Provençal proverbs

Proverbs from all Provençal speaking parts of the world. B Beat qu dou ben d'autruc fa son aprenissagi. Translation: It is easiest to learn from another mans damage. English equivalent: Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own. Source for proverb: Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 619 2200 0415096243 F Fa boòn pescar en aiga trobla. Translation: It is good fishing in streamy water. English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters. Meaning: In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes. Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 391 527 1-875943-44-7 Fa de necessitat vertu. English equivalent: Make a virtue out of necessity. "As Virtue is its own Reward, so Vice is its own Punishment." Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (1732) Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1079 2200 0415096243 Fau copa lou clos pèr avé l'amelo. English equivalentː He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut. Meaning: "Nothing is achieved without effort." Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA121 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 121 Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs 784 II Routledge 680 2200 0415096243 I Lou barbié piétadous fâi la vërmënoûzo. English equivalent: Mild physician – putrid wounds. Meaning: Telling harsh truths constructively (to yourself as well) and stern measures makes for a good figurative and literal cure. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1091 2200 0415096243 L L'aiglo non casso i mousco. English equivalent: Eagles don't catch flies. Meaning: "People of high rank are considered – or consider themselves – too important to deal with trivial things or lowly folk." Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA66 25 August 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 66 Strauss Emanuel Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=sm96Wlt8Ql0C&pg=PT565 1994 Routledge 978-1-136-78978-6 216 230 L'us dau paire, l'efant l'aprend. Translation: Such father, such son. English equivalent: Like father, like son. Meaning: Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily. Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 170 527 1-875943-44-7 Lo gòs peis manja lo pichon. Translation: Big fish eat little fish. English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small. Meaning: "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful." Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA358 1 July 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 27 Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 420 527 1-875943-44-7 M Mesura doás fes e copas qu'una. English equivalent: Measure thrice, cut once. Meaning: One should always act only after due consideration. A hasty action may involve an improper consideration of important aspects. Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 420 527 1-875943-44-7 Mirgo que n'a qu'un trou est bientôt prise. English equivalent: It is a poor mouse that has only one hole. Meaning: It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 375 2200 0415096243 N N'es pas tant pichon lou bouisson, qu'uno fes dou jourt non fasse ombro. English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 4 2200 0415096243 P Parol de vendre la peau davant qu'avec la bestia. English equivalent: Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 641 2200 0415096243 Pèr prene un toun, asardo uno meleto. Translation: Who wants to win a gander, you need to weigh Drake. English equivalent: Set a herring to catch a whale. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1134 2200 0415096243 Podètz pas servir dos mèstres. Translation: Nobody can serve two masters. English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters. Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly. Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 283 527 1-875943-44-7 U Urós quau es artisan de sa fortuna. English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune. Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 388 527 1-875943-44-7 V Vaut may istar soulet que mau accompagnat. Translation: It is better to be alone than to be in bad company. English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company. Source for proverb: Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 572 2200 0415096243 Vieillos amours et vieil tizon, promptament ralumas sont. English equivalent: Of soup and love the first is the best. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 825 2200 0415096243 Q Quand lei cats i son pas, lei garris dançan. Translation: When the cat is away, the mice dance on the floor. English equivalent: When the cat's away, the mice will play. Meaning: "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them." Source for meaning and proverbs: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC 8 September 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 114 17 Quau vai souvent en casso, a la fin tuo la becasso. Translation: The turtle who perserveres wins. English equivalent: By perseverance the snail reached the arc. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 127 2200 0415096243 See also French proverbs Romansch proverbs Category:Proverbs by language