proVERBS

Translation:
One swallow does not make summer

Equivalent:
One swallow does not make a summer

notes:
In the languages of southern Europe, the equivalent proverb usually has 'spring' rather than 'summer', because migrating swallows arrive earlier there than they do in northern Europe

Meaning:
You cannot infer a general rule or norm from just a single case

Translation:
All roads lead to Rome

Equivalent:
All roads lead to Rome

notes:
In proverbs from Muslim countries, Mecca is the city to which all roads lead

Meaning:
This suggests that it is possible to achieve the same goal by different paths

Translation:
The stone that is often moved does not become moss-covered

Equivalent:
A rolling stone gathers no moss

Meaning:
Always moving from place to place or job to job stops a person from accumulating much
(A proverb that is of little relevance, in these days of job insecurity and short-term work contracts)

Translation:
The wolf may change its hair, but not its nature

Equivalent:
The wolf may lose his teeth, but never his nature

Meaning:
Someone can try and hide his true nature, but it always comes out and reveals itself, either by actions or by words

Translation:
The tree is not cut down with one stroke

Equivalent:
An oak is not felled at one stroke

Meaning:
A major project needs many things to be done before it is completed

Translation:
Where there is smoke there is fire also

Equivalent:
No smoke without some fire

Meaning:
If you see the effect of something, somewhere will be the thing that caused it

Translation:
Do not look at the teeth of a horse that has been given

Equivalent:
Look not a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning:
You should accept gifts willingly and without highlighting their shortcomings

Translation:
The dog that barks does not bite

Equivalent:
Barking dogs seldom bite

Meaning:
The people who threaten you angrily are often just blustering

Translation:
Do not postpone till tomorrow what you can do today

Equivalent:
Never put off till tomorrow what may be done today

Meaning:
Do the jobs on today's To Do list, and don't postpone any of them till tomorrow (This proverb could also be suggesting that your today's To Do list is capable of being done today, and that it should not contain things which realistically cannot all be done today)

Translation:
Children, drunkards and fools tell the truth

Equivalent:
Children and fools speak the truth

Meaning:
People unable to think or conceal their feelings, either because of youth or mental infirmity, speak out loud what they feel and see.

Translation:
If the cat's away, the mice will dance

Equivalent:
When the cat's away, the mice will play

Meaning:
This suggests that, in the absence of an organisation's superior, many liberties are taken

Translation:
On the third day all fish and all guests stink

Equivalent:
Fresh fish and new-come guests smell in three days

Meaning:
The prolonged stay of a guest cause annoyance and upset the rhythm of the house

Translation:
Better a sparrow today than a bustard tomorrow

Equivalent:
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

notes:
The word 'bush' has two meanings, both a small round tree and an unfarmed unpopulated area of land with many trees and bushes.

Meaning:
Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it.

Translation:
Do not drink in advance on the hide of a bear

Equivalent:
Don't sell the bear's skin before you have caught him

Meaning:
It is unwise to be over-optimistic and to assume that a difficult or dangerous task will be successful

Translation:
Not all that glitters is gold

Equivalent:
All is not gold that glitters

Meaning:
Be wary of appearances, because not everything that looks good really is so