Bermuda Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Bermuda in en and English — each with its meaning and source.

“A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”

It is better to hold onto something certain than to risk losing it while chasing something uncertain but seemingly greater.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Actions speak louder than words.”

What a person actually does reveals more about their character than what they merely say.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“All that glitters is not gold.”

Something that looks valuable or impressive on the surface may not truly be so underneath.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“The early bird catches the worm.”

Those who act promptly and prepare ahead of others gain the greatest advantage.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“A stitch in time saves nine.”

Fixing a small problem right away prevents it from growing into a much bigger one later.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Don't count your chickens before they are hatched.”

Do not assume something will succeed before it is actually certain.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Every cloud has a silver lining.”

Even the most difficult situations usually contain some hidden benefit or hope.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Look before you leap.”

Think carefully about the consequences of an action before taking it.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Practice makes perfect.”

Repeated effort and rehearsal are what ultimately produce skill and mastery.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Honesty is the best policy.”

Telling the truth is always wiser and more rewarding in the end than deception.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Where there is a will, there is a way.”

Strong determination can overcome even the most difficult obstacles.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“The pen is mightier than the sword.”

Ideas and words expressed through writing can have greater lasting influence than force or violence.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Necessity is the mother of invention.”

Difficult or urgent circumstances often inspire people to find creative solutions.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Two wrongs don't make a right.”

Responding to wrongdoing with more wrongdoing never truly resolves the injustice.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“You can't judge a book by its cover.”

A person or thing should not be judged only by outward appearance.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“When it rains, it pours.”

Difficulties often seem to arrive all at once rather than one at a time.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

Quo Fata Ferunt

“Whither the Fates Carry Us.”

Bermuda's official national motto, expressing that the island's fate and future are guided by forces beyond human control — a fitting emblem for a colony founded by an accidental 1609 shipwreck.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Bermuda Coat of Arms and national motto, adopted by Royal Warrant 1910, Government of Bermuda official symbols

“I have been a slave myself — I know what slaves feel — I can tell by myself what other slaves feel, and by what they have told me.”

Prince asserts that her own lived experience of slavery gives her testimony a credibility no outside observer could claim.

Mary Prince

Source: Mary Prince, The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave, Related by Herself (London, 1831)

“All slaves want to be free — to be free is very sweet.”

A direct rebuttal to pro-slavery claims that enslaved people were content in bondage, insisting that the desire for freedom is universal.

Mary Prince

Source: Mary Prince, The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave, Related by Herself (London, 1831)

“The man that says slaves be quite happy in slavery — that man is either ignorant or a lying person.”

Prince directly challenges pro-slavery propaganda that claimed enslaved people were content, calling such claims dishonest or uninformed.

Mary Prince

Source: Mary Prince, The History of Mary Prince, a West Indian Slave, Related by Herself (London, 1831)

“A penny saved is a penny earned.”

Careful saving is just as valuable as careful earning; money not spent is money gained.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Don't put all your eggs in one basket.”

Spread risk across multiple efforts or investments rather than depending entirely on a single one.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“The grass is always greener on the other side.”

Other people's circumstances often look more appealing than one's own, even when they are not actually better.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”

Adapt to the customs and behavior of wherever you happen to be.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Rome wasn't built in a day.”

Significant achievements take time and cannot be rushed.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.”

Children often resemble their parents in character, habits, or ability.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

Being too inquisitive about things that do not concern you can lead to trouble.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Better safe than sorry.”

It is wiser to take precautions than to risk regret later.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“You can't have your cake and eat it too.”

You cannot enjoy two incompatible benefits at the same time.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Absence makes the heart grow fonder.”

Being separated from someone often increases affection for them.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Beggars can't be choosers.”

Those in need must accept what is offered rather than demand something better.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Birds of a feather flock together.”

People with similar interests or character tend to associate with one another.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Don't bite the hand that feeds you.”

Do not harm or offend someone who supports or provides for you.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Don't cry over spilled milk.”

There is no use being upset over a mistake or loss that cannot be undone.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Every dog has its day.”

Everyone eventually gets a moment of success or recognition.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Great minds think alike.”

Intelligent or capable people often arrive at the same ideas independently.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”

There is no need to change something that is already working well.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“It takes two to tango.”

Certain conflicts or arrangements require the involvement of more than one person to happen.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Laughter is the best medicine.”

Humor and joy can ease hardship and improve wellbeing.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Money doesn't grow on trees.”

Money is earned through effort and should not be spent carelessly.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Out of sight, out of mind.”

People or things that are no longer visible are easily forgotten.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Two heads are better than one.”

Two people working together can solve problems more effectively than one alone.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.”

You can give someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot force them to act on it.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Blood is thicker than water.”

Family bonds and loyalty are typically stronger than other relationships.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Knowledge is power.”

Understanding and information give a person genuine strength and advantage.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Avoid stirring up old conflicts or problems that have already settled down.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“No man is an island.”

No person is entirely self-sufficient; everyone depends on others and community.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Old habits die hard.”

Long-established behaviors are difficult to change.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Silence is golden.”

Sometimes saying nothing is wiser or more valuable than speaking.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain

“Slow and steady wins the race.”

Consistent, careful effort ultimately succeeds over haste or short bursts of speed.

Traditional Bermuda Wisdom

Source: Traditional English proverb, part of Bermuda's inherited English oral tradition since its 1609 settlement, public-domain