Flemish proverbs

Flemish is a regiolect of Dutch spoken in northern Belgium.

A

 * Aanhouden doet gedaan.
 * English equivalent: God is with those who persevere; Persevere and never fear.


 * Appeltje smaakt gemeenlik bomig.
 * English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
 * Meaning: "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

D

 * Die noten woll smaken, die moet ze kraken.
 * English equivalent: He that would eat the kernel must crack the nut.
 * Meaning: "Nothing is achieved without effort."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

E

 * Een blind man schiet somtijds wel een kraai.
 * Translation: A blind man shoots sometimes a crow.
 * English equivalent: Even a blind pig may occasionally pick up an acorn.
 * Meaning: "An incompetent person or an unsystematic approach is bound to succeed every now and then by chance."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

G

 * Gebraden patrijsen komen niemand in de mond.
 * English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
 * Meaning: "One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort."
 * Source for meaning:


 * Gelyken by gelyken .
 * English equivalent: Like will to like.

H

 * Hooge klimmers en diepe zwemmers staen meest kwalyk.
 * English equivalent: The best swimmers often drown.

L

 * Lieve kinderen krygen lieve naemtjes.

M

 * Men moet de huid niet willen verdelen voor dat de beer duud is.
 * English equivalent: Sell not the bear's skin before you have caught him.
 * Meaning: "Do not plan too far ahead and do not be too optimistic. One cannot be sure of the success of a job until it is completed. Unforeseen unfavourable developments can never be excluded."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * Men nyght onder den boom, daermen te bet afheeft.
 * English equivalent: Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water.
 * "People who can put themselves in the place of other people – who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for them."
 * Dale Carnegie, How To Win Friends And Influence People (1934)


 * Met het fluitken gewonnen, met het trommelken verteerd.
 * English equivalent: Easy come, easy go.
 * Meaning: "Things that are easily acquired, especially money, are just as easily lost or spent."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

O

 * Oud zo is duivels zot.

T

 * Twist verguist, eendrecht maakt macht.
 * English equivalent: United we stand, divided we fall; Union is strength.

V

 * Veel hairkens maken eenen borstel.
 * "Many hairs make a brush."
 * English equivalent: Many a mickle makes a muckle.