Latin proverbs

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Occurrunt homines, nequeunt occurrere montes. Show translation They meet men, they cannot meet mountains. Friends may meet, but mountains never greet.
Maiores pennas nido. Show translation Greater feathers in the nest. A great ship asks deep waters.
Delphinum natare doces. Show translation You teach a dolphin to swim. Never offer to teach fish to swim.
Mutua qui dederat, repetens sibi comparat hostem. Show translation He who had given a loan, by taking it back, prepares an enemy for himself. Lend your money and lose your friend.
Proprium est stultitiae aliorum vitia cernere, oblivisci suorum. Show translation It is characteristic of folly to see the faults of others, to forget one's own. Mind your own business.
Scopae recentiores semper meliores. Show translation Newer scopes are always better. A new broom sweeps clean.
Duos lepores sequitur, neutrum capit. Show translation He follows two hares, and catches neither. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.
Dimidium plus toto. Show translation Half more than the whole. Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
Acerbum est, pro benefactis cum mali messem metas. Show translation It is bitter, for good things, when the harvest of bad goals. Let an ill man lie in thy straw, and he looks to be thy heir.
Sermo mollis frangit iram. Show translation A soft word breaks anger. Honey catches more flies than vinegar.
Talia dicentur tibi, qualia dixeris ipse. Show translation Such will be said to you as you yourself will say. Like question, like answer.
Non curat numerum lupus. Show translation The wolf does not care about the number. The wolf eats often of the sheep that have been told.
Simia simia est, etiamsi aurea gestat insignia. Show translation A monkey is a monkey, even if it wears golden insignia. An ape is ne'er so like an ape, as when he wears a doctor's cape.
Sus magis in caeno gaudet quam fonte sereno. Show translation A pig is happier in the mud than in a clear spring. Bring a cow to the hall and she will run to the byre.
Quidquid conaris, quo pervenias, cogites. Show translation Whatever you are trying to achieve, think about it. Look to the end.
Cattus amat piscem, sed non vult tingere plantam. Show translation The cat loves the fish, but does not want to touch the plant. The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet.
Territus igne semel post haec puer odit eundem. Show translation Terrified by the fire, once after this the boy hates the same. The burnt child dreads the fire.
Irritare canem noli dormire volentem. Show translation Don't annoy a dog that wants to sleep. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Cineres evitans, in carbones incidit. Show translation Avoiding the ashes, he fell into the coals. Out of the frying pan into the fire.
Nemo potest nudo vestimenta detrahere. Show translation No one can take off his naked clothes. The beggar may sing before the thief.

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Latin proverbs