German proverbs

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Der eine hat den Wein getrunken, der andere muß die Zeche bezahlen. Show translation One has drunk the wine, the other must pay the bill. One does the scathe, and another has the scorn.
Im Spiel und Spott sagt man oft die Wahrheit. Show translation In play and ridicule, people often tell the truth. Many a true word is spoken in jest.
Eigen Brot nährt am besten. Show translation Own bread nourishes best. Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.
Der Hunger treibt den Wolf aus dem Walde. Show translation Hunger drives the wolf out of the forest. Hunger drives the wolf out of the woods.
Adler brüten keine Tauben. Show translation Eagles do not breed pigeons. Eagles do not breed doves.
Des Herrn Auge macht das Pferd fett. Show translation The eye of the beast makes the horse fat. The master's eye makes the horse fat.
Vom Esel kann man nicht Wolle fordern. Show translation You cannot demand wool from the donkey. Look not for musk in a dog's kennel.
Kurze Rechnung, lange Freundschaft. Show translation Short bill, long friendship. Even reckoning makes long friends.
Eine Blume macht keinen Kranz. Show translation One flower does not make a wreath. One flower makes no garland.
Wenn alte Scheuern brennen, hilft kein Löschen. Show translation When old rubbings burn, no extinguishing will help. There is no fool like an old fool.
Gott hilft dem Schiffer, aber rudern muß er. Show translation God helps the skipper, but he has to row. Get thy spindle and thy distaff ready and God will send thee flax.
Besser ein guter Freund, als Silber und Gold. Show translation Better a good friend than silver and gold. A friend in the market is better than money in the chest.
Wer zum Galgen geboren ist, ersäuft nicht. Show translation He who is born to the gallows does not drown. What is, must be.
Hinter dem Gitter schmeckt auch Honig bitter. Show translation Behind the grid, honey also tastes bitter. Lean liberty is better than fat slavery.
Von fremdem Unglück tut der Kopf nicht weh. Show translation The head does not hurt from other people's misfortune.
Soviel Köpfe, soviel Sinne. Show translation So many minds, so many senses. So many men so many minds.
Viele Federn machen ein Bett. Show translation Many feathers make a bed. Many small make a great.
Ein Affe bleibt ein Affe, ob er wird König oder Pfaffe. Show translation A monkey remains a monkey, whether he becomes king or priest. An ape is ne'er so like an ape, as when he wears a doctor's cape.
Die Zeit ist an keinen Pfahl gebunden. Show translation Time is not bound to any pole. Time and tide wait for no man.
Wenn des Nachbars Haus brennt, so trägt man Wasser zum eigenen. Show translation If your neighbor's house is on fire, you carry water to your own. Look after number one.

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German proverbs