(A CONCISE DICTIONARY OF ENGLISH PROVERBS)" - Published by Shanghai Translation Publishing House in 1993. A bad beginning makes a bad ending. A bad beginning makes a bad ending. A bad thing never dies. A bad thing never dies. A bad workman always blames his tools. He can't punt a boat and the river bends. A bird in the hand is worth than two in the bush. A boaster and a liar are cousins-german. Bragging and lying are of the same origin. A bully is always a coward. A burden of one's choice is not felt. A candle lights others and consumes itself. A candle lights others but destroys itself. A cat has 9 lives. A cat has nine lives. A cat may look at a king. A cat may look at a king, which means that everyone is equal. A close mouth catches no flies. Disease enters through the mouth. A constant guest is never welcome. A constant guest is annoying. Actions speak louder than words. Facts speak louder than words. Adversity leads to prosperity. Poverty leads to change. Adversity makes a man wise, not rich. Adversity brings out talents. A fair death honors the whole life. A fair death honors the whole life. A faithful friend is hard to find. A faithful friend is hard to find. A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. A fall into a pit, a gain in your wit. A fox may grow gray, but never good. A situation is easy to change, but a nature is hard to change. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend in need is a friend indeed. A friend is easier lost than found. It is difficult to find a friend, but it is easy to lose a friend. A friend is never known till a man has need. A friend is never known till a man has need. A friend without faults will never be found. There is no perfect friend. 'After you' is good manners. 'After you' is good manners. A good beginning is half done. A good beginning is half done. A good beginning makes a good ending. A good beginning makes a good ending. A good book is a good friend. A good book is like a good friend. A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever. A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever. A good conscience is a soft pillow. If you don't do anything bad, don't be afraid of ghosts.

A good fame is better than a good face. A good fame is better than a good face. A good husband makes a good wife. A good husband makes a good wife. A good medicine tastes bitter. A good wife health is a man's best wealth. A good wife's health is a man's best wealth. A great talker is a great liar. A great talker often lies. A hedge between keeps friendship green. The friendship between gentlemen is as light as water. A joke never gains an enemy but loses a friend. A joke never gains an enemy but loses a friend. A leopard cannot change its spots. Old habits die hard. A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth. No one believes a liar even if he speaks the truth. A light heart lives long. Quietness cultivates one's self. A little body often harbors a great soul. What is concentrated is exquisite. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. A little pot is soon hot. A dog's belly cannot hold more than four ounces of oil. All are brave when the enemy flies. When the enemy flies, everyone becomes a warrior. All good things come to an end. There is no feast that never ends. All rivers run into sea. The sea accommodates all rivers. All roads lead to Rome. All roads lead to Rome. All that ends well is well. All that ends well is well. All that glitters is not gold. All that glitters is not gold. All things are difficult before they are easy. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. All work and no play makes a smart boy stupid. A man becomes learned by asking questions. Only by asking questions can one become knowledgeable. A man can do no more than he can. Everything should be done within one's ability. A man cannot spin and reel at the same time. A man is known by his friends. Whoever makes friends. A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of weeds. A man of words and not of deeds is like a garden full of thorns. A man without money is no man at all. A penny beats a heroic man. A merry heart goes all the way. A happy heart goes all the way. A miss is as good as a mile. A miss is as good as a mile. A mother's love never changes. A mother's love never changes.

An apple a day keeps the doctor away. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. A new broom sweeps clean. A new official takes office with three things in mind. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. An hour in the morning is worth two in the evening. An old dog cannot learn new tricks. An old dog cannot learn new tricks. An ounce of luck is better than a pound of wisdom. An ounce of luck is worse than a pound of wisdom. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Prevention is the first priority and treatment is the supplement. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A rolling stone gathers no moss. A rolling stone gathers no moss. As a man sows, so he shall reap. A single flower does not make a spring. A single flower blooming alone is not spring, but a hundred flowers blooming together fill the garden. A snow year, a rich year. Auspicious snow heralds a good year. A sound mind in a sound body. A sound mind in a sound body. A still tongue makes a wise head. A man of few words is wise. A stitch in time saves nine. If the small hole is not repaired, the big hole will suffer. A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe. A straight foot is not afraid of a crooked shoe. A wise head makes a close mouth. A real person does not show his appearance, and his appearance is not a real person. A word spoken is past recalling. Once a word is spoken, it is difficult to catch up. A year's plan starts with spring. A year's plan starts with spring. A young idler, an old beggar. If a young man does not work hard, an old man will be miserable. Bad news has wings. Good things don’t go out, but bad news spread thousands of miles. Barking dogs seldom bite. Barking dogs seldom bite. Beauty lies in the love's eyes. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. Be swift to hear, slow to speak. Be swift to hear and slow to speak. Better late than never. Don’t be afraid of being slow, just be afraid of standing. Better to ask the way than go astray. Better to ask the way than go astray. Between friends all is common. There is no distinction between friends. Birds of a feather flock together. Birds of a feather flock together. Birds of a feather flock together. Blood is thicker than water. Blood is thicker than water. Blood will have blood. Blood debt must be paid with blood. Books and friends should be few but good. Reading is like making friends, it should be few but good. Business is business. Business is business. Business is the salt of life. Business is the first need in life.

By reading we enrich the mind, by conversation we polish it. By reading we enrich the mind, by conversation we polish it. Cannot see the wood for the trees. A leaf can't see the mountain. Care and diligence bring luck. Care and diligence can seize opportunities. Caution is the parent of safety. Be careful in sailing the ship of ten thousand years. Cheats never prosper. Cheats never prosper. Children are what the mothers are. Influenced by ears and eyes, teaching by example and words. Choose an author as you choose a friend. Choose a book as you choose a friend. Come what may, heaven won't fall. Be yours, heaven won't fall. Complacency is the enemy of study. The enemy of study is your own satisfaction. Confidence in yourself is the first step on the road to success. Confidence in yourself is the first step on the road to success. Constant dripping wears away a stone. Constant dripping wears away a stone. Content is better than riches. He who is content is always happy. Count one's chickens before they are hatched. Count one's chickens before they are hatched. Courtesy on one side only lasts not long. It is also disrespectful to come and not reciprocate. Creep before you walk. Gradually. Cry for the moon. Cry for the moon. Custom is a second nature. Habits are acquired. Custom makes all things easy. With good habits, everything is not difficult. Diamond cuts diamond. The strong has its own strong hand. Do as the Romans do. Do as the Romans do. Do as you would be done by. Do not do to others what you do not want others to do to you. Doing is worse than saying. Instead of talking about it, it is better to put it into action. Do it now. Don't miss the opportunity, the time will never come again. Do nothing by halves. Don't claim to know what you don't know. Don't pretend to understand. Don't have too many irons in the fire. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. Don't make a mountain out of a molehill. Don't put off till tomorrow what should be done today. Today's things will be done today. Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't put the cart before the horse. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you. Don't try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Don't try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Do well and have well. Good things come to you.

Each bird love to hear himself sing. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise. Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy. Easier said than done. Easier said than done. Easy come, easy go. Come in a hurry, go in a hurry. Eat to live, but not live to eat. People eat to live, but not live to eat. Empty vessels make the greatest sound. Real grinding makes no sound, empty grinding makes no sound, a full bottle does not move and half a bottle is shaken. Envy has no holidays. A jealous person has no peace. Even Homer sometimes nods. A wise man will make a mistake after thinking a lot. Even reckoning makes long friends. Brothers, even reckoning makes long friends. Every advantage has its disadvantage. Everybody's business is nobody's business. Everyone is responsible, which means no one is responsible. Every day is not Sunday. Good times don't always come. Every dog ??has his day. Everyone has his moments of pride. Every door may be shut, but death's door. Life is alive, but death's door is the only way to escape. Every heart has its own sorrow. Every little helps a mickle. Gathering sand into a tower, gathering armpits into fur. Every man for himself, and the devil takes the hindmost. Every man has his faults. No gold is pure, and no man is perfect. Every man has his hobbyhorse. Everyone has his favorite radish and green vegetables. Every man has his weak side.Every man has his weak side. Every man is the architect of his own fortune. He controls his own destiny. Every minute counts. Every minute counts. Every mother's child is handsome. The child is his own good. Every potter praises hit pot. Wang Po sells melons and praises herself. Everything is good when new, but friends when old. Example is better then percept. Say it once, it is better to do it once. Experience is the father of wisdom and memory the mother. Experience is the father of wisdom and memory the mother. Experience must be bought. Learn from experience and gain wisdom. Fact speak louder than words. Facts speak louder than words. Failure is the mother of success. Failure is the mother of success. False friends are worse than bitter enemies. It is easy to hide from open guns, but difficult to guard against hidden arrows.

Far from eye, far from heart. Out of sight, out of mind. Far water does not put out near fire. Far water does not put out near fire. Faults are thick where love is thin. Once love is weak, everything is unpleasant. Fear always springs from ignorance. Fear always springs from ignorance. Fields have eyes, and woods have ears. Walls have ears. Fire and water have no mercy. Fire and water have no mercy. Fire is a good servant but a bad master. Fire is a double-edged sword. First come, first served. First come, first served. First impressions are half the battle. The first impression is the deepest. First think and then speak. Think first and then speak. Fools grow without watering. Rotten wood cannot be carved. Fool's haste is no speed. Haste makes waste. Fools has fortune. Fools have fortune. Fools learn nothing from wise men, but wise men learn much from fools. Fools learn nothing, but wise men are not ashamed to ask. Forbidden fruit is sweet. Forbidden fruit is particularly fragrant. Fortune favors those who use their judgment. Fortune knocks once at least at every man's gate. Four eyes see more than two. Brainstorm ideas. Friends agree best at distance. Friends will also keep their distance. Friends are thieves of time. Friends are thieves of time. Friends must part. Even the best friends will break up sometimes. Genius is nothing but labor and diligence. Genius is nothing but labor and diligence. Give a dog a bad name and hang him. A lot of words make gold, but accumulation destroys bones. God helps those who help themselves. God helps those who help themselves. Gold will not buy anything. Gold is not everything. Good for good is natural, good for evil is manly. It is common sense to repay kindness with kindness, and it is a manly man to repay kindness with kindness. Good health is over wealth. Health is the greatest wealth. Good medicine for health tastes bitter to the mouth. Good medicine tastes bitter to the mouth. Good watch prevents misfortune. Good watch prevents misfortune. Great barkers are no biters. Good dogs stay out of the way. Great hopes make great man. Great aspirations make great people. Great minds think alike. Heroes think alike.

Great men have great faults. Heroes make great mistakes. Great men's sons seldom do well. They are not rich for more than three generations. Great trees are good for nothing but shade. It’s good to enjoy the shade under the big trees. Great wits have short memories. Great wits often forget things. Greedy folks have long arms. Greedy folks have long arms. Guilty consciences make men cowards. Habit cures habit. Heart disease also needs heart medicine. Handsome is he who does handsomely. Handsome is he who does handsomely. Handsome is he who does handsomely. Happiness takes no account of time. Happiness takes no account of time. Happy is he who owes nothing. If you want to live happily, you must not be in debt. Happy is the man who learns from the misfortunes of others. Only when you learn from others will you be lucky. Harm set, harm get. Harm others and harm yourself. Hasty love, soon cold. Love at first sight cannot last long. Health is better than wealth. Health is better than wealth. Health is happiness. Health is happiness. Hear all parties. Listen and you will understand. Heaven never helps the man who will not act. If you don't move, what's the use of asking Heaven. He is a fool that forgets himself. A fool forgets himself. He is a good friend that speaks well of us behind our backs. He is a true friend who speaks well of us behind our backs. He is a wise man who speaks little. Being smart is not just talking. He is lifeless that is faultless. Only dead people do not make mistakes. He is not fit to command others that cannot command himself. To rectify others first, rectify yourself. He is not laughed at that laughs at himself first. He who laughs at himself does not make people laugh. He is wise that is honest. The honest person is the wisest. He knows most who speaks least. He knows most who speaks least. He laughs best who laughs last. He laughs best who laughs last. He sets the fox to keep the geese. He sets the fox to keep the geese. He that climbs high falls heavily. The higher he climbs, the harder he falls. He that will not work shall not eat. He that will not work shall not eat. He who does not advance loses ground. Sailing against the current, he who does not advance loses ground. He who makes constant complaint gets little compassion. He who makes constant complaint gets little compassion.

He who makes no mistakes makes nothing. He who risks nothing gains nothing. Gains and risks coexist. History repeats itself. History often repeats itself. Honesty is the best policy. Honesty is the foundation of life. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. I cannot be your friend and your flatterer too. A friend cannot be a flatterer. If a man deceives me once, shame on him, if he deceives me twice, shame on me. Once deceived, it will be shameful to turn around. If you make yourself an ass, don't complain if people ride you. People are bullied when they are good, and horses are ridden when they are good. If your ears glow, someone is talking of you. If your ears glow, someone is talking of you. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. If you sell the cow, you sell her milk too. Kill the goose to get the eggs. If you venture nothing, you will have nothing. If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger cubs. If you want knowledge, you must endure hardship for it. Industry is the parent of success. Diligence is the mother of success. It is better to die when life is a disgrace. It is better to die than to be broken. It is easier to get money than to keep it. It is easier to make money than to keep it. It is easy to be wise after the event. Hindsight is easy. It is easy to open a shop but hard to keep it always open. It is easy to start a business but hard to keep it. It is hard to please all. It is never too old to learn. Live until you are old and learn until you are old. It is no use crying over spilled milk. It is the first step that costs troublesome. Everything is difficult at the beginning. It is the unforeseen that always happens. It is too late to grieve when the chance is past. It is too late to regret when the chance is past. It never rains but it pours. It never rains but it pours. It takes three generations to make a gentleman. It takes ten years to make a tree and a hundred years to make a man.

Jack of all trades and master of none. Jack of all trades and master of none. Judge not from appearances. Justice has long arms. The net of heaven is vast and sparse. Keep good men's company and you shall be of the number. Those who are close to vermillion are red, and those who are close to ink are black. Kill two birds with one stone. Kill two birds with one stone. Kings go mad, and the people suffer for it. Kings have long arms. There is no king in the world. Knowledge is power. Knowledge is power. Knowledge makes humble, ignorance makes proud. Knowledge makes people humble, ignorance makes proud. Learn and live. Live to learn. Learning makes a good man better and ill man worse. A good man becomes better as he learns, and a bad man becomes worse as he learns more. Learn not and know not. Learn not and know not. Learn to walk before you run. Learn to walk before you run. Let bygones be bygones. Let bygones be bygones. Let sleeping dogs lie. Don't cause trouble. Let the cat out of the bag. Let the secret out. Lies can never changes fact. Lies will always be lies. Lies have short legs. Lies do not stand long. Life is but a span. Life is short. Life is half spent before we know what it is. Life is not all roses. Life is not a broad road. Life without a friend is death. Without a friend, life is still death. Like a rat in a hole. A turtle in a urn. Like author, like book. The writing is like the person. Like father, like son. Like father, like son. Like for like. tit for tat. Like knows like. Cherish each other. Like mother, like daughter. Like mother, like daughter. Like teacher, like pupil. What kind of teacher teaches what kind of students. Like tree, like fruit. Wool comes from the sheep. Little things amuse little minds. Little people have no ambitions. Look before you leap. Find out the situation before you act. Lookers-on see more than players. Losers are always in the wrong. The winner is the king and the loser is the bandit. Lost time is never found again. Time has passed and it will never come back. Love at first sight. Love at first sight. Love cannot be compelled. Love cannot be forced. Love is blind. Love is blind.

Love is full of trouble. Love is full of trouble. Love is never without jealousy. Without jealousy, there is no love. Love me, love my dog. Make hay while the sun shines. Don’t miss the opportunity. Make your enemy your friend. Man is the soul of the universe. Man is the soul of all things. Man proposes, God disposes. Man proposes, God disposes. Many hands make light work. Many hands make light work. Many heads are better than one. Three heads are better than Zhuge Liang. Many things grow in the garden that were never sown there. Planting flowers with intention but not blooming, planting willows with willows without intention to create shade. Measure for measure. tit for tat. Misfortunes never come alone. Misfortunes never come alone. Misfortune tests the sincerity of friends. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Money isn't everything. Money isn't everything. Murder will out. Paper cannot contain the fire. My son is my son till he has got him a wife, but my daughter is my daughter all the days of her life. A son is a son before marriage, and a daughter is a daughter throughout her life. Nature is the true law. The movement of heaven is constant, and it will not exist because of Yao, nor will it perish because of Jie. Necessity is the mother of invention. Necessity is the mother of invention. Never fish in trouble water. Never judge from appearances. Never say die. Never say die. Never too old to learn, never too late to turn. New wine in old bottles. New wine in old bottles. No cross, no crown. How can you see a rainbow without going through wind and rain? No garden without its weeds. No garden without its weeds. No living man all things can. No living man knows everything. No man can do two things at once. No man can do two things at once. No man is born wise or learned. No man is born wise. No man is content. A human heart is not enough for a snake to swallow an elephant. No man is wise at all times. None are so blind as those who won't see. Turn a blind eye. None are so deaf as those who won't hear. Turn a deaf ear. No news is good news. No news is good news. No one can call back yesterday. Yesterday will not happen again.

No pains, no gains. No pain, no gain. No pleasure without pain. Without pain, there is no pleasure. No rose without a thorn. No rose without a thorn. No sweet without sweat. First bitter and then sweet. No smoke without fire. No smoke without fire. Nothing brave, nothing have. If you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't get the tiger's cubs. Nothing dries sooner than a tear. Tears dry the fastest. Nothing in the world is difficult for one who sets his mind to it. Nothing is difficult to the man who will try. Nothing is difficult to the man who will try. Nothing seek, nothing find. No pursuit, no gain. Nothing is so necessary for travelers as languages. When traveling, language is the most important thing. Nothing is to be got without pains but poverty. Poverty is the only thing in the world that can get something without pains. Not to advance is to go back. Not to advance is to go back. Not to know what happened before one was born is always to be a child. Unsophisticated, childish and ridiculous. No way is impossible to courage. The brave have nothing to fear. Obedience is the first duty of a soldier. A soldier's duty is to obey orders. Observation is the best teacher. Observation is the best teacher. Offense is the best defense. Offense is the best defense. Old friends and old wines are best. Old wine tastes mellow and old friendships are deep. Old sin makes new shame. One mistake makes eternal hatred. Once a man and twice a child. Once a man and twice a child. Once a thief, always a thief. Once a thief, always a thief. Once bitten, twice shy. Once bitten by a snake, twice shy. One boy is a boy, two boys half a boy, three boys no boy. One monk carries water to drink, two monks carry water to drink, and three monks have no water to drink. One cannot put back the clock. The clock cannot be turned back. One eyewitness is better than ten hearsays. One false move may lose the game. One false move may lose the game. One good turn deserves another. Do good and accumulate virtue. One hour today is worth two tomorrow. Race against time and be efficient. One man's fault is other man's lesson. Lesson from the past.

One never loses anything by politeness. One swallow does not make a summer. One swallow does not make a summer. One's words reflect one's thinking. Words are the voice of one's heart. Out of debt, out of danger. Debt-free. Out of office, out of danger. Without an official, one is light. Out of sight, out of mind. Out of sight, out of mind. Patience is the best remedy. Patience is the best remedy. Penny wise, pound foolish. Take small advantage and suffer big loss. Plain dealing is praised more than practiced. People who are upright talk more but do less. Please the eye and plague the heart. Coveting for temporary happiness will inevitably leave behind hidden troubles. Pleasure comes through toilet. Pour water into a sieve. The bamboo basket draws water in vain. Practice makes perfect. Practice makes perfect. Praise is not pudding. Compliments cannot be eaten. Praise makes good men better, and bad men worse. The more good men praise, the better, and the bad men make worse. Prefer loss to unjust gain. Prefer loss to unjust gain. Prevention is better than cure. Prevention is better than cure. Pride goes before, and shame comes after. Pride makes people fall behind. Promise is debt. A promise is worth a thousand dollars. Proverbs are the daughters of daily experience. Proverbs are the daughters of daily experience. Pull the chestnut out of fire. Pull the chestnut out of fire. Put the cart before the horse. Put the cart before the horse. Put your shoulder to the wheel. Reading enriches the mind. Reading is beneficial. Reading is to the mind while exercise to the body. Reading is to the mind while exercise is to the body. Respect yourself, or no one else will respect you. If you want others to respect you, you must respect yourself. Rome is not built in a day. Saying is one thing and doing another. Saying and doing are not consistent. Seeing is believing. Seeing is believing. Seek the truth from facts. Send a wise man on an errand, and say nothing to him. Set a thief to catch a thief. Use a thief to catch a thief. Short accounts make long friends. Good friends are diligent in settling accounts. Something is better than nothing. Better than nothing.

Soon learn, soon forgotten. Learn quickly, forget quickly. Soon ripe, soon rotten. Ripe quickly, rotten quickly. Speech is silver, silence is gold. Speech is silver, silence is gold. Still water run deep. Still water runs deep. Strike the iron while