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:

F

 * 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:


 * 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)


 * 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:

I

 * 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.

L

 * 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:


 * 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:


 * Lo gòs peis manja lo pichon.
 * Translation: Big fish eat little fish.
 * English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
 * Meaning: "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
 * Source for meaning:

M

 * 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:


 * 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.

N

 * N'es pas tant pichon lou bouisson, qu'uno fes dou jourt non fasse ombro.
 * English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow.

P

 * Parol de vendre la peau davant qu'avec la bestia.
 * English equivalent: Don't sell the skin till you have caught the bear.


 * 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.


 * 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:

U

 * Urós quau es artisan de sa fortuna.
 * English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.

V

 * 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:


 * Vieillos amours et vieil tizon, promptament ralumas sont.
 * English equivalent: Of soup and love the first is the best.

Q

 * 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:


 * 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.