Proverbs: people and choices

Vocabulary in this set

Use ten familiar proverbs to discuss cooperation, relationships, caution, and everyday decisions.

1. two heads are better than one

   Expression

   Some tasks may be accomplished more easily by two (or more) people working together than by one working alone.

   Mr. Francis Osbaldistone is an innocent man, Rashleigh, said Miss Vernon, and he demands an investigation of the charge against him, and I intend to support him in it. You do, my pretty cousin?—I should think, now, Mr. Francis Osbaldistone was likely to be as effectually, and rather more delicately, supported by my presence than by yours. Oh, certainly; but two heads are better than one, you know.

2. a friend in need is a friend indeed

   Expression

   If a friend helps you when you are in need, they are a true friend.

   A friend in need is a friend indeed, Een vrient in noot / is een vrient in der daet.

3. it takes two to tango

   Expression

   Some things need the active cooperation of two parties; blame is to be laid on both parties in a conflict.

   I can't do it by myself, and neither can you – it takes two to tango.

4. honesty is the best policy

   Expression

   Honesty is preferable as a course of action because it tends to work out best in the end.

   All theſe things conſidered, it hath made me to mitigate my former imagination, and to deem it not unpoſſible, that this over-politick and too wiſe Order may reach a note higher than our groſs conceits, who think honeſty the beſt policy, and truth the onely durable armor of proof; […]

5. better safe than sorry

   Expression

   It is preferable to be cautious in one's choices and actions than to act recklessly and suffer afterwards.

   Moreover, apart from official restrictions, drivers do not a little easing of their engines on their own account, where they consider that the feel of the track makes this desirable; and they can hardly be blamed in consequence. It is better to be safe than sorry.

6. two wrongs don't make a right

   Expression

   A wrongful action is not a morally appropriate way to correct or cancel a previous wrongful action.

   But when it comes to taking what belongs to another—well, a thief is a thief. . . . After all, two wrongs don't make a right, do they?

7. when in Rome, do as the Romans do

   Expression

   When in a foreign place, suit behavior or appearance to the local culture.

    […]  but, as I seated myself at table, I thought how my friends in Scotland would stare to see stewed monkey, roasted mermaid, and a pepper-pot of macaws, set down on table for their repast. But my plan always has been when in Rome to do as Rome does; and we found our food both delicate and cooked in such a manner, with every savoury spice, that it would have tickled the palate of the most fastidious gastronome.

8. every cloud has a silver lining

   Expression

   There is something good in any bad situation.

   Every cloud has a silver lining; but in the old-fashioned meeting-houses every cloud of hymnal melody generally had a nasal lining before the congregation  […] 

9. it's the thought that counts

   Expression

   When giving someone a present or doing a favour for someone, the kindness behind the act is more important than any other consideration.

   I know the gift he gave you for your wedding is not worth much, but I hope you'll understand it's the thought that counts.

10. variety is the spice of life

    Expression

    Variety is what makes life interesting.

    Besides the usual run of machines, planers, millers, automatics, centre lathes, cranes, etc., there were several power stations, the rolling mills for strip material and for 60 ft. rails, and all the steel furnaces with their complicated systems of flues. If variety is the spice of life, then there was plenty here.