"When in Rome..."
This phrase is believed to have been coined by st. Augustine in 390 AD.
"...do as the Romans do."
"Fortune favors..."
"Fortis Fortuna Adiuvat." was the original phrase in latin.
"A drowning man..."
The origin of this phrase dates back to 1382 when John Wycliffe translated the Bible.
"...will clutch at a straw."
"...will clutch at anything."
"...will drown you too if you let him."
"Among the blind..."
Believed to have been coined by Dutch philosopher Desiderius Erasmus during the 15th or 16th century. The original went: "In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man in king."
"...the one-eyed man is king."
"...the rat king is free."
"...the king is the devil."
"An idle brain..."
This proverb can be dated as far back as the 4th century by theologian St. Jerome. It may be one of the oldest expressions in English language.
"...is the devil’s workshop."
"...is the devil’s playground."
"...is a cry for the devil."
"...is a terrible thing to waste."
"An ounce of prevention..."
This axiom was coined by Benjamin Franklin.
"...is worth a pound of cure."
"...is worth a gallon of happiness."
"...is worth any sacrifice."
"...is worth a mountain of effort."
"Be slow in choosing a friend..."
Another great proverb coined by the great Benjamin Franklin.
"...but slower in changing."
"...but quick in changing one."
"...lest you choose rashly."
"Don’t cast pearls..."
This quote should be familiar to those who know the bible, as it appears in Matthew 7:6.
"...at the feet of evil men."
"...at the feet of poor men."
"Empty bags..."
Yet another great proverb coined by Benjamin Franklin.
"...cannot stand upright."
"...will always deflate."
"Never test the depth..."
"...of water with both feet."
"...of the ocean with your feet."
"...of water with your head."
"...of an argument with shallow logic."
"Fools rush in..."
First written by Alexander Pope in his 1711 poem: An Essay on Criticism.
"...where angels fear to tread."
"...where wise men tread lightly."
"...where the wise watch closely."
"...where the wise do not tread."
"Give them an inch..."
This expression first appeared in writing in John Heywood's collection of proverbs from the year 1546. The original may have used "ell" instead of mile.
"...and they’ll take a mile."
"...and they’ll take a foot."
"...and they’ll take it all."
"...and they'll take ten."
"Make hay..."
Originally a Tudor expression, it was first witnessed in writing in 1546.
"...while the sun shines."
"...while the going is good."
"...while you live, for tomorrow you may die."
"Marry at haste..."
This proverbial saying was first expressed in print by William Congreve in his comedy of manners The Old Batchelour, 1693: Thus grief still treads upon the heels of pleasure: Married in haste, we may repent at leisure.
"...repeat with leisure."