Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
If you hear that a mountain has moved,
believe; but if you hear that a man has
changed his character, believe it not.
If you heat an empty pot it bursts.
If you help the evil, you hurt the good.
If you help yourself you will be helped.
If you hide a sick person, your lamentation
alarm will only announce his death.
If you hold high office, the whole village
will share your fame.
If you humble yourself too much, you will
get trampled on.
If you hunt with cats you'll catch mice.
If you hurt the reputation of another, you
damage your own.
If you ignore your own relatives you will
serve the outsiders.
If you invest a lot but don't maintain it, you
won't even harvest enough to re-seed.
If you keep on talking, you will end up
saying what you didn't intend to say.
If you keep stirring at a girl you cannot have
you will never see a girl you can have.
If you keep your head and heart going in the
right direction you don't have to worry
about your feet.
If you keep your mouth shut, you won't put
your foot in it.
If you kick a stone in anger, you'll hurt your
own foot.
If you kill a little hippopotamus, you also
kill his mother.
If you kill time, you'll bury opportunities.
If you knock your head against a wall, then
a coconut tree and pillar and your head
still remains undamaged my child, go
and hide that head of yours; it is a good
head.
If you know a lot, know enough to make
them respect you, if you are stupid, be
stupid enough so they can pity you.
If you know his father and grandfather you
may trust his son.
If you know his father and grandfather,
don't worry about his son.
If you know how to pound, use the mortar;
if not use the floor.
328
If you know lullaby, why can't you sleep?
If you know only one tune you cannot dance
all night.
If you know something can swallow you,
don't let it lick you.
If you know the beginning well, the end will
not trouble you.
If you know then it's a disaster, and if you
don't know then it's a greater disaster.
If you know what a dollar is worth, try to
borrow it.
If you laugh at the bowl, you laugh at the
potter.
If you laugh at your ain sport, the company
will laugh at you.
If you laugh to-day, you will cry to-morrow.
If you lay upon roses when young, you'll lie
upon thorns when old.
If you learn a lot, you'll age soon.
If you leave the safe open even a saint will
sin.
If you leave your place, you lose it.
If you lend something you may lose it, but
not if you give it.
If you lend your coat, don't cut off the
buttons.
If you let everyone walk over you, then you
become a carpet.
If you let everyone walk over you, you
become a carpet.
If you let the weeds grow for a year you will
need seven to clear them.
If you let them put the calf on your
shoulders, it will not be long before they
clap on the cow.
If you lie and then tell the truth, the truth
will be considered a lie.
If you lie down with a man, you may rise up
as a woman.
If you lie down with dogs you'll rise with
fleas.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up
with fleas.
If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with
fleas.
If you lie on the ground, you cannot fall.