# The best-known Greek proverbs and what they mean

"Slowly, slowly the unripe grape turns to honey", "The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones" and "One swallow does not make a spring": Greek proverbs, modern and ancient, with their meaning, from Wikiquote's collection.

- 27 votes · 19 items
- Nov 17, 2023 · Panagiotis Papadakis
- https://even.best/en/l/5107/the-best-known-greek-proverbs-and-what-they-mean

## Top 19

1. **Slowly, slowly the unripe grape turns to honey (patience pays).** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Greek: "Αγάλι-αγάλι γίνεται η αγουρίδα μέλι."
2. **The donkey called the rooster big-headed (the pot calling the kettle black).** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Greek: "Είπε ο γάιδαρος τον πετεινό κεφάλα."
3. **The best defence is a good offence.** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Greek: "Η καλύτερη άμυνα είναι η επίθεση."
4. **With Athena's help, also move your hand.** (2 · ▲2 ▼0) — Greek: "Συν Αθηνά και χείρα κίνει."
5. **Even the walls have ears.** (1 · ▲2 ▼1) — Greek: "Και οι τοίχοι έχουν αυτιά."
6. **The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Η γλώσσα κόκαλα δεν έχει, αλλά κόκαλα τσακίζει."
7. **Better five in the hand than ten in waiting.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Κάλλιο πέντε και στο χέρι, παρά δέκα και καρτέρι."
8. **A crow doesn't peck out another crow's eye.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Κόρακας κοράκου μάτι δε βγάζει."
9. **One swallow does not make a spring (Aristotle).** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Μία χελιδὼν ἔαρ οὐ ποιεῖ."
10. **Whoever becomes a sheep is eaten by the wolf.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Όποιος γίνεται πρόβατο, τον τρώει ο λύκος."
11. **A drowning man grabs hold of his own hair.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Ο πνιγμένος από τα μαλλιά του πιάνεται."
12. **What happens at home should not be aired in public.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Τα εν οίκω μη εν δήμω."
13. **A serpent that does not eat a serpent will not become a dragon.** (1 · ▲1 ▼0) — Greek: "Όφις ει μη φάγη όφιν, δράκων ου γενήσεται."
14. **Cheapness eats money (buy cheap, pay twice).** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Greek: "Η φτήνια τρώει τον παρά."
15. **Great minds meet.** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Greek: "Τα μεγάλα πνεύματα συναντώνται."
16. **Give way to anger (let it pass).** (0 · ▲1 ▼1) — Greek: "Δώσε τόπο στην οργή."
17. **Better to tie the donkey than to go looking for it (prevention is better than cure).** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Greek: "Κάλλιο γαϊδουρόδενε παρά γαϊδουρογύρευε."
18. **In wine there is truth.** (0 · ▲0 ▼0) — Greek: "Ἐν οἴνῳ ἀλήθεια."
19. **Good life, bad will (spend it all and leave nothing).** (-2 · ▲0 ▼2) — Greek: "Καλή ζωή, κακή διαθήκη."

How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.