Luxembourg Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Luxembourg in lb and English — each with its meaning and source.

All Wee féiert op Roum.

“All roads lead to Rome.”

Many different paths or methods can lead to the same result.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Am Noper sengem Gaart as et gutt Krauden goen.

“It is easy to weed in the neighbor's garden.”

It is easy to judge or manage someone else's affairs from the outside.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

An en saueren Apel bäissen.

“To bite into a sour apple.”

Sometimes one must accept an unpleasant necessity without complaint.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Et as éischter gesot wéi gedoen.

“Easier said than done.”

Talking about a task is far simpler than actually carrying it out.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Keen ass e Prophéit a sengem eegene Land.

“No one is a prophet in his own land.”

A person's talent or wisdom is often unrecognized by those closest to home.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

D'Nout kennt keen Gesetz.

“Necessity knows no law.”

In true hardship, people will act by whatever means the situation demands.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

D'Geleeënheet mécht den Déif.

“Opportunity makes the thief.”

A careless opening or temptation can turn an otherwise honest person toward wrongdoing.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wien alles wëllt, kritt näischt.

“He who wants everything gets nothing.”

Greed that reaches for too much often ends up with nothing at all.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Den Apel fält net wäit vum Bam.

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

Children tend to resemble their parents in character and habits.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wien sicht, dee fënnt.

“He who seeks, finds.”

Persistent effort eventually uncovers what one is looking for.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

E gutt Gewëssen as dat bescht Këssen.

“A good conscience is the best pillow.”

A clear conscience brings peace of mind and untroubled sleep.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Haut mir, muer dir.

“Today me, tomorrow you.”

Misfortune or fortune passes from one person to another — what happens to me today may happen to you next.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Muergestonn huet Gold am Mond.

“The morning hour has gold in its mouth.”

Time spent early in the day is especially valuable and productive.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No der Doud weess jidfereen e Rot.

“After death, everyone has advice.”

It is easy to know the right answer once it is too late for it to help.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Et as keen Wuerm sou kleng, tratt een drop, da réngelt de Schwanz.

“Tread on a worm and it will turn.”

Even the mildest person will resist or fight back if pushed too far.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ee kann den Iesel wuel op d'Drénk féieren, ee kann en awer net forcéieren ze drénken.

“You can lead a donkey to water, but you cannot force it to drink.”

You can offer someone the opportunity to do something, but you cannot make them want it.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ee weess wuel wat en huet, awer net wat en kritt.

“One knows well what one has, but not what one will get.”

It is safer to value what is certain in hand than to gamble it away for an uncertain gain.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wa Wënsch Päerd wieren, da rëtt de Bettler.

“If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.”

Simply wishing for something does not make it happen; wishing alone changes nothing.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wann den Apel zäideg ass, da fält en vum Bam.

“When the apple is ripe, it falls from the tree.”

Things happen naturally in their own time; good outcomes cannot be rushed.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wa d'Nout am gréissten ass, ass d'Hëllef am nootsten.

“When need is greatest, help is nearest.”

Aid tends to arrive precisely when a situation feels most desperate.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wa ee vum Wollef schwätzt, ass en net wäit ewech.

“Talk of the wolf, and he is not far away.”

The person being discussed often appears right when their name is mentioned.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ze vill Käch verdierwen d'Zopp.

“Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

Too many people trying to direct the same task tends to ruin the result.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Onkraut vergeet net.

“Weeds do not perish.”

A persistent, thick-skinned person or nuisance stubbornly refuses to disappear, much like a weed that will not die.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

't Gëtt näischt esou fein gesponnen, et kënnt un d'Dagesliicht.

“Nothing is spun so finely that it does not eventually come to light.”

Secrets and wrongdoing always come to light eventually, no matter how carefully they are hidden.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

All Déierche säi Pleséierche.

“Every little creature has its own little pleasure.”

Everyone has different tastes and preferences, and that is perfectly natural.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

All Dëppe fënnt säin Deckel.

“Every pot finds its lid.”

Everyone eventually finds a partner or match who truly suits them.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Aus den Ae, aus dem Sënn.

“Out of the eyes, out of the mind.”

Once someone or something is no longer seen, it is gradually forgotten.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

D'Ausriede si fir ze gebrauchen.

“Excuses exist to be used.”

People will always find a justification for avoiding what they do not want to do.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Déi dommst Baueren hunn déi déckst Gromperen.

“The dumbest farmers grow the biggest potatoes.”

Even those with the least skill sometimes enjoy the greatest stroke of luck.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Eemol ass keemol.

“Once does not count.”

A single slip or mistake should not be judged too harshly.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Et ass nach kee Meeschter vum Himmel gefall.

“No master ever fell from the sky.”

True skill and mastery are earned only through practice, never granted instantly.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Et ass nach laang net alles Gold, wat blénkt.

“Not all that glitters is gold.”

Appearances can be deceiving; something impressive on the surface is not always genuinely valuable.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Hënn déi bëllen, bäissen net.

“Dogs that bark do not bite.”

Those who make the loudest threats or noise are often the least dangerous.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Honger ass de bescht Kach.

“Hunger is the best cook.”

Food tastes best of all when you are truly hungry for it.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Muer ass och nach een Dag.

“Tomorrow is also a day.”

There is no need to force everything into today; some things can rightly wait.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Näischt gesot ass och eng Äntwert.

“Saying nothing is also an answer.”

Silence itself carries meaning and often signals agreement or consent.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Och eng blann Sau kann eng Eechel fannen.

“Even a blind sow can find an acorn.”

Even the least skilled person succeeds by chance every once in a while.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Vun näischt kënnt näischt.

“Nothing comes from nothing.”

Real results and rewards require genuine effort; nothing is achieved without work.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wat de Bauer net kennt, dat frësst en net.

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

People are often reluctant to trust or try what is unfamiliar to them.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wat een net am Kapp huet, muss een an de Been hunn.

“What you do not have in your head, you must have in your legs.”

Forgetfulness or poor planning costs extra effort and running around later.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wien näischt mécht, deen näischt brécht.

“He who does nothing breaks nothing.”

Avoiding action avoids the risk of mistakes, though it also prevents any progress.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wien A seet, muss och B soen.

“He who says A must also say B.”

Once committed to the first step, a person must follow through with what comes next.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Eng Hand wäscht déi aner.

“One hand washes the other.”

People who help one another both benefit from the exchange.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Besser den Aascht fält wéi de Bam.

“Better the branch falls than the tree.”

It is wiser to lose something small than to risk losing everything.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wéi een an de Bësch rifft, sou schaalt et erëm.

“As one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.”

How a person treats others is generally how they will be treated in return.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Deem enge säin Doud, deem anere säi Brout.

“One man's death is another man's bread.”

One person's misfortune often becomes another person's gain.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

D'Geld regéiert d'Welt.

“Money rules the world.”

Wealth and financial power strongly shape how the world operates.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wie fir d'lescht laacht, laacht am beschten.

“He who laughs last, laughs best.”

It is unwise to celebrate victory too soon, since outcomes can still change.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Schéi Fiedere maache schéi Vullen.

“Fine feathers make fine birds.”

Good appearance and presentation strongly shape how a person is perceived.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition

D'Wourecht geet net ënner.

“Truth does not go under.”

The truth cannot be permanently buried and will eventually resurface.

Traditional Luxembourg Wisdom

Source: Traditional Luxembourg proverb, public-domain oral tradition