dis, non comme j'agis.
  • Idiomatic translation: Preachers say: do as I say, not as i do.
  • Possible interpretation: A man should not reprimand those who are younger than himself, when they are merely doing what he does or has done.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 706. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Fais ce que tu peux, si tu ne peux faire ce que tu veux.
  • Idiomatic translation: Do as you may, if you can't do as you could.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 707. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Faute avouée est à moitié pardonnée.
  • Literal translation: A fault confessed is half forgiven.
  • Idiomatic translation: A fault confessed is a half redressed.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 37. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Faute de mieux le roi couche avec sa femme.
  • Idiomatic translation: Gnaw the bone which is fallen to thy lot.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 865. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Femme bonne vaut une couronne.
  • Idiomatic translation: A cheerful wife is the spice of life.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 20. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Ferveur de novice ne dure pas.
  • Idiomatic translation: New brooms sweep clean.
  • Meaning: Newcomers are the most ambitious.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1103. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Fuis le plaisir qui amène repentir.
  • Translation: Skip the enjoyment that you will regret.
  • English equivalent: Avoid the pleasure which will bite tomorrow.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 11. 

G

• Gardez-vous des faux prophètes.
  • Idiomatic translation: Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, and inwardly are ravening wolves.
  • Meaning: The seemingly most respectable people are quiet often scoundrels; Evil people often act innocently.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 170. ISBN 0415160502. 

H

• Hâtez-vous lentement.
  • Literal translation: Make haste slowly.
  • Idiomatic translation: More haste less speed
  • Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, L’Art Poitiqueé, I., 171; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 54.
  • Latin: Festina lente.

• Heurex sont les enfants dont les pères sont damnés.
  • Idiomatic translation: No one gets rich quickly if he is honest.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 963. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Chi mal pensa, mal abbia.
  • Idiomatic translation: Shame take him that shame thinketh.
  • Meaning: Don't think evil of others since they most likely act the way they do because of situational factors: Never attribute something to malice which can adequately be explained by stupidity.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. entry 806. ISBN 0415096243. 

I

• Il faut donner au diable son dû.
  • Translation: Give even the devil his right.
  • English equivalent: Give the devil his due.
  • Meaning: Don't let a person's obnoxiousness cloud your judgment of him in other regards.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2002). God and the Devil: Proverbs in 9 Euorpean Languages. Teodor Flonta. p. 21. ISBN 1875943412. 

• Il faut être matelot avant d’être capitaine.
  • Idiomatic translation: Learn to walk before you run.
  • Literal meaning: You must be a sailor before you are a captain.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 660. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il faut être deux pour danser le tango.
  • Translation: It takes two to tango.
  • Frenette, M. (2009). Il Faut √ätre Deux Pour Danser Le Tango, Michel Frenette.

• Il faut laisser aller le monde comme il va.
  • Translation: We must adapt ourselves to the world as it comes to us.
  • English equivalent: Take things as you find them.
  • Meaning: Adapt yourself to new surroundings or conditions. For instance, if you are ill, do what you still can instead of waiting to get healthy.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 865. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il faut laver son linge sale en famille.
  • Translation: Washing one's dirty laundry must be done as a family.
  • English equivalent: Don't wash your dirty linen in public; It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
  • Meaning: Don't speak in public of unpleasant private affairs; Don't speak ill of yourself and the groups you belong to.
  • Napoleon, reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 61, referencing Balzac, Eugénie Grandet, p. 184.

• Il faut manger pour vivre, et non pas vivre pour manger.
  • Idiomatic translation: Eat to live, don't live to eat.
  • Literal meaning: One must eat to live, and not live to eat.
  • Molière, L'Avare, Act III., Scene V (translated by Valére); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 61.

• Il faut prêcher d'exemple.
  • Idiomatic translation: Lead by example.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il faut réfléchir avant d'agir.
  • Idiomatic translation: Look before you leap.
  • Meaning: Think before you act.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1069. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il faut qu'une porte soit ouverte ou fermée.
  • Idiomatic translation: There can be no middle ground.
  • Literal meaning: A door must be either open or shut.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 97. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il faut battre le fer pendant qu'il est chaud.
  • Translation 1: Strike while the iron is hot.
  • Translation 2: Make hay while the sun shines.
  • Literal Translation: You must strike the iron while it is hot.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 1080. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il faut casser le noyau pour avoir l'amande.
  • Literal Translation: It is necessary to break the shell to have the almond
  • Translation 1: He who would eat, crack the kernel.
  • Translation 2: No pain, no gain.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 680. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il n'est pas chance qui ne retourne.
  • Idiomatic translation: Opportunity knocks only once.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 400. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il ne convient pas à fol qu'on lui rende cloche au col.
  • Translation: A fool does not need any bells.
  • English equivalent: A tongue of a fool carves a piece of his heart to all that sit near him.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 136. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il ne faut pas brûler la chandelle par les deux bouts.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't burn the candles at both ends.
  • Meaning: Don't wake up early in the morning and stay up late into the evening as well.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1137. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il ne faut pas jouer avec le feu.
  • Idiomatic translation: Do not play with edged tools.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 716. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il n'y a point d'église où le diable n'ait sa chapelle.
  • Translation: Where god has a church the devil will have his chapel.
  • English equivalent: Also: Where god has a church the devil will have his chapel.
  • Meaning: Very seldom does any good thing arise but there comes an ugly phantom of a caricature of it.
  • Source for meaning: Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 130. 
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 874. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il vaut mieux suer que trembler.
  • Idiomatic translation: Hard words break no bones.
  • Meaning: It is often good to tell someone a harsh truth (including yourself).; Don't lie to yourself.; Don't live in denial.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 17. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il n'y a point d'homme necessaire.
  • Idiomatic translation: No man is indispensable.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 319. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il n'ya que al foi que sauve.
  • Idiomatic translation: Faith is half the battle.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 812. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il n'est pire aveugle que celui qui ne veut pas voir.
  • Idiomatic translation: There are none so blind as they who will not see.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 320. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il ne faut pas fair ces choses a moitié.
  • Idiomatic translation: ”If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well.”
  • Runge, Martin (2000). Geriatrische Rehabilitation im Therapeutischen Team (2 ed.). Georg Thieme Verlag. p. 282. ISBN 3131023821. 

• ’’Il ne faut pas se fier aux apparences.
  • Idiomatic translation: Appearances decives.
  • Meaning: Things are not always as they look like.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 124. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Il ne faut pas mettre tous ses œufs dans le même panier.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 715. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu.
  • Literal translation: There's no smoke without fire.
  • Idiomatic translation: Where there's smoke, there's fire.
  • Source: Marchand, C. (1905). Five thousand French idioms, Gallicisms, proverbs, idiomatic adverbs, idiomatic adjectives, idiomatic comparisons (book). J. Terquem et cie.. p. 290. 

• Il ne faut pas réveiller le chat qui dort.
  • Idiomatic translation: Let sleeping dogs lie.
  • Literal meaning: Don't wake a cat who sleeps.
  • Meaning: Leave an upset person alone.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 1055. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué.
  • Idiomatic translation: Don't count your chickens before they're hatched.
  • Literal meaning: Don't sell the bearskin before you've killed the bear.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 640. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Il tirerait de l'huile d'un mur.
  • Idiomatic translation: All is fish that comes to the net.
  • Meaning: We can make use of everything that happens yo us: good and bad.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 4. 

• Il vaut mieux qu'on dise "il court-là", qui "il gît ici".
  • Translation: It is better to be told "he ran then," than "he lies here".
  • English equivalent: He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 702. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il y a serpent caché sous des fleurs.
  • Idiomatic translation: Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet flowers do creep.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1070. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Il ya peril en la demeure.
  • Idiomatic translation: There is danger in delay.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 695. ISBN 0415096243. 

J

• Je crains l'homme de un seul livre.
  • Idiomatic translation: Fear the man of one book.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 851. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Jeter de l'huile sur le feu.
  • Idiomatic translation: (Don't) add fuel to the fire.
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 78. 

• Jamais honteux n'eut belle amie.
  • Idiomatic translation: Faint heart never won fair lady.
  • Mrs Mawr, E B (2005). Analogous Proverbs In Ten Languages (reprint ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 1417964677. 

• Jamais paresseux n'eut grande écuelle.
  • Idiomatic translation: Povertry is the reward of idleness.
  • Meaning: The reward of doing absolutely nothing is getting absolutely nothing.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1146. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Jeunneuse pauresse, viellise pouilleuse.
  • Idiomatic translation: Diligent youth makes easy age.
  • Meaning: If you live your youth years diligently, it will save you from regret when you are old. That is, you take care of your health and do things you like that virtually only young people can do.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 701. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Juge hâtif est périlleux.
  • Translation: Quick judgments are dangerous.
  • English equivalent: Hasty judgment leads to repentance.
  • Meaning: A quick evaluation is a terrible evaluation.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 196. ISBN 0415096243. 

L

• L'argent est fait pour rouler.
  • Translation: The hidden things of wisdom and a treasure that is not seen, what profit is in them both?
  • English equivalent: Money is there to be spent.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1013. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L'attaque est la meilleure défence.
  • Translation: Attack is the best form of defence.
  • English equivalent: The best defence is a good offense.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 518. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La confiance apalla la confiance.
  • Idiomatic translation: Confidence begets confidence.
  • Meaning: Confidence spills over to your coworkers.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 187. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La fortune ne fait pas le bonheur.
  • Translation: Wealth does not bring happiness.
• Note: Another way to phrase this is by this quote:

"No one – not a single person out of a thousand [elderly interviewed because of their wisdom expertise] – said that to be happy you should try and work as hard as you can to make money to buy the things you want.

No one – not a single person –– said it's important to be at least as wealthy as the people around you, and if you have more than they do it's real success.

No one – not a single person –– said you should choose your work based on your desired future earning power.”

• From, Brody, Jane (2011). 30 Lessons for Living. Penguin Group. p. 57. ISBN 1594630844. 
  • English equivalent: Wealth rarely brings happiness.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 670. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La palore a été donnée à l'homme pour déguiser sa pensée.
  • Idiomatic translation: Men talk only to conceal the mind.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1088. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La parole s'enfuit, et l'ecritut demeure.
  • Idiomatic translation: Paper is forbearing.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1160. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La punition boite, mais elle arrive.
  • Idiomatic translation: Punishment is lame but it comes.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 682. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure.
  • Translation: The motive of the strongest is always the best.
  • English equivalent: Accusing is proving, when malice and force sit judges; The wolf finds a reason for taking the lamb..
  • Jean de La Fontaine, Fables, I., 10, "Le Loup et L'Agneau"; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 116.

• La répétition est la mère de la mémoire
  • Translation: Repetition is the mother of memory.
  • Méchin, Colette (1998). Anthropologie du sensoriel: les sens dans tous les sens (Illustrated ed.). Harmattan. p. 102. ISBN 2738471129. 

• La seconde pensée est la meilleure.
  • Idiomatic translation: Second thoughts are the best.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 73. 

• La varieté plaît.
  • Idiomatic translation: Variety pleases.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 89. ISBN 0415160502. 

• La vérité se dit en badinant.
  • Idiomatic translation: Many a true words are spoken in jest
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 57. 

• Langue muette n'est jamais battue.
  • Idiomatic translation: Least said, soonest mended.
  • Meaning: It is often best not bring up something bad that has occured to someone else.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 975. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L'essentiel du courage c'est la prudence.
  • Translation: The essence of courage is caution.
  • English equivalent: Discretion is the better part of valor.
  • Meaning: Act valiant cautiously.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 702. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le fait juge l'homme.
  • Translation: The fact judges the man.
  • English equivalent: The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
  • Meaning: The worth of a thing is how it practically comes to use.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 304. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le mal apelle le mal
  • Idiomatic translation: Deep calls to deep.
  • Meaning: Deeper thinking leads to deeper understanding.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 695. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le miel est doux, mais l'abeille pique.
  • Idiomatic translation: Honey is sweet, but the bees sting.
  • Meaning: Suffering is the acceptable in the quest for something great.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 837. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Les fous inventent les modes, et les sages les suivent.'
  • Idiomatic translation: ”A fool may give a wise man counsel.”
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 40. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Le plus grand malheur ou bonheur de l'homme est une femme.
  • Translation: The greatest misfortune or happiness of man is a woman.
  • English equivalents: Choose a wife rather by your ear than your eye; A man's best fortune or his worst is a wife.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 65. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le pomme ne tombe jamais loin de l'arbre.
  • Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Le remedè est pire que le mal.
  • Idiomatic translation: The remedy is often worse than the disease; Burn not your house to rid it off the mouse.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. entry 646. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le temps et l’usage rendent l’homme sage
  • Literal meaning: With age comes wisdom.
  • Swedish equivalent: Old is the oldest.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 660. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Le trop de précautions ne nuit jamais.
  • Idiomatic translation: Better safe than sorry.
  • Meaning: Things that has happened will happen again. Religious myths for example, which are allegorical, will per definition reoccur.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 881. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Les absents ont toujours tort.
  • Translation: The absent are always in the wrong.
  • Philippe Néricault Destouches, L’Obstacle Imprévu, Act I., Scene VI (translation by Nérine); alternately reported as "L’absent a toujours tort" ("The absent are always in the wrong"), Jean Jacques Rousseau, Emile, Livre IV; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 140.

• Les goûts et les couleurs ne se discutent pas.
  • Translation: Tastes and colors cannot be questioned.
  • Englis equivalent: There's no accounting for tastes.
  • Henry, Jacqueline (2003). La traduction des jeux de mots. Presses Sorbonne Nouvelle. p. 63. ISBN 2878542487. 

• Les soucis font blanchir les cheveux de bonne heure.
  • Translation: Sorrow makes gray hairs before the time.
  • English equivalent: Fretting cares make grey hairs.
  • Meaning: Worrying is a negative activity that can age you prematurely.
  • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 631. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L'enfer est pavé de bonnes intentions.
  • Idiomatic translation: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
  • Literal meaning: Hell is paved with good intentions.
  • McGrath, Edna Arseneault (2004). Voir l'invisible, réaliser l'impossible: biographie de Jean-Paul Losier. Editions Melonic. p. 33. 2923080068. 

• L'envie s'attache à la gloire.
  • Idiomatic translation: Envy always shooteth at a high mark.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 766. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L’habit ne fait pas le moine
  • Idiomatic translation: You can't judge a book by its cover.
  • Ndedi-Penda, P. (2003). L'habit ne fait pas le moine, Publications Galaxie.

• L'historie se repétète.
  • Idiomatic translation: History repeats itself.
  • Meaning: Things that has happened will happen again. Religious myths for example, which are allegorical, will per definition reoccur.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 977. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L'honnêteté est la meilleure politique.
  • Idiomatic translation: Honesty is the best policy.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 42. 

• L'on passe la haie par où elle est plus basse.
  • Idiomatic translation: Men leap over where the hedge is lower.
  • Note: Also knows as the Law of least effort.
  • Meaning: Always do things in a way that requires the absolut least amount of labor.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1087. ISBN 0415096243. 

• L'on ne saurait écorcher une pierre.
  • Translation: You cannot get water out of a stone.
  • English equivalent: You can't milk a bull.
  • Meaning: It is impossible to sway a hostile minded person.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1040. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Le chien aboit, la caravane passe.
  • Idiomatic translation: Let the world say what it will.
  • Literal meaning: The dogs bark, the caravan passes by.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 340. ISBN 0415160502. 

• La fortune sourit aux audacieux.
  • Idiomatic translation: Fortune favours the brave.
  • Latin: Fortuna favet fortibus
  • Literal meaning: Luck smiles at the bold.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 871. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Le fil ténu casse.
  • Idiomatic translation: "A chain is only as strong as its weakest link."
  • Meaning: A group is not stronger than its weakest member.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 19. ISBN 0415160502. 

• L'espoir fait vivre.
  • Idiomatic translation: Where there's life, there's hope.
  • Literal meaning: Hope keeps alive.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 982. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Les habitudes ont la vie dure.
  • Idiomatic translation: Old habits die hard.
  • Source: Revue internationale de philosophie Source: v. 57 223--226

• Les bons comptes font les bons amis.
  • Translation 1: Short reckonings make long friends.
  • Translation 2: Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
  • Literal meaning: Good accounts make good friends.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 674. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt.
  • Idiomatic translation: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise..
  • Literal meaning: The world belongs to those who rise early.
  • Source: Lamy, M.N.; Towell , R. (1998). The Cambridge French-English Thesaurus. Cambridge University Press. p. 33. ISBN 9780521425810. 

• Les apparences sont trompeuses.
  • Idiomatic translation: All that glitters is not gold.
  • Literal meaning: Appearances are deceptive.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 15. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Les grands voleurs pendent les petits.
  • Meaning: A weak person/group/community/country can be an easy prey to an immoral, powerful one. ** Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1086. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Les rats quittent le navire que coule.
  • Idiomatic translation: Rats desert a sinking ship.
  • Meaning: A leader or organization in trouble will quickly be abandoned.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1150. ISBN 0415096243. 

• La nuit porte conseil.
  • Translation 1: Take advice of your pillow.
  • Translation 2: Sleep on it.
  • Literal meaning: The night brings advice.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 188. ISBN 0415160502. 

• La parole est d'argent, mais le silence est d'or.
  • Idiomatic translation: Speech is silver, Silence is golden.
  • Literal meaning: Talk is silver, silence is golden.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 257. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Loin des yeux, loin du cœur.
  • Idiomatic translation: Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Literal translation: Far from the eyes, far from the heart
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 814. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• Les murs ont des oreilles.
  • Translation: Walls have ears.
  • Source: Courbou, Michèle (2006). Les murs ont des oreilles, Volume 58 of L'écailler du Sud. Les Editions L'Ecailler du Sud. pp. 351. ISBN 2914264828. 

• Les plaisanteries les plus courtes sont les meilleures.
  • Idiomatic translation: Brevity is the soul of wit.
  • Literal meaning: The shortest jokes are the best ones.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 174. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Los premiers seront les derniers.
  • Idiomatic translation: The last will be first, and the first last.
  • Meaning: Those who humbly serve the Lord will be rewarded, and those who are arrogant will be humbled.; Humbleness is a virtue, pride is a sin.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1085. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Los volontés sont libres.
  • Idiomatic translation: His own desire leads every man.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 977. ISBN 0415096243. 

M

• Mieux vaut savoir que richesse.
  • Idiomatic translation: A good mind possess a kingdom.
  • Meaning: Material assets are fleeting, but inellectual assets will basically stay with you for the rest of your life. Therefore, intellectual assets are much more worth than material ones.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 58. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut peu que rien.
  • Idiomatic translation: Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 75. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut tenir que courir.
  • Idiomatic translation: A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.
  • Literal meaning: Better to hold than to run.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné.
  • Idiomatic translation: Better be alone than in bad company.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 163. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut faire que dire.
  • Literal translation: Better to do than to say.
  • Idiomatic translation: Actions speak louder than words / Well done is better than well said.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 191. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir.
  • Literal translation: Better to prevent than to cure.
  • Idiomatic translation: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 8. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mieux vaut un présent que deux futurs.
  • Translation: Better one now, than two in the future.
  • English equivalent: One today is worth two tomorrows.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1137. ISBN 0415096243. 

N

• Nature passe nourriture, et nourriture survainc nature.
  • Idiomatic translation: Nature is beyond all teaching.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 764. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ne meurs cheval, herbe te vient.
  • Idiomatic translation: While the grass grows the steed starves.
  • Meaning: Dreams or expectations may be realized too late.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1228. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ne te mêle pas des affaires d'autrui.
  • Idiomatic translation: Give neither salt nor counsel till you are asked for it.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 60. 

• Ne touchez pas aux blessures guéries.
  • Idiomatic translation: It is not wise to open old wounds.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 45. 

• La nuit porte conseil.
  • Literal translation: The night brings counsel.
  • Idiomatic translation: Take counsel of one's pillow.
  • Note: Specified as a French proverb in the source.
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations (W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p. 63. 

• Noblesse oblige.
  • Literal translation: Nobility forces.
  • Meaning: With great resources comes great responsibility.
  • Applegate, S. (2009). Noblesse Oblige: Spending Your Life on What Matters Most, Tate Pub & Enterprises Llc.

O

• Oignez vilain, il vous poindra. Poignez vilain, il vous oindra.
  • Literal meaning: Anoint a villain, he will stab you; stab a villain, he will anoint you (oindre and poindre being outdated verbs)
  • Idiomatic translation: A villain will repay kindness with betrayal, but will flatter those who beat him.
  • François Rabelais, Gargantua, I., 32; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 166.

• On a que ce que l'on mérite.
  • Translation: It was what we deserve.
  • Idiomatic translation: What goes around comes around.
  • Labourdette, Jean-Paul (2007). Le Petit Futé Grenoble (23 ed.). Petit Futé. p. 9. ISBN 2746919494. 

• Tout ce qui branle ne tombe pas.
  • Translation: All that shakes does not fall.
  • English equivalent: All is not lost that is in danger.
  • Meaning: Alltough you are in a difficult situation or are facing tough adversity, it does not mean you cannot move forward.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 11. 

• On fait le poup plus gros qu'il nest.
  • Translation: The wolf is made bigger than it is.
  • English equivalent: A story never loses in the telling.
  • Meaning: Lying a little might make the story better.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 7. 

• On naît poète, on devient orateur.
  • Idiomatic translation: Poets are born, but orators are trained.
  • Meaning: Some things can be improved by training, others require innate talent.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 331. ISBN 0415160502. 

• On n'est jamais si bien servi que par soi-même.
  • Idiomatic translation: If you want something done right, do it yourself.
  • Literal meaning: One is never so well served as by oneself.
  • Charles-Guillaume Étienne, Bruïs et Palaprat, Sc. II. — (translation by Palaprat); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 169.

• On revient toujours
  à ses premières amours.
  • Literal meaning: One always returns to his first loves.
  • Charles-Guillaume Étienne, Joconde, Act III., Scene I (translation by Joconde); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 172.

• On ne change pas une équipe qui gagne.
  • Literal meaning: One doesn't change a team that wins.
  • Idiomatic translation: If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
  • Source: Mould, Michael (2011). The Routledge Dictionary of Cultural References in Modern French. Taylor & Francis. p. 51. ISBN 1136825738. 

• On ne fait pas boire un âne qui n'a pas soif.
  • Literal meaning: One does not make a donkey drink if it isn't thirsty.
  • Idiomatic translation: You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink.
  • Source: Strauss, E. (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 1016. ISBN 9780415103800. 

• On ne jette des pierres qu'a l'arbre chargé de fruits.
  • Translation: Men will only throw stones at trees that are laden with fruit.
  • English equivalent: if you have no enemies it is a sign that fortune has forgotten you; People throw stones only at trees with fruit on them.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1008. ISBN 0415096243. 

• On ne peut aider qui ne veut point écouter.
  • Translation: He who can't be advised, can also not be helped.
  • English equivalent: He that will not be counseled cannot be helped.
  • Meaning: Advice often contain a genuine warning or an effective suggestion, which is unprudent not to take into consideration.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 964. ISBN 0415096243. 

• On ne prend pas les oiseaux à la tartelle.
  • Idiomatic translation: Deal gently with the bird you mean to catch.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 689. ISBN 0415096243. 

• On prend plus de mouches avec du miel qu'avec du vinaigre.
  • Idiomatic translation: You can catch more flies with a drop of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 100. 

P

• Par savoir vient avoir.
  • Idiomatic translation: Learning is the eye of the mind.
  • Meaning: Learning about a subject such as non-clinical psychology might increase your overall competence.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 149. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Patience et longueur de temps font plus que force ni que rage.
  • Idiomatic translation. He that can have patience can have what he will.
  • Other idiomatic translation: Patience is a remedy for every sorrow.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 87. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Patience passe science.
  • Translation: There is no such science as patience.
  • English equivalent: An ounce of patience is worth a pound of brains.
  • Meaning: Patience can often do more than your wits.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 415. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Pendant le faveur de la fortune, il faut se préparer à sa défaveur.
  • Idiomatic translation: If fortune favours, beware of being exalted; if fortune thunders, beware of being overwhelmed.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1001. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Personne ne peut être juge dans sa propre cause.
  • Translation: No one can be the judge in his own trial.
  • English equivalent: No one can be the judge in his own case.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1038. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Petit poisson deviendra grand.
  • Translation 1: Tall oaks from little acorns grow.
  • Translation 2: Boys will be men one day.
  • Literal meaning: The little fish will grow big.
  • Jean de La Fontaine, "Le petit Poisson et le Pêcheur", Fables, V., 3; reported in Thomas pogield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 177.

• Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose.
  • Translation: The more it changes, the more it's the same thing.
  • Meaning: When something is seemingly new, it is just history repeating itself.
  • Origin: An epigram by Jean-Baptiste Alphonse Karr in the January 1849 issue of his journal Les Guêpes ("The Wasps").
  • Variant: Plus ça change, plus c'est pareil.

• Pour un de perdu, deux de retrouvés.
  • Idiomatic translation: When one door closes another opens.
  • Meaning: When your life seems to be changing, it is better to adapt to the changes rather than be stubborn.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 845. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Prudence est mere de surete.
  • Idiomatic translation: Diffidence is the right eye of prudence.
  • Meaning: Diffidently pondering something will often lead to a sensible solution.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 701. ISBN 0415096243. 

Q

• Quand on dîne avec le diable, il faut se munir d'une longue cuiller
  • Translation: If you are going to eat with the devil, you must have a long spoon.
  • Meaning: Someone who treats others badly will eventually turn on you.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 920. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Quand on n'a pas ce que l'on aime,
  Il faut aimer ce que l'on a.
  • Translation: If we have not the thing we love,
    Then must we love the thing we have.
  • Bussy Rabutin, Lettre à Mme. de Sivigni (23 May, 1667); variant "n'a pas ce qu'on aime", by Thomas Corneille, L'lnconnu, Nouveau Prologue, Scene II (translation by Crispin); both reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 188.

• Quand on n'avance pas, on recule.
  • Idiomatic translation: He who does not advance goes backwards.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 445. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui a age, doit être sage.
  • Idiomatic translation: Reason does not come before years.
  • Meaning: Wisdom acquired by adversity makes us reasonable as we get older.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1150. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui a bu, boira.
  • Idiomatic translation: Once a drunkard always a drunkard; Once a thief always a thief.
  • Meaning: If nothing better is available, anything flawed is also useful; Instead of being frustrated by a bad situation, try to find ways to improve it.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 771. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui a tête de cire ne doit pas s'approcher du feu.
  • Translation: He who has a wax head must not go near the fire.
  • English equivalent: He that hath a head of wax must not walk in the sun.
  • Meaning: Know your limitations and weaknesses; Don't do something that is sure to damage you.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 54. 

• Qui aime Dieu est sur en tout lieu.
  • Idiomatic translation: He who serves God has a good master.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 873. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Que bien aime, tard oublie.
  • Idiomatic translation: True love never grows old.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1107. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui court deux lievres a la fois, n'en prend aucun.
  • Idiomatic tranlation: You must not run after two hares at the same time.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 102. 

• Qui écoute aux portes, entend souvent se propre honte .
  • Idiomatic translation: Eaevesdroppers hear no good of themselves.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 764. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui m'aime aime mon chien.
  • Idiomatic translation: Love me, love my dog.
  • Literal meaning: Who loves me, loves my dog.
  • Compare in Latin: Qui me amat, amat et canem meum.
    • Saint Bernard of Clairvaux (1090-1153), French abbot (and who is not the St Bernard for whom that breed of dog is named, that's Bernard of Menthon). Quoted by Nigel Rees in Why Do We Say? (1987).

• Qui ne fait pas quand póte, nu face cand vrea.
  • Idiomatic translation: He that will not when he may, when he will shall then have nay!
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 41. 

• Qui ne risque rien n'a rien.
  • Translation: Who risks nothing, gets nothing.
  • English equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  • Meaning: It is necessary to take risks in order to achieve something.
  • Hiligsmann, Theissen (2008). Néerlandais - Expressions et proverbes: Intermédiaire-avancé. De Boeck Supérieur. p. 338. ISBN 2804159671. 

• Qui ne sait obéir, ne sait commander.
  • Idiomatic translation: Who has not served cannot command.
  • Meaning: One must have been controlled in the same situation one wishes to properly control others.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 758. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui parle trop, manque souvent.
  • Idiomatic translation: Least said, soonest mended.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 53. 

• Qui parle trop, personne ne l'écoute.
  • Translation: Who talks too much, nobody listens to.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 33. 

• Qui se détourne évite le danger.
  • Translation: He who changes path avoids the danger.
  • English equivalent: Better go about than fall into the ditch.
  • Meaning: Cut your losses.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 11. 

• Qui sème peu, peu récolte.
  • Translation: who sows sparingly will have no harvest.
  • English equivalent: Sow thin, shear thin.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1158. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui s'excuse, s'accuse.
  • Translation: Who makes excuses, himself accuses; or He who excuses himself accuses himself.
  • Gabriel Meurier, Trésor des Sentences; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 196.

• Qui trop embrasse mal étreint.
  • Literal meaning: He who embraces too much, fails to secure.
  • Idiomatic translation: Grasp all, lose all.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 23. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Que se croit sage, est un grand fou.
  • Idiomatic translation: The first chapter of fools is to think themselves wise.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui se fait bebe, le loup le mange.
  • Idiomatic translation: He that makes himself an ass must not take it ill if men ride him.
  • Meaning: Other people will abuse you, if you let them.
  • ** Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 676. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Qui sème le vent, récolte la tempête.
  • Translation 1: As you sow, so you shall reap.
  • Translation 2: He who sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind.
  • Meaning: Your actions all have consequences.
  • Source: Cassagne, Jean-Marie (1998). 101 French proverbs: understanding French language and culture through common sayings. McGraw-Hill. p. 106. ISBN 0844212911. 

• Qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf
  • Translation: He who steals an egg will steal an ox.
  • English equivalent: Also "He who steals an egg will steal an ox."
  • Meaning A person that steals something little/done something bad/ will probably end up steeling more valuable things/as a criminal.
  • Bulman, F. (1998). Dictionnaire Des Proverbes Anglais-Francais, Francais-Anglais, Presses de l'Universit√© Laval.

R

• Rendre le bien pour le mal.
  • Idiomatic translation: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
  • Meaning: Make something good out of bad things that has happened to you.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 838. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Rejeter le bon et le mauvais.
  • Idiomatic translation: "Don't throw out the child with the bath water.”
  • Meaning: Do not reject an idea entirely because parts of it are bad.; Someone who is absolutely right about parts of an idea, can still be absolutely wrong about another part of it.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 715. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Revenons à nos moutons.
  • Idiomatic translation: Let's get back to what we were saying, doing.
  • Literally: "Let us get back to our sheep".
  • La Farce de maître Pierre Pathelin, Act III., scene IV. (Translation by Le Juge; Fournier's ed., 1872). Alternately reported as "Retournons à nos moutons", François Rabelais, Pantagruel, III., 34; "Revenons à nos moutons", Vincent Voiture, Epître à Mme. de Bambouillet, (Ed. Roux, p. 579.); Voltaire, Les Honnétetés Littéraires, Vol. VIII., p. 912; "Revenons a nos bouteilles"; Montaigne, Essais, II., 2, p. 17; "Revenons a nos soupers"; Jean Jacques Rousseau, La Nouvelle Heloïse, Pt. II, Lettre XVII. All are reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 200.

S

• Sans deniers Georges ne chante.
  • Idiomatic translation: You can't get something for nothing.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 799. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Sans tentation, il n'y a point de victoire.
  • Translation: Where there is no temptation there is no glory.
  • English equivalent: Without temptation there is no victory.
  • Meaning: Not being tempted is a sign that fortune has forgotten you.
  • Ward, Caroline (1842). National proverbs in the principal languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 156. 

• Santé passe richesse.
  • Idiomatic translation: Good health is above wealth.
  • Meaning: Wisdom acquired by experience is basically only very bitterly acquired.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Se couper le nez pour faire dépit à son visage.
  • Cut off your nose to spite your face.
  • Meaning: Don't act on a feeling of revenge.
  • Tallement des Réaux, Historiettes, Volume I, Chapter I (c. 1657–1659); reported as a proverb in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 639.

• Se tu t'en fuis le il te suivra, ce t'en fuiz il s'en fuira.
  • Idiomatic translation: Follow glory and it will flee, flee glory and it will follow thee.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 832. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Selon l'argent, la besogne.
  • Translation: What pay, such work.
  • English equivalent: You get what you pay for.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 494. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait.
  • Idiomatic translation: Youth is wasted on the young.
  • Literal meaning: If youth but knew, if old age but could.
  • Meaning: You people lack common sense and wisdom, old people lack virility.
  • Henri Estienne, Les Prémices, Epigramme CXCI; Marc Antoine Legrande, La Famille Extravagante, Divertissement (translation by Mme. Rissolé); both reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 208.

• Si la montagne ne va pas a Mahomet, Mahomet ira a la montagne.
  • Translation: If the mountain won't come to Mohammed, Mohammed must come to the mountain.
  • English equivalent: If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.
  • Meaning: If reality does not adapt itself to your whims, you must adapt your whims to reality.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1006. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Si tous disent que tu es un âne, brais.
  • Idiomatic translation: When all men say you are an ass it is time to bray.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1221. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Souvent on a coutume de baiser la maine , qu'in voudrait qui fuit brulee.
  • Idiomatic translation: Many kiss the hand they wish cut off.
  • ** Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1084. ISBN 0415096243. 

T

• Tant crie l'on Noël, qu'il vient. (old french)
  • Idiomatic translation: A constant importunity at length prevails.
  • Literal meaning: So much does one shout 'Christmas' that at last it comes.
  • English equivalent: A broken watch is right two times a day.
  • François Villon, Ballade des Proverbes; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 212.

• Tant va la cruche à l'eau qu'enfin elle se brise.
  • Adrien de Montluc, Comedie de Proverbes, Act I, scene I (translation by Lidias); Molière, Le Festin de Pierre, Act V, scene II (translation by Sganarelle).
  • Literal meaning: So often does the jug go to water that in the end it breaks.
  • Translation 1: Do not strain your luck.
  • Translation 2: Anyone can only take so much.
  • Alternately reported as Tant va pot à l'eve que brise., Pierre de St. Cloud, Roman du Benart, line 13,650; Jen qui trop dure ne vault rien, / Tant va le pot à l'eau qui brise., Charles d'Orléans, Rondel, XXXVII; Tant va le pot à l'eau qu'il brise. François Villon, Ballade des Proverbes; all reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 213.

• Tel maître, tel valet.
  • Translation: Like master, like man.
  • Meaning: You will become like the people you surround yourself with.
  • English equivalent: If you surround yourself with wolves you will howl like them.
  • Attributed to Bayard; compare Tel valet, tel maitre ("Like master, like man"), Collin d'Harleville, Les Chateaux en Espagne, Act I, Scene VIII (translation by M. D'Orlange); both reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 213.

• Tel père, tel fils.
  • Translation: Such father, such sons.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.
  • Meaning: Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Telle mère, telle fille.
  • Translation: Such mother, such daughter.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • Meaning: Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and rarely.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Tirer les marrons de la patte du chat.
  • To pull the chestnuts from the fire with the cat's paw.
  • Molière, L'Étourdi, Act III. 6; reported as a proverb in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 643.

• Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre.
  • Literal meaning: All things come to those who can wait.
  • Idiomatic translation: Every dog has his day.
  • François Rabelais, Pantagruel, IV, 48; Adrien de Montluc, La Comedie de Proverbes, Act I, scene VII (translation by Florinde); Henri Estienne, Les Prémices, Epigramme 37; compare Attendez l'heure du berger; Tout vient à tems qui peut attendre ("Wait ye the shepherd’s hour; All comes in time to him who waits"), Bussy Babutin, Histoire Amoureuse des Gaules, Maximes d'Amour, (Ed. Cologne, 1716), p. 192); all reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 222.

• Trop enquérir n'est pas bon.
  • Idiomatic translation: Curiosity killed the cat.
  • Meaning: Inquisitiveness is harmful to you.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 684. ISBN 0415096243. 

U

• Un clou chasse l'autre.
  • Idiomatic translation: One man goes and another steps in.
  • Literal meaning: One nail drives out the other.
  • Meaning: You can only love on person at the time.
  • Marc Antoine Legrand, La Famille Extravagante, Divertissement, (translation by St. Germain); reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 225.

• Un jour sans vin est comme un jour sans soleil.
  • Translation: A day without wine is like a day without sunshine.
  • Source: "L& emprise du sens", page 303, 1999 Mark Plénat.

• Un mal et un péril ne vient jamais seul.
  • Translation: A mishap and a danger never come singly.
  • Philippe de Commines, Mémoires, Livre III, Chapter V; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 229.
  • English equivalent: Misery loves company.
  • Variant: Un malheur n'arrive jamais seul.
  • Translation: A misfortune never comes alone.
  • Molière, L'Amant Médecin, Act I, scene I (translation by Sganarelle).
  • Un malheur nous est toujours l'avant-coureur d'un autre.
  • Translation: One misfortune is always the forerunner of another.
  • Molière, Les Fourberies de Scapin, Act III, scene VII (translation by Geronte).

• Un Tiens vaut, ce dit-on, mieux que deux Tu l'auras.
  • Idiomatic translation: A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.
  • Literal meaning: One "here, take it" is worth more than two "you will have it".
  • Jean de La Fontaine, Fables, V, 3, "Le Petit Poisson et le Pecheur"; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 231. Alternately reported as Un tient vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras.

• Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps.
  • Idiomatic translation: A swallow doesn't make the summer.
  • Literal meaning: A swallow doesn't make spring.
  • Source: Cassagne, Jean-Marie (1998). 101 French proverbs: understanding French language and culture through common sayings. McGraw-Hill. p. 240. ISBN 0844212911. 

V

• Ventre affamé n'a point d'oreilles.
  • Idiomatic translation: Words are wasted on a starving man.
  • Literal meaning: The hungry belly has no ears.
  • Rabelais, Pantagruel, III, 15; reported in Thomas Benfield Harbottle and Philip Hugh Dalbiac, Dictionary of Quotations (French and Italian) (1904), p. 234.

• Vive la différence.
  • Literal meaning: Long live the difference (between the sexes, or any difference).
  • Translation: Hooray for the difference!
  • Source: Vive la différence, Béatrice Levasseur, P. J.. Downes 1988

• Vouloir, c'est pouvoir.
  • Idiomatic translation: Where there's a will there's a way.
  • Literal meaning: To want to is to be able to.
  • Source: "Vouloir c'est pouvoir", Ivan Steenhout 1985

See also

• Breton proverbs
• Provençal proverbs
• Romansch proverbs

External Links

• Proverbes francais
• French proverb dictionary