Portuguese proverbs

Proverbs from all Portuguese speaking countries.

Without friendship, life is nothing.

Arranged alphabetically by author or source:
A · B · C · D · E · F · G · H · I · J · K · L · M · N · O · P · Q · R · S · T · U · V · W · X · Y · Z · See also · External links

A

• A arte é longa e a vida breve.
  • English equivalent: Life is short, and art long.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "84". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 20. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• A caridade começa em casa.
  • English equivalent: Charity begins at home.
  • "It is easier to love humanity as a whole than to love one's neighbor. There may even be a certain antagonism between love of humanity and love of neighbor; a low capacity for getting along with those near us often goes hand in hand with a high receptivity to the idea of the brotherhood of men. About a hundred years ago a Russian landowner by the name of Petrashevsky recorded a remarkable conclusion: 'Finding nothing worthy of my attachment either among women or among men, I have vowed myself to the service of mankind.' He became a follower of Fourier, and installed a phalanstery on his estate. The end of the experiment was sad, but what one might perhaps have expected: the peasants—Petrashevsky's neighbors—burned the phalanstery.
    Some of the worst tyrannies of our day genuinely are "vowed" to the service of mankind, yet can function only by pitting neighbor against neighbor. The all-seeing eye of a totalitarian regime is usually the watchful eye of the next-door neighbor. In a Communist state love of neighbor may be classed as counter-revolutionary."
  • Eric Hoffer, The Ordeal of Change (1963), Ch. 11: Brotherhood.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 547. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A curiosidade matou o gato.
  • English equivalent: Curiosity killed the cat (but inquisitiveness brought it back).
  • "Inquisitiveness – or a desire to find about something – can lead you into trouble."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 49. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 9 August 2013. 
  • "Remember Lot's wife."
  • Luke, XVII. 32. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
  • Toniolo, Daniel. CAMINHOS QUE LEVAM A DEUS, OS. biblioteca24horas. p. 20. ISBN 8561590580. 

• A experiência é mãe da ciência.
  • English equivalent: Experience is the mother of wisdom.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 808. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A fome é o melhor tempero.
  • English equivalent: Hunger is the best sauce.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1513 H". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. DeProverbio.com. p. 228. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• A História se repete.
  • English equivalent: History repeats itself.
  • Flonta, Teodor. A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 213–214. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• A mal desesperado, remédio heróico.
  • English equivalent: Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies.
  • "It is not necessary to succeed in order to persevere. As long as there is a margin of hope, however narrow, we have no choice but to base all our actions on that margin. America and Russia have one interest in common which may override all their other interests: to be able to live with the bomb without getting into an all-out war that neither of them wants."
  • Leó Szilárd, as quoted in "Some Szilardisms on War, Fame, Peace", LIFE‎ magazine, Vol. 51, no. 9 (1 September 1961), p. 7
  • Emanuel Strauss (11 January 2013). "812". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 552. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. Retrieved on 10 August 2013. 

• A melhor defesa é o ataque.
  • English equivalent: The best defence is a good offense.
  • Deolinda Milhano (2008). Dicionário de ditados (provérbios) e frases feitas. Edições Colibri. p. 27. ISBN 978-972-772-813-8. Retrieved on 21 June 2013. 

• A mentiroso, boa memória.
  • English equivalent: A liar should have a good memory.
  • "Liars must remember the untruths they have told, to avoid contradicting themselves at some later date."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 167. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "274". Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 257. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. Retrieved on 24 November 2013. 

• A mór pressa major vagar.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.
  • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "690, Hast". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. pp. 358-359. 

• A necessidade não tem lei, mas a da fome sobre todas pode.
  • English equivalent: Needs must go when the devil drives.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 60. 

• A pai guardador, filho gastador guardador .
  • English equivalent: A miserly father makes a prodigal son.
  • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "523, Vater" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. p. 292. 

• A pedra he dura, e a gota d'agoa he miuda, mas cahindo de continuo, faz cavadura.
  • English equivalent: Constant dropping wears the stone.
  • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto. "480, Tropfen". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 267. 

• A preguiça é a chave da pobrez.
  • English equivalent: Poverty is the reward of idleness.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "I 1534". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. DeProverbio.com. p. 231. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• A quem sabe esperar ensejo, tudo vem a seu tempo e desejo.
  • English equivalent: He that can have patience can have what he will.
  • "Destiny grants us our wishes, but in its own way, in order to give us something beyond our wishes."
  • Johan Wolfgang von Goethe
  • "Blessings may appear under the shape of pains, losses, and disappointments; but let him have patience, and he will see them in their proper figures."
  • Joseph Addison The Guardian no. 117 25 July 1713.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 87. ISBN 0415160502. 

• A roupa suja lava-se em casa.
  • English Equivalent: Don't wash your dirty linen in public; It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
  • "Why wantonly proclaim one's own disgrace, or expose the faults or weaknesses of one's kindred or people?"
  • "It is considered contemptible to defy the rule of solidarity by revealing facts harmful to the group one belongs to."
  • Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 109. 
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "106". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • F. Allen, Maria (2012). The Routledge Portuguese Bilingual Dictionary: Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese. Routledge. p. 439. ISBN 0415434343. 

• A união faz a força.
  • English equivalent: United we stand, divided we fall; Union is strength.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 79. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Agarram-se os pássaros pelo bico e os homens pela língua..
  • English equivalent: The bird is known by his note, the man by his words.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "222". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 39. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Água mole em pedra dura, tanto dá até que fura.
  • English equivalent: Constant dropping wears the stone; Water dropping day by day wears the hardest rock away.
  • "A drop hollows out the stone by falling not twice, but many times; so too is a person made wise by reading not two, but many books."
  • (Giordano Bruno, Il Candelaio)
  • Lumpkin Taylor, James (1970). A Portuguese-English Dictionary (2, revised, annotated, reprint ed.). Stanford University Press. p. 310. ISBN 0804704805. 

• Actos falam mais do que palavras.
  • English equivalent: Actions speak louder than words.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "13 E". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 9–10. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Ainda que vistas a mona de seda, mona se queda.
  • English equivalent: A golden bit does not make the horse any better.
  • "To those who are given to virtue, the boast of titles is wholly alien and distasteful."
  • Petrarch, “On the Various Academic Titles,” De remediis utriusque fortunae, C. Rawski, trans. (1967), p. 73
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Alcança quem não cansa.
  • English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.
  • "Britain and France had to choose between war and dishonour. They chose dishonour. They will have war."
  • Winston Churchill to Neville Chamberlain in the House of Commons, after the Munich accords (1938).
  • Mrs Mawr, E B (2005). Analogous Proverbs In Ten Languages (reprint ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 30. ISBN 1417964677. 

• Antes não começar que não acabar.
  • English equivalent: Better never begun than never ended; He that takes the devil into the boat must carry him over the sound.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "177". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Ao médico, ao letrado e ao abade, falar verdade.
  • English equivalent: Hide nothing from thy minister, physician and lawyer.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "768". Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. pp. 666–667. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7. 

• As aparências iludem. or, equivalently, As aparências enganam.
  • Translation: Looks can be deceiving.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 124. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Às vezes até o bom Homero dormita
  • English equivalent: Even Homer sometimes nods.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1420 H". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 215. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. .
  • English equivalent: Even Homer sometimes nods.

• Antes só do que mal acompanhado. (Brazil and Portugal)
  • English equivalent: It's better to be alone than in bad company.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 163. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Amigos amigos, negócios à parte.’’
  • English equivalent: In trade there are no friends, nor are there enemies.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 639. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Amor, fogo, e tosse, A seu dono descobre.
  • English equivalent: Love, smoke and cough are hard to hide.
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 50. 

• Amor verdadeiro, não envelhece.
  • English equivalent: True love never rusts.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1107. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ajuda-te que Deus te ajudará.
  • English equivalent: Heaven help those who help themselves.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Segíts magadon, Isten is megsegít.
  • "When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition."
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 150. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 639. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A sorte favorece os audazes.
  • Translation: Luck favours the bold.
  • Origin: Latin Virgil Audentes fortuna juvat Wikipedia
  • Dinis, Júlio (1985). Uma família inglesa. Editorial Comunicação. p. 46 pages = 596. 

• A pressa é inimiga da perfeição.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.
  • Plá, Daniel (2001). Tudo Sobre Franchising. Senac. p. 40 pages = 160 isbn = 8587864106. 

• A mentira tem perna curta.
  • English equivalent: Lies have short legs..
  • Andrade abrãao, Marcos. Filho de Elohim. Editora Naós Ltda. p. 12. ISBN 8577950417. 

• Antes de mil anos todos seremos brancos.
  • English equivalent: It will all be the same a hundred years hence.
  • "Trivial problems or mistakes of the present moment have no lasting significance or effect, so there is no point in worrying about them."
  • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 145. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 48. 

• Até ao lavar dos cestos é vindima.
  • English Equivalent: Never say die.
  • "Do not anticipate the end of something; specifically, do not give up hope until you have actually lost or failed."
  • Source for meaning: Manser, Martin H. (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 152. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Copello, Marcelo (1994). SABORES DO DOURO E DO MINHO, OS: HISTORIAS, RECEITAS, VINHOS. Senac. p. 133. ISBN 857359764X. 

• Ao bom varão, terras alheias pátria são.
  • English equivalent: Great minds agree.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 882. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Ao homem amado a fortuna lhe dá a mão.
  • English equivalent: Fortune favors the bold.
  • "Those who act boldly or courageously are most likely to succeed."
  • Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 94. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 38. ISBN 0415096243. 

• As paredes têm ouvidos.
  • English equivalent: The walls have ears.
  • "What you say may be overheard; used as a warning."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 287. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 27 September 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 136. ISBN 0415096243. 

• A noite é boa conselheira.
  • English equivalent: The pillow is a good advisor.
  • Moacyr, Othon (2004). Comunicação em Prosa Moderna: aprenda a escrever, aprendendo a pensar. FGV Editora,. p. 153. ISBN 852250296X. 

• A verdade é clara e a mentira sombra.
  • English equivalent: Truth gives a short answer, lies go round about.
  • Quidquid præcipies esto brevis.
  • "Whatever advice you give, be short."
  • Horace, Ars Poetica (18 BC), CCCXXXV. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
  • "You do so love to talk in riddles. Do you do that, I wonder as a substitute for having anything interesting to say?"
  • Dan Houser, Michael Unsworth and Christian Cantamessa, Read Dead Redemption (2010)
  • Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. 1994. p. 1216. ISBN 0415096243. 

B

• Bem parece o rego entre mim e meu compa nheiro.
  • English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.
  • Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "128, Nachbarn" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 74. 

• Bem sabe mandar quem bem sabe obedecer.
  • Translation: He who has not obeyed, cannot command.
  • English equivalent: Who has not served cannot command.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 855. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Boca de mel, coração de fel.
  • English equivalent: A honey tongue and a heart of gall.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 108. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Bom exemplo e boas razões avassalam os coracões.
  • English equivalent: Lead by example.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502. 

C

• Cabeça que não tem juízo, quem o paga é o corpo.
  • English equivalent: A forgetful head makes a weary pair of heels.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "H 1355". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. DeProverbio.com. p. 206. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Cada cabelo faz sua sombra na terra.
  • English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cada carneiro por seu pé pende.
  • English equivalent: Each sheep hangs by its own foot.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 777. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Cada coisa a seu tempo.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.
  • "Plans are insulted destinies. I don't have plans, I only have goals."
  • Ash Chandler, Freudian Slip, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, April 2006.
  • Caroline Ward (1842). National Proverbs in the Principal Languages of Europe. J.W. Parker. p. 29. 

• Cão que ladra não morde.
  • Translation: Barking dog doesn't bite.
  • English equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite.
  • "People who make the most or the loudest threats are the least likely to take action."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 20 June 2013. 
  • Taylor, James Lumpkin; Martin, Priscilla Clark (1970). A Portuguese-English Dictionary. Stanford University Press, ,. p. 378. ISBN 9780804704809. 

• Cavallo, que voa, não quer espora.
  • English equivalent: Do not spur a willing horse.
  • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "221, Pferd" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 123. 

• Conforme a pergunta, assim a resposta. Tal voz, tal eco.
  • English equivalent: Just as one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.
  • Meaning: Do not expect friendly reply when being obnoxious.
  • Meaning: Bad language may have other causes than innate bad character.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 139. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Como canta o abade, assim responde o sacristão.
  • Translation: As the abbot sings, so the sacristan responds.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Como me medires assim te medirei.
  • English equivalent: Whatever measure you deal out to others will be dealt back to you.
  • English equivalent: What goes around comes around.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1219. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Conselho de quem bem te quer, ainda que te pareça mal, escreve o.
  • English equivalent: Write down the advice of him who loves you, though you like it not at present.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "28". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 11. 

D

• Da abundância do coração fala a boca.
  • English equivalent: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "6 E". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 7–. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Dá honra a quem a tem.
  • English equivalent: Give credit where credit is due.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "H 1436". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 217. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• De amigo reconciliado e de caldo requentado, nunca bom bocado.
  • English equivalent: Take heed of enemies reconciled and of meat twice boiled.
  • "Life being what it is, one dreams of revenge."
  • Paul Gauguin, Avant et Après (1903), from Paul Gauguin's Intimate Journals, trans. (1923) Van Wyck Brooks [Dover, 1997, ISBN 0-486-29441-2], p. 2.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 25. ISBN 0415160502. 

• De boas intenções está o Inferno cheio.
  • Translation: Hell is full of good intentions.
  • English equivalent: The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
  • Alves Pinto, CiÇa (1994). LIVRO DOS PROVERBIOS, DITADOS, DITOS POPULARES E: ANEXINS Utgåva 5. Senac. p. 93. ISBN 9788573597974. 

• De boi manso me guarde Deus, que de mau eu me guardarei.
  • English equivalent: A man's worst enemies are often those of his own house.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 52. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De casta vem ao galgo ter o rabo longo.
  • English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 488. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De grandes ceias estão as sepulturas cheias.
  • English equivalent: Gluttony kills more than the sword.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 864. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De maus costumes nascem boas leis.
  • English equivalent: Good laws have sprung from bad customs.
  • "Most things were constructed or established for a purpose, and it is unwise to dismantle or destroy them unless you are certain that they are no longer required".
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 

• De noite todos os gatos são pardos.
  • English equivalent: At night all cats are grey.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 10. 

• Dê ao Diabo o que é dele.
  • English equivalent: Give the devil his due.
  • "Sansa Stark: True knights protect the weak.
    Sandor Clegane, "The Hound": There are no true knights, no more than there are gods. If you can't protect yourself, die and get out of the way of those who can. Sharp steel and strong arms rule this world, don't ever believe any different.
    Sansa Stark: You're awful.
    Sandor Clegane, "The Hound": I'm honest. It's the world that's awful."
  • George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings, (1998)
  • Flonta, Teodor (2002). God and the Devil: Proverbs in 9 Euorpean Languages. Teodor Flonta. p. 21. ISBN 1875943412. 

• Debaixo de bom saio está o homem mau.
  • English equivalent: Judge not a man and things at first sight.
  • "No good Book, or good thing of any sort, shows its best face at first."
  • Thomas Carlyle, Essays, "Novalis" (1829)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 713. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Deitar cedo e cedo erguer dá saúde e faz crescer.
  • Translation: Early sleep and early wake up, gives health and makes you grow.
  • Ironic variant rarely used: Deitar cedo e cedo erguer dá saúde e faz sono. ([...] and makes you sleepy.)
  • English Equivalent: Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.
  • "A lifestyle that involves neither staying up late nor sleeping late is good for body and mind and leads to financial success."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 70. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 5 September 2013. 

• Deus dá do seu bem.
  • English equivalent: He who serves God has a good master.
  • "The greatest weakness of all weaknesses is to fear too much to appear weak."
  • Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Politique Tirée de l'Écriture Sainte (Politics Drawn from the Very Words of Holy Scripture) (1679 - published 1709).
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1063". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 873. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Deus está sempre de lado dos mais fortes.
  • English equivalent: God is on the side of the strongest battalions.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1215". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. DeProverbio.. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Devagar, que tenho pressa.
  • English equivalent: Make haste slowly.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "H 1342". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• "Diz-me com quem andas, dir-te-ei que manhas tens.
  • English equivalent: A man is known by the company he keeps.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 5. 

• "Diz o roto ao nu: Porque não te vestes tu?"
  • The ragged says to the naked: why don't you get dressed?
  • English equivalent: The pot calling the kettle black.
  • Alves Pinto, Cecília (2000). "Roto". Livro dos provérbios, ditados, ditos populares e anexins. p. 150. ISBN 978-85-7359-115-6. 

• Do contado come o lobo.
  • English equivalent: Cats eat what hussies spare.
  • "What a person tries to keep back through meanness is just as likely to be wasted anyway."
  • Pickering, David (1997). "X". Cassell Dictionary of Proverbs. Continuum International Publishing Group, Limited. p. X. ISBN 978-0-304-35020-9. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 641. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Do mal, o menos.
  • English equivalent: Of two evils choose the least.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 5. 

• Do néscio às vezes bom conselho.
  • English equivalent: A fool may give a wise man counsel.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1194). "139". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 135. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

E

• È frequente o riso, na boca de quem não tem siso.
  • English equivalent: A fool is ever laughing.
  • Emanuel Strauss (1994). "137". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 102. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Em boca fechada as moscas não têm entrada.
  • Translation: Into a closed mouth no flies ever entered.
  • English equivalent: A close mouth catches no flies.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 73. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Em casa de ferreiro o pior apeiro.
  • English equivalent: Cobblers' children are worst shod.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 661. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Em terra de cegos, quem tem um olho é rei.
  • English equivalent: Among the blind, the one-eyed is king.
  • "People of only limited capability can succeed when surrounded by those who are even less able than themselves."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 143. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 2. 
• Entre marido e mulher não se mete a colher.
  • Translation: Between husband and wife, one doesn't put the spoon.
  • Variant: Entre marido e mulher não metas a colher.
  • English Equivalent: Don't go between the dog and the tree.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 69. ISBN 0521796636. 

• Enquanto há vida, há esperança.
  • Translation: While there's life, there's hope.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 88. ISBN 0521796636. 

• É de pequenino que se torce o pepino.
  • Translation: It's when it's small that the cucumber gets warped.
  • Meaning: Bad habits acquired during early life last long; Children should learn good habits from a tender age.
  • English Equivalent: Soon crooks the tree that good gambrel would be.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 89. ISBN 0521796636. 

• É meu amigo o que moi no meu moinho.
  • English equivalent: He is a friend that grinds at my mill.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1135". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

F

• Facilmente acreditamos naquilo que desejamos.
  • English equivalent: The wish is father to the thought.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "186". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 34. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Falar, falar não enche barriga.
  • English equivalent: Fine words butter no parsnips.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 31. 
  • Source for meaning: Speake, Jennifer; Simpson, John (2009). The Oxford dictionary of proverbs. Oxford University Press. pp. 388. ISBN 0199539537. 

• Fazei-vos mel, comer-vos-ão as moscas.
  • English equivalent: He that makes himself an ass must not take it ill if men ride him.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 676. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Fazer da necessidade virtude.
  • English equivalent: Make a virtue out of necessity.
  • "The best way to handle an undesirable situation is to turn it to your advantage."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 180. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1079. ISBN 0415096243. 

G

• "Gato escaldado tem medo de água fria."
  • Variant: "Gato escaldado, de água fria tem medo."
  • Translation: "A cat that has been scalded is afraid of cold water." A scalded cat is afraid of cold water.
  • Equivalence: "Once bitten, twice shy."
  • Equivalence: A burned child dreads the fire.
  • Equivalence in French: Chat échaudé craint l'eau froide.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001), "380", A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs, pp. 61–62, ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3 

• Génio e figura, até à sepultura.
  • English equivalent: What is bred in the bone will not go out of the flesh.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 985. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Guarda moço, acharás velho.
  • English equivalent: Diligent youth makes easy age.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 701. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Gostos não se discutem.
  • You don't discuss tastes.
  • English Equivalent: There is no accounting for taste.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). A Dictionary of English and Portuguese: Equivalent Proverbs. Teodor Flonta. pp. 220. ISBN 1875943218. 

H

• Hoje por mim, amanhã por ti.
  • Today for me, and tomorrow for you.
  • English equivalent: Today me, tomorrow thee.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1038. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Homem apercebido , meio combatido.
  • English equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 38. 

• Huim roim se toma com outro roim.
  • English equivalent: Set a thief to catch a thief.
  • Mrs Mawr, E B (2005). Analogous Proverbs In Ten Languages (reprint ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 74. ISBN 1417964677. 

L

• Longe dos olhos, longe do coração. (can also be Longe da vista (sight), longe do coração)
  • Far from the eyes, far from the heart.
  • English equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Variation: O que os olhos não vêem, o coração não sente. (What the eyes don't see, the heart doesn't feel.)
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0521796636. 

M

• Mais vale andar só que mal acompanhado.
  • It is better to be alone than to be in bad company.
  • English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 572. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Mais vale tarde do que nunca.
  • Delayed is preferable to never.
  • English equivalent: Better late than never.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Jobb későn, mint soha.
  • "It is better that somebody arrives or something happens later than expected or desired, than not at all."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 25. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 30 June 2013. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 584. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Mal me querem as comadres porque lhes digo as verdades.
  • English equivalent: All truths are not to be told.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 282. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Mais vale saber que haver e dar que receber.
  • English equivalent: A good mind possesses a kingdom.
  • "What a man is by himself, what accompanies him into solitude, and what no one can give to him or take from him is obviously more essential to him than everything he possesses, or even what he may be in the eyes of others. A man of intellect, when entirely alone, has excellent entertainment in his own thoughts and fancies, whereas the continuous diversity of parties, plays, excursions, and amusements cannot ward off from the dullard the tortures of boredom."
  • Arthur Schopenhauer, “Aphorisms on the Wisdom of Life,” Parerga und Paralipomena, E. Payne, trans. (1851) Vol. 1, pp. 318-319.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 58. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois a voar.(Portugal)
• Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois voando.(Brazil)
  • A bird in the hand has more worth than two flying.
  • English Equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Jobb ma egy túzok, mint holnap egy veréb.
  • "Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 28. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 29 July 2013. 
  • András Dugonics (1820). Magyar példa beszédek és jeles mondások. Grünn Orbán. p. 23. Retrieved on 29 July 2013. 
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0521796636. 

• Mais vale tarde do que nunca. (Portugal)
• Antes tarde do que nunca. (Brazil)
  • Better late than never.
  • English equivalent: Better late than never.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 88. ISBN 0521796636. 

• Mais vale pão duro que nenhum.
  • English equivalent: Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
  • "Better be courted and jilted
    Than never be courted at all."
  • Thomas Campbell, The Jilted Nymph. (1859)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 75. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Mais vale prevenir do que remediar. (Portugal)
• É melhor prevenir do que remediar. (Brasil)
  • It's best to prevent than to have to remedy (or fix).
  • English equivalent: Better safe than sorry; An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
  • Herminii, Herminia. Nominalia. José Rabaça Gaspar deNomios. p. 485. ISBN 141353547X. 

• Mãos beija o homem que quisera ver cortadas.
  • English equivalent: Many kiss the hand they wish to see cut off.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1084. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Melhor o diabo conhecido que o diabo desconhecido.
  • English equivalent: Better the devil you know.
  • Teodor Flonta (2001). "D 645". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 101. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Melhor é curar goteira, que casa inteira.
  • English equivalent: A stitch in time saves nine.
  • "No one needs to be told that a vast deal of labor is expended unnecessarily. This is occasioned, to a great extent, by the neglect of seasonable repairs."
  • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 13. 
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 6. 

• Mete a mão em teu seio, não dirás do fado alheio.
  • English equivalent: Forget other faults remembering your own; Forgive and forget.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 838. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Mil amigos, pouco; um inimigo, demais.
  • Thousand friends, little, an enemy, too much.
  • English equivalent: Do not think that one enemy is insignificant, or that a thousand friends are too many.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 718. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Muita palha e pouco grão.
  • English equivalent: Much bran and little meal.
  • "Much ado about nothing."
  • Keating, Walter (1859). Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). p. 128. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "178". Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. Routledge. p. 173. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. 

N

• Não chore sobre o leite derramado.
  • English equivalent: It is no use crying over spilt milk.
  • Chang Tong, Jonh Yen. Bolsa de Valores Visao Feliz E Optimsta de Tres Geracoes. Editora AGE Ltda. p. 75. ISBN 8574971979. 

• Não deites fora o bebê junto com a água do banho.
  • English equivalent: Don’t throw out the child along with the bathwater.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001), A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs, DeProverbio.com, pp. 25–26, ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3 

• Não deixes para amanhã o que podes fazer hoje.
  • Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 90. ISBN 0521796636. 

• Não faças nada sem consultar a almofada.
  • English equivalent: Take counsel of one's pillow.
  • http://books.google.se/books?id=PoegtDpAomoC&pg=PT246&dq=take+counsel+of+one%27s+pillow&hl=es&sa=X&ei=ZZXHUNrRLoX54QTuhYGICg&redir_esc=y

• Não fies, nem porfies, nem filho doutro cries.
  • English equivalent: Diffidence is the right eye of prudence.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 701. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não há bom que não possa ser melhor, nem mau que não possa piorar.
  • English equivalent: Nothing so good but it might have been better.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1265". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 192. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Não há galinha gorda por pouco dinheiro.
  • there are no fat chicken for little money (for cheap).
  • Machado, José Pedro (1996). O grande livro dos provérbios. Editorial Notícias. p. 326. ISBN 8574971979. 

• Não há duas sem três.
  • There's no two without a three.
  • Machado, José Pedro (1996). O grande livro dos provérbios. Editorial Notícias. p. 397. ISBN 8574971979. 

• Não há glória sem inveja.
  • English equivalent: Envy always shoots at a high mark.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 766. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não há pior cego que o que não quer ver.
  • English equivalent: There are no worse blinds than those who do not want to see.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 320. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Não há pior surdo que o que não quer ouvir.
  • English equivalent: None so deaf as those who will not hear.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1110. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não há regra sem excepção.
  • There exists no rule without exceptions.
  • English equivalent: There is no rule without an exception.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1174. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não mate a galinha dos ovos de ouro.
  • English equivalent: Don't kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1274". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Não se atiram pedras senão às árvores que têm fruto.
  • Translation: Rocks are only thrown at the trees who bear fruit.
  • English equivalent: People throw stones only at trees with fruit on them.
  • "It is the practice of the multitude to bark at eminent men, as little dogs do at strangers."
  • Seneca the Younger, Of a Happy Life (1990)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1008. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não se caçam lebres tocando tambor.
  • English equivalent: Drumming is not the way to catch a hare.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 754. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Não se muda de cavalo no meio de banhado.
  • Horses are not to be changed in the middle of the current.
  • English equivalent: Don't change horses in midstream.
  • "It is often wise not to quit an undertaking already begun."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 18 August 2013. 
  • Teodor Flonta (2001). "841". A Dictionary of English and Portuguese Equivalent Proverbs. Teodor Flonta. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-875943-21-0. Retrieved on 23 August 2013. 

• Nem tudo que reluz é ouro.
  • Variant: Nem tudo o que brilha é ouro.
  • Not everything that shines is gold.
  • English equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Nem mind arany, ami fénylik.
  • "An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 114. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Costa, J. J. (2009). A sabedoria dos ditados populares. Butterfly Editora. p. 30. ISBN 858847784X. 

• Ninguém perde nada por perguntar.
  • English equivalent: Lose nothing for want of asking.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001), A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs, DeProverbio.com, p. 21, ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3 

• Nunca Deus fecha uma porta que não abra outra.
  • English equivalent: When one door closes another opens.
  • "When baffled in one direction a man of energy will not despair, but will find another way to his object."
  • Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p. 67. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 845. ISBN 0415096243. 

O

• O Diabo cita a Bíblia a seu favor.
  • English equivalentː The devil can cite the Scripture for his purpose.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2002). "26". God and the Devil: Proverbs in 9 European Languages. p. 23. ISBN 978-1-875943-41-8. 

• O homem se conquista pelo estômago.
  • English equivalent: The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1384 H". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 210. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• O melhor é inimigo do bom.
  • English equivalent: The good is the enemy of the best.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "209". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 37–38. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• O passarinho ama o seu ninho.
  • English equivalent: The bird loves her own nest.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "923". Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. Routledge. p. 776. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. 

• Os cães ladram mas a caravana passa.
  • Translation: Dogs bark, but the caravan keeps on.
  • Mondaini, Marco (2008). Direitos Humanos No Brasil Contemporâneo. Editora Universitária UFPE. p. 82. ISBN 8573155302. 

• Onde se ganha o pão, não se come a carne.
  • Where you earn your bread, you don't eat the meat.
  • English Equivalent: You don't shit where you eat.
  • Tettê, Schmidt; Tavares, Ulisses. Guia do Homem. Geração Editorial. p. 91. ISBN 8575090313. 

• O que os olhos não vêem, o coração não sente.
  • Translation: What the eyes don't see the heart doesn't feel.
  • English Equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Variation: Longe dos olhos, longe do coração. (Far from the eyes, far from the heart.)
  • Machado, José Pedro (1996). O grande livro dos provérbios. Editorial Notícias. p. 397. ISBN 8574971979. 

• O que se aprende no berço sempre dura.
  • Translation: Old habits die hard.
  • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1122. ISBN 0415096243. 

• O barato sai caro.
  • Variant: O que é barato sai caro.
  • What is cheap is costly.
  • English equivalent: If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 53. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Onde vai mais fundo o rio, aí faz menos ruído.
  • English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 70. 

• Os invejosos mais sentem os bens alheios que os males proprios.
  • English equivalent: Envy is its own torturer.
  • da Fonseca, José (1848). "356 Emulação, rivalidade, inveja". Diccionario dos synonymos poetico e de epithetos da lingua portugueza. p. 246. 

• Ouro é o que ouro vale.
  • English equivalent: Everything is worth its price.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 33. 

• Ouve, ve, o calla, se queres, vievez em pas.
  • Latin equivalent: Hear, see, be silent, if you wish to live (in peace).
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 82. 

P

• Paciência excede sapiência.
  • With patience you go beyond knowledge.
  • English equivalent: An ounce of patience is worth a pound of brains.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 415. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Pior é ter mau médico que estar enfermo.
  • English equivalent: The remedy is often worse than the disease; Burn not your house to rid it off the mouse.
  • "Action taken to put something right is often more unpleasant or damaging than the original problem."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 232. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. entry 646. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Primeiro a obrigação, depois a devoção.
  • English equivalent: Business before pleasure.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Előbb a munka, aztán a szórakozás.
  • A. Alves, Rubem (1992). O retorno e terno. Papirus Editora. p. 69. ISBN 8530802152. 

Q

• Qual é Maria, tal filha cria.
  • Mary will foster a daughter like herself.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Quando mais apartado, mais desejado.
  • English equivalent: Absence makes the heart grow fonder.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1 E". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 7. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quando o amigo pede não há amanhã.
  • English equivalent: When thy friend asks, let there be no to-morrow.
  • Flonta, Teodor. "1140". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 173–174. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quando o bem te chegar, mete-o em casa.
  • English equivalent: Opportunity knocks only once.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 400. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem conta um conto, acrescenta um ponto.
  • Translation: Who tells a tale adds on a little.
  • English equivalent: A tale never loses in the telling.
  • Gallop, Rodney (1994). Portugal: A Book of Folk-ways (CUP Archive ed.). p. 267. 
  • Variant translation: "he who tells a tale, adds a detail". Leal, Ondina Fachel (1989). The Gauchos. University of California, Berkeley. p. 127. 

• Quem espera, desespera.
  • English equivalent: He that lives on hope will die fasting.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 952. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem está bem, deixa-se estar.
  • English equivalent: Better is the enemy of good.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "669". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. p. 479. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Quem ama o Beltrão, ama seu cão (irmão).
  • He who loves Beltrão, loves his dog (brother).
  • English equivalent: Love me, love my dog.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 953. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem muito fála pouco faz.
  • Big talkers are not big doers.
  • English equivalent: Great talkers are little doers.
  • "Well done is better than well said."
  • Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1737)
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 398–. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quem não pode como quer, queira como pode.
  • English equivalent: Do as you may, if you can't do as you could.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 707. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem se afoga, às palhas se agarra.
  • English equivalent: A drowning man plucks at a straw.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 33. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Quem tem telhado de vidro não atira pedras [no telhado do vizinho]. (Portugal)
• Quem tem telhado de vidro não joga pedra [no telhado do vizinho]. (Brazil)
  • English equivalent: People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.
• "I am not a critic; to me criticism is so often nothing more than the eye garrulously denouncing the shape of the peephole that gives access to hidden treasure."
  • Djuna Barnes, in "The Songs of Synge : The Man Who Shaped His Life as He Shaped His Plays", in New York Morning Telegraph (18 February 1917).
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 91. ISBN 0521796636. 

• Quem muito abarca pouco abraça.
  • He who grasps at too much loses everything.
  • English Equivalent: Grasp all, lose all.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 886. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem não arrisca não petisca.
  • He who doesn't take a chance won't nibble.
  • English Equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: Aki nem játszik, az nem is nyer.
  • Taylor, Martin (1970). A portuguese-english dictionary: revised. University Press. p. 72. ISBN 0804704805. 

• Quem não quer ser lobo não lhe vista a pele.
  • Translation: He who doesn't want to be a wolf shouldn't wear it's hide.
  • If you don't want to be treated like a [something], don't act like one.
  • Alves Pinto, CiÇa. LIVRO DOS PROVERBIOS, DITADOS, DITOS POPULARES E: ANEXINS. Senac. p. 91. ISBN 8573597976. 

• Quem está no convento é que sabe o que lhe vai dentro.
  • Translation: [Only] He who is in the convent knows what goes on inside.
  • English equivalent: No one knows where the shoe pinches, but he who wears it.
  • "Nobody can fully understand another person's hardship or suffering."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 289. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 886. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem boa cama faz nela se deita.
  • Translation: He who makes a good bed sleeps on it.
  • Alternative meaning: You did a good thing, now use it.
  • English Equivalent: As you make your bed, so you must lie in it.
  • Azevedo, Arthur (1983). Teatro de Artur Azevedo, Volym 1. Instituto Nacional de Artes Cênicas. p. 68. 

• Quem quando pode não quer, quando quer não pode.
  • English equivalent: He that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay.
  • "Take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, even if you do not want or need it at the time, because it may no longer be available when you do."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 120. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 41. 

• Quem troca caminhos por atalhos, não lhe faltam trabalhos.
  • English equivalent: He that leaves the highway to cut short, commonly goes about.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1405". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 213. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quem vive à toa não tem tempo para nada.
  • English equivalent: Idle people have the least leisure.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1533 "I"". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 230–231. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quanto mais depressa mais devagar.
  • The faster, the slower.
  • Variation: Quantas mais pressas mais vagares.
  • English equivalent: More speed, less haste.
  • Usage: About things made fast (or in haste) that end up being done slower than usual.
  • Machado, José Pedro (1996). O grande livro dos provérbios. Editorial Notícias. p. 467. ISBN 8574971979. 

• Quando a esmola é demais, até o santo desconfia.
  • When the alms is too large, even a saint will be suspicious.
  • English equivalent: When something seems too good to be true, usually it is.
  • Variation: Quando a esmola é muita, o pobre desconfia.
    • Translation: When the alms is too much, the poor will be suspicious.
  • Variant: Quando a esmola é grande o santo desconfia.
  • Costa, J. J. (2009). A sabedoria dos ditados populares. Butterfly Editora. p. 20. ISBN 858847784X. 

• Quanto mais depressa, mais devagar.
  • English equivalentː More haste less, speed.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "H 1344". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 204. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Quem o pássaro quer tomar, não o há-de enxotar.
  • English equivalent: Deal gently with the bird you mean to catch.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 689. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem segura a enguia pelo rabo e a mulher pela palavra, pode dizer que nada segura.
  • English equivalent: You might as well try to hold an eel by the tail.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 480. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Quem vê cara não vê coração.
  • Translation: He who looks at the face doesn't see the heart.
  • Variant: Quem vê caras não vê corações. (Port.)
  • Translation: He who sees faces doesn't see hearts.
  • Meaning: You can't know what goes inside people by just looking.
  • English Equivalent: You can't tell a book by its cover.
  • Ganho, Ana Sofia; McGovern, Timothy Michael (2004). Using Portuguese: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 91. ISBN 0521796636. 

R

• "Ri melhor quem ri por último."
  • English equivalent: Let those laugh who win.
  • Teodor Flonta (2001). A Dictionary of English and Portuguese Equivalent Proverbs. 

S

• São mais as vozes do que as nozes.
  • English equivalent: Great cry and little wool.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "563". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 89. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Se a barba fosse tudo, podia o bode pregar.
  • English proverbs: If the beard were all, the goat might preach.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001), "145", A Dictionary of English and Portuguese Equivalent Proverbs, p. 17, ISBN 978-1-4661-0740-3 

• Se caçares, não te gabes; se não caçares, não te enfades.
  • English equivalent: If fortune favours, beware of being exalted; if fortune thunders, beware of being overwhelmed.
  • "If a man's fortune does not fit him, it is like the shoe in the story; if too large it trips him up, if too small it pinches him."
  • Horace, Epistles, I. 10. 42. (14 BCE)
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1281". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. II. Routledge. pp. 769–770. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6. 

• Se Maomé não vai à montanha, a montanha vai a Maomé.
  • Translation: If Mohammad won't go to the mountain, the mountain will go to Mohammad.
  • English equivalent: If the mountain will not come to Mohammed, Mohammed must go to the mountain.
  • Meaning: "If you cannot get what you want, you must adapt yourself to the circumstances or adopt a different approach."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 135. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
  • Steinberg (1985). 1001 provérbios em contraste. Nova Alexandria. p. 56. ISBN 8574920452. 

• Se um cego guia outro, ambos cairão no fosso.
  • English equivalent: If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "525". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 43–44. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

• Serve o senhor e saberas o que é dor.
  • English equivalent: A king's favour is no inheritance.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 24. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Sol que muito madruga, pouco dura.
  • English equivalent: Early ripe, early rotten.
  • Meaning: Precocious children will mean much trouble later on.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 758. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Se queres ser bom juiz, ouve o que cada um diz. Ouve a outra parte.
  • English equivalent: Don't hear one and judge two.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "1375 H". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p. 209. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

T

• Tal pai, tal filho.
  • Translation: Such father, such son.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.
  • Meaning: Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). A Dictionary of English and Portuguese: Equivalent Proverbs. Teodor Flonta. p. entry 536. ISBN 1875943218. 

• Tal tronco, tal acha.
  • English equivalent: You must meet roughness with roughness.
  • Example: If someone treats you poorly, you should treat him equally poorly.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 12. ISBN 0415160502. 

• Tarde dar e negar estão a par
  • English equivalent: He gives twice, who gives in a trice.
  • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 38. 

• Tempo e maré, não esperam por ninguém.
  • English equivalent: Time and tide waits for no man.
  • Meaning: "Take, for illustration, the case of the negligent and unreflecting man. He resolves to accomplish a certain important object at some future period; but in the intervening time, some preparatory, though in itself comparatively trifling business, is indispensable. He defers this business; [...] At length the period for accomplishing the ultimate object arrives: but, alas! the prerequisite, so absolutely connected and essential, is neglected And then, vain man!
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 169. 
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 723. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Todos os caminhos levam a Roma.
  • English equivalent: All roads lead to Rome.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2011). "1356, Roads". A Dictionary of English and Portuguese Equivalent Proverbs. p. 194. ISBN 978-1-4661-0740-3. 

• Todos somos filhos de Adão ( e Eva ); só a vida nos differença.
  • English equivalent: We are all descended from Adam.
  • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "10 Adam" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 6. 

U

• Uma ovelha má põe o rebanho a perder.
  • Translation: A bad sheep puts the herd to waste.
  • Meaning: A bad person can influence many others to behave in a bad way.
  • English Equivalent: one bad apple ruins the bunch.
  • Merryman, Montgomery; McGovern, Timothy Michael (1951). Portuguese: a portrait of the language of Brazil. Uniaõ Cultural Brasil-Estados Unidos. p. 118. 

• Um homem prevenido vale por dois.
  • Translation: A forewarned man is worth two (men).
  • English Equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed.
  • See: Homem prevenido vale por dois.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Uma desgraça nunca vem só.
  • Translation: a misfortune never comes alone.
  • English equivalent: Misery loves company.
  • Hungarian Equivalent: A baj nem jár egyedül.
  • A. Abrantes, Sílvio (1994). Códigos Correctores de Erros em Comunicações Digitais. FEUP Edições. p. 243. ISBN 9727521274. 

• Uma maçã podre apodrece um cento.
  • English equivalent: One rotten apple will spoil the whole barrel.
  • Flonta, Teodor (2001). "69 E". A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp. 17–18. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3. 

V

• Vassoura nova varre sempre bem.
  • English equivalent: New brooms sweep clean.
  • Meaning: Newcomers are the most ambitious.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1103. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Vai muito do dizer ao fazer.
  • Translation: There's a long way from saying to doing.
  • English Equivalent: Easier said than done.
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1040. ISBN 0415096243. 

• Vida sem amigo, morte sem castigo.
  • English equivalent: Without friendship life is nothing.
  • "Todd Finkle [in article based on an interview with Warren Buffet] said many comments made a deep impression on him as well, but one he’ll never forget was in response to Finkle’s own question about the most influential people in Warren Buffett’s life. Among those Warren Buffett named was a friend who was a Polish Jew, taken to a World War II concentration camp after an acquaintance reported the friend’s hiding place to the Germans. Warren Buffett said ever since hearing that story, when he would begin friendships, he would ask the question: 'Would this person hide me from the Nazis?' Warren Buffett then went on to say that one of the most important things [if not the most important] was unconditional love. If you can find two or three people who love you unconditionally, you are a lucky person."
  • Warren Buffet, "Day with Warren Buffett enriching to University of Akron students" (2010)
  • John Webster, Westward Ho, Act V, scene 3, line 345.
  • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "1401". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. 

• Voz do povo, voz de Deus.
  • Translation: The people's voice is God's voice.
  • Meaning: You had better heed when many people gather spontaneously about some cause.
  • Meaning: The voices of gossipers in the marketplace are God's own
  • Meaning: what you can hear here and there is unquestionable because everybody is saying it
  • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1164. ISBN 0415096243.