German proverbs

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Die Dummen haben das meiste Glück. Show translation The stupid have the most luck. Fortune is blind.
Auf dem rollenden Stein wächst kein Moos. Show translation No moss grows on the rolling stone. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Wenn die Sau satt ist, wirft sie den Trog um. Show translation When the sow is full, she knocks over the trough. When the pig has had a belly full, it upsets the trough.
Die Zunge stößt immer an den kranken Zahn. Show translation The tongue always bumps into the diseased tooth. What the heart thinks, the tongue speaks.
Ein kleiner Stein im Wege wirft einen großen Wagen um. Show translation A small stone in the path knocks over a large wagon. A small leak will Sink a great ship.
Wer mit Honig umgeht, leckt auch einmal die Finger. Show translation Those who handle honey, also lick their fingers once. He that steals honey should beware of the Sting.
Zwischen Tür und Wand lege niemand seine Hand. Show translation Between the door and the wall no one puts his hand. Put not the hand between the bark and the tree.
Feuer und Wasser sind gute Diener, aber schlimme Herren. Show translation Fire and water are good servants, but terrible masters. Fire and water are good servants, but bad masters.
Der Hühner Gackern leidet man um der Eier willen. Show translation One suffers the cackle of the hens for the sake of the eggs. He that would have eggs must endure the cackling of hens.
Die viel Geld und viel Gut besitzen, müssen oft in Sorgen schwitzen. Show translation Those who have a lot of money and a lot of goods often have to sweat in worry. He that has no money, needs no purse.
Mancher hat Brot, wenn er keine Zähne mehr hat. Show translation Some people have bread when they no longer have teeth. If it should rain pottage, he would want his dish.
Man muß die Bärenhaut nicht eher verkaufen, bis man den Bären hat. Show translation You don't have to sell the bear skin until you have the bear. To sell the bear's skin before one has caught the bear.
Die Narren verlieren den Weg ins nächste Dorf. Show translation The fools lose their way to the next village. He that sends a fool means to follow him.
Narren geben Feste und die Klugen essen den Braten. Show translation Fools give feasts and the wise eat the roast. Fools make feasts, and Wise men eat them.
Man muß dem Wolfe nicht die Schafe zum Hüten geben. Show translation You don't have to give the wolf the sheep to herd. To set the wolf to keep the sheep.
Man muß die Suppe erst kosten, ehe man sie lobt. Show translation You have to taste the soup before you praise it. The proof of the pudding is in the eating.
Wem das Glück wohl will, dem kalbt ein Ochse. Show translation To whom fortune favors, an ox calves. Whom God loves, his bitch brings forth pigs.
Wenn die Frau sich schminkt's Gesicht, sieht sie nach der Wirtschaft nicht. Show translation When the woman puts makeup on her face, she does not look after the economy.
Wer sich zum Esel macht, muß die Säcke allzeit tragen. Show translation He who makes himself an ass must carry the sacks at all times. He that makes himself an ass, must not take it ill, if men ride him.
Ein silbern Wort öffnet ein eisern Schloß leichter als ein eherner Schlüssel. Show translation A silver word opens an iron lock more easily than an iron key. A soft answer turneth away wrath.

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German proverbs