proverb · Traditional
A good mind possesses a kingdom.
The saying gives a good mind a kingdom. It represents understanding as a rich domain that does not depend only on material possessions.
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739 matching explanations
proverb · Traditional
A good recorder sets all in order.
The saying credits a good recorder with putting things in order. It associates a role with orderly conduct while leaving the type of recorder unstated.
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A good surgeon must have an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand.
The saying gives a good surgeon an eagle’s eye, a lion’s heart and a lady’s hand. Its three images praise observation, courage and a gentle or careful touch.
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A good winter brings a good summer.
The saying expects a good winter to lead to a good summer. It carries a favourable judgment from one season into the next without defining what good means.
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A green winter makes a fat churchyard.
The saying connects a green winter with a full churchyard. Its grim image associates a winter condition with increased deaths without explaining the cause.
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A half truth is a whole lie.
A half truth called a whole lie warns that selective accuracy can mislead. The saying asks whether omitted context changes what a listener understands.
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A handsome shoe often pinches the foot.
The saying makes a handsome shoe pinch its wearer. It contrasts an attractive appearance with discomfort in actual use.
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A hard man is good to find.
The line reverses the arrangement of good and hard in a familiar partner-seeking saying. The result is comic wordplay with a sexual double meaning.
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A jack of all trades is master of none.
A person working across many trades called master of none questions breadth without depth. The saying contrasts general familiarity with specialised skill.
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A known mistake is better than an unknown truth.
The saying ranks a known mistake above an unknown truth. It contrasts an acknowledged error with information not yet available.
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A lawyer’s opinion is worth nothing until paid for. –Hungarian
A lawyer’s opinion worth nothing before payment connects perceived value with an exchange of money. The supplied wording includes a Hungarian label.
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A lie travels farther than the truth.
A lie travelling farther than truth contrasts rapid spread with accuracy. The saying warns that reach is not evidence of reliability.
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A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
The saying calls a little knowledge dangerous. It warns that partial understanding may be mistaken for enough understanding to act confidently.
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A loose tooth will not take a break until it is pulled out.
A loose tooth not resting until removed gives a persistent problem an image of demanding attention. The saying favours addressing a continuing source of trouble.
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A May flood never did good.
The saying declares flooding in May harmful. Its absolute wording gives an unwelcome seasonal event a single verdict.
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A mere scholar a mere ass.
Learning confined to books can leave a person poorly prepared for a practical situation. The saying’s insult should be replaced by a fair question about application.
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A neutral man wants to feast on eggs and to break none.
A neutral person wanting eggs without breaking any questions a wish for benefit without an associated cost. The saying criticises avoidance of a difficult choice.
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A person cannot be judged by his appearance in the same token as the sea cannot be measured with a bucket.
A person judged by appearance is compared with a sea measured by a bucket. The saying treats a small visible sample as inadequate for a much larger assessment.
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A person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it.
The person declaring a task impossible is asked not to interrupt someone attempting it. The saying favours practical initiative over dismissive commentary.
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A picture is worth a thousand words.
The saying values a picture at a thousand words. It emphasises how an image can communicate much at once.
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A ring around the sun or moon, means that rain will come real soon.
The rhyme makes a ring around the sun or moon a sign of rain soon. It uses an optical sky image to anticipate changing weather.
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A rose is a rose is a rose.
The saying repeats that a rose is a rose. It emphasises a thing’s identity rather than allowing descriptions to replace the thing itself.
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A Saturday's moon Always comes too soon.
The saying calls the arrival of a Saturday moon unwelcome or premature. Its disapproval is explicit, while the particular consequence is left unstated.
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A sceptre is one thing, a ladle another.
Different roles require different tools and responsibilities. The sceptre and ladle contrast ruling with everyday provision instead of making one task interchangeable with the other.
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