A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs

I

Iæt har ingen Dyd uden det holdes. There is no virtue in a promise unless it be kept.

Idag Guld, imorgen Muld. To-day in gold, to-morrow in the mould.

Idig Gierning giör duelig Mester. Diligent work makes a skilful workman.

I Krig er bedst at binde sin Hest ved fremmed Krybbe. In war it is best to tie your horse to a strange manger.

Ilde giemmer man Pölse i Hundehuus. The dog’s kennel is not the place to keep a sausage.

Ilden skrötter ikke, hvis Kappe den svier. The fire heeds little whose cloak it burns.

Ilde strider hovedlös Hær. A headless army fights badly.

Ild Hund haver Ar i Næse. An ill-tempered dog has a scarred nose.

Ild og Halm giör snar Lue. Fire and straw soon make a flame.

Ild og Vand ere gode Tienere, men onde Herrer. Fire and water are good servants but bad masters.

Ild pröver Guld, og Nöd Vennehuld. Gold is proved in the fire, friendship in need.

Ildt er Rakke at lege med Biörnehvalp. It is bad for puppies to play with bear-cubs.

Ingen bliver greben paa det Sted, hvor han ikke kommer. No one can be caught in places he does not visit.

Ingen er mere döv end den som ikke vil höre. None so deaf as those who won’t hear.

Ingen er saa lang, han maa jo række sig, ingen saa liden han maa jo bukke sig. No man is so tall that he need never stretch, and none so small that he need never stoop.

Ingen er saa riig, han har jo sin Grande nödig. No one is rich enough to do without his neighbour.

Ingen faaer Skam, uden han selv hielper til med. Shame comes to no man unless he himself help it on the way.

Ingen falder siidt, uden han vil stige höit. No one falls low unless he attempt to climb high.

Ingen halter af Andres Skade. No man limps because another is hurt.

Ingen Helgen er saa ringe, han vil jo have sit Voxlys. Let a saint be ever so humble, he will have his wax taper.

Ingen kiender Præsten bedre end Degnen. No one knows the parson better than the clerk.

Ingen Ko kaldes broget, uden hun haver en Flek. A cow is not called dappled unless she has a spot.

Ingen kommer i Skaden, uden han selv hielper til. No one gets into trouble without his own help.

Ingen leder om en anden i Sækken, uden han selv har været der för. No man looks for another in a sack, unless he have been there himself.

Ingen skal foragte lidet Saar, fattig Frænde, eller ringe Fjende. Despise not a small wound, a poor kinsman, or a humble enemy.

Ingen Veibyrde er bedre at bære end Viisdom. Wisdom is the least burdensome travelling pack.

Intet er saa nyt, at jo för er skeet. Nothing is so new but it has happened before. (There is nothing new under the sun.)

Intet Svar er ogsaa Svar. No answer is also an answer.

I stille Vand gaae de store Fiske. In still water are the largest fish.

I tyst Vand ere Orme værst. In still water the worms are worst.

J

“Jeg kiender nok Karsen,” sagde Bonden, han aad Skarntyde. ”I am a judge of cresses,” said the peasant, as he was eating hemlock.

“Jeg siger det ikke for min Skyld,” sagde Ræven, “at der er god Gaasegang i Skoven.” ”It is not for my own sake,” said the fox, “that I say there is a good goose-green in the wood.”

Jo ædlere Blod, jo mindre Hovmod. The nobler the blood the less the pride.

Jo argere Skalk, jo bedre Lykke. The more knave, the better luck.

Jo flere Hyrder, jo værre Vogt. The more shepherds the less care.

Jo flere Kokke, jo værre Spad. The more cooks, the worse broth.

Jo kiærere Barn, jo skarpere Riis. The dearer the child, the sharper must be the rod.

Jo mere af Lov, jo mindre af Ret. The more by law, the less by right.

Jo mere Frygt, jo nærmere Skaden. The greater the fear, the nearer the danger.

Jorden er altid frossen for utrevne Sviin. The earth is always frozen to lazy swine.

K

Kald ikke paa Fanden, han kommer vel ubuden. Call not the devil, he will come fast enough unbidden.

Kappen giör hverken Præst eller Degn. It is not the surplice that makes parson or clerk.

Kast ei Bulöxe til Vor Herre, han vender det skarpe igien. Throw not thy hatchet at the Lord, He will turn the sharp edge against thee.

Kast ikke Barnet ud med Badet. Throw not the child out with the bath.

Kattens Leeg er Musens Död. What is play to the cat is death to the mouse.

Kiærligheds Væxt vil vandes med Graad, og dyrkes med Umag. Love’s plant must be watered with tears, and tended with care.

Kiært Barn har mange Navne. A pet child has many names.

Kiend Ulv Paternoster, han siger dog: “Lam! Lam!” Though you teach a wolf the paternoster, he will say: “Lamb! lamb!”

Kloge Höns giör og i Nælder. Even clever hens sometimes lay their eggs among nettles.

Koen malkes, og ei Oxen; Faaret klippes, og ei Hesten. The cow is milked, not the ox; the sheep is shorn, not the horse.

Koen veed ikke af, hvad hendes Hale duer til, för hun har mistet den. The cow does not know the value of her tail till she has lost it.

Konst er Konst, om og ei Lykken er med. Art is art, even though unsuccessful.

Konst og Lære giver Bröd og Ære. Art and knowledge bring bread and honour.

Kragen er ikke des hvidere, at hun tidt toer sig. A crow is never the whiter for often washing.

Krage söger vel sin Mage. The crow will find its mate. (Like will be to like.)

Kroget Jern kan Hammeren rette. Crooked iron may be straightened with a hammer.

Krukken gaaer saa længe til Kilde, til hun faaer knæk. The pitcher goes so often to the well that it gets broken at last.

Kys er Kiærligheds bud. Kisses are the messengers of love.

L

Laan din Ven, og kræv din Uven. Lend to your friend, and ask payment of your enemy.

Laant Hest og egen Sporer giör korte Mile. A borrowed horse and your own spurs make short miles.

Længe at leve er længe at lide. To live long is to suffer long.

Længe lever truet Mand, om han fanger Bröd. A threatened man lives long, if he can get bread.

Lad Barn have sin Villie, da græder det ei. Let a child have its will, and it will not cry.

Lad den blive ved Aaren, som har lært at roe. Let him stay at the oar who has learnt to row.

Lad din Hustru have den stakkede Kniv, og hav selv den lange. Give your wife the short knife, and keep the long one for yourself.

Lad Hund til Honningtrug, da springer han i med baade Been. Let a dog get at a dish of honey, and he will jump in with both legs.

Lands Skik, er Lands Hæder. National customs are national honours.

Langt fra Öine snart af Sinde. Out of sight, out of mind.

Lastelig er, at flye for en levende Fjende, og at skjelde den döde. It is discreditable to fly from a living enemy, or to abuse a dead one.

Lediggang er Fandens Hovedpude. Idleness is the devil’s bolster.

Legen gaaer bedst med Jævnlige. It is best to play with equals.

Leger du med Narren i Huset, saa leger han med dig paa Gaden. If you play with the fool at home, he will play with you abroad.

Leergryde baader intet af at komme i Lag med Kobberpotte. The earthen pan gains nothing by contact with the copper pot.

Leilighed giör Tyve. Opportunity makes the thief.

Let er den Byrde som en anden bær. Another man’s burden is always light.

Liden Hvile er altid god. A short rest is always good.

Liden Tue vælter ofte stort Læs. A little stone may upset a large cart.

Liden Vinding smager vel. Small profits are sweet.

Lide og bie, lyde og lære, hjelper fattig Barn til Ære. Suffering and patience, obedience and application, help the lowly born to honour.

Lige Brödre giöre bedst Leg. Like plays best with like.

Lige Bytte giör mindst Trætte. A fair exchange brings no quarrel.

Liggende Ulv löber ikke Lam i Munde. Lambs don’t run into the mouth of the sleeping wolf.

List har liden Ære. Cunning has little honour.

Löfter og raat Klæde löbe meget ind. Promises and undressed cloth are apt to shrink.

Lögn bliver ikke træt af at gaae lange Veie. Falsehood never tires of going round about.

Lögn er Fandens Datter, og taler sin Faders Maal. Falsehood is the Devil’s daughter, and speaks her father’s tongue.

Lögn og Dravel giver ond Avel. Lies and gossip have a wretched offspring.

Lögn og Latin löbe Verden omkring. Lies and Latin go round the world.

Lögn reiser om for hun vil voxe. Falsehood travels and grows.

Lög og Rög og en ond Qvinde komme god Mands Öine til at rinde. Onions, smoke, and a shrew, make a good man’s eyes water.

Lov baner Vei til Venskab. Praise paves the way to friendship.

Loven er ærlig, Holden er besværlig. To promise is easy, to keep is troublesome.

Loven er de Vaagendes, Lykken er de Sovendes. Law helps the waking, luck may come to the sleeping.

Lovkiön og Maler kan snart giöre hvidt til sort. Lawyers and painters can soon change white to black.

Luen er ikke langt fra Rögen. The flame is not far from the smoke.

Lykken banker ofte paa, Tossen lader hende ved Dören staa. Fortune often knocks at the door, but the fool does not invite her in.

Lykken bær en Mand over Bækken, om han gider sprunget. Luck will carry a man across the brook if he is not too lazy to leap.

Lykken gaaer til Dören, spörger om Forsyn er inde. Luck taps at the door and inquires whether prudence is within.

Lykken har meget til Mange, men nok til Ingen. Luck has much for many, but enough for no one.

Lykken haver skröbeligt Ankerhold. Luck has but a slender anchorage.

Lyst og Villie giör Arbeidet ringe. Cheerfulness and goodwill make labour light.

M

Mager Kalv glemmer at springe. A lean calf forgets to skip.

Magten gaaer ofte for Konsten. Power often goes before talent.

Magt og Mod vil have Vid med i Fölge. Might and courage require wit in their suite.

Man angrer ofte sin Tale, men sielden sin Taushed. Speech is oft repented, silence seldom.

Man bliver ei snarere skiden end af Skarn. Meddle with dirt and some of it will stick to you.

Mand kysser ofte den Haand, han gierne saae af at være. A man often kisses the hand he would like to see cut off.

Mands Ord, Mands Ære. A man’s word is his honour.

Mands Villie, Mands Himmerige. A man’s will is his heaven.

Man er dog ei Greve, for man æder store Leve. A man is not a lord because he feeds off fine dishes.

Man faaer at bage af det Meel man har. You must contrive to bake with the flour you have.

Man faaer det for gode Ord, som man mister for onde. You may gain by fair words what may fail you by angry ones.

Man faaer ei Ko af kolös Mand. You cannot take a cow from a man who has none.

Man faaer ei meer af Ræven end Bælgen. You can have no more of the fox than his skin.

Man fanger flere Fluer med en Draabe Honning end med en Tönde Ædike. More flies are caught with a drop of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.

Man fylder för Maven paa en Skalk end Öiet. It is easier to fill a rogue’s belly than his eye.

Mange Bække smaae, giöre en stor Aa. Many little rivulets make a great river.

Mange have formeget, men Ingen har nok. Many have too much, but none have enough.

Mange Hunde ere Harens död. Many dogs are the death of the hare.

Mange kysser Barnet for Ammens Skyld. Many kiss the child for the nurse’s sake.

Mange Sandkorn kommer Skib til at synke. Many grains of sand will sink a ship.

Mangen er god Ven, men ond Grande. Many a man is a good friend but a bad neighbour.

Mangen et Faar gaaer tykuldet ud og kommer klippet hiem. Many a sheep goes out woolly and comes home shorn.

Mangen giör megen Spad paa lidet Kiöd. Much broth is sometimes made with little meat.

Mangen Ko staaer i Vang, og kiger i Fælled. Many a cow stands in the meadow and looks wistfully at the common.

Mangen qvider for den Dag han ikke bider. Many a man labours for the day he will never live to see.

Mangen saae gierne sin egen Skam paa en andens Ryg. Many a one would like to lay his own shame on another man’s back.

Mangen vil gierne rose Ret og giöre Uret. Many love to praise right and do wrong.

Man giör ei god Erkebisp af en Skalk. You cannot make a good archbishop of a rogue.

Man giör ei godt Jagthorn af en Svinehale. You cannot make a good hunting-horn of a pig’s tail.

Man gnaver noget af Been, men intet af Steen. You may get something off a bone, but nothing off a stone.

Man har ei længer Fred end Naboen vil. You cannot have peace longer than your neighbour chooses.

Man har Leiligheden i Ærmet, naar man vil. You may always find an opportunity in your sleeve, if you like.

Man hugger ikke Hovedet af fordi det er skurvet. A head is not to be cut off because it is scabby.

Man hvisker stundom een noget i Öret, og hörer det over den hele By. Many a thing whispered into one ear is heard over the whole town.

Man kan ei drage haardt med brudet Reb. You cannot pull hard with a broken rope.

Man kan ei seile hvorhen man vil, men hvor Vinden blæser. You cannot sail as you would, but as the wind blows.

Man kan ikke bære al sin Slægt paa Skuldrene. A man cannot carry all his kin on his back.

Man kan ikke drikke og pibe paa eengang. You cannot drink and whistle at the same time.

Man kan ikke klippe Faaret længer end til Skindet. You cannot shear the sheep closer than the skin.

Man kan ikke see en Anden længer end til Tænderne. No one can see into another further than his teeth.

Man kan lukke for en Tyv, men ikke for en Lögner. You may shut your doors against a thief, but not against a liar.

Man kan nöde en Hest til Vands, men ikke til at drikke. You may force a horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink.

Man kan nöde en Mand til at blunde, men ikke til at sove. You may force a man to shut his eyes, but not to sleep.

Man kan nöde en Oxe til Vands, men ikke nöde ham til at drikke. You may force an ox to the water, but you cannot make him drink.

Man kan tænde et andet Lys af sit uden Skade. You may light another’s candle at your own without loss.

Man koger saa vel i smaae Gryder som i de store. You may cook in small pots as well as in large ones.

Man lader sig hellere bide af Ulve end af Faar. One would rather be bitten by wolves than by sheep.

Man maa bære sit Kors med Taalmodighed, sagde Manden, han tog sin Kone paa Ryggen. We must bear our cross with patience, said the man when he took his wife on his back.

Man maa ikke lade Narre see halvgiort Arbeide. Never let fools see half-finished work.

Man maa tage suur Sild af onde Gieldinger. Of bad debtors you may take spoilt herrings.

Man meder og den Fisk som nödig vil. Even that fish may be caught that strives the hardest against it.

Man skal bruge den Sol som nu skinner. Make use of the sun while it shines.

Man skal ei bære Segel i Anden Mands Korn. Take not your sickle to another man’s corn.

Man skal ei bide den Hund igien som bider. Bite not the dog that bites.

Man skal ei forsmaae gamle Venner eller gamle Veie. Old friends and old ways ought not to be disdained.

Man skal ei have to Tunger i een Mund. Keep not two tongues in one mouth.

Man skal ei kaste Steen efter den Hund som ligger stille. Throw no stones at a sleeping dog.

Man skal ei skue given Hest i Munden. Look not a gift horse in the mouth.

Man skal fire den Stub, man har Ly af. Honour the tree that gives you shelter.

Man skal ikke agte Hunden efter Haarene. Do not judge the dog by his hairs.

Man skal ikke troe en springsk Hest, eller en stor Herre. naar de ryste paa Hovedet. Trust not a skittish horse, nor a great lord, when they shake their heads.

Man skal ikke svide alt det som loddent er. All hairy skins must not be singed.

Man skal længe gaae bag en Vildgaas för man hitter en Strudsfieder. You must walk a long while behind a wild goose before you find an ostrich feather.

Man skal længe gabe, för en stegt Due flyver een i Munden. A man must keep his mouth open a long while before a roast pigeon flies into it.

Man skal længe hugge paa en Elletrunte, för man faaer en Bisværm deraf. You must knock a long while against an alder-bush before you get a swarm of bees out of it.

Man skal meget lide, eller tidlig döe. We must suffer much, or die young.

Man skal og saae efter en ond Höst. We must sow even after a bad harvest.

Man skal rævse godt Barn at det ikke bliver ondt, og ondt Barn at det ikke bliver værre. Chastise a good child, that it may not grow bad, and a bad one, that it may not grow worse.

Man skal Sæd fölge, eller Land flye. Follow the customs, or fly the country.

Man skal sætte Tæring efter Næring. Live according to your means.

Man skal skiemte med sin Lige. Jest with your equals.

Man skal skue en Pige i et Trug Deig, og ikke i en Springedands. You must judge a maiden at the kneading trough, and not in a dance.

Man skal smede Jernet medens det er hedt. Strike while the iron is hot.

Man skal tude med de Ulve man er iblandt. You must howl with the wolves when you are among them.

Man skal Vidien vride medens hun er ung. Bend the willow while it is young.

Man prædike aldrig saa længe for Ulv, han siger dog Lam ad Aften. You may preach ever so long to the wolf, he will nevertheless call for lamb before night.

Man tör ei ved at hænge Klokke paa Giekken, han ringer sig nok selv. There is no need to fasten a bell to a fool, he is sure to tell his own tale.

Mæt Mave roser Fasten. A full stomach praises Lent.

Medens græsset groer döer Horsemoder. While the grass is growing the mare dies.

Medens Hundene veire, löber Haren ad Skoven. While the dogs yelp, the hare flies to the wood.

Med Lov skal man Land bygge. With law must the land be built.

Med Ondt skal Ondt fordrives. Evil must be driven out by evil.

Med Ræv skal man Ræv fange. Set a fox to catch a fox.

Mellem sige og giöre er en lang Vei. Between saying and doing there is a great distance.

Mennesket spaaer, Gud raa’er. Man proposes, God disposes.

Mistanke er for Venskab Gift. Distrust is poison to friendship.

Mölleren er Aldrig saa drukken, at han glemmer at tolde. The miller is never so drunk that he forgets to take his dues.

Morgenstund har Guld i Mund. The morn hour has gold in its mouth.

Mude volder at Venskab holder. Gifts make friendship lasting.

Munden taler tidt det Halsen maa gielde. The mouth often utters that which the head must answer for.

Musen veed meget, men Katten veed mere. The mouse is knowing, but the cat more knowing.

N

Naar de store Klokker gaae hörer ingen de smaae. While the great bells are ringing no one hears the little ones.

Naar der regner paa Præsten saa drypper det paa Degnen. When it pours upon the parson, it drops upon the clerk.

Naar det regner Vælling, saa har Stodderen ingen Skee. When it rains porridge the beggar has no spoon.

Naar det skal være Held, kælver Tyren saa godt som Koen. If it is to be luck, the bull may as well calve as the cow.

Naar een Fod snubler er den anden nær ved Fald. When one foot stumbles, the other is near falling.

Naar Enden er god er alting godt. All’s well that ends well.

Naar Enhver faaer sit, faaer Fanden intet. When every man gets his own the devil gets nothing.

Naar Gaasen troer Ræven, saa vee hendes Hals. When the goose trusts the fox then woe to her neck.

Naar Giekken kommer til Torvs faaer Kræmmeren Penge. When fools go to market the huckster gets money.

Naar Glæden er i Stuen, er Sorgen i Forstuen. When joy is in the parlour, sorrow is in the passage.

Naar Hovedet værker da værke alle Lemmer. When the head aches all the limbs ache.

Naar hver agter sit, bliver Gierningen giort. When every one minds his own business the work is done.

Naar jeg har Penge i min Pung, da har jeg Mad i min Mund. When I have money in my purse, I have food in my mouth.

Naar Kat og Muus giör eet, har Bonden tabt. When cat and mouse agree, the farmer has no chance.

Naar Katten er borte, löbe Musene paa Bænken. When the cat’s away the mice will play.

Naar Knarren er rorlös, gaaer den for Vrag. When the helm is gone the ship will soon be wrecked.

Naar Kokken steger for Kieldersvenden, saa gielder det Herrens Vinfad. When the cook is roasting for the butler, woe to the master’s wine-cask.

Naar Krybben er tom rives Hestene. When the manger is empty the horses fight.

Naar lade Heste ville afsted, gamle Qvinder dandse, og hvide Skyer regne, da er intet Ophör. When lazy horses begin to start, old women to dance, and white clouds to rain, there is no stopping them.

Naar Legen er feirest, er han bedst at lade fare. When the game is most thriving it is time to leave off.

Naar man er i Sækken, skal man ud af Munden eller af Bunden. When a man is in a sack, he must get out at the mouth or at the bottom.

Naar man seer Ulvens Ören, er han selv ikke langt borte. When the wolf’s ears appear, his body is not far off.

Naar man selv gaaer, sparer man Budleien. He that performs his own errand saves the messenger’s hire.