Provençal proverbs

Proverbs from all Provençal speaking parts of the world.

B

Beat qu dou ben d'autruc fa son aprenissagi.
- Translation: It is easiest to learn from another mans damage.
- English equivalent: Wise men learn by other men's mistakes, fools by their own.
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 619. ISBN 0415096243.

Fa boòn pescar en aiga trobla.
- Translation: It is good fishing in streamy water.
- English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
- Meaning: In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes.
- Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 391. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

Fa de necessitat vertu.
- English equivalent: Make a virtue out of necessity.
- "As Virtue is its own Reward, so Vice is its own Punishment."
- Thomas Fuller, Gnomologia (1732)
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1079. ISBN 0415096243.

Fau copa lou clos pèr avé l'amelo.
- English equivalentː He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.
- Meaning: "Nothing is achieved without effort."
- Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 121. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "784". Dictionary of European proverbs. II (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 680. ISBN 0415096243.

Lou barbié piétadous fâi la vërmënoûzo.
- English equivalent: Mild physician – putrid wounds.
- Meaning: Telling harsh truths constructively (to yourself as well) and stern measures makes for a good figurative and literal cure.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1091. ISBN 0415096243.

L'aiglo non casso i mousco.
- English equivalent: Eagles don't catch flies.
- Meaning: "People of high rank are considered – or consider themselves – too important to deal with trivial things or lowly folk."
- Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 66. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 25 August 2013.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "230". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 216. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6.

L'us dau paire, l'efant l'aprend.
- 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 proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 170. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

Mesura doás fes e copas qu'una.
- English equivalent: Measure thrice, cut once.
- Meaning: One should always act only after due consideration. A hasty action may involve an improper consideration of important aspects.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

Mirgo que n'a qu'un trou est bientôt prise.
- English equivalent: It is a poor mouse that has only one hole.
- Meaning: It is dangerous to always depend on just one thing, because if it fails you, you will not have any alternatives.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 375. ISBN 0415096243.

N'es pas tant pichon lou bouisson, qu'uno fes dou jourt non fasse ombro.
- English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 0415096243.

Parol de vendre la peau davant qu'avec la bestia.
- English equivalent: Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 641. ISBN 0415096243.

Pèr prene un toun, asardo uno meleto.
- Translation: Who wants to win a gander, you need to weigh Drake.
- English equivalent: Set a herring to catch a whale.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1134. ISBN 0415096243.

Podètz pas servir dos mèstres.
- Translation: Nobody can serve two masters.
- English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters.
- Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly.
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

Urós quau es artisan de sa fortuna.
- English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
- Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 388. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

Vaut may istar soulet que mau accompagnat.
- Translation: It is better to be alone than to be in bad company.
- English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
- Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 572. ISBN 0415096243.

Vieillos amours et vieil tizon, promptament ralumas sont.
- English equivalent: Of soup and love the first is the best.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 825. ISBN 0415096243.

Quand lei cats i son pas, lei garris dançan.
- Translation: When the cat is away, the mice dance on the floor.
- English equivalent: When the cat's away, the mice will play.
- Meaning: "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
- Source for meaning and proverbs: Martin H. Manser (2007). "17". The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013.

Quau vai souvent en casso, a la fin tuo la becasso.
- Translation: The turtle who perserveres wins.
- English equivalent: By perseverance the snail reached the arc.
- Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 127. ISBN 0415096243.