Old French proverbs

Old French is an archaic form of French spoken from the 8th century to the 14th century.

A

 * A tart manjue qui à autrui escuele s atent .
 * English equivalent: He that waits on another man's trencher, makes many a late dinner.


 * Après la pluye, le biau tans.
 * English equivalent: After rain comes fair weather.

C

 * Cheval bon et trotier d ' esperon n'a mestier.
 * English equivalent: Do not spur a willing horse.

H

 * Fol semble sage quand il se tait.
 * ̽English equivalentː Even a fool when he holdeth his peace is counted wise.

I

 * Il faut se garder du devant d'une femme, du derrière d'une mulle , et d'un moine de tous costez.
 * English equivalent: Take heed of an ox before, an ass behind and a monk on all sides.

Q

 * Qui bien chace bien trueve.
 * English equivalent: Seek and ye shall find.

T

 * Tant cum le jeu est bel l’em le deit lesser.
 * English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.

V

 * Vient jour, vient conseil.

W

 * Wa de hynst krie wol, dy smyt him næ mey.
 * English equivalent: Drumming is not the way to catch a hare.