Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
If there were clouds we should not enjoy the
sun.
If there were no cold Friday evenings and
boring Saturdays, no one would get
married any more.
If there were no cold Friday evenings and
boring Saturdays, no one would get
married any more.
If there were no elephant in the jungle, the
buffalo would be a great animal.
If there were no elephants in the jungle, the
buffalo would be big.
If there were no fault, there would be no
pardon.
If there were no receivers, there would be no
thieves.
If there were no sighing in the world, the
world would stifle.
If there were no tears, our ribs would burn.
If there were no wrongdoing, there would
be no forgiveness.
If there's bitterness in the heart, sugar in the
mouth won't make life sweeter.
If there's no bread, cakes are very good.
If there's no choice but advice, ask for the
decisiveness of an advisor or the advice
of a decisive person.
If there's thunder at Capu di Staghju, leave
the wheat outside. If there's thunder at
Capu di Muru, put it in a safe place.
If they are offered winged ants, people will
eat them.
If they are roses they will blossom, if they
are thorns, they will prick.
If they are uttering insults and don't mean
you, and yet you reply, you have
condemned yourself.
If they don't exchange a few words, father
and son will never know one another.
If they had cereal, they'd want gumbo.
If they have reconciled (re-united), leave
them.
If they say there is a wedding in the sky,
women would try to put up a ladder.
If they say you are good, ask you self if it be
true.
If they speak, they are wind; if they are
315
silent, they are gourds.
If thine enemy wrong thee, buy each of his
children a drum.
If things are getting easier, maybe you're
headed downhill.
If things are not as you wish, wish them as
they are.
If this ball does not stick to the wall it will at
least leave a mark.
If thou canst not see the bottom, wade not.
If thou do no ill, do no ill like.
If thou hast not a capon, feed on an onion.
If thou seest ought amiss, mend it in thyself.
If thou thyself canst do it, attend no other's
help or hand.
If thou touchest pitch thou shalt be defiled.
If thoughts were legal witnesses, many an
honest man would be proved a rogue.
If three people say you are an ass, put on a
bridle.
If three people tell you that you are drunk,
lie down.
If three people tell you that you are drunk,
you better lie down.
If thy beloved was honey, don't lick all of
him.
If thy heart fail thee, why then climb at all?
If thy strength will serve, go forward in the
ranks; if not, stand still.
If to-day will not, to-morrow may.
If triangles had a God, He'd have three
sides.
If two brothers fight over their father's land,
it is a stranger who will enjoy there
sweat and labour.
If two doctors visit a sick man, the sexton
rings the bells.
If two men claim your help, and one is your
enemy, help him first.
If two men ride a horse, one must ride
behind.
If two neighbors want to fight, they will find
a quarrel in a straw.
If two people say he is drunk, the third one
should sleep.