A dictionary of Proverbs (Oxford Paperback Reference)

bravery see courage
brevity and long-windedness
BREVITY is the soul of wit a GREAT book is a great evil LENGTH begets loathing
bribery and corruption
EVERY man has his price
there’s no such thing as a FREE lunch a GOLDEN key can open any door KISSING goes by favour
it’s not WHAT you know, it’s who you know
business
BUSINESS before pleasure
BUSINESS is war
CORPORATIONS have neither bodies to be punished . .
EVERY man to his trade
MONEY has no smell
where there’s MUCK there’s brass
PUNCTUALITY is the soul of business
SELL in May and go away
SHORT reckonings make long friends
TRADE follows the flag
there are TRICKS in every trade
TWO of a trade never agree
busybodies see also eavesdroppers
if it ain’t BROKE, don’t fix it
let the COBBLER stick to his last
EVERYBODY’S business is nobody’s business
LAY-OVERS for meddlers
LET well alone
let SLEEPING dogs lie
the more you STIR it..
TOO many cooks spoil the broth
buying and selling see also business
BUY in the cheapest market..
you BUY land, you buy stones..
let the BUYER beware
the BUYER has need of a hundred eyes..
the CUSTOMER is always right
a MONEYLESS man goes fast through the market
SELL in May and go away
it takes TWO to make a bargain
one WHITE foot, buy him..
the WORTH of a thing is what it will bring
calendar lore see also weather lore
BARNABY bright, Barnaby bright..
CANDLEMAS day, put beans in the clay..
ne’er CAST a clout till May be out
FEBRUARY fill dyke..
on the FIRST of March, the crows begin to search
MARRY in May, rue for aye
MAY chickens come cheeping
NO moon, no man
on SAINT Thomas the Divine kill all turkeys, geese, and swine
it is not SPRING until you can plant your foot upon twelve daisies a SWARM in May is worth a load of hay..
SWEEP the house with broom in May..
caution see also discretion; risk
let the BUYER beware
the BUYER has need of a hundred eyes..
be CAREFUL what you pray for, you might get it
if you can’t be GOOD, be careful
LOOK before you leap
MEASURE seven times, cut once
MEASURE twice, cut once
those who PLAY at bowls must look out for rubbers
one STEP at a time
he who SUPS with the Devil should have a long spoon
THREE things are not to be trusted..
THINK twice, cut once
certainty and uncertainty
NOTHING is certain but death and taxes
NOTHING is certain but the unforeseen
the UNEXPECTED always happens
change see also constancy and inconstancy; innovation
there are no BIRDS in last year’s nest
a CHANGE is as good as a rest
NEW lords, new laws
NOTHING is for ever
ONE nail drives out another
OTHER times, other manners
THREE removals are as bad as a fire