Norwegian proverbs

Proverbs reflective of conventional wisdom in Norway. __NOTOC__ A Aldren er laak Lensmann. English equivalent: Age and poverty are ill to bear. "We do not count a man's years, until he has nothing else to count." Ralph Waldo Emerson, Society and Solitude, Old Age (1857) Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 177 2200 0415096243 B Bedre en dårlig hest enn ingen hest i det hele tatt Better a poor horse than no horse at all Bedre med en fugl i hånden enn ti på taket. Better to have one bird in hand than ten on the roof. English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. "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." Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC 29 July 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 28 (Firm), Nordmanns-forbundet 1999 The Norseman 140 Blind hǿne kann og finna eit konn. English equivalent: Even a blind hen may occasionally pick up a grain. Meaning: "An incompetent person or an unsystematic approach is bound to succeed every now and then by chance." Source for meaning of English equivalent: 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 75 Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 36 2200 0415096243 D Dan som gjerer seg til Saud fær Ulven Nakken. English equivalent: He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf. von Düringsfeld Ida von Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=dJdYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA39 1872 39 70 German Dan som segjer A, fær og segja B. English equivalent: Who says "A" must say "B". von Düringsfeld Ida von Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=QLwN5OGIZs0C&pg=PA1 1872 Fries German 1 A 1 Dat skal vera Grind imillom Grannom. English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green. Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Ida von Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld https://books.google.com/books?id=NaT4ynv1ZTMC&pg=PA74 1875 German 74 128, Nachbarn D ' er alle Adams born. English equivalent: We are all descended from Adam. von Düringsfeld Ida von Düringsfeld Otto 1875 10 Adam https://books.google.se/books?id=M8OMsKaoaqEC&pg=PA6&dq=D+%27+er+alle+Adams+born+sprichw%C3%B6rter&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjS0qzPpbfyAhUqS_EDHTaaAJwQ6AEwAHoECFIQAg#v=onepage&q=D%20'%20er%20alle%20Adams%20born%20sprichw%C3%B6rter&f=false Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen German I 6 D'er inkje greidt aa gripa aalen um sporden. English equivalent: You might as well try to hold an eel by the tail. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 480 2200 0415096243 D er klent Sted som stokk fyre Hamaren. English equivalent: A good anvil does not fear the hammer. von Düringsfeld Ida Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=S5dYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA37 1872 37 83 Amboss D'er lettast aa laera av annan manns skade. 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 D'er låk fugl som skjemmer sitt eige reir. English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public. "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?" "It is considered contemptible to defy the rule of solidarity by revealing facts harmful to the group one belongs to." Proverbs of All Nations http://books.google.com/books?id=PdxtAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA109 1859 W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue) 109 Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 466 106 Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 466 527 1-875943-44-7 D'er mange ǿksarhogg, som eiki skal fella. English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks. "A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time." Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 252 527 1-875943-44-7 De gamle er eldst. The old are the oldest. English equivalentː The older the flute, the sweeter the tune. Lund 1977 De Gamle er eldst: 11 samtaler i dur og moll Norsk kunstforl. 140 8290069812 Dei er inkje alle tjuvar, som hunden gjoyr paa. English equivalent: All are not thieves that dogs bark at. Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 77 504 0415160502 Dei er inkje nytt under solen. English equivalent: There is nothing new under the sun. "It turns out very often that something 'never seen/experienced before' especially in human relationships - has, in fact, in some way or another, happened before. - Human nature and the basic human aspirations did not change." (Paczolay, 1997 p. 461) Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1114 2200 0415096243 Dei store fiskane eta dei små — dei liger under som minst förmå. English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small. "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 Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 420 527 1-875943-44-7 Der gror ikke muse på rullande stein. Translation and English equivalent: A rolling stone gathers no moss. "There are a Set of People in the World of so unsettled and restleis a Temper, and such Admirers of Novelty, that they can never be long pleased with one way of’ living, no more than to continue long in one Habitation; but before they are well enter’d upon one Business, dip into another, and before they are well settled in one Habitation, remove to another; so that they are always busily beginning to live, but by reason of Fickleness and Impatience, never arrive at a way of living: such Persons fall under the Doom of this Proverb, which is delign’d to fix the Volatility of their Tempers, by laying before them the ill Consequences of such Fickleness and Inconltancy." Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721 Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 100 14 Det er bedre å tenne et lys enn å forbanne mørket. English equivalent: It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness. "It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness." Attested in "Det er bedre å tenne et lys enn å forbanne mørket" (13 August 2019), by Hans A. Tvedt, Klisjeer Det kjem inkte steikte fuglar flugjande i mun. English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted. "One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort." Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 455 527 1-875943-44-7 Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 171 2200 0415096243 Det kan ingen tena tvo herrar (samstundes). English equivalent: Nobody can serve two masters. "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 Dat skal vera Grind imillom Grannom. English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green. Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Ida von Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld https://books.google.com/books?id=NaT4ynv1ZTMC&pg=PA74 1875 German 74 128, Nachbarn E Ein kann inkje selja og eiga dat same. English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it (too). von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.se/books?id=M8OMsKaoaqEC&pg=PA284&dq=You+cant+have+your+cake+and+eat+your+cake+sprichw%C3%B6rter+der+germanischen+und+romanischen&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1psvxp671AhWhRPEDHbJtBpwQ6AF6BAgIEAM#v=onepage&q=You%20cant%20have%20your%20cake%20and%20eat%20your%20cake%20sprichw%C3%B6rter%20der%20germanischen%20und%20romanischen&f=false 1875 German I 284-285 545, geben Ein må lære seg å krype før ein lærer å gå. English equivalent: Learn to walk before you can run. "It is necessary to learn the basics before progressing to more advanced things." Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA94 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 290 Brox Arthur 1992 Folkeminne frå Ytre Senja Universitetsforlaget 88 173 8200271307 Ein skal lyda ut, nr gamle hunden gjøyr. English equivalent: An old dog barks not in vain. Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 55 504 0415160502 Ein skal vitja sin Vin, men inkje for ofta. English equivalent: Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom. von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.se/books?id=SB5WAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA51&dq=Der+Apfel+f%C3%A4llt+nicht+weit+vom+Stamme,+es+sei+denn,+dass+derselbe+an+einem+Reg+(Abhang)+steht&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjHqMDBm6fzAhXyS_EDHWnXAIwQ6AF6BAgCEAI#v=snippet&q=Gute%20Freunde%20muss%20man%20nicht%20zu%20viel%20%C3%BCberlaufen&f=false 1875 German I 262 508, Freunde En svale gjør ingen sommer. Translation: One swallow creates no summer. English equivalent: One swallow does not make a summer. "Do not feel sure or rejoice noticing a favourable sign. The appearance of a single sign of a favourable event is not yet a definite indication of its coming. It may be an unrelated, sporadic appearance." Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 49 527 1-875943-44-7 Vanberg 1992 Of Norwegian Ways Harpercollins (P) 211 240 0060923474 Eple faller ikke langt fra stammen. English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree. "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents." Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 259 527 1-875943-44-7 F Fatigmanns Raad er litet lydd. English equivalent: Losers are always in the wrong. von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.se/books?id=mSNlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA55&dq=Es+verdirbt+mancher+guter+Rath+in+eines+ara+men+Mannes+Tasche&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjZtI2vlavzAhVQSfEDHV6zACcQ6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=Es%20verdirbt%20mancher%20guter%20Rath%20in%20eines%20ara%20men%20Mannes%20Tasche&f=false 1875 German I 55 113, armen For myki Raad er Uraad. "Advice is given freely because so much of it is worthless." James Geary, American journalist, writer, and aphorist; as quoted from James Geary's website, "My Aphorisms" section von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.se/books?id=dJdYAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA131&dq=viel+rath+is+unrath+sprichw%C3%B6rter+der+germanischen+und+romanischen&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjOt5zm3ub1AhWHS_EDHXRMBCkQ6AF6BAgCEAM#v=onepage&q=viel%20rath%20is%20unrath%20sprichw%C3%B6rter%20der%20germanischen%20und%20romanischen&f=false 1875 German II 131-132 235, Rath G Gammal kjærleik rustar inkje. Old love does not rust. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 825 2200 0415096243 Godt Mod er vissaste Verja. English equivalent: Faith is half the battle. von Düringsfeld Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.com/books?id=AAcJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA66 1875 German 66 114, Muth H Han laut bita i dat sure Eplet. von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.se/books?id=zQYJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA51&dq=Han+laut+bita+i+dat+sure+Eplet&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjG3cOj7KjzAhV2QvEDHRIzBcgQ6AF6BAgFEAI#v=onepage&q=Han%20laut%20bita%20i%20dat%20sure%20Eplet&f=false 1875 German I 51 106, Apfel I I nød skal du lære dine venner å kenne. English equivalent: A friend is known in need, like gold is known in fire./ A friend in need is a friend indeed. Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 159 527 1-875943-44-7 K Kast ikke barnet ut med badevannet. English equivalent: Don't throw out the child with the bath water. "Do not take the drastic step of abolishing or discarding something in its entirety when only parts of it is unacceptable." Source for meaning: 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 Volume 44 1990 Skogindustri K/S Selvig Publishing 150 Kjært Barn fær mange Namn. von Duringsfeld Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld https://books.google.com/books?id=Xc9u8vj9CXsC&pg=PA79 1875 German 141, Namen Kunde Gapen tegja so trudde Folk han var klok. ̽English equivalentː Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise. von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=iNNmAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA83 1875 German 83 148, Narr L Langi Tidi lækjer alle Saar. von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=iNNmAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA417 II 1875 German 417 736, Zeit Liten tue kan velte stort lass. A small (grass) tuft can topple a big (cart) load. English equivalent: Council 1970 Nordisk kontakt Statens reproduktionsanstalt 284 1 N Naar alle skal vera storfolk, kan ingen binda baaten English equivalent: There are too many chiefs and not enough indians. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 991 2200 0415096243 Naar Leiken er best, skal ein helst halda upp. English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best. von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.se/books?id=zQYJAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA59&dq=Un+poc+d%27zug+%C3%A8+po+b%C3%A8ll&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj12tXl2qT1AhWtR_EDHfCLAzgQ6AF6BAgDEAM#v=onepage&q=Un%20poc%20d'zug%20%C3%A8%20po%20b%C3%A8ll&f=false 1875 German I 59-60 122, aufhören Naar Naudi er mest, er Hjelpi næst. von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen https://books.google.com/books?id=iNNmAAAAcAAJ&pg=PA109 1875 Fries German 109– 197, Noth Når folk er burte, ser ein best kvat dei dugde. English equivalent: In life you love me not, in death you bewail me. "If I should die to-night, My friends would look upon my quiet face Before they laid it in its resting-place, And deem that death had left it almost fair." Robert C. V. Meyers, If I should Die Tonight, in 100 Choice Selections, No. 27 (1888) Emanuel Strauss Dictionary of European Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=z-3FyaMKtfUC&pg=PA1013 1994 Taylor & Francis 978-0-415-10381-7 1013– Når katten er borte, danser musene på bordet. English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play. "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them." 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 R Raude eple kan og vera rotne. English equivalent: A fair face and a foul heart. "At 50, everyone has the face he deserves." George Orwell, "Extracts from a Manuscript Notebook" (1949), The Collected Essays, Journalism and Letters of George Orwell, vol. 4 (1968) Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 34 504 0415160502 S Skomakar-borni hava stundom verste skoerrne. English equivalent: Cobblers' children are worst shod. "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him." Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 65 7 Smi mens jernet er varmt. Translation: Forge while the iron is hot. Schottmann 2012 Vergleichende Idiomatik des Schwedischen Lit Verlag 145 390 3643117337 Som faren går fyre, kjem sonen etter. English equivalent: Like father, like son. "Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily." Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 137 527 1-875943-44-7 Som mora er, so er dottera. English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter. "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily." Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 137 527 1-875943-44-7 Some dei gamle sungo, so kveda dei unge. English equivalent: As the old cock crows, so crows the young. Icelandic equivalent: Efter þvi sem gamlir fuglar sungu, kvököu þeir ungu. "Children generally follow the example of their parents, but imitate their faults more surely than their virtues." Proverbs of All Nations http://books.google.com/books?id=PdxtAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA27 1859 W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue) 27 Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 138 0415160502 Store fuglar fanga ingi flugor. English equivalent: Eagles don't catch flies. "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 T Tid er penger. English equivalent: Time is money. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1008 2200 0415096243 Toma Tunnor glymja mest. English equivalent: Empty vessels make the greatest sound. von Düringsfeld, Ida von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto freiherr Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld https://books.google.com/books?id=Xc9u8vj9CXsC&pg=PA11 1875 11 22 Tri Gonger flutt er som ein Gong brent. English equivalent: Two fittings are as bad as one fire. von Düringsfield Ida von Düringsfield Otto 1875 Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend I https://books.google.se/books?id=Xc9u8vj9CXsC&pg=PA276&dq=Drei+mol+gezuen+as+halef+ferduorwen&hl=sv&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwium_Ghk473AhWeQ_EDHdA5D_gQ6AF6BAgGEAM 276 499, umgezogen Æ Æra søkjer dan som skyr og skyr dan som søkjer . English equivalent: Follow glory and it will flee, flee glory and it will follow thee. von Düringsfeld Ida Reinsberg-Düringsfeld Otto von Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend https://books.google.com/books?id=SB5WAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA164 1872 164 320 See also Danish proverbs Faraoese proverbs Swedish proverbs Category:Norway Category:Proverbs by language