Animal proverbs from around the world in pictures

Discover an animal proverb on the category of your choice

Click or tap the image to discover the proverb!

French proverbs

"Whoever wants to beat a dog will easily find a stick."

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"The snake sheds its skin, but keeps its nature."

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Japanese proverbs

"A bee stings a crying face."

(One bad thing can easily lead to many others)

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"The child of a frog is a frog."

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"A good cat doesn't need a golden collar."

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barbary macaque sitting on a grassy hill

"Even monkeys fall from trees."

(Everyone Makes Mistakes, Even Experts.)

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Bengal tiger lying in the grass staring at the camera

"You can’t catch a cub without entering the tiger’s den."

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"The bird in a cage dreams of the clouds."

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"Looking for fish by watching birds."

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"Everyone admires the peacock. But the birds say: 'Look at its feet, and listen to its voice!'"

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"Even a dog finds a domestic quarrel inedible."

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Dutch proverbs

"He who chases two hares at once catches none." – Erasmus

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"You don't shoe a running horse."

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black and white American Bully dog standing on a bench

"If the thief stopped stealing, the dog would stop barking."

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African proverbs

"Don't insult the crocodile while your feet are still in the water."

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"Step on one ant, and a thousand more will attack you."

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"The bird that sings doesn't know how to build its nest."

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"He who lives long will see the dove's dance."

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"The croaking of frogs doesn't stop the elephant from drinking."

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"The child who has grown up milks his father's cows."

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Indian proverbs

"Don't call the cat to settle a fight between two birds."

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"The sting of contempt pierces the tortoise's shell."

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"A sleeping cat doesn't hunt."

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Chinese proverbs

"With a small bait, you catch big fish."

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“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”

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"The purer the water, the fewer the fish."

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Other proverbs

"Better to be the head of a mouse than the tail of a lion."

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Flying griffon vulture with its wings spread, in a blue sky

"When the vulture dies, the hen does not mourn."

German proverb

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"One eye on the pot, and the other on the cat."

Spanish proverb

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"A scholar who doesn't practice his knowledge is a bee that gives no honey."

Persian proverb

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"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

English proverb

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"Don't count the eggs in a hen's rear."

Guadeloupean proverb

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Why do proverbs often draw inspiration from the animal world?

Animals are frequently featured in proverbs because they serve as simple, universal symbols that are accessible to everyone. By observing animals in nature, humans have linked their behaviors to human qualities or flaws. Animal proverbs convey moral or practical lessons in a concrete and memorable way. In many cultures, animals also have mythological or spiritual connotations, enhancing their symbolism. Additionally, proverbs pass down popular knowledge through familiar imagery. The archetypal qualities of animals, like the lion’s strength or the fox’s cunning, make metaphors easier to use. Anthropomorphism allows human traits to be projected onto animals, making these comparisons more relatable. Finally, proverbs using animals are efficient linguistic shortcuts for illustrating complex ideas.

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Jacques Julien

French photographer based in Paris. This site shows my wildlife and architecture photos, creative portraits, black and white street photos through various galleries, a stock photo library and photography services.

Discover an animal proverb on the category of your choice

French proverbs

"A scalded cat fears cold water."

For want of thrushes, one eat blackbirds

"The bird that flies has no master."

"Being bitten by the dog you raised."

"Where the goat is tied, it must graze."

"A mouse that only has one hole is soon caught"

"One swallow doesn’t make a summer."

"Whoever wants to beat a dog will easily find a stick."

"The snake sheds its skin, but keeps its nature."

Japanese proverbs

"A bee stings a crying face."

"The child of a frog is a frog."

"A good cat doesn't need a golden collar."

"Even monkeys fall from trees."

"You can’t catch a cub without entering the tiger’s den."

"The bird in a cage dreams of the clouds."

"Looking for fish by watching birds."

"Everyone admires the peacock. But the birds say: 'Look at its feet, and listen to its voice!'"

"Even a dog finds a domestic quarrel inedible."

Dutch proverbs

"He who chases two hares at once catches none." – Erasmus

"You don't shoe a running horse."

"If the thief stopped stealing, the dog would stop barking."

African proverbs

"Don't insult the crocodile while your feet are still in the water."

"Step on one ant, and a thousand more will attack you."

"The bird that sings doesn't know how to build its nest."

"He who lives long will see the dove's dance."

"The croaking of frogs doesn't stop the elephant from drinking."

"The child who has grown up milks his father's cows."

Indian proverbs

"Don't call the cat to settle a fight between two birds."

"The sting of contempt pierces the tortoise's shell."

"A sleeping cat doesn't hunt."

Chinese proverbs

"With a small bait, you catch big fish."

“You cannot prevent the birds of sorrow from flying over your head, but you can prevent them from building nests in your hair.”

"The purer the water, the fewer the fish."

Other proverbs

"Better to be the head of a mouse than the tail of a lion."

"When the vulture dies, the hen does not mourn."

"One eye on the pot, and the other on the cat."

"A scholar who doesn't practice his knowledge is a bee that gives no honey."

"A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush."

"Don't count the eggs in a hen's rear."

Why do proverbs often draw inspiration from the animal world?