Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
A blind man who sees is better than a
sighted man who is blind.
A blind man will not thank you for a look-
ing-glass.
A blind man’s stroke, which raises a dust
from beneath water.
A blind man’s wife needs no paint.
A blind person does not forget his walking
stick.
A blind person knows his environment
better than a sighted stranger
A blind person knows his environment
more than a visitor with eyes.
A blind person who sees is better than a
seeing person who is blind.
A blind pigeon may sometimes find a grain
of wheat.
A blockhead, a dolt, a donkey, a leaden-
headed fellow.
A blow from a frying-pan blacks, though it
may not hurt.
A blow from a frying-pan, if it does not
hurt, smuts.
A blow is repaid by the like of it, and all
that is achieved is a hitting.
A blow passes on, a spoken word lingers
on.
A blow to another’s purse is like a blow to a
mountain of sand.
A blow with a reed makes a noise but hurts
not.
A blushing lie is better than the pale truth.
A blustering night, a fair day follows.
A blyth heart makes a blomand visage.
A blythe heart makes a blooming look.
A boaster and a liar are cousins.
A boat doesn’t go forward if each one is
rowing their own way.
A boat stands firmer with two anchors.
A boat that is not tied up will drift along
with the stream.
A boatless man is tied up.
A body makes his own luck, be it good or
bad.
A boil is fine as long as it’s under someone
else’s arm.
A boisterous horse must have a rough
bridle.
A bold attempt is half success.
A bold does not always fall when it
thunders.
A bold foe is better than a cowardly friend.
A bold man has luck in his train.
A bold onset is half the battle.
A bolt does not always fall when it
thunders.
A bone does not bring itself, it is people
that bring it.
A bone may be white, yet it once had meat
on it. (although an old man may seem
wretched, he was strong one time)
A book gives knowledge, but it is life that
gives understanding.
A book holds a house of gold.
A book is a garden carried in the pocket.
A book is a good friend when it lays bare
the errors of the past.
A book is like a garden carried in the pock-
et.
A book that remains shut, is but a block.
A book tightly shut is but a block of paper.
A book whose sale’s forbidden all men rush
to see, and prohibition turns one reader
into three.
A boor remains a boor even if sleeping on
silken pillows.
A boor remains a boor, though he sleep on
silken bolsters.
A boor remains a boor, though he sleep on
silken sheets.
A borrowed axe is quickly broken. (Take
care of the things that you have
borrowed because you don’t’ know
about their strengths or weaknesses.)
A borrowed cat catches no mice.
A borrowed cloak does not keep one warm.
A borrowed cloth does not last long on the
body. (Don’t’ rely on that which belongs
to others because they can take it back
at any time.)
A borrowed fiddle does not finish a tune.
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