Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
If you reach for something that is far too
good for you, it is not going to end well.
If you reach for the highest of ideals, you
shouldn't settle for less than the stars.
If you really have to sin, then choose a sin
that you enjoy.
If you really love something, your fate is in
its hands.
If you really want honesty, then don't ask
questions you don't really want the
answer to.
If you receive a gift don't measure it.
If you receive pay, you cannot sit idle and if
you sit idle, you cannot receive pay.
If you refuse to be made straight when you
are green, you will not be made straight
when you are dry.
If you rely on god, you won't fail.
If you respect others, others will respect
you.
If you respect others, they will respect you.
If you return an ass's kick, most of the pain
is yours.
If you rise too early, the dew will wet you.
If you rock the cradle empty, then you shall
have babies plenty.
If you run after two hares, you will catch
neither.
If you run away from God, you are still
under him.
If you run from a wolf, you may run into a
bear.
If you run too fast you bypass a safe place
you would have hidden yourself.
If you rush things, you'll just make others
laugh.
If you saw what the river carried, you
would never drink the water.
If you say that he is guilty of ingratitude,
you need say no more.
If you scatter thorns, don't go barefoot.
If you search for a faultless woman, you will
remain a bachelor.
If you see a Greek and a wolf, avoid the wolf
and shoot the Greek.
If you see a man in a gown eating with a
man in rags, the food belongs to the
331
latter.
If you see a man riding a wooden stick, say
to him "Good health to your horse".
If you see amber, ambergis is behind.
If you see an animal running in the early
morning know that it is running away
from something more scarily than the
due.
If you see him riding on a bamboo-cane, say
to him, "Good health to your horse!"
If you see in your wine the reflection of a
person not in your range of vision, don't
drink it.
If you see Mt. Fuji, a hawk, and an eggplant
on New Year’s Day, you will be forever
blessed.
If you see no reason for giving thanks, the
fault lies in yourself.
If you see someone riding a bamboo-cane,
tell him "What a lovely horse!"
If you see something and say nothing, you
will have nothing to suffer for.
If you see the fangs of the lions, don't think
the lion is smiling.
If you see vessels afloat, remember that they
have had to be built.
If you see what the ducks eat then you eat
no more duck.
If you see wrongdoing or evil and say
nothing against it, you become its victim.
If you see your brother being scalped, put
water on your hair.
If you see your friend's ox or sheep straying,
don't look the other way; return them to
your friend.
If you see your neighbor has lost his beard,
you'd best start lathering yours.
If you seek a reputation for wisdom, agree
with everyone.
If you sell a drum in your own village, you
get the money and keep the sound.
If you sell your purse to your wife, give
your trousers into the bargain.
If you shake a dog, you shake his owner.
If you share a man's wealth, try to lessen his
misfortune.