It usually expresses some obvious truth or familiar
experience. There are proverbs in all languages. Here are
7 proverbs that are well known in English.
1. "You can't tell a book by its cover."
We need to read a book to know if it's good or bad. We
cannot know what it's like just by looking at the front or
back cover. This proverb is applied to everything, not only
books.
2. "Where there's a will there's a way."
If we have the determination (the will) to do something, we
can always find the path or method to do it.
3. “Don't cross your bridges before you come to them."
Don't worry about problems before they arrive.
4. “It was the last straw that broke the camel's back."
There is a limit to everything. We can load the camel with
lots of straw, but finally it will be too much and the
camel's back will break. And it is only a single straw that
breaks its back - the last straw. This can be applied to
many things in life. People often say "That's the last
straw!" when they will not accept any more of something.
5. "Bad news travels fast."
experience. There are proverbs in all languages. Here are
7 proverbs that are well known in English.
1. "You can't tell a book by its cover."
We need to read a book to know if it's good or bad. We
cannot know what it's like just by looking at the front or
back cover. This proverb is applied to everything, not only
books.
2. "Where there's a will there's a way."
If we have the determination (the will) to do something, we
can always find the path or method to do it.
3. “Don't cross your bridges before you come to them."
Don't worry about problems before they arrive.
4. “It was the last straw that broke the camel's back."
There is a limit to everything. We can load the camel with
lots of straw, but finally it will be too much and the
camel's back will break. And it is only a single straw that
breaks its back - the last straw. This can be applied to
many things in life. People often say "That's the last
straw!" when they will not accept any more of something.
5. "Bad news travels fast."
"Bad news" means news about "bad" things like accidents,
death, illness etc. People tend to tell this type of news
quickly. But "good news" (passing an exam, winning some
money, getting a job etc) travels more slowly.
6. "You can't take it with you when you die."
When we die we leave everything on earth. We don't take
anything with us. Even the richest people cannot take their
money with them after death. This proverb reminds us that
some material things are not really so valuable as we think.
7. "Still waters run deep."
Some rivers have rough surfaces with waves. That's usually
because the water is shallow and there are rocks near the
surface. But deep rivers have no rocks near the surface and
the water is smooth and still. This proverb means that
people who are calm and quiet on the outside, often have
a strong, "deep" personality inside.
You'll find more proverbs and explanations at:
http://www.englishclub.com/reading/proverbs.htm
death, illness etc. People tend to tell this type of news
quickly. But "good news" (passing an exam, winning some
money, getting a job etc) travels more slowly.
6. "You can't take it with you when you die."
When we die we leave everything on earth. We don't take
anything with us. Even the richest people cannot take their
money with them after death. This proverb reminds us that
some material things are not really so valuable as we think.
7. "Still waters run deep."
Some rivers have rough surfaces with waves. That's usually
because the water is shallow and there are rocks near the
surface. But deep rivers have no rocks near the surface and
the water is smooth and still. This proverb means that
people who are calm and quiet on the outside, often have
a strong, "deep" personality inside.
You'll find more proverbs and explanations at:
http://www.englishclub.com/reading/proverbs.htm
