A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

persuasion see tact
pity
BETTER be envied than pitied
PITY is akin to love
politeness
a CIVIL question deserves a civil answer
CIVILITY costs nothing
HONEY catches more flies than vinegar
PUNCTUALITY is the politeness of princes
politics
ENGLAND’S difficulty is Ireland’s opportunity when the GOING gets tough, the tough get going if you don’t like the HEAT, get out of the kitchen POLITICS makes strange bedfellows REVOLUTIONS are not made with rose-water the VOICE of the people is the voice of God
possessions see property
possibility and impossibility
ALL things are possible with God you cannot get BLOOD from a stone you cannot make BRICKS without straw the DIFFICULT is done at once..
you cannot HAVE your cake and eat it whatever MAN has done, man may do you cannot get a QUART into a pint pot you can’t make a SILK purse out of a sow’s ear if the SKY falls we shall catch larks
a SOW may whistle, though it has an ill mouth for it if you can WALK you can dance..
poverty
ADVERSITY makes strange bedfellows
BEGGARS can’t be choosers
from CLOGS to clogs is only three generations
CUT your coat according to your cloth
EMPTY sacks will never stand upright
a MONEYLESS man goes fast through the market he that cannot PAY, let him pray
when POVERTY comes in at the door..
POVERTY is no disgrace..
POVERTY is not a crime
the RICH man has his ice in the summer..
from SHIRTSLEEVES to shirtsleeves in three generations STRETCH your arm no further than your sleeve will reach many go out for WOOL and come home shorn
power
DIVIDE and rule
GOD is high above, and the tsar is far away
KINGS have long arms KNOWLEDGE is power MIGHT is right
MONEY is power
MONEY talks
the MOUNTAINS are high, and the emperor is far away
POWER corrupts
SPEAK softly and carry a big stick
the VOICE of the people is the voice of God
pragmatism see also necessity
the BEST of men are but men at best
it doesn’t matter if a CAT is black or white . .
if you have to LIVE in the river, it is best to be friends with the crocodile you cannot make an OMELETTE without breaking eggs
pride
set a BEGGAR on horseback..
where MACGREGOR sits is the head of the table
the NAIL that sticks up gets hammered down
PRIDE feels no pain
PRIDE goes before a fall
up like a ROCKET..
procrastination
DELAYS are dangerous
there is LUCK in leisure
PROCRASTINATION is the thief of time
never PUT off till tomorrow what you can do today
TOMORROW never comes