English proverbs (M)

English proverbs (M)

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.

M

• Make a Friend when you don't need One (from Urim)
  • Possible interpretations: Do the task while it is possible. Don't wait until you need help to ask for it.
• Make hay while the sun shines.
• Making a rod for your own back.
• Make the best of a bad bargain.
• A man is known by the company he keeps.
• Man is truly himself when he's alone.
• Man wasn't born to suffer but to carry on.
• A man's home is his castle.
  • William Blackstone refers to this traditional proverb in Commentaries on the Laws of England (1765–1769), Book 4, Chapter 16:
    • And the law of England has so particular and tender a regard to the immunity of a man's house, that it stiles it his castle, and will never suffer it to be violated with immunity: agreeing herein with the sentiments of ancient Rome, as expressed in the works of Tully; quid enim sanctius, quid omni religione munitius, quam domus unusquisque civium?
      • Translation: What more sacred, what more strongly guarded by every holy feeling, than a man's own home?
• Manners maketh the man.
  • From 'Manners makyth man' - the motto of William of Wykeham(1320 - 1404)
• Many a true word is spoken in jest
• Many hands make light work
• Many things are lost for want of asking.
• Many words will not fill a bushel.
  • This Proverb is a severe Taunt upon much Talking. - Divers Proverbs, Nathan Bailey, 1721
• Marriage equals hell and bankruptcy.
• Marry in haste, and repent at leisure.
• Meaner than a junk-yard dog.
• Meaning of life is not meaningful -- Allen Zimama
• Measure twice, cut once.
  • Perform verifying operations that have no cost (measure) before performing an operation that is irreversible and has significant consequences (cut).
• Mind your P's and Q's.
  • British: Mind your manners (origin theories)
• Mirrors do everything we do, but they cannot think for themselves.
• Misery loves company.
  • interpretation: When one person is miserable they tend to act to make others as miserable as themselves.
• Misfortunes never come singly.
• A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile.
  • Meaning: A miss is a miss regardless the distance
• Missing the wood for the trees.
  • Overlooking the more important issue.

• Money can't buy everything, but everything needs money
• Money cannot buy happiness.
• Money for old rope.
  • In the days of wooden-hulled sailing ships, ropes that were worn could be sold for use as caulking (pressed between the planks and often covered with tar to prevent seepage), or as filling for fenders, and so the ship's owner was paid even for old rope.
• The money is burning a hole in my pocket.
• (love of)Money is the root of all evil.
• Money makes the mare go.
• Money makes the world go around.
• Money talks; mine always says, "Good-bye!"
• Money talks.
  • Variant: Money talks, bullshit walks.
  • Related: Talk is cheap.
  • Related: Actions speak louder than words.
  • meaning: It's easy to say you believe something, but people are more likely to risk cash or possessions on something they truly believe.
  • meaning: its time to stop living in the fantasy world, and live in the real world.
• Monkey see, monkey do.
• Morals are for others to follow.
• More haste, less speed.
  • More haste at a task will lead to the task being completed less speedily. As with many English proverbs, it describes consequences rather than giving an order.
• The more things change, the more they stay the same.
  • From the French: Plus ça change, c'est la même chose.
• The more you know, the more you know you don't know.
• The more you study, the more you know. The more you know, the more you forget. The more you forget, the less you know. The less you know the more you study.