French proverbs

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Il n'est si bel acquis que le don. Show translation There's no greater achievement than giving.
L'ormeau ne peut donner des poires. Show translation Abalone cannot produce pears. A Wild goose never laid a tame egg.
Autant de gens, autant de sens. Show translation So many people, so many meanings. So many men so many minds.
Qui naît fou n'en guérit jamais. Show translation If you're born crazy, you'll never recover. He that is born a fool is never cured.
Vite et bien se trouvent rarement ensemble. Show translation Fast and good are rarely found together. Good and quickly seldom meet.
Il n'y a que la première pinte qui coûte. Show translation Only the first pint costs. The first glass for thirst, the second for nourishment, the third for pleasure and the fourth for madness.
Chacun veut avoir le bon bout de son côté. Show translation Everyone wants to get the right end of the stick. Self comes first.
Tel a du pain qui n'a point de dents. Show translation Such has bread that has no teeth. If it should rain pottage, he would want his dish.
Qui ne peut battre le cheval, bat la selle. Show translation Who can't beat the horse, beats the saddle. He that cannot beat the ass, beats the saddle.
Ventre de son, robe de velours. Show translation Bran belly, velvet dress. Great boast and small roast.
Hantez les boiteux, vous clocherez. Show translation Haunt the lame, you'll stumble.
L'aigle n'engendre point la colombe. Show translation The eagle does not beget the dove. Eagles do not breed doves.
Contre cognée serrure ne peut. Show translation Against cognée lock can not. There is no arguing with a large fist.
Le ventre plein rend le cerveau paresseux. Show translation A full belly makes the brain lazy. Fat paunches have lean pates.
Aujourd'hui roi, demain rien. Show translation Today king, tomorrow nothing.
Il est toujours là pour dire amen. Show translation He's always there to say amen. To have a finger in every Pie.
Après grand banquet, petit pain. Show translation After the big banquet, a bread roll. Stuff today and starve tomorrow.
Il pleut à tous vents. Show translation It's raining like crazy. Don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
On ne dit des morts que du bien. Show translation Only good things are said about the dead. Speak well of the dead.
Le printemps de la vie ne revient jamais. Show translation The springtime of life never returns. Christmas comes but once a year.

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French proverbs