French proverbs

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Si le ciel tombait, il y aurait bien des alouettes prises. Show translation If the sky fell, there'd be plenty of larks caught. If wishes were horses beggars would ride.
L'exception confirme la règle. Show translation The exception confirms the rule. The exception proves the rule.
On fait toujours le loup plus gros qu'il n'est. Show translation We always make the wolf look bigger than it is.
Qui fait l'ange fait la bête. Show translation He who makes the angel makes the beast. Who spits against heaven, it falls in his face.
Pauvre homme n'a point d'amis. Show translation Poor man has no friends. In time of prosperity, friends will be plenty; in time of adversity, not one amongst twenty.
La langue va où la dent fait mal. Show translation The tongue goes where the tooth hurts. What the heart thinks, the tongue speaks.
A beau parler qui n'a cure de bien faire. Show translation A beau parler qui n'a cure de bien faire. To promise and give nothing, is comfort to a fool.
Ce n'est pas tous les jours fête. Show translation It's not every day you get to celebrate. Every day is not Sunday.
Qui se couche avec les chiens, se lève avec les puces. Show translation You lie down with the dogs, you get up with the fleas. He that lies down with dogs must rise up with fleas.
Enfermer le loup dans la bergerie. Show translation Lock the wolf in the sheepfold. To set the wolf to keep the sheep.
Tel qui rit vendredi, dimanche pleurera. Show translation If you laugh on Friday, you'll cry on Sunday. If you sing before breakfast, you'll cry before night.
Quand le loup est pris, tous les chiens lui lardent les fesses. Show translation When the wolf is caught, all the dogs lick his ass. Hares may pull dead lions by the beard.
Il faut faire contre mauvaise fortune bon coeur. Show translation We have to make the best of a bad situation. All are not hunters that blow the horn.
Celui qui ne veut pas travailler ne doit pas manger. Show translation If you don't want to work, you don't have to eat. He that will not work shall not eat.
L'orgueil précède la chute. Show translation Pride comes before a fall. Pride goes before a fall.
Ce qui est courbé ne peut se redresser. Show translation What is bent cannot be straightened. That which is crooked cannot be made straight.
Qui jeune n' apprend, vieux ne saura. Show translation If you don't learn young, you won't know old. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.
Les temps changent et nous changeons avec eux. Times change, and we change with them. Times change and we with them.
Deux avis valent mieux qu'un. Show translation Two opinions are better than one. Two heads are better than one.
L'homme ne se mesure pas à l'aune. Show translation Man is not measured by the yardstick. Little fish are sweet.

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French proverbs