Jersey Proverbs (21)

Cœur vaillant se fait royaume.

“A valiant heart makes a kingdom.”

True greatness comes from courage and character, not from size or status; the official motto of Jersey.

Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.

“Little by little, the bird builds its nest.”

Great achievements are built gradually through small, patient efforts.

Après la pluie, le beau temps.

“After the rain, comes the good weather.”

Difficult times are always followed by better ones; hardship does not last forever.

Qui vivra verra.

“He who lives will see.”

Only time will reveal how things truly turn out.

Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre.

“Everything comes in time to those who know how to wait.”

Patience is eventually rewarded.

L'habit ne fait pas le moine.

“The habit does not make the monk.”

Outward appearance does not determine a person's true character.

Qui trop embrasse mal étreint.

“He who grasps too much holds on to little.”

Trying to take on too much at once often leads to losing everything.

Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide.

“A scalded cat fears even cold water.”

A painful past experience makes a person overly cautious even about harmless things afterward.

Pierre qui roule n'amasse pas mousse.

“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”

Someone who never settles or commits builds little lasting wealth or stability.

Les bons comptes font les bons amis.

“Good accounts make good friends.”

Being clear and honest about money and obligations preserves friendship.

Aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera.

“Help yourself, and heaven will help you.”

Take responsibility and make your own effort before expecting outside help.

Qui sème le vent récolte la tempête.

“Whoever sows the wind shall reap the whirlwind.”

Reckless or harmful actions bring consequences far greater than intended.

Rira bien qui rira le dernier.

“He laughs best who laughs last.”

Final success matters more than an early, premature victory.

Il n'y a pas de fumée sans feu.

“There is no smoke without fire.”

Persistent rumours or suspicions usually have some basis in truth.

Les murs ont des oreilles.

“Walls have ears.”

Be careful what you say, because private conversations can be overheard.

Mieux vaut tard que jamais.

“Better late than never.”

Doing something after a delay is still better than never doing it at all.

Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras.

“A bird in the hand is worth two you will have later.”

A smaller certain gain is worth more than the promise of a bigger uncertain one.

Vouloir, c'est pouvoir.

“To want is to be able.”

Strong determination is often the key to achieving what once seemed impossible.

Il faut battre le fer pendant qu'il est chaud.

“Strike while the iron is hot.”

Act on an opportunity immediately, while conditions are favourable.

Chacun voit midi à sa porte.

“Everyone sees noon at their own doorstep.”

People naturally judge situations from their own narrow point of view and self-interest.

Qui va à la chasse perd sa place.

“He who goes hunting loses his seat.”

Step away from an advantage and someone else may claim it in your absence.