FRENCH PROVERBS QUOTES Quicklyfind - Quotes on just about anything!
A A beau mentir qui vient de loin. Translation: Long ways, long lies. À bon chat, bon rat. Translation: Two knaves well met. Literal meaning: A fine rat to match a fine cat. Abondance de biens ne nuit pas. Translation: Plenty is no plague. Literal meaning: An abundance of goods does no harm. À bon entendeur, salut! Translation: A word to the wise is enough. À bon vin point d'enseigne. Translation: Good wine needs no bush. À brebis tondue Dieu ménage le vent. Translation: God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. À chaque jour suffit sa peine. Translation: Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof. À chaque mercier son panier. Translation: Let each man his own burden bear. À cheval donné on ne regarde pas la bride. Translation: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth. À cœur vaillant rien d'impossible Translation: Nothing is impossible to a willing heart. À frotter la tête d'un âne, on perd son savon. Translation: Rubbing a donkey's head is nothing but a waste of soap. Aide-toi et le ciel t'aidera Translation: Heaven helps those who help themselves. À la guerre comme à la guerre. Translation: One must take things as they come. À la queue gît le venin. Translation: The sting is in the tail. À la trogne on connaît l'ivrogne. Translation 1: One can tell a drunkard by his mug. Translation 2: Two things a drunkard do disclose: A fiery face, and a crimson nose. À l'impossible nul n'est tenu. Translation: No one is expected to achieve the impossible. À l'œuvre, on connaît l'artisan / l'ouvrier. Translation: A good workman is known by his chips / his work. À malin, malin et demi. Translation: Diamonds cut diamonds. À méchant ouvrier, point de bon outil. Translation: A bad workman always blames his tools. À père avare, fils prodigue. Translation: Niggard father, spendthrift son. Après la pluie le beau temps. Translation: Every cloud has a silver lining. Literal meaning: After rain, fair weather. À quelque chose malheur est bon. Translation: It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. À tout péché miséricorde. Translation: No sin but should find mercy. À tout seigneur tout honneur. Translation: Honour to whom honour is due. À trompeur, trompeur et demi. Translation: Set a thief to catch a thief. Aujourd'hui en chair, demain en bière. Translation: Today a man, tomorrow none. Au royaume des aveugles, les borgnes sont rois. Translation: In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king. Autant de têtes, autant d'avis. Translation: Too many cooks spoil the broth. Literal meaning: Many minds, many views. Autres temps, autres moeurs. Translation: Other days, other ways. Aux grands maux les grands remèdes. Translation: Desperate ills demand desperate measures. Aux innocents les mains pleines. Translation 1: It's beginner's luck. Translation 2: Fortune favours fools. Avec des si et des mais, on mettrait Paris en bouteille. Translation 1: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride. Translation 2: If ifs and ands were pots and pans, there'd be no trade for tinkers. Literal meaning: With ifs and buts, one could put Paris in a bottle. À vieille mule, frein doré. Translation: An old jenny gets a golden bit B Bien mal acquis ne profite jamais. Translation: Ill-gotten gains seldom prosper. Bon chien chasse de race. Translation: Like father, like son. Bon repas doit commencer par la faim. Translation: Hunger is the best spice. Bon sang ne saurait mentir. Translation: Blood will out. Literal meaning: Good blood cannot lie. Bonne renommée vaut mieux que ceinture dorée. Translation: A good name is better than riches. Literal meaning: Better a good name than a golden belt. C Ce qui est fait n'est plus à faire. Translation: What's done is done. C'est trop aimer quand on en meurt. Translation: They love too much who die for love. Ce n'est pas la vache qui crie le plus fort qui donne le plus de lait. Translation: Great cry, little wool. Ce que femme veut, Dieu le veut. Translation: A woman's will is God's will. C'est bonnet blanc et blanc bonnet. Translation: It's six of one and half a dozen of the other. C'est dans le besoin qu'on reconnaît ses vrais amis. Translation: A friend in need is a friend indeed. C'est dans les vieilles marmites qu'on fait les meilleures soupes. Translation: Good broth may be made in an old pot. C'est en forgeant qu'on devient forgeron. Translation: Practice makes perfect. Literal meaning: By dint of forging one becomes a blacksmith. C'est la goutte / goutte d'eau qui fait déborder le vase. Translation: It's the straw / last straw that breaks the camel's back. Literal meaning: It's the drop / drop of water that makes the vase overflow. C'est la paille et la poutre. Translation: It's the pot calling the kettle black. Literal meaning: It's the mote and the beam. C'est la Pitié / l'hôpital qui se moque de la Charité. Translation: It's the pot calling the kettle black. Literal meaning: It's Mercy / the hospital looking down on Charity. C'est la poule qui chante qui a fait l'œuf. Translation: The guilty dog barks the loudest. C'est l'arroseur arrosé. Translation: It's the biter bit. Literal meaning: It's the waterer getting drenched. C'est le poêle qui se moque du chaudron. Translation: It's the pot calling the kettle black. Literal meaning: It's the stove looking down on the cauldron. C'est un prêté pour un rendu. Translation 1: Tit for tat. Translation 2: One good turn deserves another. Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous. Translation 1: Every man for himself, and God for us all. Translation 2: Every man for himself, and the Devil take the hindmost. Chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées. Translation: One should mind one's own business. Literal meaning: Each to his craft, and the cows will be well looked after. Chacun voit midi à sa porte. Translation: To each his own. Literal meaning: Everyone sees noon at his door. Chantez à l'âne, il vous fera des pêts. Translation: Sing to an ass, he will fart in your face. Charbonnier est maître chez soi. Translation (British): An Englishman's home is his castle. Literal meaning: A coalman is master of his own house. Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même. Translation: Charity begins at home. Chassez le naturel, il revient au galop. Translation: A leopard cannot change its spots. Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide. Translation 1: Once bitten, twice shy. Translation 2: A burned child dreads the fire. Literal meaning: A scalded cat fears cold water. Chien qui aboie ne mord pas. Translation: Barking dogs seldom bite. Chose promise, chose due. Translation: Promises are made to be kept. Cœur qui soupire n'a pas ce qu'il désire. Translation: A heart that sighs is one that has not what it desires. Comme on fait son lit on se couche. Translation: As you make your bed, so you must lie in it. Comparaison n'est pas raison. Translation: Comparisons are misleading. Contentement passe richesse. Translation: Happiness is worth more than riches. Coucher de poule et lever de corbeau écartent l'homme du tombeau. Translation: Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise. D Dans le doute, abstiens-toi. Translation: When in doubt, forbear. De la discussion jaillit la lumière. Translation: Two heads are better than one. Demain il fera jour. Translation: Tomorrow is another day. Des goûts et des couleurs, il ne faut pas discuter. Translation: There's no accounting for tastes. Literal meaning: Never argue about tastes or colours. Deux avis valent mieux qu'un. Translation: Two heads are better than one. Literal meaning: Two opinions are better than one. Dis-moi qui tu hantes, je te dirai qui tu es. Translation: A man is known by the company he keeps. Douce parole n'écorche pas langue. Translation: Good words break no bones. E En avril, ne te découvre pas d'un fil; en mai, fais ce qui te plaît. Translation: Never cast a clout till May is out. Literal meaning: In April, do not shed a single thread; in May, do as you please. En tout pays, il y a une lieue de mauvais chemins. Translation: There will be bumps on the smoothest roads. Entre deux maux, il faut choisir le moindre. Translation 1: Of two evils one must choose the lesser. Translation 2: Forgive and forget. Entre l'arbre et l'écorce, il ne faut pas mettre le doigt. Translation: Do not meddle in other people's family affairs. Literal meaning: Don't poke your finger 'twixt the bark and the tree. F Fais ce que dois, advienne que pourra. Translation: Do your duty, come what may. Fais ce que je dis, ne fais pas ce que je fais. Translation: Do as I say, not as I do. Faute avouée est à moitié pardonnée. Translation: A fault confessed is a half redressed. Faute de grives, on mange des merles. Translation 1: Half a loaf is better than no bread. Translation 2: You have to cut your coat according to your cloth. Literal meaning: Eat blackbirds if you can't have thrushes. Femme rit quand elle peut et pleure quand elle veut. Translation: A woman laughs when she can and weeps when she will. Force fait loi. Translation: Might makes right. H Hâtez-vous lentement. Translation: Make haste slowly. Heureux au jeu, malheureux en amour. Translation: Lucky in cards, unlucky in love. Homme mort ne fait guerre. Translation: A dead man deals no blows. Honni soit qui mal y pense. Translation: Evil be to him who evil thinks. I 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. Il faut casser le noyau pour avoir l'amande. Translation 1: He who would eat the nut must first crack the kernel. Translation 2: No pain, no gain. Il faut de tout pour faire un monde. Translation: It takes all sorts to make a world. Il faut laver son linge sale en famille. Translation: Don't air your dirty laundry in public. Il faut manger pour vivre, et non vivre pour manger. Translation: Eat to live, don't live to eat. Il faut ménager la chèvre et le chou. Translation: One must run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Literal meaning: One must consider both the cabbage and the goat. Il faut prendre le taureau par les cornes. Translation: Take the bull by the horns. Il faut que jeunesse se passe. Translation 1: Youth must have its fling. Translation 2: Boys will be boys. Il faut qu'une porte soit ouverte ou fermée. Translation: There can be no middle ground. Literal meaning: A door must be either open or shut. Il faut savoir obéir avant que de commander. Translation: Obedience comes before leadership. Il faut tourner sa langue sept fois dans sa bouche avant de parler. Translation: Think before you speak. Il ne faut jamais dire « Fontaine je ne boirai pas de ton eau ». Translation: Never say never. Literal meaning: Never say, "Fountain, I shall not drink of your water." Il ne faut jamais remettre au lendemain ce qu'on peut faire le jour même. Translation 1: Procastination is the thief of time. Translation 2: One of these days is none of these days. Il ne faut pas chercher midi à quatorze heures. Translation: Don't complicate the issue. Literal meaning: Don't look for noon at two o'clock. Il ne faut pas confondre vitesse et précipitation. Translation: More haste, less speed. Il ne faut pas déshabiller Pierre pour habiller Paul. Translation: Don't rob Peter to pay Paul. Literal meaning: Don't undress Peter to dress Paul. Il ne faut pas mettre la charrue avant les bœufs. Translation: Don't put the cart before the horse. Literal meaning: Don't put the plough before the oxen. Il ne faut pas mettre tous les œufs dans le même panier. Translation: Don't put all your eggs in one basket. Il ne faut pas réveiller le chat qui dort. Translation: Let sleeping dogs lie. Literal meaning: Don't wake a sleeping cat Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué. Translation: Don't count your chickens before they're hatched. Literal meaning: Don't sell the bearskin before you've killed the bear. Il n'est jamais trop tard pour bien faire. Translation: It is never too late to mend. Literal meaning: It is never too late to do well. Il n'est pire aveugle que celui qui ne veut pas voir. Translation: There are none so blind as they who will not see. Il n'est pire eau que celle qui dort. Translation: Still waters run deep. Il n'est pire sourd que celui qui ne veut pas entendre. Translation: There is none so deaf as he who will not hear. Il n'y a pas d'ânesse qui ne trouve son âne. Translation: Every Jack has his Jill. Literal meaning: Every she-ass finds her donkey. Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu. Translation: There's no smoke without fire. Il n'y a pas de petit chez soi. Translation: There's no place like home. Il n'y a pas de petit profit. Translation: A penny saved is a penny earned. Il n'y a pas de sot métier. Translation: Every trade has its value. Il n'y a que les montagnes qui ne se rencontrent jamais. Translation: There are none so distant that fate cannot bring together. Literal meaning: Only mountains never meet. Il y a loin de la coupe aux lèvres. Translation: There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip. Il y a plus d'un âne à la foire qui s'appelle Martin. Translation: If one will not, another will. Literal meaning: There is more than one donkey at the fair called Martin. Impossible n'est pas français. Translation: There is no such word as "can't". Literal meaning: There is no such word as "impossible" in French. J Jamais couard n'aura belle amie. Translation: Faint heart never won fair lady. L La bave du crapaud n'atteint pas la blanche colombe. Translation: Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me. La caque sent toujours le hareng. Translation: What's bred in the bone will come out in the flesh. Literal meaning: A herring barrel will always smell of herring. La curiosité est un vilain défaut. Translation: Curiosity killed the cat. Literal meaning: Curiosity is a wicked fault. La faim chasse le loup hors du bois. Translation: Hunger drives the wolf out of the wood. La fête passée, adieu le saint. Translation: The river passed, and God forgotten. La fin justifie les moyens. Translation: The ends justify the means. La nuit porte conseil. Translation 1: Take advice of your pillow. Translation 2: Sleep on it. La nuit tous les chats sont gris. Translation: At night all cats are grey. La parole est d'argent, mais le silence est d'or. Translation: Talking is silver, silence is golden. La plus belle fille du monde ne peut donner que ce qu'elle a. Translation: The prettiest girl in the world can only give what she has. L'appétit vient en mangeant. Translation: The more you have, the more you want. Literal meaning: Eating whets the appetite. La raison du plus fort est toujours la meilleure. Translation: Might is always right. L'argent n'a pas d'odeur. Translation: Money is money (wherever it comes from). Literal meaning: Money has no smell. L'argent ne fait pas le bonheur. Translation: Money can't buy happiness. L'argent ne se trouve pas sous le pas / le sabot d'un cheval. Translation: Money doesn't grow on trees. Literal meaning: Money is not found under a horse's hoof. L'homme est un loup pour l'homme. Translation: Brother will turn on brother. La vengeance est un plat qui se mange froid. Translation: Revenge is a dish best served cold. La vérité est dans le vin. Translation: In wine is truth. La vérité sort de la bouche des enfants. Translation: Out of the mouths of babes and sucklings comes forth truth. Le crime ne paie pas. Translation: Crime does not pay. Le Diable chie toujours au même endroit. Translation: The Devil always shits in the same place. Le malheur des uns fait le bonheur des autres. Translation: One man's meat is another man's poison. Le mieux est l'ennemi du bien. Translation: Let well alone. Literal meaning: Better is the enemy of good. Le monde appartient à ceux qui se lèvent tôt. Translation: The early bird catches the worm. Literal meaning: The world belongs to those who rise early. L'enfer est pavé de bonnes intentions. Translation: Hell is paved with good intentions. L'erreur est humaine.' Translation: To err is human. Les absents ont toujours tort. Translation: The absent are always in the wrong. Les affaires sont les affaires. Translation: Business is business. Les apparences sont trompeuses. Translation: All that glitters is not gold. Literal meaning: Appearances are deceptive. Les bons comptes font les bons amis. Translation 1: Short reckonings make long friends. Translation 2: Neither a borrower nor a lender be. Les bons outils font les bons ouvriers Translation: Good tools make good workers. Les chiens aboient, la caravane passe. Translation: Let the world say what it will. Literal meaning: The dogs bark, but the caravan passes by. Les chiens ne font pas des chats. Translation: Like breeds like. Literal meaning: Dogs don't breed cats. Les conseillers ne sont pas les payeurs. Translation: Advice is cheap. Les cordonniers sont les plus mal chaussés. Translation: The cobbler's children go barefoot. Les fruits défendus sont les meilleurs. Translation: Forbidden fruits are the sweetest. Les grands diseurs ne sont pas les grands faiseurs. Translation: Talkers are not doers. Les grands esprits se rencontrent. Translation: Great minds think alike. Les jours se suivent et ne se ressemblent pas. Translation 1: After Christmas comes Lent. Translation 2: Time changes and we with time. Les loups ne se mangent pas entre eux. Translation 1: Dog does not eat dog. Translation 2: There is honour among thieves. Les murs ont des oreilles. Translation: Walls have ears. Le soleil luit pour tout le monde. Translation: The sun shines for one and all. Les petits ruisseaux font les grandes rivières. Translation: Tall oaks from little acorns grow. Literal meaning: Little streams make big rivers. Les plaisanteries les plus courtes sont les meilleures. Translation: Brevity is the soul of wit. Literal meaning: The shortest jokes are the best. L'espoir fait vivre. Translation: Where there's life, there's hope. Les voyages forment la jeunesse. Translation: Travel broadens the mind. Le temps c'est de l'argent. Translation: Time is money. L'exactitude est la politesse des rois. Translation: Punctuality is the politeness of kings. L'exception confirme la règle. Translation: It's the exception that proves the rule. L'excès en tout est un défaut. Translation: Too much is too much. Literal meaning: Excess in anything is a fault. L'habit ne fait pas le moine. Translation: Don't judge the book by its cover. Literal meaning: The cowl does not make the friar. L'occasion fait le larron. Translation: Opportunity makes the thief. Loin des yeux, loin du cœur. Translation: Out of sight, out of mind. L'oisiveté est la mère de tous les vices. Translation 1: Idleness is the root of all evils. Translation 2: An idle mind is the devil's workshop. L'union fait la force. Translation: United we stand, divided we fall. M Mange ton poisson à présent qu'il est frais, marie ta fille à présent qu'elle est jeune. Translation: Eat your fish while it is fresh, marry your daughter while she is young. Mars venteux et avril pluvieux font mai gai et gracieux. Translation: March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers. Mieux vaut être seul que mal accompagné. Translation: Better be alone than in bad company. Mieux vaut faire que dire. Translation 1: Well done is better than well said Translation 2: Actions speak louder than words. Mieux vaut plier que rompre. Translation: Adapt and survive. Literal meaning: Better bend than break. Mieux vaut prévenir que guérir. Translation: Prevention is better than cure. Mieux vaut rire que pleurer. Translation: Laughter is the best medecine. Literal meaning: Better laugh than weep. Mieux vaut s'adresser à Dieu qu'à ses saints. Translation: It is better to talk to the organ-grinder than to his monkey. Literal meaning: It is better to appeal to God than to His saints. Mieux vaut tard que jamais. Translation: Better late than never. Mieux vaut tenir que courir. Translation: A bird in hand is worth two in a bush. Literal meaning: Better hold than run. Moineau à la main vaut mieux que grue qui vole. Translation: A bird in hand is worth two in a bush. Literal meaning: Better a sparrow in hand than a crane on the wing. Morte la bête, mort le venin. Translation: Dead dogs don't bite. Literal meaning: Dead is the beast, dead is the venom. M Nécessité fait loi. Translation: Beggars can't be choosers. Noël au balcon, Pâques au tison. Translation: A warm Christmas means a cold Easter. Literal meaning: Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the fireside. Nul n'est prophète en son pays. Translation: No man is a prophet in his own country. O Oignez vilain, il vous poindra. Translation: Claw a churl by the breech, and he will shite in your fist. On n'apprend pas à un vieux singe à faire des grimaces. Translation: You can't teach an old dog new tricks. Literal meaning: You can't teach an old monkey how to make faces. On ne fait pas boire un âne qui n'a pas soif. Translation: You can lead a horse to water but you can't make it drink. On ne fait pas d'omelette sans casser des œufs. Translation: You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs. On ne marie pas les poules avec les renards. Translation: Different strokes for different folks. Literal meaning: You can't marry a hen and a fox. On ne peut avoir le beurre et l'argent du beurre. Translation: You can't have your cake and eat it. Literal meaning: You can't have the butter and the money from the butter. On ne peut avoir le lard et le cochon. Translation: You can't have your cake and eat it. Literal meaning: You can't have the bacon and the pig. On ne peut être à la ville et aux champs. Translation: You can't be in two places at once. Literal meaning: You can't be in town and in the fields. On ne peut être au four et au moulin. Translation: You can't be in two places at once. Literal meaning: You can't be at the oven and in the mill. On ne peut faire d'une buse un épervier. Translation: You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear. Literal meaning: You can't turn a buzzard / a dolt into a sparrowhawk. On ne prend pas les mouches avec du vinaigre. Translation: Honey catches more flies than vinegar. Literal meaning: You don't catch flies with vinegar. On ne prête qu'aux riches. Translation 1: Reputations shape reactions. Translation 2: Only the rich get richer. Literal meaning: One lends only to the rich. On n'est jamais si bien servi que par soi-même. Translation: If you want something done right, do it yourself. Où la vache / la chèvre est attachée, il faut qu'elle broute. Translation: The cow / goat must browse where she is tethered. P Paris / Rome ne s'est pas fait / faite en un jour. Translation: Rome wasn't built in a day. Pas de nouvelle, bonne nouvelle. Translation: No news is good news. Petit à petit l'oideau fait son nid. Translation 1: Many a mickle makes a muckle. Translation 2: Little strokes fell great oaks. Literal meaning: Little by little the bird builds its nest. Petite pluie abat grand vent. Translation: Little rain lays great dust. Literal meaning: Little rain overcomes great wind. 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. Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse. Translation: A rollling stone gathers no moss. Plaie d'argent n'est pas mortelle. Translation: Money isn't everything. Literal meaning: A money worry isn't a mortal wound. Plus ça change, plus c'est la même chose. Translation: The more things change, the more they're the same. Plus fait douceur que violence. Translation: Kindness succeeds where force will fail. Literal meaning: Gentleness accomplishes more than violence. Plus on est de fous, plus on rit. Translation: The more the merrier. Promettre et tenir sont deux. Translation: It's one thing to promise and another to perform. Prudence est mère de sûreté. Translation: Discretion is the better part of valour. Literal meaning: Caution is the mother of safety. Q Quand le chat n'est pas là les souris dansent. Translation: While the cat's away the mice will play. Literal meaning: While the cat's away the mice will dance. Quand le vin est tiré, il faut le boire. Translation: In for a penny, in for a pound. Literal meaning: Once the wine is drawn, it must be drunk. Quand on parle du loup on en voit la queue. Translation: Talk of the Devil and he will appear. Literal meaning: Talk of the wolf and you'll see his tail. Qu'est-ce que l'ennemi du bien ? Le mieux. Literal meaning: What's the ennemy of the well ? the best. Qui a bon voisin a bon matin. Translation: Good neighbours give good days. Qui a bu boira. Translation: Once a drunkard, always a drunkard. Literal meaning: Who has drunk, will drink. Qui aime bien châtie bien. Translation: Spare the rod and spoil the child. Literal meaning: Who loves well, chastises well. Qui casse les verres les paie. Translation: Who breaks pays. Literal meaning: Who breaks the glasses, pays for them. Qui cherche trouve. Translation: Seek and ye shall find. Literal meaning: Who seeks, finds. Qui donne aux pauvres prête à Dieu. Translation: Charity will be rewarded in heaven. Literal meaning: Who gives to the poor, lends to God. Qui dort dîne. Translation: He who sleeps forgets his hunger. Literal meaning: Who sleeps, dines. Qui m'aime aime mon chien. Translation: Love me, love my dog. Qui ne dit mot consent. Translation: Silence gives consent. Literal meaning: Who says no word, consents. Qui n'entend qu'une cloche n'entend qu'un son. Translation: Hear the other side and believe little. Literal meaning: Who hears only one bell, hears only one sound. Qui ne risque rien n'a rien. Translation: Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Literal meaning: Who risks nothing, gets nothing. Qui ne veut rien n'a rien. Translation: Where there's a will there's a way. Literal meaning: Who wants nothing, gets nothing. Qui paye ses dettes s'enrichit. Translation: The rich man is the one who pays his debts. Literal meaning: Who pays his debts, gets rich. Qui peut le plus peut le moins. Translation: He who can do more can do less. Qui se couche avec les chiens se lève avec des puces. Translation: Lie down with dogs, wake up with fleas. Qui se fait brebis le loup le mange. Translation: Who will needs be sheep, the wolf devours. 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. Qui se ressemble s'assemble. Translation 1: Birds of a feather flock together. Translation 2: Like attracts like. Qui se sent morveux, qu'il se mouche. Translation: Who feels snotty, let him blow his nose. Qui s'y frotte s'y pique. Translation: Gather thistles, expect prickles. Qui trop embrasse mal étreint. Translation: Grasp all, lose all. Qui va à la chasse perd sa place. Translation: He who leaves his place, loses it. Literal meaning: Who goes hunting, loses his place. Qui veut la fin veut les moyens. Translation: He who wills the end wills the means. Qui veut noyer son chien l'acccuse de rage. Translation: Give a dog a bad name and hang him. Literal meaning: He who wants to drown his dog says it has rabies. Qui veut voyager loin, ménage sa monture. Translation: He who wishes to ride far spares his horse. Qui vivra verra. Translation: Time will tell. Literal meaning: Who shall live, shall see. Qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf. Translation: He that will steal an egg will steal an ox. R Rien ne sert de courir, il faut partir à point. Translation: Slow and steady wins the race. Rira bien qui rira le dernier. Translation: He who laughs last laughs best. Rouge soir et blanc matin, c'est la journée du pèlerin. Translation: Evening red and morning grey will set the traveller on his way. S Secret de deux, secret de Dieu; secret de trois, secret de tous. Translation: When three people know, the whole world knows. Literal meaning: A secret shared by two is shared with God; a secret shared by three is shared with everybody. Si jeunesse savait, si vieillesse pouvait. Translation: Youth is wasted on the young. Literal meaning: If youth but knew, if old age but could. Souris qui n'a qu'un trou est bientôt prise. Translation: Better safe than sorry. Literal meaning: A mouse that has only one hole is soon caught. Souvent femme varie, bien fol qui s'y fie. Translation: Woman is fickle, man beware! Suffisance vaut abondance. Translation: Enough is as good as a feast. Literal meaning: Enough is worth plenty. T Tant crie-t-on Noël qu'il vient. Translation: A constant importunity at length prevails. Literal meaning: So long is Christmas cried that it comes. Tant dort le chat qu'il se réveille. Translation: The sleeping cat at length awakes. Tel est petit qui boit bien Translation: Though he is little, he can tipple. Tel est pris qui croyait prendre. Translation: It's the biter bit. Literal meaning: He is caught who thought to catch. Tel maître, tel valet. Translation: Like master, like man. Tel père, tel fils. Translation: Like father, like son. Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera. Translation: Sing before breakfast, cry before night. Literal meaning: Laugh on Friday, cry on Sunday. Tous les chemins mènent à Rome. Translation: All roads lead to Rome. Tous les goûts sont dans la nature. Translation: It takes all sorts to make a world. Toute médaille a son revers. Translation 1: Every rose has its thorn. Translation 2: Every path has its puddle. Literal meaning: Every medal has its back. Toute peine mérite salaire. Translation: The labourer is worthy of his hire. Literal meaning: Every job deserves a wage. Toute vérité n'est pas bonne à dire. Translation: The truth is sometimes best left unsaid. Tout nouveau, tout beau. Translation 1: Anything for a change. Translation 2: New brooms sweep clean. Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre. Translation 1: All things come to those who wait. Translation 2: Every dog has his day. Trop de hâte nuit. Translation: Haste makes waste. Trop gratter cuit, trop parler nuit. Translation: Too much scratching pains, too much talking plagues. U Un bienfait n'est jamais perdu. Translation: A favour is never lost. Un chien regarde bien un évêque. Translation: A cat may look at a king. Literal meaning: A dog may look at a bishop. Un clou chasse l'autre. Translation: One man goes and another steps in. Literal meaning: One nail drives out the other. Un(e) de perdu(e), dix de trouvé(e)s. Translation: There are plenty more fish in the sea. Literal meaning: One lost, ten found. Une fois n'est pas coutume. Translation 1: Just the once will not hurt. Translation 2: Once in a while does no harm. Une hirondelle ne fait pas le printemps. Translation: One swallow doesn't make a summer. Literal meaning: One swallow doesn't make a spring. Une place pour chaque chose et chaque chose a sa place. Translation: A place for everything and everything in its place. Un homme averti en vaut deux. Translation 1: Forewarned is forearmed. Translation 2: Better the devil you know than the devil you don't. Un malheur ne vient jamais seul. Translation 1: It never rains but it pours. Translation 2: Ill-luck comes not alone. Un sou est un sou. Translation: Every penny counts. Literal meaning: A penny is a penny. Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras. Translation: A bird in hand is worth two in a bush. V Vache de loin a lait assez. Translation: Blue are the hills that are far away. Literal meaning: From afar, the cow has milk aplenty. Ventre affamé n'a pas d'oreilles. Translation: Words are wasted on a starving man. Literal meaning: The hungry belly has no ears. Vouloir, c'est pouvoir. Translation: Where there's a will there's a way.