The words of Germany

Germany — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Germany, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“The morning hour has gold in its mouth.”

Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Practice makes the master.”

Übung macht den Meister.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Whoever says A must also say B.”

Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

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

Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Lies have short legs.”

Lügen haben kurze Beine.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Every beginning is hard.”

Aller Anfang ist schwer.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

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

Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.”

Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition (echoing Proverbs 26:27)

“Speech is silver, silence is gold.”

Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Clothes make people.”

Kleider machen Leute.

Source: Traditional German proverb, public-domain oral tradition (also the title of a Gottfried Keller novella, 1874)