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Norwegian proverbs

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Proverbs reflective of conventional wisdom in Norway.

Arranged alphabetically by author or source:
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z · See also · External links

A

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  • Aldren er laak Lensmann.
    • English equivalent: Age and poverty are ill to bear.
    • "We do not count a man's years, until he has nothing else to count."
    • Ralph Waldo Emerson, Society and Solitude, Old Age (1857)
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 177. ISBN 0415096243. 

B

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  • Bedre en dårlig hest enn ingen hest i det hele tatt
    • Better a poor horse than no horse at all
  • Bedre med en fugl i hånden enn ti på taket.
    • Better to have one bird in hand than ten on the roof.
    • English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
    • "Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it."
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 29 July 2013. 
    • (Firm), Nordmanns-forbundet (1999). The Norseman. p. 140. 
  • Blind hǿne kann og finna eit konn.
    • English equivalent: Even a blind hen may occasionally pick up a grain.
    • Meaning: "An incompetent person or an unsystematic approach is bound to succeed every now and then by chance."
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243. 

D

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  • Dan som gjerer seg til Saud fær Ulven Nakken.
    • English equivalent: He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1872). "70" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. p. 39. 
  • Dan som segjer A, fær og segja B.
    • English equivalent: Who says "A" must say "B".
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1872). "A 1" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. Fries. p. 1. 
  • Dat skal vera Grind imillom Grannom.
    • English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.
    • Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "128, Nachbarn" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 74. 
  • D ' er alle Adams born.
    • English equivalent: We are all descended from Adam.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "10 Adam" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 6. 
  • D'er inkje greidt aa gripa aalen um sporden.
    • English equivalent: You might as well try to hold an eel by the tail.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 480. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • D er klent Sted som stokk fyre Hamaren.
    • English equivalent: A good anvil does not fear the hammer.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida (1872). "83 Amboss". Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. p. 37. 
  • D'er lettast aa laera av annan manns skade.
    • English equivalent: Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own.
    • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 619. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • D'er låk fugl som skjemmer sitt eige reir.
    • English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
    • "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?" "It is considered contemptible to defy the rule of solidarity by revealing facts harmful to the group one belongs to."
    • Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 109. 
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "106". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
    • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • D'er mange ǿksarhogg, som eiki skal fella.
    • English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.
    • "A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time."
    • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • De gamle er eldst.
    • The old are the oldest.
    • English equivalentː The older the flute, the sweeter the tune.
    • Lund (1977). De Gamle er eldst: 11 samtaler i dur og moll. Norsk kunstforl.. pp. 140. ISBN 8290069812. 
  • Dei er inkje alle tjuvar, som hunden gjoyr paa.
    • English equivalent: All are not thieves that dogs bark at.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 77. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Dei er inkje nytt under solen.
    • English equivalent: There is nothing new under the sun.
    • "It turns out very often that something 'never seen/experienced before' especially in human relationships - has, in fact, in some way or another, happened before. - Human nature and the basic human aspirations did not change."
    • (Paczolay, 1997 p. 461)
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1114. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Dei store fiskane eta dei små — dei liger under som minst förmå.
    • Engilsh equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
    • "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
    • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 1 July 2013. 
    • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Der gror ikke muse på rullande stein.
    • Translation and English equivalent: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
    • "There are a Set of People in the World of so unsettled and restleis a Temper, and such Admirers of Novelty, that they can never be long pleased with one way of’ living, no more than to continue long in one Habitation; but before they are well enter’d upon one Business, dip into another, and before they are well settled in one Habitation, remove to another; so that they are always busily beginning to live, but by reason of Fickleness and Impatience, never arrive at a way of living: such Persons fall under the Doom of this Proverb, which is delign’d to fix the Volatility of their Tempers, by laying before them the ill Consequences of such Fickleness and Inconltancy."
    • Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 [1]
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "14". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 100. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Det er bedre å tenne et lys enn å forbanne mørket.
  • Det kjem inkte steikte fuglar flugjande i mun.
    • English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
    • "One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 455. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 171. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Det kan ingen tena tvo herrar (samstundes).
    • English equivalent: Nobody can serve two masters.
    • "One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly."
    • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Dat skal vera Grind imillom Grannom.
    • English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.
    • Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "128, Nachbarn" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 74. 

E

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  • Ein kann inkje selja og eiga dat same.
    • English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it (too).
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "545, geben" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. pp. 284-285. 


  • Ein må lære seg å krype før ein lærer å gå.
  • Ein skal lyda ut, nr gamle hunden gjøyr.
    • English equivalent: An old dog barks not in vain.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Ein skal vitja sin Vin, men inkje for ofta.
    • English equivalent: Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "508, Freunde" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 262. 
  • En svale gjør ingen sommer.
    • Translation: One swallow creates no summer.
    • English equivalent: One swallow does not make a summer.
    • "Do not feel sure or rejoice noticing a favourable sign. The appearance of a single sign of a favourable event is not yet a definite indication of its coming. It may be an unrelated, sporadic appearance."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 49. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
    • Vanberg (1992). Of Norwegian Ways. Harpercollins (P). p. 211. ISBN 0060923474. 
  • Eple faller ikke langt fra stammen.
    • English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
    • "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. 

F

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  • Fatigmanns Raad er litet lydd.
    • English equivalent: Losers are always in the wrong.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "113, armen" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 55. 
  • For myki Raad er Uraad.
    • "Advice is given freely because so much of it is worthless."
    • James Geary, American journalist, writer, and aphorist; as quoted from James Geary's website, "My Aphorisms" section
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "235, Rath" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. II. pp. 131-132. 

G

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  • Gammal kjærleik rustar inkje.
    • Old love does not rust.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 825. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Godt Mod er vissaste Verja.
    • English equivalent: Faith is half the battle.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "114, Muth" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 66. 

H

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  • Han laut bita i dat sure Eplet.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "106, Apfel" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 51. 

I

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  • I nød skal du lære dine venner å kenne.
    • English equivalent: A friend is known in need, like gold is known in fire./ A friend in need is a friend indeed.
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 159. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

K

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  • Kast ikke barnet ut med badevannet.
    • English equivalent: Don't throw out the child with the bath water.
    • "Do not take the drastic step of abolishing or discarding something in its entirety when only parts of it is unacceptable."
    • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 25 August 2013. 
    • Skogindustri (Volume 44 ed.). K/S Selvig Publishing. 1990. p. 150. 
  • Kjært Barn fær mange Namn.
    • von Duringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "141, Namen" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. 
  • Kunde Gapen tegja so trudde Folk han var klok.
    • ̽English equivalentː Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "148, Narr" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. p. 83. 

L

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  • Langi Tidi lækjer alle Saar.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "736, Zeit" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. p. 417. 
  • Liten tue kan velte stort lass.
    • A small (grass) tuft can topple a big (cart) load.
    • English equivalent:
    • Council (1970). Nordisk kontakt. Statens reproduktionsanstalt. p. 284. ISBN 1 Invalid ISBN. 

N

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  • Naar alle skal vera storfolk, kan ingen binda baaten
    • English equivalent: There are too many chiefs and not enough indians.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 991. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Naar Leiken er best, skal ein helst halda upp.
    • English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "122, aufhören" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 59-60. 
  • Naar Naudi er mest, er Hjelpi næst.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "197, Noth" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. Fries. pp. 109–. 
  • Når folk er burte, ser ein best kvat dei dugde.
    • English equivalent: In life you love me not, in death you bewail me.
    • "If I should die to-night,
      My friends would look upon my quiet face
      Before they laid it in its resting-place,
      And deem that death had left it almost fair."
    • Robert C. V. Meyers, If I should Die Tonight, in 100 Choice Selections, No. 27 (1888)
    • Emanuel Strauss (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Taylor & Francis. pp. 1013–. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7. 
  • Når katten er borte, danser musene på bordet.
    • English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play.
    • "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). "17". The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013. 

R

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  • Raude eple kan og vera rotne.
    • English equivalent: A fair face and a foul heart.
    • "At 50, everyone has the face he deserves."
    • George Orwell, "Extracts from a Manuscript Notebook" (1949), The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell, vol. 4 (1968)
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0415160502. 

S

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  • Skomakar-borni hava stundom verste skoerrne.
    • English equivalent: Cobblers' children are worst shod.
    • "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him."
    • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "7". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 65. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Smi mens jernet er varmt.
    • Translation: Forge while the iron is hot.
    • Schottmann (2012). Vergleichende Idiomatik des Schwedischen. Lit Verlag. p. 145. ISBN 3643117337. 
  • Som faren går fyre, kjem sonen etter.
    • English equivalent: Like father, like son.
    • "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. 
  • Som mora er, so er dottera.
    • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
    • "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. 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. 
  • Store fuglar fanga ingi flugor.
    • English equivalent: Eagles don't catch flies.
    • "People of high rank are considered – or consider themselves – too important to deal with trivial things or lowly folk."
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 25 August 2013. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "230". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 216. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

T

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  • Tid er penger.
    • English equivalent: Time is money.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1008. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Toma Tunnor glymja mest.
    • English equivalent: Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
    • von Düringsfeld,, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto freiherr (1875). "22". Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 11. 
  • Tri Gonger flutt er som ein Gong brent.
    • English equivalent: Two fittings are as bad as one fire.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "499, umgezogen". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 276. 

Æ

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  • Æra søkjer dan som skyr og skyr dan som søkjer .
    • English equivalent: Follow glory and it will flee, flee glory and it will follow thee.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto von (1872). "320". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 164. 

See also

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