English proverbs (F)

English proverbs (F)

Proverbs are popularly defined as short expressions of popular wisdom. Efforts to improve on the popular definition have not led to a more precise definition. The wisdom is in the form of a general observation about the world or a bit of advice, sometimes more nearly an attitude toward a situation.

F

• Failure is not falling down, you fail when you don't get back up.
• Failure is the first step to success.
• Failure is the stepping stone for success.
  • Failing will make you more determined to succeed the next time you try, or make you put in more effort to get something right with successive attempts.
• Faint heart ne'er won fair lady.
  • Meaning: Not speaking up or taking action to achieve things (in this case, fall in love) will never get you anywhere (or, help you fall in love).
• Fall down seven times, stand up eight.
  • Definition: Fail seven times, and succeed the eighth. (Keep trying and you will succeed.)
  • Translation of the Japanese proverb "Nana korobi ya oki", often associated with Daruma figurines.
• Falling down does not signify failure but staying there does.
  • Letting failing/falling is not failure in itself, but letting it get you down or stop trying is.
• Familiarity breeds contempt.
  • Long experience of someone or something can make one so aware of the faults as to be scornful.
• Fifty percent of something is better than one hundred percent of nothing.
• Fine feathers make fine birds.
• Fine words butter no parsnips.
  • Alternative: Actions speak louder than words.
• Fingers were invented before knives and forks.
• First come, first served.
• First deserve, then desire.
• The first step to health is to know that we are sick.
• First things first.
  • Meaning: Do more important things before other things.
• A fool and his money are soon parted.
• Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.
  • Meaning: To make the same mistake over again is your own fault.
• Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.
  • Alexander Pope, "An Essay on Criticism"
• For want of a nail the shoe is lost, for want of a shoe the horse is lost, for want of a horse the rider is lost.
  • Proverb reported by George Herbert, Jacula Prudentum (1651)
    
• Forewarned is forearmed.
  • If one is told about an event beforehand, they can (adequately) prepare.
• Forgive, but don't forget.
  • Let things/issues go or pass, but don't forget what they were, why they happened, other consequences, etc. Can lead to knowledge about not repeating the same mistake.
• Fortune favours the brave.
• A fox smells its own lair first. Or: A fox smells its own stink first.
  • Meaning: One knows where they belong, and knows when they make a mistake.
• Fretting cares make grey hairs.
• A friend in need is a friend indeed.
  • Meaning: A genuine friend is with you even in times of trouble.
• From those to whom much is given, much is expected.
  • Biblical quote Luke 12:48