French proverbs

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L'homme ne vit pas de pain seulement. Show translation Man does not live by bread alone. Man doth not live by bread only.
Il ne faut pas courir deux lièvres à la fois. Show translation You can't have it both ways. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.
On ne prend pas les mouches avec du vinaigre. Show translation You can't catch flies with vinegar. Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
On apprend à tout âge. Show translation You can learn at any age. Never too late to learn.
A colleter un gueux on devient pouilleux. Show translation If you stick to a beggar, you become a louse. He that touches pitch shall be defiled.
Tous ceux qui prendront l'épée périront par l'épée. Show translation All those who take up the sword will perish by the sword. He who lives by the sword dies by the sword.
Ce qui tombe dans le fossé est pour le soldat. Show translation What falls in the ditch is for the soldier. Let bygones be bygones.
Les cordonniers sont toujours les plus mal chaussés. Show translation Shoemakers are always the worst shod. The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot.
A chacun son tour. Show translation To each his own. Our day will come.
A bon chat, bon rat. Show translation A good cat, a good rat. When Greek meets Greek then comes the tug of war.
On n'a rien sans peine. Show translation No pain, no gain. No bees, no honey, no work, no money.
Si un aveugle en conduit un autre, ils tomberont tous les deux. Show translation If one blind man leads another, they will both fall. If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Rendre la pareille. Show translation Returning the favor.
On ne meurt qu'une fois. Show translation You only die once. A man can die but once.
L'habitude est une seconde nature. Show translation Habit is second nature. Old habits die hard.
Venir après la fête. Show translation Come after the party. It is too late to call back yesterday.
Ne criez pas „des moules" avant qu'elles ne soient au bord. Show translation Don't shout "mussels" until they've reached the edge. Make not your sauce till you have caught the fish.
Répondre du tac au tac. Show translation Tackle the problem. As the call, so the echo.
Du sublime au ridicule il n'y a qu'un pas. Show translation There's only one step from the sublime to the ridiculous. There is but one step from the sublime to the ridiculous.
Ventre affamé n'a point d'oreilles. Show translation A hungry belly has no ears. Hungry bellies have no ears.

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French proverbs