Proverbs reflecting conventional wisdom in Denmark.

A

  • Af god begyndelse haabes en god endelse.
    • English: A good beginnings makes a good ending
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "190". Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p. 185. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. 
  • Alderdom beskytter ikke mod dårskab.
    • English equivalent: Wisdom goes not always by years.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 39. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Alder er en ond reisebroder.
    • English equivalent: Age and poverty are ill to bear.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 177. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Alle Baader hioelpe.
  • 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)
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "239, rathen" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. II. p. 133. 
  • Alle ville herrer vǽre, ingen ville sǽkken bǽrre
    • English equivalent: There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 991. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Ambolten frygter ikke hammeren.
    • English equivalent: A good anvil does not fear the hammer.
    • Høst, A.F. (1843). "A". Danske ordsprog og mundheld. p. 8. 
  • Armod og Kiarlighed ere onde at dölge. (Armod og kærlighed er onde at dølge)
    • English equivalent: Poverty and love are bad to hide.
    • Kelly, Walter Keating (1859). Proverbs of all nations. W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue). p. 50. 
  • Af gammelt jern smedes nye våben.
    • English: From the old comes the new.
  • At malke Bukken.
    • English equivalent: You can't milk a bull.
    • von Duringsfeld, Ida; Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "92" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. II. p. 56. 
  • Avindsyg er sin egen Böddel.
    • English equivalent: Envy is its own torturer.
    • Bohn, Henry George (1857). "A, Danish Proverbs". A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs: Comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations and a General Index. p. 348. 

B

  • Bange hjarte vandt aldrig fager mö.
    • English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 130. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Bedre et Æg idag, end en Høne imorgen.
    • English equivalent: Better an egg today than a hen tomorrow.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "725, heut". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 381. 
  • Bedre fattig og sund, end rig og syg.
    • English equivalent: Good health is above wealth.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto. "588, Gesundheit". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 305. 
  • Bedre sent end aldrig.
  • 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."
    • Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 46. 
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 16. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 754. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Bedre er et Ord for end ti Ord efter.
    • One word beforehand is better than ten afterwards.
    • Bohn, Henry George (1867). "Danish Proverbs". A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs: Comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations and a General Index. p. 350. 
  • 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.
    • Bohn, Henry George (1867). "Danish Proverbs". A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs: Comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations and a General Index. p. 350. 
  • Beder gud dig drage, han får dig vel reb, beder han dig ride.
    • English equivalent: God who gives the wound gives the salve.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 878. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Betre noget en indet
    • English equivalent: Better something than nothing
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 75. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Blind høne kan også finde korn.
    • English equivalent: A blind hen shall find corn.
    • Kjær, Holbek (1969). Ordsprog i Danmark:. J. Paludan. p. 59. 
  • Bǿden sjelv bǿden steg stynker.
    • English equivalent: Proffered service stinks.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1149. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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"
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 2. 
  • 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."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 40. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 2 August 2013. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 654. ISBN 0415096243. 

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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "109". Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. pp. 107–108. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7. 
  • 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."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "X". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. X. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 102. 
  • Den der siger A, maa ogsaa siger B.
    • English equivalent: Who says "A" must say "B".
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1872). "A 1" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. Fries. p. 1. 
  • Den där ventär på död mands skoe, går länge barfodet.
    • English equivalent: Don't wait for dead mens shoes.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 208. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • 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."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 17. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 20 June 2013. 
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 5. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • 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.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida (1875). "440 Teufel" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. II. p. 245. 
  • Den veed bedst hvor Skoen trykker, som har den pas.
  • Dersom Ønsker gialdt, vare vi Alle rige.
    • English equivalent: If wishes were horses, beggars would ride.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "721, Wünsche" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. II. pp. 408–409. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1184. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Det bedste er det godes fjende.
    • English equivalent: The good is the enemy of the best.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "669". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. p. 165. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7. 
  • Det er bedre, at vǽre ene, end at have en ond stallbroder.
    • 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. 
  • 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
    • George Bohn, Henry (1889). "D". A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs: Comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations and a General Index. p. 359. 
  • Det er en ringe Aarsag (Sag) hvorfor Ulven æder Faaret.
    • English equivalent: The wolf finds a reason for taking the lamb.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg, Otto (1875). "682, Wolf" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. II. p. 388. 
  • 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.
    • F. Allen, Maria (2012). The Routledge Portuguese Bilingual Dictionary: Portuguese-English and English-Portuguese. Routledge. p. 439. ISBN 0415434343. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 879. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 480. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Det er ikke saa let gjort, som det er sagt.
    • English equivalent: Easier said than done.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "237, Rathen" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. p. 132. 
  • Det er intet hår så lidet, der jo haver sin skygge.
    • English equivalent: Every hair casts its shadow.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 4. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1219. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Det sker intet nyt under solen.
    • English equivalent: Nothing is new.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1114. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Det stille Vand Har den dybe grund.
    • English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 70. 
  • 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."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 290. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. 
    • Nielsson, Arne (1998). Viljen til sejr 2.0. ArtPeople. ISBN 8771084339. 
  • Du skal nog få kärligheden at föle.
    • English equivalent: If you do good, good will be done to you.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 160. ISBN 0415160502. 

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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 765. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Een skalk ska man fange med en anden.
    • English equivalent: Set a thief to catch a thief.
    • Mrs Mawr, E B (2005). Analogous Proverbs In Ten Languages (reprint ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 74. ISBN 1417964677. 
  • Elsk din Nabo men riv ikke Gjerdet ned.
    • English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.
    • Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "128, Nachbarn" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 74. 
  • 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."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 75. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 36. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • En hest snubler, og har dog fire ben.
    • English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). "208". Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. pp. 57–58. ISBN 978-1-136-78971-7. 
  • Enhver er sin egen lykkes smed.
    • English equivalent: Every man is the blacksmith of his own happiness.
    • Frellsen, Ulla (1995). Enhver er sin egen lykkes smed. Ulla Frellsen. ISBN 8798366610. 
  • 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
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 777. ISBN 0415096243. 

F

  • Friskt (Frit) Mod er halv Tæring.
    • English equivalent: Faith is half the battle.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "114, Muth" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 66. 

G

  • Gerrighed er sin egen stedmoder.
    • English equivalent: The covetous man is good to none and worst to himself.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 83. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Giv skalken et spand, han tager vel heel alen.
    • English equivalent: Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
    • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 240. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • God Viin behøver ingen Krands.
    • English equivalent: Good wine needs no bush.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto. "659, Guter". Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. pp. 343-344. 
  • Gud giver alle dem mad, som han giver mund.
    • English equivalent: Each day brings it own bread.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 757. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Guld nögle lukker alle Döre op uden Himlens.
  • Gå ikke over åen efter vand.
    • Translation: Don't cross the stream to get water.
    • Larsen (2009). Mørke. Books on Demand. p. 85. ISBN 8776914542. 
  • 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.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "693, Wolf" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. p. 395. 

H

  • Han er så storhjarted, ted han stjynker.
    • English equivalent: Riding the high horse.
    • Kok, Johannes (1870). "279 Stolthed, Hovmod, Indbildskhed". Danske Ordsprog og Talemåder fra Sønderjylland: samlede og sammenstillede med gamle og nyere nordiske Ordsprog. p. 26. 
  • Han skal have fingre af jern, som fanden vil flaae.
    • English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.
    • Desroches de Parthenay, Jean Baptiste (1757). "Fingre" (in French). Dictionnaire des proverbes Danois. p. 167. 
  • Her ligger hunden begravet.
    • English equivalent: To smell a rat.
    • Mau, Edvard (1879). "3998". Dansk ordsprogs-skat: eller Ordsprog, Skjaemtesprog, Rimsprog, Mundheld, Talemaader, Tankesprog, samt et lille Udvalg af Bibelsteder, efter trykte og utrykte Kilder samlede og ordnede, tillige med nogle varianter, oplysninger og henvisninger. p. 446. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 331. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Han vil baade have sin Rumpe varm og sin Vedkast heel.
    • English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it (too).
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "545, geben" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. pp. 284-285. 


  • Herregunst, april-veyr, spare-ild, quinde-kier-lighed er ubestandig.
    • English equivalent: A king's favour is no inheritance.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 24. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Hovmod står for fald.
    • English equivalent: Pride comes before fall.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1994). Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p. 1148. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 837. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • '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.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "439, Teufel" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. pp. 244–245. 
  • Hvo som gjør sig til Faar ædes af Ulven.
    • English equivalent: He that makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "70" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p. 39. 
  • Hvo som vil gjøre et stort spring, skal gaae vel tilbage.

I

  • 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."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 391. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • 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.
    • Fransson, Ola (2009). Kunskapsbehov och nya kompetenser: professioner i förhandling. Books on Demand. p. 134. ISBN 9173350133. 
  • Ingen Penge — ingen Ven.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "568,Geld" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 294. 

J

  • Jo vedlore Blod, jo mindre Hovmod.
    • English equivalent: Good blood always shows itself.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 34. 

K

  • Koen skal malkes igennem halsen.
    • English equivalent: It's by the head that the cow gives the milk.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1039. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1101. ISBN 0415096243. 

L

  • Lid ei på en ander, det du solve kan gjøre.
    • English equivalent: For what thou canst do thyself, rely not on another.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 600. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Lidet er om den mans vrede, som ingen vurder.
    • English equivalent: If you cannot bite, never show your teeth.
    • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Lige for Lige.
    • English equivalent: Give and take is fair play.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "6̟03, Gleiches" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 313-314. 
  • Ligesom die gamle fugle sienge fore, så hvidse de unge efter.
    • The young birds sings like the old birds.
    • Source: Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 138. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Lykken kommer og Lykken gaaer.
    • English equivalent: The wheel of fortune is forever in motion.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "611, Glücksrad" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 318. 
  • Läge, hjälp dig selv!
    • English equivalent: Physician, heal thyself!
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1142. ISBN 0415096243. 

M

  • Man skal varlig Vennehuus søge.
    • English equivalent: Friends are lost by calling often and calling seldom.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "508, Freunde" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 262. 
  • Mange Fjædre gjøre en Seng.
    • English equivalent: Many a mickle makes a muckle.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "540, Viel" (in German). X. I. p. 299. 
  • 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: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • 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.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 100. 
  • Man må gøre en dyd af nødvendighed.
    • English equivalent: Make a virtue out of necessity.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1079. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Man må hyle med de ulve man er i blandt.
    • English equivalent: "When in Rome do as the Romans."
    • Himmelstrup (2000). Den udødelige soldat og jeg: Ib Michael og hans forfatterskab. Museum Tusculanum forlag. p. 29. ISBN 8772896337. 
  • 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.
    • Bohn, Henry George (1857). "Danish proverbs". A Polyglot of Foreign Proverbs: Comprising French, Italian, German, Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese, and Danish, with English Translations and a General Index. p. 389. 
  • Man skal smede mens jernet er varmt.
    • English equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot.
    • Hofmann (2011). Hvorfor lugter mine egne prutter bedst. Politiken. ISBN 8740002322. 
  • Mands vilje er mands himmerig.
    • English equivalent: His own desire leads every man.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 977. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Medens græsset gror, dǿer horsemoer.
    • English equivalent: While the grass grows the steed starves.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1228. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Mennesket agter, men Gud skifter.
    • English equivalent: Everything in its season.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 103. ISBN 0415160502. 

N

  • Naar Fanden bliver gammel (syg), saa vil være Munk.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "Teufel, 436" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen sprachen vergleichend, zusammengestellt. II. p. 243. 
  • Naar Legen er bedst, skal man holde op.
    • English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "122, aufhören" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p. 59-60. 
  • Naar Nøden er storst, er Hjelpen nærmest.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "197, Noth" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. Fries. pp. 109–. 
  • Natten er ingen Mands Ven.
    • von Duringsfeld; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld (1875). "135, Nach" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von Ida von Duringsfeld und Otto Freihern von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p. 76. 
  • Nye koste feje bedst.
    • English equivalent: "New brooms sweep clean."
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1103. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Når man vil slå hunden finder man lätt en kæpp.
    • English equivalent: A stick is easy found to beat a dog.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 104. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Når den gamle hund gör, skal mn ud at vinduet.
    • English equivalent: An old dog barks not in vain.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 55. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Nöd kommer gammel Kierling til at trave.
    • English equivalent: Needs must go when the devil drives.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 60. 

O

  • Om hundred 'aar er alting glomt.
    • English equivalent: It will all be the same a hundred years hence.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 48. 
  • 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.
    • Mrs Mawr, E B (2005). Analogous Proverbs In Ten Languages (reprint ed.). Kessinger Publishing. p. 8. ISBN 1417964677. 
  • 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.)
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 17. ISBN 0415160502. 

P

  • "Pels ikke bjørnen før den er skudt."
    • English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
    • skovforening (1926). Dansk Skovforenings tidsskrift. Dansk Skovforening.. p. 110. 
  • Pris en skön dag om aftenen.
    • English equivalent: Praise the day at dawn.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 200. ISBN 0415160502. 

R

  • Rygtet dræber Manden.
    • English equivalent: Give a dog a bad name and hang him.
    • von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto (1875). "578, Gerücht" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 300. 

S

  • 'Saa længe træder man Ormen paa Halen, at han vender Brodden igien.
    • English equivalent: Tread on a worm and it will turn.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "477, tritt" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. II. p. 266. 
  • 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."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "7". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 65. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • 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: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Stille vand har den dybe grunde.
    • English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
    • Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 598. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • 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)
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 92. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Symtom flyger på, men kryber av.
    • English equivalent: Misfortune comes on horseback and goes away on foot.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 65. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Säg mig Hven du omgaaes med, og jeg skal sige dig Hvem du er.
  • Sæl er den, der kan see ved anden Mands Skade.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; Freiherr von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "288, Schaden" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen sprachen vergleichend, zusammengestellt. II. p. 163. 
  • "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."
    • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 63. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 18 August 2013. 
  • Söde Ord fylde kun lidt i sakken.
    • English equivalent: Fine words butter no parsnips.
    • Mawr, E.B. (1885). Analogous Proverbs in Ten Languages. p. 31. 
  • 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: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

T

  • Temmelig farlig er bedre end den bedste dom.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 68. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Tid, ebbe og flod venter ikke på nogen.
    • English equivalent: Time and tide waits for no man.
    • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Porter, William Henry (1845). Proverbs: Arranged in Alphabetical Order .... Munroe and Company. p. 169. 
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 723. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Tid er penge.
    • English equivalent: Time is money.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 1008. ISBN 0415096243. 
  • Tomme Kar skratte mest .
    • English equivalent: Empty vessels make the greatest sound.
    • von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida Freifrau; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto Freiherr (1875). "22". Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. p. 11. 
  • Tro alle vel, men dig selv bedst.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1994). Dictionary of European proverbs (Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p. 699. ISBN 0415096243. 

V

  • Veien til helvete er brolagt med gode forsetter.
    • English equivalent: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
    • Strauss, Emmanuel (1998). Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p. 257. ISBN 0415160502. 
  • Vi ere Alle Adams Sønner.
    • English equivalent: We are all descended from Adam.
    • von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto (1875). "10 Adam" (in German). Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen. I. p. 6. 

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."
    • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 
  • Ærlighed varer længst.
    • English equivalent: Honesty is the best policy.
    • Oehlenschläger (1813). Ærlighed varer længst: idyl. 
  • Æt able som är rödt, er ofta råddent indvendigt.
    • English equivalent: A fair face and a foul heart.
    • Strauss, Emanuel (1998). Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs (Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p. 34. ISBN 0415160502. 

See Also

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