Switzerland — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund.

“The morning hour has gold in its mouth.”

Starting work early in the day is rewarding and productive.

Wer rastet, der rostet.

“Whoever rests, rusts.”

If you stop being active or practicing, your skills and vitality decline.

Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold.

“Speech is silver, silence is gold.”

Knowing when to stay silent is often more valuable than speaking.

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

“The apple does not fall far from the tree.”

Children tend to resemble their parents in character or behaviour.

Übung macht den Meister.

“Practice makes the master.”

Skill and mastery come only through repeated effort and practice.

Lügen haben kurze Beine.

“Lies have short legs.”

Dishonesty does not get far and is soon found out.

Kleider machen Leute.

“Clothes make people.”

How a person dresses strongly shapes how others perceive and treat them.

Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt.

“Not everything that glitters is gold.”

Attractive appearances can be deceptive about real worth.

Aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen.

“To make an elephant out of a mosquito.”

To exaggerate a small matter into something far bigger than it is.

Was der Bauer nicht kennt, das frisst er nicht.

“What the farmer does not know, he will not eat.”

People are often reluctant to try things that are unfamiliar to them.

Der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurm.

“The early bird catches the worm.”

Those who start early or act promptly gain the advantage.

Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen.

“What you can do today, do not put off until tomorrow.”

Delaying tasks that can be done now only creates more work later.

Aller Anfang ist schwer.

“All beginnings are hard.”

Starting something new is always the most difficult part.

Eile mit Weile.

“Haste with leisure.”

Move quickly but carefully, since rushing carelessly causes mistakes.

Ende gut, alles gut.

“All is well that ends well.”

A good outcome makes up for a difficult or troubled process.

Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten.

“Whoever laughs last, laughs best.”

The final outcome matters more than any early advantage or mockery.

Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.

“Whoever says A must also say B.”

If you commit to the first step, you must follow through with the consequences.

Viele Köche verderben den Brei.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

Too many people trying to direct one task leads to a poor result.

Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben.

“One should not praise the day before evening comes.”

Do not celebrate success too soon, since things can still go wrong.

Hunger ist der beste Koch.

“Hunger is the best cook.”

When truly hungry, even plain food tastes wonderful.

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist.

“Small livestock also makes manure.”

Small contributions add up to something significant over time.

Wer im Glashaus sitzt, soll nicht mit Steinen werfen.

“Whoever sits in a glass house should not throw stones.”

Do not criticize others for faults you share yourself.

Der Ton macht die Musik.

“The tone makes the music.”

How something is said matters as much as what is said.

Was sich liebt, das neckt sich.

“Those who love each other, tease each other.”

Playful teasing is often a sign of genuine affection.

Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein.

“Constant dripping wears away the stone.”

Persistent, steady effort eventually overcomes even the hardest obstacles.

Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt.

“Whoever does not dare, does not win.”

Taking risks is necessary to achieve real reward.

Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es heraus.

“As you call into the forest, so it echoes back.”

How you treat others is generally how they will treat you in return.

Ein Unglück kommt selten allein.

“Misfortune rarely comes alone.”

Troubles often arrive together rather than one at a time.

Andere Länder, andere Sitten.

“Other lands, other customs.”

Different places and cultures have their own accepted ways of doing things.

Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.

“Whoever digs a pit for others falls into it themselves.”

Scheming to harm others often ends up backfiring on the schemer.

Vorsicht ist die Mutter der Porzellankiste.

“Caution is the mother of the porcelain box.”

Being careful protects fragile and valuable things from harm.

Alte Liebe rostet nicht.

“Old love does not rust.”

Deep, long-standing affection endures even after a long time apart.

Liebe geht durch den Magen.

“Love goes through the stomach.”

Good cooking is a genuine way to win someone's affection.

Ohne Fleiß kein Preis.

“No reward without effort.”

Success and reward only come as the result of hard work.

In der Kürze liegt die Würze.

“Brevity is the spice.”

A short, well-chosen statement is often more effective than a long one.

Mit Speck fängt man Mäuse.

“You catch mice with bacon.”

The right incentive is what draws people or results in.

Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr.

“What little Hans does not learn, Hans will never learn.”

Habits and skills are best and most easily learned in youth.

Man muss das Eisen schmieden, solange es heiß ist.

“One must forge the iron while it is hot.”

Act on an opportunity at the right moment, before it passes.

Wer zwei Hasen auf einmal jagt, bekommt keinen.

“Whoever chases two hares at once catches neither.”

Trying to pursue two goals at the same time often leads to achieving neither.

Kommt Zeit, kommt Rat.

“When time comes, counsel comes.”

Given enough time, a solution or answer will eventually present itself.

Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg.

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

Strong determination will find a way to overcome any obstacle.

Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn.

“Out of the eyes, out of the mind.”

People and things are easily forgotten once they are no longer seen regularly.

Der Krug geht so lange zum Brunnen, bis er bricht.

“The pitcher goes to the well until it breaks.”

Repeating a risky action eventually leads to a bad outcome.

Jedem Tierchen sein Pläsierchen.

“To each little creature, its own little pleasure.”

Everyone has their own particular tastes and preferences, and that is fine.

Selbst ist der Mann.

“Self is the man; self-help is the best help.”

Relying on your own effort is often the most reliable way to get things done.

Wer nicht hören will, muss fühlen.

“Whoever will not listen must feel.”

A person who ignores advice will have to learn the lesson the hard way.

Der Klügere gibt nach.

“The wiser one gives in.”

It often takes more wisdom to yield in a dispute than to keep fighting it.

Morgen, morgen, nur nicht heute, sagen alle faulen Leute.

“Tomorrow, tomorrow, just not today, say all lazy people.”

A mocking rhyme aimed at habitual procrastinators who always delay their work.

Aller guten Dinge sind drei.

“All good things come in threes.”

Good things are traditionally believed to happen or come in a set of three.

Ein Sperling in der Hand ist besser als eine Taube auf dem Dach.

“A sparrow in the hand is better than a dove on the roof.”

A smaller, certain gain is worth more than a larger, uncertain one.