French proverbs

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Qui a du pain nargue le chagrin. Show translation He who has bread mocks grief. He whose belly is full believes not him who is fasting.
Souvent à mauvais chien tombe un bon os en gueule. Show translation Every bad dog has a good bone in its mouth. Into the mouth of a bad dog often falls a good bone.
L'on ne peut cacher aiguille en sac. Show translation You can't hide a needle in a bag. You cannot hide an eel in a sack.
Un malheur en attire un autre. Show translation One misfortune leads to another.
Secret de trois, secret de tous. Show translation Secret of three, secret of all. He that tells a secret, is another's servant.
Le moine répond comme l'abbé chante. Show translation The monk answers as the abbot sings. The young pig grunts like the old sow.
Les secondes pensées sont les plus sages. Show translation Second thoughts are the wisest. Measure twice, cut but once.
Courroux est vain sans forte main. Show translation Wrath is vain without a strong hand. God sends a curst cow short horns.
Avoir le bec bien affilé. Show translation A sharp beak. Tongue breaks bone, and herself has none.
Belle montre et peu de rapport. Show translation Beautiful watch and little report. A fair face foul heart.
Un coq est bien fort sur son fumier. Show translation A rooster is strong on its manure. A cock is bold on his own dunghill.
On ne prend pas les vieux moineaux avec de la paille. Show translation You can't pick up old sparrows with straw. You cannot catch old birds with chaff.
Tous chemins vont à Rome. Show translation All roads lead to Rome. All roads lead to Rome.
Qui se fait miel, les mouches le mangent. Show translation The flies eat the honey. He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.
Contre la mort, point de remède. Show translation There's no cure for death. There is a remedy for all things but death.
Fermer l'écurie quand les chevaux sont dehors. Show translation Close the stable when the horses are outside. It is too late to shut the stable door after the horse has bolted.
Ce qui entre par une oreille sort par l'autre. Show translation What goes in one ear comes out the other. In at one ear and out at the other.
Tant de gens, tant de guises. Show translation So many people, so many guises. So many countries, so many customs.
La mort nous rend tous égaux. Show translation Death makes us all equal. Death is the grand leveller.
N'est pas marchand qui toujours gagne. Show translation It's not the merchant who always wins. Every flow has its ebb.

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French proverbs