Petit à petit, l'oiseau fait son nid.

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

Patient, steady effort accumulates into something substantial over time.

Qui vole un œuf, vole un bœuf.

“He who steals an egg will steal an ox.”

A small dishonest act reveals a character capable of much greater wrongdoing.

L'habit ne fait pas le moine.

“The habit does not make the monk.”

Outward appearance does not reveal a person's true nature or worth.

Il ne faut pas vendre la peau de l'ours avant de l'avoir tué.

“One must not sell the bear's skin before killing it.”

Do not count on the rewards of something before it has actually been achieved.

Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide.

“A scalded cat fears even cold water.”

A painful past experience can make someone overly cautious, even about something harmless.

Les bons comptes font les bons amis.

“Good accounts make good friends.”

Being clear and honest about money and debts helps preserve friendships.