German proverbs

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Kein Rauch ohne Feuer. Show translation No smoke without fire. There is no smoke without fire
Viel Geschrei und wenig Wolle. Show translation A lot of shouting and little wool. Great cry and little wool.
Blinder Eifer schadet nur. Show translation Blind zeal only harms. Give a fool rope enough, and he will hang himself.
Versprechen muß man halten. Show translation Promises must be kept. A bargain is a bargain.
Aus fremdem Leder ist gut Riemen schneiden. Show translation From foreign leather is well cut straps. Men cut large thongs of Other men's leather.
Vögel, die morgens singen, holt abends die Katze. Show translation Birds that sing in the morning, fetches the cat in the evening. If you sing before breakfast, you'll cry before night.
Lieber tot als Sklave. Show translation Better dead than a slave. Better die with honour than live with shame.
Hunde, die viel bellen, beißen nicht. Show translation Dogs that bark a lot don't bite. Barking dogs seldom bite.
Anfang gut, alles gut. Show translation Start well, all is well. A good beginning makes a good ending.
Besser ein kleiner Fisch als gar nichts auf dem Tisch. Show translation Better a small fish than nothing at all on the table. Half a loaf is better than no bread.
Geschenkt ist geschenkt. Show translation A gift is a gift.
Ein toter Hund beißt nicht. Show translation A dead dog does not bite. Dead dogs bite not.
Wie der Vogel, so das Ei. Show translation Like bird, like egg. To ask pears of an elm tree.
Wie der Baum fällt, so bleibt er liegen. Show translation As the tree falls, so it remains. As a man lives, so shall he die, as a tree falls, so shall it lie.
Aus der Pfanne ins Feuer. Show translation From the pan into the fire. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Alt genug und doch nicht klug. Show translation Old enough and yet not smart. A grey head is often placed on green shoulders.
Der Ertrinkende klammert sich an einen Strohhalm. Show translation The drowning man clings to a straw. A drowning man will catch at a straw.
Macht geht vor Recht. Show translation Might is right. Might goes before right.
Der eine klopft auf den Busch, der andere fängt den Vogel. Show translation One knocks on the bush, the other catches the bird. One beats the bush, and another catches the birds.
Erst wägen, dann wagen. Show translation First weigh, then dare. Measure twice, cut but once.

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German proverbs