Skip to main content

Level: B2

List of English Proverbs

A collection of popular and classic English proverbs and sayings — everyday wisdom and age-old lessons. This page lists proverbs beginning with the letter A.

  • A bad penny always turns up.
  • A bad settlement is better than a good lawsuit.
  • A bad workman blames his tools.
  • A bean in liberty is better than a comfit in prison.
  • A big tree attracts the woodsman's axe.
  • A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
  • A blow with a word strikes deeper than a blow with a sword.
  • A burnt child dreads the fire.
  • A camel is a horse designed by committee.
  • A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle.
  • A candle that burns twice as bright burns half as long.
  • A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
  • A character never dies.
  • A closed mouth catches no flies.
  • A closed mouth don't get fed.
  • A constant guest is never welcome.
  • A coward dies a thousand times before his death.
  • A drop of knowledge is greater than an ocean of strength.
  • A dull pencil is greater than the sharpest memory.
  • A fox smells its own lair first.
  • A friend in need is a friend indeed.
  • A good beginning makes a good ending.
  • A good enemy is a better person than a false friend.
  • A good man in an evil society seems the greatest villain of all.
  • A good surgeon has an eagle's eye, a lion's heart, and a lady's hand.
  • A great lie may be widely accepted before the truth comes to light.
  • A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
  • A half truth is a whole lie.
  • A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step.
  • A lie can be halfway around the world before the truth gets its boots on.
  • A lie will always spawn a bigger lie.
  • A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
  • A little pot is easily hot.
  • A loaded wagon makes no noise.
  • A man is cosmos in his self.
  • A man is known by the company he keeps.
  • A man's home is his castle.
  • A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile.
  • A new broom sweeps clean.
  • A penny saved is a penny earned.
  • A picture is worth a thousand words.
  • A rising tide lifts all boats.
  • A rolling stone gathers no moss.
  • A son is a son 'till he gets him a wife; a daughter's a daughter all her life.
  • A still tongue makes a wise head.
  • A stitch in time saves nine.
  • A thief thinks everyone steals.
  • A watched pot never boils.
  • A woman is like a cup of tea; you'll never know how strong she is until she boils.
  • Ability can take you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there.
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder but makes the mind forget.
  • Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • Act today only, tomorrow is too late
  • Action is the proper fruit of knowledge.
  • Actions speak louder than words.
  • Advice most needed is least heeded.
  • After dinner sit a while, after supper walk a mile.
  • All cats love fish but hate to get their paws wet.
  • All flowers are not in one garden.
  • All for one and one for all.
  • All good things must come to an end.
  • All is well that ends well.
  • All roads lead to Rome.
  • All sizzle and no steak.
  • All that glisters is not gold.
  • All that is old is not gold.
  • All things come to those who wait.
  • All's fair in love and war.
  • An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
  • An empty vessel makes the most noise.
  • An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.
  • An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind.
  • An ill laborer quarrels with his tools.
  • An old dog will learn no tricks.
  • An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  • An unasked question is the most futile thing in the world.
  • Appreciation is motivation.
  • April showers bring May flowers.
  • As fit as a fiddle.
  • As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
  • As soon as a man is born, he begins to die.
  • As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.
  • Ask me no questions, I'll tell you no lies.
  • Aught for naught, and a penny change.