Danish proverbs



Proverbs reflecting conventional wisdom in Denmark.

A

 * Af god begyndelse haabes en god endelse.
 * English: A good beginnings makes a good ending


 * Af to onde Kaar skal man vaelge det bedste.
 * English equivalent: One should choose the lesser of two evils.


 * Alderdom beskytter ikke mod dårskab.
 * English equivalent: Wisdom goes not always by years.


 * Alderen zūres med graa haar, men dyden kroner dem.
 * English equivalent: Gray hairs are honorable.


 * Alder er en ond reisebroder.
 * English equivalent: Age and poverty are ill to bear.


 * Alle Baader hioelpe.
 * English equivalent: Every little helps.
 * "All contributions, however small, are of use."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:
 * Source for proverbs:


 * Alle vide gode Raad, foruden den som i Vaande staaer.
 * "The World is full of fools and faint hearts; and yet every one has courage enough to bear the misfortunes, and wisdom enough to manage the Affairs of his neighbor."
 * Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1743)


 * Alle ville herrer vǽre, ingen ville sǽkken bǽrre
 * English equivalent: There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.


 * Ambolten frygter ikke hammeren.
 * English equivalent: A good anvil does not fear the hammer.


 * Armod og Kiarlighed ere onde at dölge. (Armod og kærlighed er onde at dølge)
 * English equivalent: Poverty and love are bad to hide.


 * Af gammelt jern smedes nye våben.
 * English: From the old comes the new.


 * At malke Bukken.
 * English equivalent: You can't milk a bull.


 * Avindsyg er sin egen Böddel.
 * English equivalent: Envy is its own torturer.

B

 * Bange hjarte vandt aldrig fager mö.
 * English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.


 * Bedre et Æg idag, end en Høne imorgen.
 * English equivalent: Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.


 * Bedre fattig og sund, end rig og syg.
 * English equivalent: Good health is above wealth.


 * Bedre sent end aldrig.
 * English equivalent: Better late than never.
 * "It is better that somebody arrives or something happens later than expected or desired, than not at all."


 * Bedre at bøje end at briste .
 * English equivalent: Better bend than break.
 * "It is better to make some confession, or pay a little deference to others, our neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and especially our superiors, rather than lose our credit or break friendship."


 * Bedre en salt slid over sitt eget bord, end en fersk gedde overet fremmed.
 * English equivalent: Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.


 * Bedre er et Ord for end ti Ord efter.
 * One word beforehand is better than ten afterwards.


 * Bedre er strax at nægte, end længe at love.
 * Better to deny at once, than promise long.
 * Latin equivalent: A prompt refusal has in part the grace of a favour granted.


 * Bedre halvt bröd end Alt mist. 
 * English equivalent: Half a loaf is better than no bread.
 * "'We must be grateful for what we get, even if it is less than we desire."


 * Beder gud dig drage, han får dig vel reb, beder han dig ride.
 * English equivalent: God who gives the wound gives the salve.


 * Ben stiger op, naade stiger ned.
 * English equivalent: Short prayers reach heaven.


 * Betre noget en indet
 * English equivalent: Better something than nothing


 * Blind høne kan også finde korn.
 * English equivalent: A blind hen shall find corn.


 * Bǿden sjelv bǿden steg stynker.
 * English equivalent: Proffered service stinks.


 * Broendt Barn roedes gierne Ilden (Modern Danish: Brændt barn skyr ilden.)
 * English equivalent: Lit: A burnt child dreads the fire. Actual: Those who've had their fingers burned think twice next time"


 * Börn er vis sorg, men uvis gläede.
 * English equivalent: Children are uncertain comforts but certain cares.
 * "Children are bound to cause their parents anxiety, and may or may not also bring them joy."

D

 * Den der har glastag på sitt eget hus må ikke kaste sten på andres.
 * English equivalent: People who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.


 * Den der jager to Harer af een busk, får sjældent nogen af dem.
 * English equivalent: You must not run after two hares at the same time.
 * "Concentrate on one thing at a time or you will achieve nothing. - Trying to do two or more things at a time, when even one on its own needs full effort, means that none of them will be accomplished properly."


 * Den der kommer først till mølle, får først malet.
 * English equivalent: First come, first served.


 * Den der siger A, maa ogsaa siger B.
 * English equivalent: Who says "A" must say "B".


 * Den där ventär på död mands skoe, går länge barfodet.
 * English equivalent: Don't wait for dead mens shoes.


 * Den hund som bieffer meget, han bider ikkun lidet.
 * English equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite.
 * "People who make the most or the loudest threats are the least likely to take action."


 * Den skal have en lang Skee, der vil søbe af Fad med Fanden.
 * English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.


 * Den veed bedst hvor Skoen trykker, som har den pas.
 * English equivalent: No one knows where the shoe pinches, but he who wears it.
 * "Nobody can fully understand another person's hardship or suffering."


 * Dersom Ønsker gialdt, vare vi Alle rige.
 * English equivalent: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.


 * Des mere man klapper katten, des hǿjere hun bærer rumpen.
 * English equivalent: The more you stroke the cat's tail, the more he raises his back.


 * Det bedste er det godes fjende.
 * English equivalent: The good is the enemy of the best.


 * Det er bedre, at vǽre ene, end at have en ond stallbroder.
 * English equivalent: Better be alone than in bad company.
 * Source for proverb:


 * Det er en fattig Roes, man skal laane af Forfædre.
 * Praise borrowed from ancestors is but very sorry praise.
 * "Nationalism is an infantile disease."
 * Albert Einstein


 * Det er en ringe Aarsag (Sag) hvorfor Ulven æder Faaret.
 * English equivalent: The wolf finds a reason for taking the lamb.


 * Det er en slem Fugl som besmitter sin egen Rede.
 * English equivalent: Don't wash your dirty linen in public; It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.


 * Det er godt, at forlade sig på to ankere.
 * English equivalent: Good riding at two anchors, men have told, for if the one fails, the other may hold.


 * Det er ikke godt at holde en ål ved en hale.
 * English equivalent: You might as well try to hold an eel by the tail.


 * Det er ikke saa let gjort, som det er sagt.
 * English equivalent: Easier said than done.


 * Det er intet hår så lidet, der jo haver sin skygge.
 * English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow.


 * Det mål, I måler med, med skal I self få tilmålt.
 * English equivalent: You will be judged by the standards you judge others by (Judge not, that ye be not judged)
 * "Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again." - Matthew 7:1-3 KJV


 * Det saar man ei kan hele, skal man ei rive op.
 * English equivalent: It is not wise to open old wounds.


 * Det sker intet nyt under solen.
 * English equivalent: Nothing is new.


 * Det stille Vand Har den dybe grund.
 * English equivalent: Still waters run deep.


 * Du skal kravle, før du kan gå.
 * English equivalent: Learn to walk before you can run.
 * "It is necessary to learn the basics before progressing to more advanced things."


 * Du skal nog få kärligheden at föle.
 * English equivalent: If you do good, good will be done to you.

E

 * Een fugl i hånden er bedre end ti på taget
 * English equivalent: One bird in hand is worth two in the bush. (Literally: "One bird in hand is better than ten on the roof").


 * Eder og æg er snart brudne.
 * English equivalent: Eggs and oaths are soon broken.


 * Een skalk ska man fange med en anden.
 * English equivalent: Set a thief to catch a thief.


 * Elsk din Nabo men riv ikke Gjerdet ned.
 * English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.


 * En blind hǿne finder også et korn.
 * English equivalent: Even a blind hen sometimes finds a grain of corn.
 * "An incompetent person or an unsystematic approach is bound to succeed every now and then by chance."


 * En hest snubler, og har dog fire ben.
 * English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles.


 * Enhver er sin egen lykkes smed.
 * English equivalent: Every man is the blacksmith of his own happiness.


 * Enhver meneer hans Kobber er Guld.
 * English equivalent: Every man thinks his own geese swans.


 * Ethvert kart må stå på sin egen bund.
 * English equivalent: Every tub must stand on its own bottom.
 * "Government is good at one thing: It knows how to break your legs, hand you a crutch, and say, 'See, if it weren't for the government, you wouldn't be able to walk.' "
 * Harry Browne, "A solution for the Middle East," WorldNetDaily (April 11, 2002

F

 * Friskt (Frit) Mod er halv Tæring.
 * English equivalent: Faith is half the battle.

G

 * Gerrighed er sin egen stedmoder.
 * English equivalent: The covetous man is good to none and worst to himself.


 * Giv skalken et spand, han tager vel heel alen.
 * English equivalent: Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
 * Source:


 * God Viin behøver ingen Krands.
 * English equivalent: Good wine needs no bush.


 * Gud giver alle dem mad, som han giver mund.
 * English equivalent: Each day brings it own bread.


 * Guld nögle lukker alle Döre op uden Himlens.
 * English equivalent: A golden key opens any gate but that of heaven.


 * Gå ikke over åen efter vand.
 * Translation: Don't cross the stream to get water.


 * Gammel kærlighed ruster ikke.
 * English: Literal: Old love never rusts. Actual: Old love never dies.


 * Gud bedre Faarene, naar Ulven er Dommer.
 * English equivalent: He sets the fox to keep his geese.

H

 * Han er så storhjarted, ted han stjynker.
 * English equivalent: Riding the high horse.


 * Han skal have fingre af jern, som fanden vil flaae.
 * English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.


 * Her ligger hunden begravet.
 * English equivalent: To smell a rat.


 * Han skal have meget smör, som skall stope var mans mund.
 * English equivalent: Literal: He must have a lot of butter in order to stop a mans mouth. Actual: Money buys a man's silence.


 * Han vil baade have sin Rumpe varm og sin Vedkast heel.
 * English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it (too).


 * Herregunst, april-veyr, spare-ild, quinde-kier-lighed er ubestandig.
 * English equivalent: A king's favour is no inheritance.


 * Hoo kommer först till mölle, faaer först malet.
 * English equivalent: First come, first served.


 * Hovmod står for fald.
 * English equivalent: Pride comes before fall.


 * Hvad hjælper det at græsset er grønt hvis koen er død.
 * English: Literal: what is the value of green grass if the cow is already dead. Actual: all preliminary efforts may be wasted if you fail to execute in time.
 * (2021) Aagaard, Kent


 * Hvo der vil honning slikke, må ikke ræddes for bier.
 * English equivalent: Honey is sweet, but the bees sting.


 * 'Hvo der skiber Fanden, faaer at føre ham (maa endeligen føre ham frem).
 * English equivalent: Better never begun than never ended; He that takes the devil into the boat must carry him over the sound.


 * Hvo som gjør sig til Faar ædes af Ulven.
 * English equivalent: He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.


 * Hvo som vil gjøre et stort spring, skal gaae vel tilbage.
 * English equivalent: One must step back to take a good leap.

I

 * I mørket er alle katte grå.
 * Literal: All cats are grey in the dark.


 * I rǿrt vand er godt at fiske.
 * English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
 * "In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes."


 * Ikke kan få øje på skoven for bare træer.
 * English equivalent: Can't see the wood for the trees.
 * Harder, T. Mellem to sprog, Museum Tusculanums forlag, K√∏benhavns universitet.


 * Ikke smide barnet ud med badevandet.
 * English equivalent: Don't throw out the baby with the bath water.


 * Ingen er mere döv end den som ikke vill höre.
 * English equivalent: None so deaf as those who will not hear.
 * "The proverb applies to those who will not listen to any argument which is against their creed, no matter how absurd that creed may be. The voice of selfishness drowns the most convincing arguments, yea, the voice of the Almighty himself."


 * Ingen Penge — ingen Ven.

J

 * Jo vedlore Blod, jo mindre Hovmod.
 * English equivalent: Good blood always shows itself.

K

 * Koen skal malkes igennem halsen.
 * English equivalent: It's by the head that the cow gives the milk.


 * Krage søger vel sin mage.
 * English equivalent: Like will to like.
 * "Every man loves well what is like to himself."


 * Købe katten i sækken.
 * English equivalent: Let the buyer have a thousand eyes for the seller wants only one.
 * "What's the news? None, my lord, but that the world's grown honest. Then is doomsday near."
 * William Shakespeare, Hamlet (1600-02), Act II, scene 2, line 240.

L

 * ''Lid ei på en ander, det du solve kan gjøre.
 * English equivalent: For what thou canst do thyself, rely not on another.


 * Lidet er om den mans vrede, som ingen vurder.
 * English equivalent: If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.
 * Source:


 * Lige for Lige.
 * English equivalent: Give and take is fair play.


 * Ligesom die gamle fugle sienge fore, så hvidse de unge efter.
 * The young birds sings like the old birds.
 * Source:


 * Lykken kommer og Lykken gaaer.
 * English equivalent: The wheel of fortune is forever in motion.


 * Läge, hjälp dig selv!
 * English equivalent: Physician, heal thyself!

M

 * Man skal varlig Vennehuus søge.
 * English equivalent: Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom.


 * Mange Fjædre gjøre en Seng.
 * English equivalent: Many a mickle makes a muckle.


 * Mange hug faelder egen.
 * English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.
 * Meaning: A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time.
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:


 * Man fanger flere fluer med en dråbe honning end med en tønde eddike.
 * English equivalent: You can catch more flies with a drop of honey than with a barrel of vinegar.


 * Man må gøre en dyd af nødvendighed.
 * English equivalent: Make a virtue out of necessity.


 * Man må hyle med de ulve man er i blandt.
 * English equivalent: "When in Rome do as the Romans."


 * Man skal længe gaae bag en Vildgaas för man hitter Strudsfieder.
 * You must walk a long while behind a wild goose before you find an ostrich feather.
 * English equivalent: To run the wild goose chase.


 * Man skal smede mens jernet er varmt.
 * English equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot.


 * Mands vilje er mands himmerig.
 * English equivalent: His own desire leads every man.


 * Medens græsset gror, dǿer horsemoer.
 * English equivalent: While the grass grows the steed starves.


 * Mennesket agter, men Gud skifter.
 * English equivalent: Everything in its season.

N

 * Naar Fanden bliver gammel (syg), saa vil være Munk.


 * Naar Legen er bedst, skal man holde op.
 * English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.


 * Naar Nøden er storst, er Hjelpen nærmest.


 * Natten er ingen Mands Ven.


 * Nye koste feje bedst.
 * English equivalent: "New brooms sweep clean."


 * Når man vil slå hunden finder man lätt en kæpp.
 * English equivalent: A stick is easy found to beat a dog.


 * Når den gamle hund gör, skal mn ud at vinduet.
 * English equivalent: An old dog barks not in vain.


 * Nöd kommer gammel Kierling til at trave.
 * English equivalent: Needs must go when the devil drives.

O

 * Om hundred 'aar er alting glomt.
 * English equivalent: It will all be the same a hundred years hence.


 * Ofte er Ulvesind under Faareskind.
 * English equivalent: Beware of false prophets which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly, they are ravening wolves.


 * Ord slår ikke någon ihjäl.
 * English equivalent: Hard words break no bones.
 * "Do not wonder, if the common people speak more truly than those of high rank; for they speak with more safety."
 * Francis Bacon, Exempla Antithetorum, IX. Laus, Existimatio (Pro.)

P

 * "Pels ikke bjørnen før den er skudt."
 * English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.


 * Pris en skön dag om aftenen.
 * English equivalent: Praise the day at dawn.

R

 * Rygtet dræber Manden.
 * English equivalent: Give a dog a bad name and hang him.

S

 * 'Saa længe træder man Ormen paa Halen, at han vender Brodden igien.
 * English equivalent: Tread on a worm and it will turn.


 * Smedens hest og skomagerens kone har altid de dårligaste sko.
 * English equivalent: The cobbler's wife is the worst shod.
 * "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him."


 * Som moderen er, så er datteren.
 * 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."
 * Source for meaning and proverb:


 * Stille vand har den dybe grunde.
 * English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
 * Source for proverb:


 * Store ord gör själdent from gerning.
 * English equivalent: He says the moon is made of cheese.
 * Nous promettons selon nos espérances, et nous tenons selon nos craintes.
 * "We promise according to our hopes; we fulfill according to our fears."
 * François de La Rochefoucauld, Reflections; or Sentences and Moral Maxims (1665–1678)


 * Symtom flyger på, men kryber av.
 * English equivalent: Misfortune comes on horseback and goes away on foot.


 * Säg mig Hven du omgaaes med, og jeg skal sige dig Hvem du er.
 * English equivalent: A man is known by the company he keeps.


 * Sæl er den, der kan see ved anden Mands Skade.


 * "Sæt ikke alt på et kort"
 * English equivalent: Don’t put all the eggs in the same basket.
 * "Spread your risks or investments so that if one enterprise fails you will not lose everything."


 * Söde Ord fylde kun lidt i sakken.
 * English equivalent: Fine words butter no parsnips.


 * Som man reder till, saa ligger man.
 * English equivalent: As you make your bed, so you must lie.
 * "You must put up with the unpleasant results of a foolish action or decision."


 * Sønen slægter gjerne faderen på.
 * English equivalent: Like father, like son.
 * "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:

T

 * Temmelig farlig er bedre end den bedste dom.


 * Tid, ebbe og flod venter ikke på nogen.
 * English equivalent: Time and tide waits for no man.
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * Tid er penge.
 * English equivalent: Time is money.


 * Tomme Kar skratte mest .
 * English equivalent: Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
 * Tro alle vel, men dig selv bedst.
 * Tro alle vel, men dig selv bedst.

V

 * Veien til helvete er brolagt med gode forsetter.
 * English equivalent: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.


 * Vi ere Alle Adams Sønner.
 * English equivalent: We are all descended from Adam.

Æ

 * Æblet falder ikke langt fra stammen.
 * 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."


 * Ærlighed varer længst.
 * English equivalent: Honesty is the best policy.


 * Æt able som är rödt, er ofta råddent indvendigt.
 * English equivalent: A fair face and a foul heart.