Traditional proverbs of United States in en and English — each with its meaning and source.
Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.
“Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy, and wise.”
A disciplined daily routine of rest and early work leads to health, prosperity, and good judgment.
Source: Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1735)
A penny saved is a penny earned.
“A penny saved is a penny earned.”
Money you avoid spending is just as valuable as money you make, so thrift matters.
Source: Popularly attributed to Benjamin Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack; traditional American thrift proverb
God helps those who help themselves.
“God helps those who help themselves.”
Divine or outside help favors people who first make their own effort rather than waiting passively.
Source: Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1736); older proverbial roots
The squeaky wheel gets the grease.
“The squeaky wheel gets the grease.”
The person or problem that complains loudest is the one that gets attention and help.
Source: Traditional American proverb, oral tradition (attributed in popular form to Josh Billings, 19th c.)
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
“When the going gets tough, the tough get going.”
Strong, determined people work harder and push forward precisely when conditions become difficult.
Source: Traditional American saying, 20th-century oral tradition
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
“The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.”
Children tend to resemble their parents in character, habits, or ability.
Source: Traditional American proverb, common in U.S. oral tradition (older European roots)
Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch.”
Do not rely on a hoped-for outcome until it has actually happened.
Source: Traditional proverb widely used in American English, oral tradition
If it ain't broke, don't fix it.
“If it ain't broke, don't fix it.”
Do not change or interfere with something that is already working well.
Source: Traditional American proverb, popularized 20th c. (attributed to Bert Lance, 1977)
Actions speak louder than words.
“Actions speak louder than words.”
What a person actually does reveals their intentions more truthfully than what they merely say.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb in common American usage (documented from the 17th century)
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
“There's no such thing as a free lunch.”
Everything of value has a cost somewhere, even when it appears to be given away for free.
Source: American proverbial saying popularized 20th c.; associated with economist Milton Friedman (1975)
Don't judge a book by its cover.
“Don't judge a book by its cover.”
Do not form an opinion of someone or something based only on outward appearance.
Source: Traditional American proverb, in common oral and print use since the 19th century
The early bird catches the worm.
“The early bird catches the worm.”
Those who act promptly and get an early start gain an advantage over others.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded in England from the 17th century; common in American usage
Practice makes perfect.
“Practice makes perfect.”
Repeated effort and rehearsal are what lead to mastery of a skill.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, common in American usage since the 17th century
You can't have your cake and eat it too.
“You can't have your cake and eat it too.”
You cannot enjoy two incompatible benefits at the same time; choices involve trade-offs.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from the 16th century; common in American usage
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
“Don't put all your eggs in one basket.”
Do not risk everything on a single venture; spread out your resources or efforts.
The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.
“The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.”
Other people's circumstances often look better than your own, even when they are not.
Source: Traditional American saying, common oral tradition from the 20th century
Don't cry over spilled milk.
“Don't cry over spilled milk.”
There is no use being upset about a loss or mistake that has already happened and cannot be undone.
Source: Traditional American proverb, oral tradition
Time heals all wounds.
“Time heals all wounds.”
Painful emotions and grief gradually become easier to bear as time passes.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb with roots traced to Geoffrey Chaucer's Troilus and Criseyde (14th century); common in American usage
You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
“You can't teach an old dog new tricks.”
It is difficult to get someone set in their ways to learn or accept something new.
Birds of a feather flock together.
“Birds of a feather flock together.”
People with similar interests, values, or character tend to associate with one another.
Where there's a will, there's a way.
“Where there's a will, there's a way.”
A determined person will find a means to accomplish what they are set on doing.
Better safe than sorry.
“Better safe than sorry.”
It is wiser to take precautions in advance than to regret carelessness afterward.
Honesty is the best policy.
“Honesty is the best policy.”
Telling the truth serves a person better in the long run than deceit.
Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
“Don't bite the hand that feeds you.”
Do not turn against or harm someone who supports or provides for you.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, traced to Edmund Burke's writings (18th century); common in American usage
A watched pot never boils.
“A watched pot never boils.”
Time seems to pass more slowly when you are anxiously waiting for something to happen.
Source: Traditional American proverb, oral tradition, popularized in American English usage
Cleanliness is next to godliness.
“Cleanliness is next to godliness.”
Keeping oneself and one's surroundings clean is regarded as a sign of moral or spiritual virtue.
Source: Traditional proverb popularized by English minister John Wesley's sermons (18th century); common in American usage
You reap what you sow.
“You reap what you sow.”
The consequences of your actions, good or bad, eventually come back to you.
Source: Traditional proverb rooted in biblical scripture (Galatians 6:7); common in American usage
Two wrongs don't make a right.
“Two wrongs don't make a right.”
Responding to a wrongdoing with another wrongdoing does not correct the original problem.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from the 18th century; common in American usage
Better late than never.
“Better late than never.”
Doing something after a delay is preferable to never doing it at all.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from Chaucer's writing (14th century); common in American usage
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
“Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Do not find fault with or question something you have received for free.
Curiosity killed the cat.
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
Being too inquisitive about matters that do not concern you can lead to trouble.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, American form popularized in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
When it rains, it pours.
“When it rains, it pours.”
Difficulties or events, once they start, tend to come all at once rather than one at a time.
Source: Popularized as the Morton Salt Company advertising slogan (1911); became a widely used American saying
The customer is always right.
“The customer is always right.”
A business should prioritize customer satisfaction and treat customer complaints as valid.
Source: Business motto popularized in early 20th-century American retail, commonly associated with Marshall Field's department store in Chicago
Time is money.
“Time is money.”
Time is a valuable resource, and wasting it carries a real cost just like wasting money does.
Source: Benjamin Franklin, Advice to a Young Tradesman (1748)
Necessity is the mother of invention.
“Necessity is the mother of invention.”
Difficult circumstances and real needs are what drive people to create new solutions.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb with roots in Plato's Republic; common in American usage
That's the pot calling the kettle black.
“That's the pot calling the kettle black.”
Said of someone who criticizes another for a fault they themselves also have.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded in English translations of Cervantes' Don Quixote (17th century); common in American usage
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
“A friend in need is a friend indeed.”
A true friend is one who helps you when you are actually in trouble or hardship.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from the 17th century; common in American usage
Don't burn your bridges.
“Don't burn your bridges.”
Do not permanently damage a relationship or option, since you may need it again in the future.
Source: Traditional American idiom, oral tradition from military bridge-burning imagery, common in 20th-century American usage
Don't change horses in the middle of the stream.
“Don't change horses in the middle of the stream.”
It is unwise to switch leaders, plans, or methods in the middle of a difficult undertaking.
Source: Traditional American saying, famously invoked by Abraham Lincoln in his address to the National Union League (June 9, 1864)
Well done is better than well said.
“Well done is better than well said.”
Accomplishing something in practice matters more than merely talking about it.
Source: Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1737)
Fish and visitors stink after three days.
“Fish and visitors stink after three days.”
A guest who overstays their welcome eventually becomes a burden, however welcome at first.
Source: Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1736)
The proof is in the pudding.
“The proof is in the pudding.”
The real value or success of something can only be judged once it is actually tried or tested.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, shortened American form of "the proof of the pudding is in the eating" (recorded from the 14th century)
Look before you leap.
“Look before you leap.”
Consider the consequences carefully before taking action.
All that glitters is not gold.
“All that glitters is not gold.”
Something that looks attractive or valuable on the outside may not actually be so.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, popularized by Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice (circa 1596); common in American usage
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
“A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.”
The overall strength or reliability of a group or system depends on its weakest part.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from the 19th century; common in American usage
Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.
“Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.”
Act promptly on tasks rather than delaying them, since procrastination causes problems to pile up.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, associated with Thomas Jefferson's personal maxims (early 19th century); common in American usage
Make hay while the sun shines.
“Make hay while the sun shines.”
Take advantage of favorable conditions or opportunities while they last.
Source: Traditional English-language proverb, recorded from the 16th century; common in American farming communities
The shoemaker's children go barefoot.
“The shoemaker's children go barefoot.”
People skilled at helping others often neglect to apply that same skill or care to their own affairs.
Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
“Out of the frying pan and into the fire.”
Escaping one bad situation only to land in one that is even worse.
United we stand, divided we fall.
“United we stand, divided we fall.”
People working together in unity are strong, while division weakens and defeats them.
Source: Saying rooted in Aesop's fables, adopted as an American patriotic motto since the era of the Continental Congress and later the Kentucky state motto (1792)
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