German proverbs

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Unkraut verdirbt nicht. Show translation Weeds do not spoil. III weeds grow apace.
Die Kutte macht nicht den Mönch. Show translation The habit does not make the monk. The cowl does not make the monk.
Armut schändet nicht. Show translation Poverty does not disgrace. Poverty is no sin.
Ein leerer Sack steht nicht aufrecht. Show translation An empty bag does not stand upright. An empty sack cannot stand upright.
Nicht aus jedem Holz kann man Pfeifen schneiden. Show translation Not every wood can be cut pipes. Every reed will not make a Pipe.
Man muß das Beste hoffen, das Schlimmste kommt von selbst. Show translation You have to hope for the best, the worst comes by itself. Don't trouble trouble till trouble troubles you.
Schwarze Kühe geben auch weiße Milch. Show translation Black cows also give white milk. A black hen lays a white egg.
Laß die Zunge nicht schneller als die Gedanken sein. Show translation Do not let the tongue be quicker than the thoughts. He cannot speak well that cannot hold his tongue.
Wenn's Unglück sein soll, kann man sich den Finger in der Nase abbrechen. Show translation If it's bad luck, you can break your finger off in your nose. An unfortunate man would be drowned in a tea-cup.
Stirb nicht, lieber Hengst, es kommt die Zeit, wo Gras wächst. Show translation Don't die, dear stallion, there comes a time when grass grows. While the grass grows, the horse starves.
Jeder Kaufmann lobt seine Ware. Show translation Every merchant praises his goods. Every cook praises his own broth.
Man fängt mehr Fliegen mit einem Tropfen Honig, als mit einer Kanne Essig. Show translation You catch more flies with a drop of honey than with a can of vinegar. Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
Des Gärtners Hund ißt keinen Kohl und will nicht, daß andere davon essen. Show translation The gardener's dog does not eat cabbage and does not want others to eat it. Like the gardener's dog, that neither eats cabbages himself, nor lets anybody else.
Die Toten kehren nicht zurück. Show translation The dead do not return. It is only the dead who do not return.
Ein Kind kann ein Pferd zum Wasser führen, aber hundert Männer können es nicht zum Saufen zwingen. Show translation A child can lead a horse to water, but a hundred men cannot make it drink. You can lead a horse to the water, but you can't make him drink.
Perlen vor die Schweine werfen. Show translation Casting pearls before swine. To cast pearls before swine.
Von Worten zu Werken ist ein weiter Weg. Show translation From words to works is a long way. Easier said than done.
Alle listigen Füchse kommen endlich beim Kürschner in der Beize zusammen. Show translation All the cunning foxes finally come together at the furrier's pickling shop. At length the fox is brought to the furrier.
Wenn die Kuh den Schwanz verloren hat, merkt sie erst, wozu er gut war. Show translation When the cow has lost its tail, it only realizes what it was good for. The cow knows not What her tail is worth till she hath lost it.
Das Kamel ging um Hörner zu suchen aus und kam ohne Ohren nach Haus. Show translation The camel went out to look for horns and came home without ears. The camel going to seek horns, lost his ears.

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German proverbs