Unlocking the Wisdom of English Proverbs: A Journey Through Timeless Sayings
In the rich tapestry of the English language, proverbs stand out as pearls of wisdom, offering concise lessons drawn from centuries of human experience. These short, pithy sayings encapsulate universal truths and moral lessons that resonate across cultures and generations. Whether you’re a language enthusiast, a student, or simply someone keen on enriching your vocabulary, understanding English proverbs can provide deep insights into the nuances of everyday life and communication. In this blog post, we will delve into 50 classic English proverbs, exploring their meanings, origins, and practical applications in our daily lives. Join us as we uncover the timeless wisdom embedded in these enduring phrases.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Urdu: ایک ہاتھ میں پکڑا پرندہ جھاڑی میں موجود دو پرندوں سے بہتر ہے۔
Example: Tom decided to accept the job offer he had instead of waiting for a better one. He believed that a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Actions speak louder than words.
Urdu: الفاظ سے زیادہ اعمال بولتے ہیں۔
Example: Instead of promising to help, Mark showed up and did the work. Actions speak louder than words.
A penny saved is a penny earned.
Urdu: بچایا ہوا ایک پیسہ کمایا ہوا ایک پیسہ ہے۔
Example: Sarah decided to cook at home instead of eating out. She knew that a penny saved is a penny earned.
All that glitters is not gold.
Urdu: ہر چمکنے والی چیز سونا نہیں ہوتی۔
Example: The new job offer looked amazing on the surface, but Sam remembered that all that glitters is not gold and decided to investigate further.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Urdu: روزانہ ایک سیب ڈاکٹر کو دور رکھتا ہے۔
Example: Jenny eats a fruit every day because she believes that an apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Better late than never.
Urdu: دیر آید درست آید۔
Example: Lisa finally completed her degree after many years. Better late than never, she thought.
Birds of a feather flock together.
Urdu: ایک جیسے پرندے ایک ساتھ رہتے ہیں۔
Example: You can tell a lot about a person by their friends. Birds of a feather flock together.
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
Urdu: اپنے چوزے انڈے سے نکلنے سے پہلے نہ گنیں۔
Example: Jane was already planning how to spend her bonus before she received it. Her mother reminded her not to count her chickens before they hatch.
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Urdu: اپنے سارے انڈے ایک ہی ٹوکری میں نہ رکھیں۔
Example: Paul invested in multiple stocks because he didn’t want to put all his eggs in one basket.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
Urdu: ہر بادل کے ساتھ چاندی کی تہ ہوتی ہے۔
Example: After losing his job, Mike found a better opportunity. Every cloud has a silver lining.
Honesty is the best policy.
Urdu: دیانت داری بہترین پالیسی ہے۔
Example: Even though it was hard, James told the truth because he believed honesty is the best policy.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
Urdu: جو ٹھیک ہے اسے ٹھیک کرنے کی ضرورت نہیں۔
Example: The old software works perfectly fine. If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
Urdu: گرے ہوئے دودھ پر رونے کا کوئی فائدہ نہیں۔
Example: Tim missed the bus but decided not to worry about it. It’s no use crying over spilt milk.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Urdu: ہنسی بہترین دوا ہے۔
Example: After a stressful day, a good laugh with friends made Mary feel better. Laughter is the best medicine.
Look before you leap.
Urdu: چھلانگ لگانے سے پہلے دیکھ لو۔
Example: Before making the big decision to move abroad, Laura carefully researched everything. Look before you leap.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Urdu: ضرورت ایجاد کی ماں ہے۔
Example: When the power went out, John used candles to light the house. Necessity is the mother of invention.
No pain, no gain.
Urdu: بغیر درد کے کچھ حاصل نہیں ہوتا۔
Example: Jenny worked out every day, knowing that no pain, no gain.
Old habits die hard.
Urdu: پرانی عادتیں مشکل سے ختم ہوتی ہیں۔
Example: Even after years, Mark still found it hard to quit smoking. Old habits die hard.
Out of sight, out of mind.
Urdu: نظر سے دور، دل سے دور۔
Example: After moving to a new city, Sara lost touch with many friends. Out of sight, out of mind.
Practice makes perfect.
Urdu: مشق انسان کو ماہر بناتی ہے۔
Example: To master the piano, Tom practiced every day. Practice makes perfect.
Rome wasn’t built in a day.
Urdu: روم ایک دن میں نہیں بنا تھا۔
Example: Building a successful business takes time and effort. Rome wasn’t built in a day.
The early bird catches the worm.
Urdu: صبح سویرے والا پرندہ کیڑا پکڑ لیتا ہے۔
Example: Lisa always arrives at work before anyone else. The early bird catches the worm.
The pen is mightier than the sword.
Urdu: قلم تلوار سے زیادہ طاقتور ہے۔
Example: Through his writings, Martin Luther King Jr. made a huge impact. The pen is mightier than the sword.
Time and tide wait for no man.
Urdu: وقت اور سمندری مد و جزر کسی کے لیے نہیں رکتے۔
Example: He realized he must act quickly because time and tide wait for no man.
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Urdu: زیادہ باورچی شوربا خراب کر دیتے ہیں۔
Example: With too many people giving instructions, the project failed. Too many cooks spoil the broth.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Urdu: جب روم میں ہوں تو رومیوں کی طرح کرو۔
Example: When traveling to Japan, Paul tried to follow local customs. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Urdu: جہاں چاہ ہوتی ہے وہاں راہ ہوتی ہے۔
Example: Despite the challenges, Anna was determined to succeed. Where there’s a will, there’s a way.
Read also: 100 Common English Adverbs with Urdu Meanings
You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
Urdu: آپ گھوڑے کو پانی تک لے جا سکتے ہیں، لیکن آپ اسے پینے پر مجبور نہیں کر سکتے۔
Example: Sarah gave her son all the study materials, but she couldn’t make him use them. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.
You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Urdu: آپ کتاب کو اس کے سرورق سے نہیں جانچ سکتے۔
Example: Though the house looked small from the outside, it was very spacious inside. You can’t judge a book by its cover.
Actions speak louder than words.
Urdu: الفاظ سے زیادہ اعمال بولتے ہیں۔
Example: Instead of promising to help, Mark showed up and did the work. Actions speak louder than words.
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Urdu: ایک تصویر ہزار الفاظ کے برابر ہے۔
Example: The photograph captured the scene perfectly. A picture is worth a thousand words.
All is fair in love and war.
Urdu: محبت اور جنگ میں سب جائز ہے۔
Example: He used unconventional methods to win her heart. All is fair in love and war.
Beggars can’t be choosers.
Urdu: مانگنے والے چننے والے نہیں ہو سکتے۔
Example: Accepting the only job offer he received, John realized that beggars can’t be choosers.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Urdu: خوبصورتی دیکھنے والے کی نظر میں ہوتی ہے۔
Example: What one person finds beautiful, another might not. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Better safe than sorry.
Urdu: محفوظ رہنا بعد میں پچھتانے سے بہتر ہے۔
Example: He always wears a helmet while riding his bike. Better safe than sorry.
Charity begins at home.
Urdu: خیرات گھر سے شروع ہوتی ہے۔
Example: Before helping others, she made sure her family was taken care of. Charity begins at home.
Every dog has its day.
Urdu: ہر کتے کا ایک دن آتا ہے۔
Example: After years of hard work, Jane finally got a promotion. Every dog has its day.
Fortune favors the bold.
Urdu: قسمت بہادروں کا ساتھ دیتی ہے۔
Example: He took a risk by starting his own business. Fortune favors the bold.
God helps those who help themselves.
Urdu: خدا ان کی مدد کرتا ہے جو اپنی مدد آپ کرتے ہیں۔
Example: Instead of waiting for help, she took action to solve her problems. God helps those who help themselves.
Haste makes waste.
Urdu: جلد بازی میں نقصان ہوتا ہے۔
Example: He rushed through his project and had to redo it. Haste makes waste.
Ignorance is bliss.
Urdu: لاعلمی سکون ہے۔
Example: She didn’t know about the problem, so she wasn’t worried. Ignorance is bliss.
In Rome, do as the Romans do.
Urdu: جب روم میں ہوں تو رومیوں کی طرح کرو۔
Example: When traveling to Japan, Paul tried to follow local customs. When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
It’s better to be safe than sorry.
Urdu: محفوظ رہنا بعد میں پچھتانے سے بہتر ہے۔
Example: He always wears a helmet while riding his bike. Better safe than sorry.
Knowledge is power.
Urdu: علم طاقت ہے۔
Example: She pursued education because she believed that knowledge is power.
Laughter is the best medicine.
Urdu: ہنسی بہترین دوا ہے۔
Example: After a stressful day, a good laugh with friends made Mary feel better. Laughter is the best medicine.
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Urdu: سوئے ہوئے کتوں کو سونے دو۔
Example: He decided not to bring up old arguments. Let sleeping dogs lie.
Many hands make light work.
Urdu: بہت سے ہاتھ کام کو ہلکا کر دیتے ہیں۔
Example: The task was completed quickly because everyone helped. Many hands make light work.
Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Urdu: پیسہ درختوں پر نہیں اُگتا۔
Example: She reminded her children to be careful with spending. Money doesn’t grow on trees.
Necessity is the mother of invention.
Urdu: ضرورت ایجاد کی ماں ہے۔
Example: When the power went out, John used candles to light the house. Necessity is the mother of invention.
No man is an island.
Urdu: کوئی انسان تنہا نہیں رہ سکتا۔
Example: We all need support from others at some point. No man is an island.
These proverbs offer valuable life lessons and wisdom that are relevant across cultures.
Follow our Instagram page for daily udpate
CSS Times Instagram Page
