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French Proverbs
French proverbs offer insight into French culture, history, and society, and are often used in speech and writing. There is no substitute for knowing them, and if you can use them in yourself, so much the better. Below are all the standard proverbs used in French, along with English translations and explanations. Use the Search Box at left if you cant't navigate your way to what you want.
A B C D E F G H I J L M N O P Q R S T U V
n’éveillez pas le chat qui dort
let sleeping dogs lie
(lit.: do not awaken the sleeping cat)
ne fait pas à autrui ce que tu ne voudrais pas qu’on te fit
do not do to others what you would not have them do to you
(n.b.: the Golden Rule in negative, and as a result much more logical, form)
nécessité fait loi
necessity knows no law
(lit.: necessity makes [its own] laws)
Noël au balcon, Pâques aux tisons
a warm Christmas spells cold weather for Easter
(lit.: Christmas on the balcony, Easter by the embers [in a fireplace])
nul n’est prophète en son pays
no man is a prophet in his own country
(lit.: none is a prophet in his own country)