A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

F

Faaer man ei Fuglen, da faaer man vel en Fieder deraf. If you cannot get the bird, get one of its feathers.

Faa have Lykken, alle have Döden. Few have luck, all have death.

Faa Qvinder graaner for Mandens Död. Few women turn grey because their husband dies.

Faar som bræge meest, malke mindst. The sheep that bleat the most give the least milk.

Fader og Moder ere gode, end er Gud bedre. Father and mother are kind, but God is kinder.

Fagerhed uden Tugt – Rose uden Lugt. Beauty without virtue is like a rose without scent.

Fagert Ansigt faaer Lov nok, dog man selv tier stille. A fair face will get its praise, though the owner keep silent.

Fagre Börn qvæde fagre Viser. Pretty children sing pretty songs.

Fagre Ord fryde en Daare, og stundom fuldvis en Mand. Fair words please the fool, and sometimes the wise.

Fagre Ord uden Fynd naae ikke langt. Fine words without deeds go not far.

Falder Himlen ned, da briste mange Leergryder. Should the heavens fall, many pipkins will be broken.

Falskhed ligger ofte under fagert Haar. Falseness often lurks beneath fair hair.

Fattige Frænder faae liden Hæder. Poor relations have little honour.

Fattig Mand har faa Kyndinger. A poor man has few acquaintances.

Fattig Mands Hovmod varer stakket. The pride of the poor does not endure.

Fattig Mands Kæde haver mange Ulæde. A poor man’s joy has much alloy.

Fattig Mands Korn voxer altid tyndt. The poor man’s corn always grows thin.

Fattig Mand söger om Maden, den Rige om Lyst til at æde den. The poor man seeks for food, the rich man for appetite.

Far som de Fleste, saa spotte dig de Færreste. Do as others do, and few will mock you.

Flere Folk dræbes af Nadver end af Sværd. More people are slain by suppers than by the sword.

Flykket hænger ikke saa höit, at jo Hunden agter sig Benet. The flitch hangs never so high but a dog will look out for the bone.

Flyver end Fuglen over dit Hoved, saa lad den ei bygge Bo i dit Haar. Though the bird may fly over your head, let it not make its nest in your hair.

Föl bliver ikke altid Faderen liig. Every foal is not like its sire.

Folsk Vise vorder mangelunde qvædet. A silly song may be sung in many ways.

Fordi er Verden vid, at hver haver sin Id. Every man has his lot, and a wide world before him.

För een lærer at hænge er han halv död. Before a man learns to hang he is half dead.

Forgieves er at mede uden Krog, at lære uden Bog. It is vain to fish without a hook, or learn to read without a book.

For Konst skal man Mesteren ære. The master derives honour from his art.

Forliigt Venskab er som ilde lægt Saar. Reconciled friendship is like a badly healed wound.

For meget og for lidt fordærver alting. Too little and too much spoils everything.

For Vilkaar og Vedtægt maa Loven vige. To circumstances and custom the law must yield.

“Frænde er Usle værst,” sagde Ræven, han saae de röde Hunde. ”Own kin are the worst friends,” said the fox, when he saw the foxy dogs after him.

Freden föder, Krigen öder; Freden nærer, Krigen tærer. Peace feeds, war wastes; peace breeds, war consumes.

Fred og velbygget Huus kjöbes ei for dyrt. Peace and a well-built house cannot be bought too dearly.

Fred skal man dyrt kjöbe. Peace must be bought even at a high price.

Fremmed Mad smager altid bedst. Strangers’ meat is the greatest treat.

Frisk vovet er halvt vundet. A bold attempt is half success.

“Fruer har Fruenoder,” sagde Gal’ Ane, hun slæbte sin Kaabe i Rendesteenen. ”Ladies have ladies’ whims,” said crazy Ann, when she draggled her cloak in the gutter.

Fuglen flyver aldrig saa höit, han söger jo sit Föde paa Jorden. However high a bird may soar, it seeks its food on earth.

Fuldt Kar skal man varligen bære. A full vessel must be carried carefully.

“Fy dig an, saa sort du er!” sagde Gryden til Leerpotten. ”Fie upon thee, how black thou art!” said the kettle to the saucepan.

Fyrm og Faste læger mangen Sot. Abstinence and fasting cure many a complaint.

G

Gaaer Lykkens Vogn vel, da hænge Skam og Avind ved Hiulene. When fortune’s chariot rolls easily, envy and shame cling to the wheels.

Gaasen gaaer saa længe i Stegerset, til hun fastner ved Spedet. The goose goes so often into the kitchen, till at last she sticks to the spit.

“Gak med,” og “see til,” ere to gode Tyende i Bondens Gaard. ”I’ll go myself,” and “I’ll see to it,” are two good servants on a farm.

Galne Hunde faae revet Skind. Mad dogs get their coats torn.

Gamle Fugle fanger man ikke med Avner. Old birds are not caught with chaff.

Gamle Mærker daare ikke. Old signs do not deceive.

Gamle Sviin har haarde Tryner, gamle Stude haarde Horn. Old swine have hard snouts, old oxen hard horns.

Gammel Giek er værre end ung Daare. An old fool is worse than a young simpleton.

Gammel Green bryder naar den skal böies. The old branch breaks when it is bent.

Gammel Mands Sagn er sielden usand. An old man’s sayings are seldom untrue.

Gammel Ulv ræddes ei ved höie Raab. An old wolf is not scared by loud cries.

Gavnet er bedre end Navnet. Profit is better than fame.

Giedden bliver stor af de smaae Fisk. The pike grows big on small fry.

Giem din Mund, og giem din Ven. Keep your mouth, and keep your friend.

Gien ei af dig det, der ei löber paa dig. Drive not away what never came near you.

Giensti vorder ofte Glapsti. A short cut is often a wrong cut.

Gierrig Mands Taske bliver aldrig fuld. The miser’s bag is never full.

Gierrig Qværn maler allehaande Korn. A greedy mill grinds all kinds of corn.

Giev Mand giör sig ikke til Hund for et Beens Skyld. An honest man does not make himself a dog for the sake of a bone.

Gift din Sön naar du vil, din Datter naar du kan. Marry your son when you will, your daughter when you can.

Giör ærligen, og svar diærveligen. Act honestly, and answer boldly.

Giör saa i Dalen, at du frygter ei hvo staaer paa Valden. Act so in the valley, that you need not fear those who stand on the hill.

Giör vel imod en Skalk, og bed til Gud, han lönner dig ikke. Do good to a knave, and pray God he may not do the same to thee.

Giort Gierning staaer ikke til at vende. What is done cannot be undone.

Giver Gud ei Skiepper fulde, saa giver han Skeer fulde. If God give not bushelfuls, he gives spoonfuls.

Giv Griis naar han grynter, og Barn naar det græder, saa faaer Du fager Griis og fuult Barn. Give a pig when it grunts, and a child when it cries, and you will have a fine pig, and a bad child.

Giv Skalken et Spand, han tager vel heel Alen. Give a rogue an inch, and he will take an ell.

Glad Aftensang giör ofte sorrigfuld Ottesang. A joyous evening often leads to a sorrowful morning.

Glæde er som Koldesygen; een god Dag imellem to onde. Joy is like the ague; one good day between two bad ones.

Gode Ord læge Venne-Saar. Kind words heal friendship’s wounds.

Gode Raad rodne ikke, naar de komme törre i Huus. Good counsel will not rot, if it be got in dry.

God Konge er bedre end gammel Lov. A good king is better than an old law.

God Nabo er bedre end Broder i anden By. A good neighbour is better than a brother far off.

God Styrmand kiendes ei naar Havet er stille og Veiret til Villie. A good pilot is not known when the sea is calm and the weather fair.

Godt er at have reent Bröd i sin Pose. It is well to have clean bread in one’s wallet.

Godt er at hvile paa giort Gierning. Rest is good after the work is done.

Godt er at sidde ved Styret i stille Veir. It is easy to sit at the helm in fine weather.

Godt Haandværk har en gylden Grund. A good handicraft has a golden foundation.

Godt kommer aldrig for tidt. Good never comes too often.

Gold So var aldrig Griise god. A barren sow is never kind to pigs.

Graa Haar ere Dödens Blomster. Grey hairs are death’s blossoms.

Gud bedre Faarene naar Ulven er Dommer. God help the sheep when the wolf is judge.

Gud giver alle Mad som han giver Mund. God never sends mouths but he sends meat.

Gud giver hver Fugl sin Föde, men kaster den ei i Reden til ham. God gives every bird its food, but does not throw it into the nest.

Gud giver hver saa Kuld, som Klæder. God sends men cold according to their clothes.

Gud giver smaa Folk smaa Gaver. God gives little folks small gifts.

Gud giver Villien, Nöden giver Tvang. God gives the will, necessity gives the law.

Gud kommer tilsidst, naar vi troe han er længst borte. God comes at last, when we think he is farthest off.

Guds Raadkammer har ingen Nögle. To God’s council-chamber there is no key.

Guld bliver vel Guld, om end det ligger i Skalkepung. Gold is gold, though it be in a rogue’s purse.

Guld Nögle lukker alle Döre op uden Himlens. A golden key opens every door except that of heaven.

Gunst og Gave kommer Retten til at rave. Favour and gifts disturb justice.

H

Haabe og vente er Giekkerente. Hope and expectation are a fool’s income.

Haabet er de Vaagendes Dröm. Hope is the dream of the waking.

Haabet er et Æg hvoraf Een faaer Blommen, en Anden Hviden, en Tredie Skallen. Hope is an egg of which one man gets the yolk, another the white, and a third the shell.

Haand skal anden toe, eller baade urene være. One hand must wash the other, or both will be dirty.

Haardt Bidsel giör ikke Hesten bedre. A hard bit does not make the horse better.

Haardt er ufödt Hest at binde ved Krybbe. It is difficult to tie an unborn horse to the manger.

Halvt at rose er halvt at skielde. Faint praise is akin to abuse.

Han ager et godt Læs i Gaard, som en god Hustru faaer. He drives a good waggonful into his farm who gets a good wife.

Han ager ikke ilde som veed at vende. He is not a bad driver who knows how to turn.

Han banker dristig paa, som bær godt Budskab. He knocks boldly at the door who brings a welcome message.

Han dandser og, som dandser nödig. A man dances all the same, though he may dance against his will.

Han drukner ikke, der hænge skal, uden Vandet gaaer over Galgen. He who was born to be hanged will not be drowned, unless the water go over the gallows.

Han er ikke bedre der fjæler, end han der stjæler. He that hides is no better than he that steals.

Han er ikke bedre der holder end den der flaaer. He that holds is no better than he that scourges.

Han er ingensteds, som er allesteds. He who is everywhere, is nowhere.

Han föler bedst hvor Skoen trykker, som har den paa. He knows best where the shoe pinches who wears it.

Hæng den unge Tyv, saa stiæler den gamle ikke. Hang the young thief, and the old one will not steal.

Han kommer ei til Skov der ræddes for hver Busk. He will never get into the wood who starts at every bush.

Han kommer og frem, der ager med Stude. Even he gets on who is drawn by oxen.

Han kom tidlig nok, der blev hængt ved Lys. He came time enough who was hung by candlelight.

Han maae have Skaden, som har sögt den. He that courts injury will obtain it.

Han raader for Sækken, der sidder paa den. He has command of the sack who is seated on it.

Han skal have Fingre af Jern, som Fanden vil flaae. He must have iron fingers who would flay the devil.

Han skal have meget Smör, som skal stoppe hver Mands Mund. He must have plenty of butter, who would stop everybody’s mouth.

Han skal see grandt til, der Sanden skal sige. He must keep a sharp look-out who would speak the truth.

Han skal skrige höit, som vil skræmme Fanden. He must cry loud who would scare the devil.

Han skal være skiær som en anden vil skielde. He must be pure who would blame another.

Han skiender, som ei kan skade. He scolds most that can hurt the least.

Han veed bedst af Vandet, som vadet har. He knows the water best who has waded through it.

Har du lært at bie, kan du blive Dronning i Sverrig. If you have learnt to wait, you may be Queen of Sweden.

Har du sagt hvad du vil, skal du höre hvad du ikke vil. He that says what he should not, will hear what he would not.

Hævd giör god Hest og ikke höre Stalde. Care, and not fine stables, make a good horse.

Havde nær ikke været saa havde Kiærlingen bidt en Ulv. Had it not been for an if, the old woman would have bitten a wolf.

Heiren straffer Vandet, fordi han ei kan svömme. The heron blames the water because he cannot swim.

Hellere seer jeg Rögen af min egen Skorsteen, end Ilden paa en andens. I would rather see smoke from my own chimney than the fire on another’s hearth.

Hemmelig Gave faaer aabenbar Lön. Secret gifts are openly rewarded.

Herrebön er Herrebud. Great men’s requests are commands.

Herrer og Narre have frit Sprog. Lords and fools speak freely.

Herre uden Land, er Fadet uden Viin. A lord without land, is like a cask without wine.

Hest skal gaae til Krybben, ikke Krybben til Hest. The horse must go to the manger, and not the manger to the horse.

Hielp dig selv da hielper dig Gud. Help yourself, and God will help you.

Hielp er god, saa nær som i Grödfadet. Help is good everywhere, except in the porridge-bowl.

Himlen er dog blaa, om end den Blinde ei seer det. The sky is not the less blue because the blind man does not see it.

Hoflevnet er ofte Helvedes Gienvei. Life at court is often a short cut to hell.

Hold dig til de Smaae, saa bide de Store dig ikke. Keep to the little ones, and the big ones will not bite you.

Hold din Næse fra andres Gryder. Keep your nose out of another’s mess.

Holder man ei Kieppen til, agter Hunden intet Bud. It is the raised stick that makes the dog obey.

Hör en Mand för du svarer; hör flere för du dömmer. Hear one man before you answer; hear several before you decide.

Hovedkulds Raad – halslös Gierning. Precipitate counsel – perilous deed.

Hovmod gaaer for Fald. Pride will have a fall.

Hvad man med Synd faaer, det med Sorg gaaer. That which comes with sin, goes with sorrow.

Hvad skal Spurve i Tranedands, deres Been ere saa korte. Sparrows should not dance with cranes, their legs are too short.

Hvem der hvidsker, han lyver. He who whispers, lies.

Hvem der ikke seer sig for, maa tage Skade for Hiemgiæld. He who does not look before him, must take misfortune for his earnings.

Hvem der saaer Penge, höster Armod. He who sows money, will reap poverty.

Hvem der skammer sig ved at spörge, skammer sig ved at lære. He who is ashamed of asking, is ashamed of learning.

Hvem der vil hænge sig, finder nok en Strikke. He who would hang himself is sure to find a rope.

Hver er sin Synd söd og sin Anger led. Every one finds sin sweet and repentance bitter.

Hver hörer helst sin egen Lov. Every man likes his own praise best.

Hver i sin Færd, som han er hjemme lært. A man conducts himself abroad as he has been taught at home.

Hver Mand siger det; ingen Mand veed det. Everybody says it; nobody knows it.

Hver Mand sin Lyst. Every man has his liking.

Hvermands Ven, hvermands Nar. Every man’s friend is every man’s fool.

Hver Ræv varer sin Bælg. Every fox looks after his own skin.

Hver skal bære sin egen Sæk til Mölle. Every man must carry his own sack to the mill.

Hvert Liv sin Lyst, hver Lyst sin Lov. Every life has its joy, every joy its law.

Hvo aarle riis, han vorder mangt viis. He who rises early will gather wisdom.

Hvo alle tiene vil, faaer Tak af Ingen. He who would serve everybody gets thanks from nobody.

Hvo avelös lever, han ærelös döer. He who lives without restraint, will die without honour.

Hvo der ei har Penge i Pungen, maa have gode Ord paa Tungen. He that has no money in his purse, should have fair words on his lips.

Hvo der ei kan faae Flæsket, faaer at nöies med Kaalen. He who can’t get bacon, must be content with cabbage.

Hvo der ei vil til Helvede, kommer ikke til Hove. He who would not go to hell, must not go to court.

Hvo der er födt til Penning, bliver aldrig Dalers Herre. He who was born to pennies, will never be master of dollars.

Hvo der er langt fra sit Hjem, er næst ved sin Skade. He who is far from home, is near to harm.

Hvo der flyer, gjör sig selv sagfældig. He who flees, proves himself guilty.

Hvo der föder en Ulv, han styrker sin Fjende. He who feeds a wolf, strengthens his enemy.

Hvo der gaaer i Dands, see til hvem han tager i Haand. When you go to dance, take heed whom you take by the hand.

Hvo der gaaer i Seng med Hunde, skal staa op med Lopper. He that lies down with dogs, will get up with fleas.

Hvo der har mange Jern i Ilden, han faaer somme brændt. He who has many irons in the fire, will let some of them burn.

Hvo der haver en hvid Hest og deilig Kone, er sjelden uden Sorg. He who has a white horse and a fair wife is seldom without trouble.

Hvo der haver Giekken i Ærmet, der vil han alt kige ud. If a man has folly in his sleeve, it will be sure to peep out.

Hvo der hugger over sig, ham falder Spaanerne i Öinene. He that cuts above himself, will get splinters in his eye.

Hvo der ikke byger vel, han bleger ikke vel. They who do not wash well, do not bleach well.

Hvo der ikke har Falk, han skal bede med Ugler. He who has no falcon, must hunt with owls.

Hvo der ikke vil kjöbe Raad for godt Kjöb, skal kjöbe Anger dyret. He who will not take cheap advice, will have to buy dear repentance.

Hvo der jager med Katte, han fanger Muus. He who hunts with cats will catch mice.

Hvo der kan sidde paa en Steen og föde sig, skal ikke flytte. He who can sit upon a stone and feed himself should not move.

Hvo der kommer paa Söen, maa enten seile eller synke. He that is once at sea, must either sail or sink.

Hvo der omgaaes med Ulv, han lærer at tude. He who herds with wolves, learns to howl.

Hvo der saaer Ærter ved Adelvei, faaer ei alle Bælge i Laden. He who sows peas on the highway does not get all the pods into his barn.

Hvo der saaer Had, skal höste Anger. He who sows hatred shall gather rue.

Hvo der selv vil gjöre sig til Giek, faaer mange til at hjælpe sig. He who would make a fool of himself will find many to help him.

Hvo der slaaer een paa Halsen, han slaaer ham ikke langt fra Hovedet. He who strikes another on the neck, does not strike far from the head.

Hvo der staaer höit, den seer man vidt. He who stands high is seen from afar.

Hvo der staaer Vedhuggeren nær, faaer en Spaan i Hovedet. He who stands near the woodcutter is likely to be hit by a splinter.

Hvo der tager Barnet ved Haanden tager Moderen ved Hjertet. He who takes the child by the hand, takes the mother by the heart.

Hvo der vil æde Kjernen, faae bryde Skallen. He who would eat the kernel, must crack the shell.

Hvo der vil binde for en andens Mund, skal först snöre for sin egen. He who would close another man’s mouth, should first tie up his own.

Hvo der vil have god Kaal, faaer at koste den. He who would have good cabbage, must pay its price.

Hvo der vil have godt af Ilden maa taale Rögen. He who would enjoy the fire must bear the smoke.

Hvo der vil have Hunden hængt, finder nok et Reb. He that wants to hang a dog, is sure to find a rope.

Hvo der vil Honning slikke, maa ikke ræddes for Bier. He who would steal honey, must not be afraid of bees.

Hvo der vil kjöbe Pölse af Hunden maa give ham Flesk igjen. He who would buy sausage of a dog must give him bacon in exchange.

Hvo der vil smage al Saad, brænder tidt sin Mund. He who tastes every man’s broth, often burns his mouth.

Hvo en anden vil række en Brand, vare sig at han ei brænder sin Haand. Let him who would reach another a brand, beware that he do not burn his own hand.

Hvo höit vil klyve, falder ofte ned. Those who climb high, often have a fall.

Hvo Kjærnen vil æde, skal Nödden bryde. He who would eat the kernel, must crack the nut.

Hvo kommer först til Mölle, faaer först malet. He who comes first to the mill is first served.

Hvo lidet forsmaaer, han bliver sjelden rig. He who despises small things seldom grows rich.

Hvo lidet saaer, lidet faaer. He who sows little, reaps little.

Hvo meget haver af Smörret, han kaster somt i Kaalen. He who has plenty of butter, may put some in his cabbage.

Hvo meget spörger, bliver meget viis. He that inquires much, learns much.

Hvor Aadselet er, forsamles Örnene. Where the carrion is, there the eagles gather.

Hvor der er Ave er Tugt; hvor der er Fred er Frugt. Where there is discipline there is virtue; where there is peace there is plenty.

Hvor der er Hierterum, er der Huusrum. When there is room in the heart, there is room in the house.

Hvo ret vil spare, skal begynde af Munden. He who would save, should begin with the mouth.

Hvor Mand ei selv kommer, der bliver ei heller hans Hoved tvættet. Where a man never goes, there his head will never be washed.

Hvor man ei kan komme over, maa man krybe under. Where you cannot climb over, you must creep under.

Hvor Mistanke gaaer ind, gaaer Kjærlighed ud. When mistrust enters, love departs.

Hvor Penge fattes og Raad, er bedst, ikke at krige. Where money and counsel are wanting, it is best not to make war.

Hvor Villie er Ret, der er Loven landflygtig. Where will is right, law is banished.

Hvor Vrede blinder, der Sandhed forsvinder. When anger blinds the eyes, truth disappears.

Hvo sig blander med Saader, ham æde Sviin. He who lies down in the wash will be eaten by swine.

Hvo sig selv kildrer, kan lee naar han lyster. He who tickles himself can laugh when he pleases.

Hvo sig selv laster, ham lover ingen Mand. He who speaks ill of himself is praised by no one.

Hvo som bygger efter hver Mands Raad, hans Huus kommer kroget at staae. He who builds according to every man’s advice will have a crooked house.

Hvo som har en god Nabo, har en god Morgen. He who has a good neighbour has a good morning.

Hvo som rædes for Ord, har ei Hierte til Gierning. He who is scared by words, has no heart for deeds.

Hvo som rörer ved Beg, han smitter sig. He that touches pitch defiles himself.

Hvo som Skalken kiender, han kiöber ham ei. He who knows a knave, makes no bid for him.