Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
Do not create in anger what you lack in
reason.
Do not cut down the tree that gives you
shade.
Do not cut off you nose to spite your face.
Do not cut the bough you are sitting on.
Do not despise an insignificant enemy, nor a
slight wound.
Do not dig a hole for somebody else; you
yourself will fall into it.
Do not dispose of the monkey’s tail before
he is dead.
Do not divide the spoil till the victory is
won.
Do not do all you can, do not spend all that
you have, do not believe all that you
hear, and do not tell all that you know.
Do not do strange acts merely for the sake of
astonishing your friends.
Do not draw your sword to kill a fly.
Do not dress in clothes made of leaves when
going to put out a fire.
Do not drink from a well and throw a stone
into it.
Do not drink in advance on the hide of a
bear.
Do not drink poison to quench a thirst.
Do not drink water in the house of a mer-
chant: he will charge you for it.
Do not dwell in a city where a horse does
not neigh nor a dog bark.
Do not dwell in a city whose governor is a
physician.
Do not eat before you have fed your animal.
Do not eat the fingers that feed you.
Do not eat the strangers’ bread as this
diminishes your stature.
Do not eat your chicken and throw its feath-
ers in the front yard.
Do not employ handsome servants.
Do not expect good in return for a good
deed.
Do not fall before you are pushed.
Do not fear a stain that disappears with
water.
Do not fear going forward slowly; fear only
to stand still.
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Do not follow a person who is running
away.
Do not follow the path. Go where there is no
path to begin the trail.
Do not forget little kindnesses and do not
remember small faults.
Do not forget what it is to be a sailor
because of being a captain yourself.
Do not fret for news, it will grow old and
you will know it.
Do not gaze at the sky from the bottom of a
well.
Do not give an opinion until it is asked for.
Do not give the dog bread every time he
wags his tail.
Do not grab your heel until the ant has
bitten you.
Do not halloo until you are out of the wood.
Do not hang the bread basket too high.
Do not have each foot on a different boat.
Do not hide your light under a bushel.
Do not hope to reach a destination without
leaving the shore.
Do not hurt your neighbor, for it is not him
you wrong but yourself.
Do not insult a crocodile while your feet are
still in the water.
Do not insult the crocodile until you’ve
crossed the river.
Do not insult the mother alligator until after
you have crossed the river.
Do not judge a man by the whiteness of his
turbin, soap is bought on credit.
Do not judge a person until the lid of his
coffin is closed.
Do not judge all you see, do not believe all
you hear, do not do all you can, do not
say all you know, do not eat all you
have, let no one know what you have in
your heart or in your wallet.
Do not judge by appearances; a rich heart
may be under a poor coat.
Do not judge of the ship from the land.
Do not judge the dog by his hairs.