Have you been struggling lately? Are you in need of uplifting yet deep words of inspiration? If that may be the case, then let these 330 inspirational proverbs guide your way to better days ahead.
Inspirational Proverbs
1. A good beginning makes a good ending. – English Proverb
2. The early bird catches the worm – English Proverb
3. Into every life a little rain must fall. – English Proverb
4. Slow but sure. – English Proverb
5. A stumble may prevent a fall. – English Proverb
6. To every thing there is a season. – English Proverb
7. Practice makes perfect – English Proverb
8. Life is what you make it. – English Proverb
9. All good things come to he who waits. – English Proverb
10. Where there’s a will there’s a way. – English Proverb
11. You never know what you can do until you try. – English Proverb
12. Success has many fathers, while failure is an orphan. – English Proverb
13. Don’t try to run before you can walk. – English Proverb
14. It’s never too late to mend. – English Proverb
15. Patience wears away stones. – English Proverb
16. All happiness is in the mind. – English Proverb
17. Slow and steady wins the race. – English Proverb
18. Action is the proper fruit of knowledge. – English Proverb
19. There are no shortcuts to the top of the palm tree. – Cameroonian Proverb
20. One camel does not make fun of the other camel’s hump. – Ghanaian Proverb
21. The laughter of a child lights up the house. – Swahili Proverb
22. The sun never sets without fresh news. – Xhosa Proverb
23. Rising early makes the road short. – African Proverb
24. The elephant does not limp when walking on thorns. – Ethiopian Proverb
25. He who does not seize opportunity today, will be unable to seize tomorrow’s opportunity. – Somali Proverb
26. You cannot climb to the mountain top without crushing some weeds with your feet – Ugandan Proverb
27. When the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly. – Buganda People of Uganda
28. If you are building a house and a nail breaks, do you stop building, or do you change the nail? – African Proverb
29. One whose seeds have not sprouted does not give up planting. – Kenyan Proverb
30. Prepare now for the solutions of tomorrow. – Congolese Proverb
31. If there is no wind, row. – Latin Proverb
32. Be humble for you are made of earth.
Be noble for you are made of stars.
– Serbian Proverb
33. If you want happiness for an hour, take a nap.
If you want happiness for a day, go fishing.
If you want happiness for a year, inherit a fortune.
If you want happiness for a lifetime, help somebody.
– Chinese Proverb
34. Be generous and you will be prosperous. Help others, and you will be helped. – The Bible, Proverbs 11:25
35. Fall seven times, stand up eight. – Japanese Proverb
36. Fear less, hope more;
Whine less, breathe more;
Talk less, say more;
Hate less, love more;
And all good things are yours.
– Swedish Proverb
37. Great souls have wills, feeble ones have only wishes. – Chinese Proverb
38. If there is light in the soul,
there will be beauty in the person.
If there is beauty in the person,
there will be harmony in the house.
If there is harmony in the house,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
– Chinese Proverb
39. If the sun claims that it has power over the moon, let it shine in the night – African Proverb
40. Kind words can conquer. – Tamil Proverb
41. A small key can open big doors. – Kurdish Proverb
42. A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day. – Danish Proverb
43. Take time to enjoy life’s roses. – New Zealander Proverb
44. He who possesses knowledge possesses the world. – Uzbek Proverb
45. Little by little, the bird builds its nest. – Haitian Proverb
46. Little by little, a person can get very far. – Peruvian Proverb
47. When a twig grows hard it is difficult to twist it. Every beginning is weak. – Irish Proverb
48. Continual cheerfulness is a sign of wisdom. – Irish Proverb
49. The work praises the man. – Irish Proverb
50. Better to be fortunate than rich. – Irish Proverb
51. Better to be fortunate than rich. – Irish Proverb
52. The light heart lives long. – Irish Proverb
53. God’s help is nearer than the door. – Irish Proverb
54. There is no luck except where there is discipline. – Irish Proverb
55. The longest road out is the shortest road home. – Irish Proverb
56. If God sends you down a stony path, may he give you strong shoes. – Irish Proverb
57. Do not resent growing old. Many are denied the privilege. – Irish Proverb
58. Patience is a poultice for all wounds. – Irish Proverb
59. Face the sun, but turn your back to the storm. – Irish Proverb
60. Bend with the tree that will bend with you. – Irish Proverb
61. Look before you leap. – Irish Proverb
62. Enough is a feast. – Irish Proverb
63. He is rich enough who owes nothing. – French Proverb
64. All is well that ends well. – French Proverb
65. He who starts well is half way done. – Italian Proverb
66. A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. – Italian Proverb
67. He who finds a friend, finds a treasure. – Italian Proverb
68. You can know ten things by learning one. – Japanese Proverb
69. Adversity is the foundation of virtue. – Japanese Proverb
70. Let what is past flow away downstream. – Japanese Proverb
71. Everyone makes mistakes. That’s why there is an eraser on every pencil. – Japanese Proverb
72. One who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger. – Japanese Proverb
73. To endure what is unendurable is true endurance. – Japanese Proverb
74. The heart is the most essential human quality. – Japanese Proverb
75. One moment is worth more than a thousand gold pieces. – Korean Proverb
76. All things are difficult before they are easy. – Chinese Proverb
77. Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. – Chinese Proverb
78. If you always give, you will always have. – Chinese Proverb
79. The more you sweat in practice, the less you bleed in battle. – Chinese Proverb
80. When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills. – Chinese Proverb
81. A path is formed by walking.
82. A wise man adapts himself to circumstances, as water shapes itself to the vessel that contains it.
83. Every cloud has a silver lining. – Spanish Proverb
84. Great things often come from small beginnings. – Finnish Proverb
85. Happy is he that is content.
86. If you are facing in the right direction, all you have to do is keep on walking.
87. It’s never too late to learn.
88. It takes all sorts to make a world.
89. Just think of the trees; they let the birds perch and fly, with no intention to call them when they come, and no longing for their return when they fly away.
90. Keep a green tree in your heart and perhaps a singing bird will come.
91. Live today, for tomorrow it will all be history.
92. Love will find a way.
93. One joy scatters a hundred griefs.
94. Shared joy is a double joy.
Shared sorrow is half a sorrow.
95. The best things in life are free.
96. The darkest hour is just before dawn.
97. The journey is the reward.
98. The older the fiddler, the sweeter the tune.
99. When one door closes… another one opens.
100. Those who wish to sing.. always find a song.
101. Success is a ladder you cannot climb with your hands in your pockets. – American Proverb
102. Failure is the foundation of success; if one plan doesn’t work, change the plan but never the goal. – Chinese Proverb
103. When I want to think, I sit. When I want to change, I act. – Japanese Proverb
104. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. – Chinese Proverb
105. A patient person never misses a thing. – Swahili Proverb
106. A rolling stone gathers no moss. – English Proverb
107. Drop by drop, a lake becomes. – Bulgarian Proverb
108. No cliff is so tall it cannot be climbed. – Hawaiian Proverb
109. There is no shame in not knowing; the shame lies in not finding out. – Russian Proverb
110. If you can’t live longer, live deeper. – Italian Proverb
111. Begin to weave and God will give the thread. – German Proverb
112. If you can walk you can dance. If you can talk you can sing. – Zimbabwe Proverb
113. The best candle is understanding. – Welsh Proverb
114. Where love reigns, the impossible may be attained. – Indian Proverb
115. Still waters run deep. – Latin Proverb
116. The night rinses what the day has soaped. – Swiss Proverb
117. A beautiful thing is never perfect. – Egyptian Proverb
118. When the sun rises, it rises for everyone. – Cuban Proverb
119. Unity is power. – Arabic Proverb
120. Don’t worry about eggs that haven’t been laid yet. – German Proverb
121. Failure makes smart. – German Proverb
122. Starting is easy, persistence is an art. – German Proverb
123. Wisdom does not come overnight. – Somali Proverb
124. Those who have saved one life, have saved the entire world. – Tibetan Proverb
125. The area covered by your life is not as important as what you can build on it. – Swahili Proverb
126. A gentle word opens an iron gate. – Bulgarian Proverb
127. The person who trusts is happy; the person who doubts is wise. – Hungarian Proverb
128. There’s more to dancing than a pair of nice shoes. – Icelandic Proverb
129. The strength of a tree lies in its roots – not in its branches. – Dutch Proverb
130. The soul would have no rainbow if the eye had no tears. – Native American Proverb
131. Tell me and I’ll forget. Show me and I may not remember. Involve me and I’ll understand. – Native American Proverb
132. Speak truth in humility to all people. Only then can you be a true man. – Native American Proverb
133. When we show our respect for other living things, they respond with respect for us. – Native American Proverb
134. Morning makes the day. – Sicilian Proverb
135. Love and faith are seen in works. – Spanish Proverb
136. Every season brings its joy. – Spanish Proverb
137. Venture all; see what fate brings. – Vietnamese Proverb
138. Fortune favours the brave. – Vietnamese Proverb
139. Good actions are never lost. – Turkish Proverb
140. Wish well, be well. – Turkish Proverb
141. Live today, forget the past. – Greek Proverb
142. A gift, though small, is welcome. – Greek Proverb
143. Kindness begets kindness. Greek Proverb
144. Castles were built a stone at a time. – Irish Proverb
145. May you get all your wishes but one, so you always have something to strive for. – Irish Proverb
146. A gem is not polished without rubbing, nor a man perfected without trials. – Chinese Proverb
147. He who depends on himself will attain the greatest happiness. – Chinese Proverb
148. A friend in need is a friend indeed. – Chinese Proverb
149. Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. – Chinese Proverb
150. A diamond with a flaw is better than a common stone that is perfect. – Chinese Proverb
151. A healthy man is a successful man. – French Proverb
152. Bear with evil and expect good. – French Proverb
153. Give time time. – Italian Proverb
154. Better give a penny then lend twenty. – Italian Proverb
155. A good retreat is better than a bad stand. – Irish Proverb
156. There is light at the end of the tunnel. – Irish Proverb
157. Every road has two directions. – Russian Proverb
158. Praise loudly, blame softly. – Russian Proverb
159. Take time to smell the roses. – Russian Proverb
160. Every seed knows its time. – Russian Proverb
161. To the grateful man give more than he asks. – Spanish Proverb
162. Home is where the heart is. – Spanish Proverb
163. Abundance is from activity. – Turkish Proverb
164. Tomorrow is another day. – Turkish Proverb
165. Without perseverance talent is a barren bed. – Welsh Proverb
166. Your hand is never the worse for doing its own work. – Welsh Proverb
167. Conscience is the nest where all good is hatched. – Welsh Proverb
168. The smoothest way is full of stones. – Yiddish Proverb
169. The truly rich are those who enjoy what they have. – Yiddish Proverb
170. Confidence is half of victory. – Yiddish Proverb
171. The longer the night lasts, the more our dreams will be. – Chinese Proverb
172. Nothing is impossible for a willing heart. – French Proverb
173. God gives to those who get up early. – Russian Proverb
174. You need a sharp axe for a tough bough. – Russian Proverb
175. If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again. – American Proverb
176. The first step is always the hardest. – American Proverb
177. It’s better to keep what little you have, than to risk it for something more. – American Proverb
178. He conquers who conquers himself. – Latin Proverb
179. While I breathe, I hope. – Latin Proverb
180. He who dares wins. – Latin Proverb
181. Certain things catch your eye, but pursue only those that capture the heart. – Ancient Indian Proverb
182. A harvest of peace grows from seeds of contentment. – Indian Proverb
183. Yesterday is but a dream, tomorrow but a vision – Indian Proverb
184. No one was ever lost on a straight road. – Indian Proverb
185. To long for everything: sorrow; to accept everything: joy. – Indian Proverb
186. Where there is sunshine, there is also shade. – Indian Proverb
187. It is a greater gift to give than to receive. – Indian Proverb
188. If not today — when? – Indian Proverb
189. Goodness reaches further than badness. – Indian Proverb
190. Service is greatness. – Indian Proverb
191. The key to all things is determination. – Arabic Proverb
192. Movement is a blessing. – Arabic Proverb
193. The purest people are the ones with good manners. – Arabic Proverb
194. If you reach for the highest of ideals, you shouldn’t settle for less than the stars. – Arabic Proverb
195. If you can’t reward then you should thank. – Arabic Proverb
196. Anyone who keeps the ability to see beauty never grows old. – Austrian Proverb
197. A light is still a light — even though the blind man cannot see it. – Austrian Proverb
198. Imitate the sundial’s ways, count only the pleasant days. – Austrian Proverb
199. One door is shut, but a thousand are open. – Argentine Proverb
200. A man who develops himself is born twice. – Argentine Proverb
201. Experience is the comb that nature gives us when we are bald. – Belgian Proverb
202. We have quite enough to do weeding our own garden. – Belgian Proverb
203. An old man with a torn sleeve never dishonored anyone. – Brazilian Proverb
204. One who does not look ahead remains behind. – Brazilian Proverb
205. Goodwill makes the road shorter. – Brazilian Proverb
206. If you are patient in a moment of anger, you will spare yourself one hundred days of tears. – Cambodian Proverb
207. Cultivate a heart of love that knows no anger. – Cambodian Proverb
208. The boat sails by, the shore remains. – Cambodian Proverb
209. A good horse has many faults; a bad one has hardly any. – Croatian Proverb
210. Much more than you have sown will grow in your garden. – Croatian Proverb
211. God’s mills mill slowly, but surely. – Czech Proverb
212. You will get furthest with honesty. – Czech Proverb
213. Don’t extinguish something that does not burn you. – Czech Proverb
214. Early bird hops further. – Czech Proverb
215. He who saves shall have as much as three. – Czech Proverb
216. He who waits shall live to see. – Czech Proverb
217. The Lord will drench you with His showers, but he will dry you with His sun. – Czech Proverb
218. When in need, you shall know a friend. – Czech Proverb
219. Consider each day of your life to be the best. – Czech Proverb
220. Warm food, warm friendships. – Czech Proverb
221. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. – Danish Proverb
222. No one is so tall that he never needs to stretch, and no one is so short that he never needs to stoop. – Danish Proverb
223. He knows the water best who has waded through it. – Danish Proverb
224. Care, and not fine stables, make a good horse. – Danish Proverb
225. He must stand high that would see the end of his own destiny. – Danish Proverb
226. Age may wrinkle the face, but lack of enthusiasm wrinkles the soul. – Danish Proverb
227. A royal heart is often hid under a tattered cloak. – Danish Proverb
228. A friend’s faults may be notices, but not blamed. – Danish Proverb
229. God help the sheep when the wolf is judge. – Danish Proverb
230. Better suffer for truth, than prosper by falsehood. – Danish Proverb
231. Better is the branch that bends, than the branch that breaks. – Danish Proverb
232. A small fire that warms you, is better than a large one that burns you. – Danish Proverb
233. Better to ask twice than to lose your way once. – Danish Proverb
234. Act so in the valley, that you need not fear those who stand on the hill. – Danish Proverb
235. He that desires but little has no need of much. – Danish Proverb
236. Deceit is in haste, but honesty can wait a fair leisure. – Danish Proverb
237. As the virtue in the tree, such is the fruit. – Danish Proverb
238. A large fire often comes from a small spark. – Danish Proverb
239. He that bears the cross, blesses himself first. – Danish Proverb
240. He who would leap far must first take a long run. – Danish Proverb
241. Whilst doing one learns. – Dutch Proverb
242. Better to lose the anchor than the whole ship. – Dutch Proverb
243. Not shooting means always missing. – Dutch Proverb
244. After rain comes fair weather. – Dutch Proverb
245. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. – Dutch Proverb
246. Men can bear all things except good days. – Dutch Proverb
247. One should do nothing with a false heart. – Egyptian Proverb
248. Who has not done any evil act, his or her heart may be found right. – Egyptian Proverb
249. For the benefit of the flowers, we water the thorns, too. – Egyptian Proverb
250. A small house can lodge a hundred friends. – Egyptian Proverb
251. He who rows goes far. – Estonian Proverb
252. Who works in sweat will eat with appetite. – Estonian Proverb
253. Who does not jump into water will not learn to swim. – Estonian Proverb
254. Who shares is a king. – Estonian Proverb
255. You shall have the good that you bring. – Estonian Proverb
256. He who seeks shall find. – Estonian Proverb
257. Who is good will be rewarded. – Estonian Proverb
258. Who suffers will have no regrets. – Estonian Proverb
259. Who works hard will feel no hunger. – Estonian Proverb
260. A man who has learned much is rich. – Estonian Proverb
261. One who runs alone cannot be outrun. – Ethiopian Proverb
262. Whether it rains or stops raining, the lentils have two eyes. – Ethiopian Proverb
263. The sky is so close for him who sits. – Ethiopian Proverb
264. You are like dew even before it rains. – Ethiopian Proverb
265. A good name is better than good perfume. – Ethiopian Proverb
266. Eat when the food is ready; speak when the time is right. – Ethiopian Proverb
267. When one is prepared, difficulties do not come. – Ethiopian Proverb
268. Anticipate the good so that you may enjoy it. – Ethiopian Proverb
269. No one knows what the dawn will bring. – Ethiopian Proverb
270. Beauty will fade, but not goodness. – Filipino Proverb
271. Boldness is the fruit of hope. – Filipino Proverb
272. While the blanket is short, learn to bend. – Filipino Proverb
273. Life is like a wheel, sometimes at the top, sometimes at the bottom. – Filipino Proverb
274. He who gives alms to the poor faces heaven. – Filipino Proverb
275. If you plant, you harvest. – Filipino Proverb
276. When a man remembers the land, the land remembers him. – Finnish Proverb
277. Happiness is a place between too little and too much. – Finnish Proverb
278. Life is uncertain so eat your desert first. – Finnish Proverb
279. A new day shows a new way. – Finnish Proverb
280. Express yourself earnestly, and you have no reason for shame even if you lack talent. – Finnish Proverb
281. Never underestimate a quiet person, for he may have qualities that belie his quiet nature. – Indonesian Proverb
282. Diligence is the beginning of brilliance. – Indonesian Proverb
283. The firm tree does not fear the storm. – Indonesian Proverb
284. Goodness shouts. Evil whispers. – Indonesian Proverb
285. Don’t sell the sun to buy a candle. – Jewish Proverb
286. Even the most expensive clock still shows sixty minutes in every hour. – Jewish Proverb
287. Charity is the spice of riches. – Jewish Proverb
288. God is closest to those with broken hearts. – Jewish Proverb
289. It is heavy to carry, but you cannot throw it away. – Jewish Proverb
290. If you pray for another, you will be helped yourself. – Jewish Proverb
291. You know, you teach. You do not know, you learn. – Laotian Proverb
292. If you like to have things easy, you’ll have difficulties; if you like problems, you will succeed. – Laotian Proverb
293. As long as you live, you learn. – Latvian Proverb
294. Every man forges his own destiny. – Latvian Proverb
295. Sleep on a bed of silver and dream of gold. – Lithuanian Proverb
296. Without pains no gains. – Lithuanian Proverb
297. One who sits by the well will never go thirsty. – Malay Proverb
298. If you have, give; if you lack, seek. – Malay Proverb
299. Do not measure another man’s coat on your body. – Malay Proverb
300. The more sorrow one encounters, the more joy one can contain. – Malay Proverb
301. In youth we learn, in old age we understand. – Mexican Proverb
302. The good judge starts at home. – Mexican Proverb
303. Let him attack who will; the strong wait. – Mexican Proverb
304. Necessity is mother of every invention. – Mexican Proverb
305. If you’re going to rest under the sun, it’s better to keep walking. – Mexican Proverb
306. Truth suffers but never perishes. – Mexican Proverb
307. Hope dies last of all. – Mexican Proverb
308. Walk your own road and bear your own load. – Mexican Proverb
309. There’s no worse struggle than one that never begins. – Mexican Proverb
310. Better alone unattached than unsuitably matched. – Mexican Proverb
311. If you want to build high, you must dig deep. – Mongolian Proverb
312. Do not start if afraid, once begun do not be afraid. – Mongolian Proverb
313. If you endeavour, the fate will favour you. – Mongolian Proverb
314. Don’t look for bad things in the good that you do. – Mongolian Proverb
315. Even foul water will quench fire. – Mongolian Proverb
316. A bird does not change its feathers because the weather is bad. – Nigerian Proverb
317. The man who is honored, has first honored himself. – Nigerian Proverb
318. Courage is the father of success. – Nigerian Proverb
319. Thoughts and dreams are the foundation of our being. – Nigerian Proverb
320. It is not only the hare, the tortoise arrives also at the destination. – Nigerian Proverb
321. Every little helps. – Traditional Proverb
322. A year of snow, a year of plenty. – Traditional Proverb
323. Add life to your years, don’t worry about adding years to your life. – Traditional Proverb
324. Act as though it is impossible to fail. – Traditional Proverb
325. All the flowers of all the tomorrows are in the seeds of today and yesterday. – Traditional Proverb
326. A tribulation is better than a hundred warnings. – Traditional Proverb
327. A difference to be a difference must make a difference. – Traditional Proverb
328. A lion sleeps in the heart of every brave man. – Traditional Proverb
329. Footprints on the sands of time are never made by sitting down. – Traditional Proverb
330. All is within yourself. Know your most inward self and look for what corresponds with it in nature. – Traditional Proverb