Can You Finish These Common Proverbs?

This is an ancient proverb that warns against releasing a sure thing of small value for an unsure thing of perceived greater value. The saying discourages risk-tasking and promotes treasuring current possessions.

It is expected that one follow the customs of the land in which they find themselves. This proverb is particularly relevant to travelers who visit other regions of the world.

If your first plan does not succeed, there is always more than one way to achieve your goal. Other versions of this saying have skinned and choked a cat, or used a dog instead of a cat.

The "golden key" in this phrase is money. With enough money, you can do just about anything. In his sixteenth-century play, "Euphues and His England" English dramatist John Lyly coined the expression in so many words: "And who is so ignorant that knoweth not, gold be a key for euery locke, chieflye with his Ladye."

In olden times, receiving a horse as a gift was a major occurrence, since horses were used as sources of transportation and as tools for tilling crops. The proverb means don't inspect the charity you receive, just be grateful no matter what it is.

The proverb is also presented as "A leopard never changes its spots." This phrase speaks of the fact that innate qualities do not change. Even with the best effort, an individual is highly unlikely to change their character. The proverb also warns of those who pretend to change.

This proverb is similar in meaning to the phrase, "Rules were made to be broken." Usually the ones who set rules in place are those who do not hesitate breaking them. Rules are not as "etched in stone" or straightforward as they may appear.

Someone may ask this of a micromanaging person. Why do something when you are already paying someone else to do it?

The key word in this phrase is "little." Having a small understanding of something may cause an individual to overestimate their abilities, which can cause tremendous injury or harm to themselves and others.

Those who take extraordinary measures to accomplish tasks are usually successful. The phrase was printed in biologist John Ray's 1678 book "A Collection of English Proverbs" as, "The early bird catcheth the worm."

The long-form of the proverb is, "The love of money is the root of all evil." This saying highlights the wickedness that surely erupts as a result of greed. The popular phrase is a misquote of the original, which is found in the sixth chapter of the New Testament book of first Timothy at the tenth verse in the King James Bible: "For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows."

"The customer is always right" is a phrase that emphasizes that customers in a retail scenario often make unreasonable requests concerning goods and services. Merchants employ the adage and accommodate a customer's requests in the name of good customer service.

This phrase considers the integrity of a group in relation to the soundness of its constituents. A union of individuals is only as strong as the weakest individual.

This common proverb is also said, "Let the cat out of the bag" or "Let the cat out of the box," and it pertains to telling secrets or disclosing tricks. The "cat" is often synonymous with a hidden punchline or plot spoiler in theater performances.

Humor is a tool that is often used to code difficult messages or unfortunate news. At the same time, truth and real-life scenarios are often the hallmarks of the most humorous jokes.

Dog's provide humans valuable services, such as companionship, guidance and protection. "Man" in this phrase refers to both male and female human beings, or humanity in general. Western culture highly esteems these animals, so it is no wonder there is a proverb about them.

"A fool and his money are soon parted" is another version of this common phrase. The meaning of this saying is borrowed from the twentieth verse of the twenty-first chapter of the Old Testament book of Proverbs in the King James Bible: "There is treasure to be desired and oil in the dwelling of the wise; but a foolish man spendeth it up."

It's simple instruction that many often overlook. Consider the consequences of actions before taking on those actions. There may be unforeseen circumstances that can potentially spoil plans or cause harm.

Would you rather look like a ripe, juicy blueberry or a crunchy neon-orange-colored Cheeto? This common phrase implies that what you eat not only determines what you look like on the outside, but it's a good indicator of overall health.

The phonetic phrase can be written as "A friend in need is a friend in deed" or "A friend in need is a friend indeed." The first phrase may imply that only a dutiful friend is a person worthy of receiving your help in a time of need. The latter phrase is most commonly used to mean that only in times of need do people show themselves to be friendliest.

The longer version of this common phrase is, "Jack of all trades, master of none, but oftentimes better than master of one." Those who have many talents usually do not refine one particular talent; however, multi-talented individuals are most resourceful.

Said another way, "Good men are a scarcity." The phrase expresses a more modern worry that there is a scarcity of male partners. The proverb does not intimate the measure of a "good man."

A more modern take on this common phrase is "Teamwork makes the dream work." Two people might sort through a problem better and faster than just one individual.

The original phrase comes out of the New Testament book of Mark in the King James Bible, at the third chapter and twenty-fifth verse, which reads, "And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand." In the verse, Jesus is referring to the inevitable destruction that results when there is inner turmoil within a kingdom, or among any group of people, in a more practical sense.

The phrase is from Lord Tennyson's 1850 poem titled "In Memoriam," which reads, "I hold it true, whate'er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; 'Tis better to have loved and lost, Than never to have loved at all." The phrase's modern literal meaning refers to romantic love.

English singer Mary Lloyd made this euphemistic phrase popular in her 1914 song of the same title. The phrase and Lloyd's song suggest that engaging in sex is good for you.

The phrase is also stated, "It never rains but it pours." "Rain" is symbolic of life's problems, and recalls another phrase, "Problems beget more problems.

A more expressive version of the phrase is "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Individuals who criticize what they themselves imitate prove that their criticism is cover for their deep-rooted admiration of what they imitate.

This phrase encourages individuals to never dismiss the value of even a penny and the investment that potentially accrues from saving. The phrase assumes that an individual already has the penny in order to save it, which establishes a comparison between what an individual has and what can be gained elsewhere.

Lord Byron contributed this phrase in his 1824 poem "Don Juan," which states: "Tis strange, - but true; for truth is always strange;%0DStranger than fiction: if it could be told, How much would novels gain by the exchange!"

This common phrase speaks to the meaningfulness of an effective image. A picture can express the ineffable that can't be captured by words.

"Tomorrow is another day" is a reassuring phrase that suggests leaving disappointments and problems in the past. A new day is the promise of solutions, new perspectives and new possibilities.

Tidiness it the basic theme of this common proverb. The phrase also encourages prioritizing thoughts and tasks, and its meaning is similar to another common phrase, "There's a time and a place for everything."

"To travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive" is a slight variation of this common phrase. It is hoped that the experience one gains while arriving at a conclusion is more beneficial than the conclusion itself. The phrase, "The journey is the reward" affirms this idea more succinctly.

The word "stitch" in the phrase symbolizes a remedy to a problem. Immediately addressing a problem prevents more work or more problems later on.