French proverbs

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Quand l'arbre est tombé, chacun court aux branches. Show translation When the tree has fallen, everyone runs to the branches. When the tree is fallen, every one runs to it with his axe.
Il faut traiter les gens selon leur mérite. Show translation You have to treat people according to their merit. It is not the gay coat that makes the gentleman.
Grain à grain la poule remplit son ventre. Show translation Grain by grain, the hen fills her belly. Many small make a great.
Quand les cochons sont soûls, ils renversent leur auge. Show translation When pigs get drunk, they tip over their troughs. When the pig has had a belly full, it upsets the trough.
Un ouvrage bien commencé est plus d'à moitié fait. Show translation A job well begun is more than half done. A good beginning makes a good ending.
Quitte à quitte et bons amis. Show translation Even if it means leaving good friends. Weight and measure take away strife.
Petits enfants, petits tourments; grands enfants, grands tourments. Show translation Little children, little torments; big children, big torments. Children when they are little make parents fools, when they are great they make them mad.
On ne peut faire un épervier d'un busard. Show translation You can't make a hawk out of a buzzard. A kite will never be a good hawk.
Un bon début est la moitié de l'oeuvre. Show translation A good beginning is half the work. Well begun is half done.
Fol est le marchand qui déprise sa denrée. Show translation Fol est le marchand qui déprise sa denrée.
Malheur partagé n'est malheur qu' à demi. Show translation Misfortune shared is only half misfortune.
Il n'est orgueil que de pauvre enrichi. Show translation Pride only comes from the rich poor. Set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the devil.
Vache de loin a assez de lait. Show translation Cow by far has enough milk. Our neighbour's ground yields better corn than ours.
Une chaussure à tous pieds. Show translation A shoe for every foot. Six of one and half a dozen of the other.
Qui a de l'argent a des coquilles. Show translation He who has money has shells. Money makes the mare go.
Qui perd son bien, perd son sang. Show translation Who loses his property, loses his blood.
On ne fait pas de procession pour tailler les vignes. Show translation There's no procession to prune the vines. Praise the Lord and pass the ammunition.
Qui de loin se pourvoit, de près jouit. Show translation He who provides from afar, enjoys from near. While it is fine weather mend your sails.
Il faut compter l'argent deux fois et l'or trois fois. Show translation You have to count silver twice and gold three times. Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.
On avance toujours mieux avec un cheval emprunté qu'avec le sien propre. Show translation You always make better progress with a borrowed horse than with your own. A hired horse tired never.

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French proverbs