Proverbs in English are brief sentences with great implications. Proverbs have been passed down through generations, and they contain timeless knowledge that can help us understand and deal with many life situations. Let’s look at the beauty of English proverbs in simple language.
“कहावत” एक बात को समझाने वाला वाक्य होता है। यह वाक्य ऐसा विचार या सत्य को बड़ी सरलता से बयान करता है जिससे हमें अधिक समझदार बनने और जीवन में सही रास्ता चुनने में मदद मिलती है। लोग इन्हें अपने अनुभवों से सिख कर अपने जीवन में उपयोग करते हैं। इन कहावतों का उपयोग कई संदर्भों में होता है जैसे की समस्याओं के हल ढूंढने में, सफलता प्राप्त करने में, अच्छे और बुरे कार्यों की पहचान करने में आदि।
Let’s Learn 50+ Proverbs with Meaning and Examples
1. Proverb– “When in Rome, do as the Romans do”
Hindi Meaning– जहां जैसे वहां वैसे (विदेशी देश में अपनाएं स्थानीय रीति–रिवाज)
English Meaning: Adapt to the customs and traditions of the place you are in.
Example: While visiting a foreign country, it’s essential to respect their culture and follow the saying, “When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
2. Proverb- “A rolling stone gathers no moss”
Hindi Meaning– घूमते-फिरते लोग कुछ नहीं करते
English Meaning: Those who are always moving or changing never settle down or achieve anything.
Example: Preeti has changed projects every few months. A rolling stone gathers no moss; maybe he should stick to one project.
3. Proverb- “A stitch in time saves nine”
Hindi Meaning– समय पर बनी सिलाई, नौ बनते चूर
English Meaning: Fixing a problem early prevents it from getting worse.
Example: Repairing the small hole in your shirt now will save you from nine larger holes later. A stitch in time saves nine.
4. Proverb- “Absence makes the heart grow fonder”
Hindi Meaning-दूरी से, मोहब्बत बढ़ती है
English Meaning: Being apart from someone you love makes you love them even more.
Example: After being away from her family for months, she realized that absence makes the heart grow fonder.
5. Proverb- “As you sow, so shall you reap”
Hindi Meaning- जैसा करोगे, वैसा भरोगे
English Meaning: Your actions will have consequences, good or bad.
Example: If you work hard and prepare well, you will excel in the exam. As you sow, so shall you reap.
6. Proverb- “Barking dogs seldom bite”
Hindi Meaning- भौंकते कुत्ते कभी काटते नहीं
English Meaning: People who make the most noise often do the least harm.
Example: Ignore their threats; barking dogs seldom bite, and they won’t cause any real harm.
7. Proverb- “Better late than never”
Hindi Meaning-देर आए दुरुस्त आए
English Meaning: It’s better to do something late than not do it at all.
Example: She finally started learning to play the guitar at 40. Well, better late than never!
8. Proverb-“Birds of a feather flock together”
Hindi Meaning- जैसे जैसे ज्ञानी वैसे वैसे विद्वान मिलते हैं
English Meaning: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.
Example: The book club members all love reading; birds of a feather flock together.
9. Proverb- “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch”
Hindi Meaning- मुर्गियों को निकलने से पहले अंडे न गिनो
English Meaning: Don’t assume the outcome before it happens.
Example: Although she qualified for the final, she shouldn’t count her chickens before they hatch; the competition will be tough.
10. Proverb- “Actions speak louder than words”
Hindi Meaning-करतूते शब्दों से ज्यादा बोलती हैं
English Meaning: What a person does is more important than what they say.
Example: Instead of making promises, show your commitment through actions; actions speak louder than words.
11. Proverb- “An apple a day keeps the doctor away”
Hindi Meaning- रोज़ एक सेब खाने से डॉक्टर दूर रहते हैं
English Meaning: Eating healthy food helps in maintaining good health.
Example: Make it a habit to eat an apple a day; after all, an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
12. Proverb- “Familiarity breeds contempt”
Hindi Meaning- परिचय विरेचना जनक है
English Meaning: Being too familiar with someone can lead to disrespect or dislike.
Example: After working closely with her colleague for years, familiarity breeds contempt, and they started arguing often.
13. Proverb- “Fortune favors the bold”
Hindi Meaning- भाग्य साहसी का साथ देता है
English Meaning: Taking risks can lead to success or good luck.
Example: He took a chance by investing in the startup, and fortune favors the bold; it turned into a profitable venture.
14 . Proverb- “Haste makes waste”
Hindi Meaning- जल्दबाजी में ग़लती होती है
English Meaning: Hurrying can lead to mistakes or inefficiency.
Example: Take your time while cooking; haste makes waste, and you might end up burning the food.
15. Proverb- “Honesty is the best policy”
Hindi Meaning– ईमानदारी सबसे बढ़िया उपाय है
English Meaning: Being truthful and honest is the most beneficial approach.
Example: Even though it’s challenging, she believes honesty is the best policy in all situations.
16. Proverb-“Laughter is the best medicine”
Hindi Meaning- हँसी बेहतरीन दवा है
English Meaning: Laughter can improve one’s mood and health.
Example: After a stressful day, watching a comedy show proved that laughter is the best medicine.
17. Proverb- “Let bygones be bygones”
Hindi Meaning- जो हुआ सो हुआ
English Meaning: Forget past conflicts and move on.
Example: Instead of holding grudges, let bygones be bygones and focus on building a better future.
18. Proverb- “Look before you leap”
Hindi Meaning-ध्यान से विचार करो पढ़ाई से पहले
English Meaning: Think about the consequences before acting.
Example: Before making a significant investment, it’s essential to look before you leap.
19. Proverb- “Necessity is the mother of invention”
Hindi Meaning– आवश्यकता अविष्कार क माता है
English Meaning: When there is a need or demand, people find a way to create solutions.
Example: The lack of electricity in remote areas led to the invention of solar-powered devices; necessity is the mother of invention.
20. Proverb- “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure”
Hindi Meaning– एक व्यक्ति की रद्दी दूसरे व्यक्ति के लिए ख़जाना हो सकती है
English Meaning: Something that one person observes worthless may be precious to someone else.
Example: She found an old painting in the attic, and while she thought it was trash, the art collector saw it as treasure.
21. Proverb- “Better safe than sorry”
Hindi Meaning- ख़तरा भगाना बेहतर है नक़ली सॉरी से
English Meaning: It’s wiser to take precautions to avoid potential problems or regrets.
Example: Wear your helmet while riding a bike; better safe than sorry if there’s an accident.
22. Proverb- “Curiosity killed the cat”
Hindi Meaning- जिज्ञासा ने बिल्कुल बेकार किया
English Meaning: Being too curious can get you into trouble.
Example: He couldn’t resist peeking inside the mysterious box, but curiosity killed the cat; it released a swarm of bees.
23. Proverb- “Every dog has its day”
Hindi Meaning- प्रत्येक कुत्ते का अपना दिन होता है
English Meaning: Everyone gets their moment of success or fame.
Example: Although she faced setbacks, every dog has its day, and finally, she achieved her dream.
24. Proverb- “Out of sight, out of mind”
Hindi Meaning– आँखों से दूर भाग कर भूल जाना
English Meaning: When something or someone is not visible, they are easily forgotten.
Example: After moving to a different city, he gradually faded from her life. Out of sight, out of mind.
25. Proverb- “Practice makes perfect”
Hindi Meaning– अभ्यास से पूर्णता होती है
English Meaning: Repeatedly doing something leads to improvement and excellence.
Example: She practiced the dance routine every day, and with time, practice made perfect, and her performance became flawless.
26. Proverb- “Rome was not built in a day”
Hindi Meaning- रोम को एक दिन में नहीं बनाया गया था
English Meaning: Great achievements take time and effort; they cannot be accomplished quickly.
Example: Be patient with your goals; Rome was not built in a day, and neither will your success be instant.
27. Proverb- “The early bird catches the worm”
Hindi Meaning- पहले उठने वाला पक्षी मक्खी को खाता है
English Meaning: Those who act promptly have an advantage.
Example: Getting to the store early allowed her to find the best deals; the early bird catches the worm.
28. Proverb- “You reap what you sow”
Hindi Meaning– जो करेंगे, वहीं काटेंगे
English Meaning: The consequences of your actions will come back to you.
Example: If you work hard and treat others kindly, you will reap what you sow and be rewarded with success and good relationships.
29. Proverb- “You can’t have your cake and eat it too”
Hindi Meaning-आप अपना केक खा सकते हो और उसे भी रख सकते हो, नहीं
English Meaning: You can’t have everything you want at the same time; choices have consequences.
Example: If you spend all your money on luxury items, you won’t have savings for emergencies. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.
30. Proverb- “When the going gets tough, the tough get going”
Hindi Meaning– मुश्किलों के समय में, मजबूत लोग आगे बढ़ते हैं
English Meaning: In difficult situations, strong-willed people take action and persevere.
Example: Instead of giving up, he decided to face the challenges head-on; when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
31. Proverb- “You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink”
Hindi Meaning– घोड़े को पानी तक ले जा सकते हो, पर पीने के लिए मजबूर नहीं कर सकते
English Meaning: You can offer someone an opportunity, but you can’t force them to take advantage of it.
Example: The teacher provided all the necessary resources, but ultimately, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink; it’s up to the students to study.
32. Proverb- “A watched pot never boils”
Hindi Meaning– देखते-देखते वक्त कभी नहीं निकलता
English Meaning: Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting for something.
Example: She kept checking her watch while waiting for the results, but a watch pot never boils; it made the wait feel longer.
33. Proverb- ‘’A penny saved is a penny earned”
Hindi Meaning– पैसा बचाया मतलब पैसा कमाया
English Meaning: Saving money is as good as earning it.
Example: Instead of spending all his earnings, he wisely saved some every month, knowing that a penny saved is a penny earned.
34. Proverb- “Charity begins at home”
Hindi Meaning- दानशीलता घर से ही प्रारंभ होती है
English Meaning: We should first take care of our family and close ones before others.
Example: Instead of donating money to charity organizations, he decided that charity begins at home and helped his struggling relatives.
35. Proverb- “No man is an island”
Hindi Meaning– कोई व्यक्ति एक द्वीप नहीं है
English Meaning: No one is entirely self-sufficient; everyone needs support from others.
Example: He realized that he couldn’t handle everything alone; no man is an island, and asking for help is okay.
36. Proverb- “Still waters run deep”
Hindi Meaning– शांत पानी गहरी बातें (भाव) छिपाता है (वाक्य)
English Meaning: Quiet or reserved individuals often have hidden depths of knowledge or emotion.
Example: Though he appears quiet, still waters run deep; he surprised everyone with his insightful remarks during the meeting.
37. Proverb- “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush” –
Hindi Meaning-हाथ में सौ गाय ले जाने से बेहतर एक कवि को लाना
English Meaning: It is better to hold onto something you have for certain than to risk it for something better that you may not get.
Example: He declined the new job offer as he thought a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; he didn’t want to lose his current stable job.
38. Proverb- “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”
Hindi Meaning-हज़ार मील का सफ़र एक कदम से शुरू होता है
English Meaning: Every great achievement starts with a small, initial action.
Example: He was daunted by the long road ahead, but he remembered that a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step and started working towards his goal.
39. Proverb- “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”
Hindi Meaning- अपने सभी अंडे एक ही बाज़ी में मत रखो
English Meaning: Don’t risk everything on a single venture or investment.
Example: Instead of investing all his savings in one business, he diversified his investments, remembering not to put all his eggs in one basket.
40. Proverb- “Half a loaf is better than none”
Hindi Meaning- कुछ न होने से थोड़ा होना बेहतर है
English Meaning: It’s better to have something than nothing at all.
Example: Though she didn’t get the full payment, half a loaf is better than none; at least she received some money.
41. Proverb- “Knowledge is power”
Hindi Meaning– ज्ञान शक्ति है
English Meaning: Knowledge empowers and enables individuals to make informed decisions.
Example: He studied extensively to gain knowledge in his field, understanding that knowledge is power.
42. Proverb- “Make hay while the sun shines”
Hindi Meaning- सूरज चमक रहा है, तो घास काटो
English Meaning: Take advantage of favorable conditions while they last.
Example: The weather was perfect, and he decided to make hay while the sun shines, completing the outdoor tasks.
43. Proverb- “Cleanliness is next to godliness” –
Hindi Meaning-स्वच्छता ईश्वरता के समीप होती है
English Meaning: Being clean and tidy is a symbol of godliness.
Example: She believes in keeping her surroundings spotless, following the principle that cleanliness is next to godliness.
44. Proverb- “Give credit where credit is due”
Hindi Meaning– जिसे श्रेय जाता है, उसे श्रेय देना चाहिए
English Meaning: Recognize and appreciate someone’s achievements or contributions.
Example: The team worked hard on the project, so give credit where credit is due; they deserve recognition.
45. Proverb- “No pain, no gain”
Hindi Meaning– कठिनाइयाँ नहीं तो उपलब्धियाँ नहीं
English Meaning: To achieve success or improvement, one must endure challenges or hardships.
Example: He pushed himself during the training sessions, believing that no pain, no gain, and he eventually won the competition.
46. Proverb- “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones”
Hindi Meaning– जो खुद नाज़ुक स्थान पर रहते हैं, उन्हें दूसरों पर पत्थर नहीं फेंकना चाहिए
English Meaning: Those who are not perfect should not criticize others.
Example: She shouldn’t criticize her colleague’s work; people who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
47. Proverb- “The proof of the pudding is in the eating”
Hindi Meaning– हलवा खाने से ही पता चलता है कि वह मीठा है या नहीं
English Meaning: The real value or quality of something is revealed through experience or results.
Example: The book received excellent reviews, but the proof of the pudding is in the eating; you’ll have to read it yourself to judge its worth.
48. Proverb- “There’s no smoke without fire”
Hindi Meaning– आग के बिना धुआँ नहीं हो सकता
English Meaning: Rumors or allegations often have some truth to them.
Example: Although he denied the accusations, there’s no smoke without fire; there might be some truth to the rumors.
49. Proverb- “Where there’s smoke, there’s fire”
Hindi Meaning– जहाँ धुआँ है, वहाँ आग होती है
English Meaning: When there are rumors or signs of trouble, there is likely some truth to it.
Example: The news report hinted at financial irregularities in the company, and where there’s smoke, there’s fire; further investigations revealed the truth.
50. Proverb- “You can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs”
Hindi Meaning– अंडे तोड़े बिना आप ओमलेट नहीं बना सकते
English Meaning: To achieve something significant, you may have to endure some difficulties or sacrifices.
Example: Launching a successful business requires investment and hard work; you can’t make an omelet without breaking eggs.
51. Proverb- “A leopard can’t change its spots”
Hindi Meaning– तोते की आँखें बदल गईं, तो तोता बदला नहीं
English Meaning: People’s fundamental nature or behavior is unlikely to change.
Example: Despite promising to be more responsible, he couldn’t stop procrastinating; a leopard can’t change its spots.
52. Proverb- “Ignorance is bliss”
Hindi Meaning-अज्ञान सुखद है
English Meaning: Not knowing the truth can sometimes be less worrisome or painful.
Example: She preferred not to know about the upcoming changes in the company; ignorance is bliss, and it kept her stress-free.
53. Proverb- “Let sleeping dogs lie”
Hindi Meaning- सोते हुए कुत्ते को छोड़ दो
English Meaning: Avoid meddling in situations that could lead to trouble or conflict.
Example: The old argument was best left untouched; let sleeping dogs lie to avoid unnecessary arguments.
54. Proverb- “The pen is mightier than the sword”
Hindi Meaning– क़लम तलवार से शक्तिशाली है
English Meaning: Writing ideas have a more significant impact than physical force.
Example: The power of his words brought about social change; the pen is mightier than the sword.
55. Proverb- “There’s no place like home”
Hindi Meaning– घर जैसा कोई स्थान नहीं
English Meaning: Home is the most comfortable and comforting place.
Example: After a long journey, she finally returned home, realizing that there’s no place like home.
56. Proverb- “Time heals all wounds”
Hindi Meaning– समय सभी घावों को भरता है
English Meaning: With time, emotional pain or grief lessens and eventually disappears.
Example: After a painful breakup, she found solace in the thought that time heals all wounds.
57. Proverb- “The squeaky wheel gets the grease” –
Hindi Meaning-चिल्लाने वाली चाकू को मिलता है तेल
English Meaning: Those who speak up or make noise get attention or assistance.
Example: She voiced her concerns to the manager, and the squeaky wheel gets the grease; her issue was promptly addressed.
58. Proverb- “Two wrongs don’t make a right”
Hindi Meaning– दो ग़लत सही नहीं कराते
English Meaning: You cannot justify one mistake by committing another.
Example: He was angry about being cheated, but two wrongs don’t make a right, so he chose not to retaliate.
59. Proverb- “Out of the frying pan and into the fire”
Hindi Meaning– भड़के में से आग में
English Meaning: Moving from a bad situation to an even worse one.
Example: After quitting his stressful job, he joined a company with a toxic work environment; he went out of the frying pan and into the fire.
60. Proverb- “The more, the merrier”
Hindi Meaning-जितने ज़्यादा, उतने ही ख़ुश
English Meaning: The greater the number of people or things, the happier the situation.
Example: The party was more enjoyable with more guests; the more, the merrier.
61. Proverb- “Patience is a virtue”
Hindi Meaning– धैर्य एक गुण है
English Meaning: The ability to wait calmly is a valuable quality.
Example: He waited patiently for the right opportunity to come along, knowing that patience is a virtue.
62. Proverb- “Time and tide wait for no man”
Hindi Meaning– समय और बहती हुई नदी किसी के इंतज़ार में नहीं रुकते
English Meaning: Time keeps moving forward, and opportunities may pass if not seized promptly.
Example: He realized that time and tide wait for no man, so he took immediate action to pursue his dreams.
63. Proverb- “Where there’s a will, there’s a way”
Hindi Meaning– जहाँ इच्छा है, वहाँ रास्ता है
English Meaning: If you are determined to do something you can figure out a solution to any problem.
Example: Despite facing numerous obstacles, she never gave up, believing where there’s a will, there’s a way.
64. Proverb- “Even a broken clock is right twice a day”
Hindi Meaning– एक भीषण घड़ी भी दिन में दो बार सही होती है
English Meaning: Even someone consistently wrong might be right on rare occasions.
Example: Though he often gives inaccurate predictions, even a broken clock is right twice a day, and he got it right this time.
65. Proverb- “All that glitters is not gold”
Hindi Meaning– सभी चमकदार चीज़े सोने नहीं होतीं
English Meaning: Not everything that looks valuable or attractive is of high quality.
Example: The car may look fancy, but remember, all that glitters is not gold; it could have hidden problems.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, English proverbs are like precious pearls of wisdom, encapsulated in short and impactful phrases. These timeless sayings have traversed the ages, serving as guiding beacons in our lives. The beauty of English proverbs lies in their simplicity, yet they contain profound meanings that transcend cultures and languages.
These proverbs offer practical advice, insights into human nature, and reflections on cultural values. They are the distilled wisdom of generations, handed down through stories, folklore, and written literature. The imagery and metaphors in these sayings paint vivid pictures in our minds, making them memorable and relatable.
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