Swedish Proverbs for Slow Days

East, west, home's best.

Tip: Said on coming home from any trip, however good it was.

Don't cross the river to fetch water.

Tip: Don't look far away for what's right here.

Rome wasn't built in a day.

Tip: Patience with a long project.

Good things come to those who wait.

Tip: Said to impatient children — and adults.

There's no danger, no rush.

Tip: lit. 'no cow on the ice' — nothing to worry about, take your time.

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

Tip: Take the sure thing over the bigger maybe.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch.

Tip: lit. 'don't sell the hide before the bear is shot'.

There's always room for one more.

Tip: lit. 'where there's heart room there's bum room' — squeezing another guest in.

Persistence wears down any obstacle.

Tip: lit. 'the drop hollows the stone'.

You made your bed, now lie in it.

Tip: Consequences of your own choices.

Practice makes perfect.

Tip: Encouragement to someone learning something new.

Stick to what you know.

Tip: lit. 'cobbler, stay at your last' — don't meddle outside your field.

All that glitters is not gold.

Tip: Warning against appearances.

There's no smoke without fire.

Tip: Said about rumours with a grain of truth.

Better late than never.

Tip: Said, often drily, to whoever arrives last.

You don't miss the water till the well runs dry.

Tip: lit. 'you don't miss the cow until the stall is empty'.

Grasp all, lose all.

Tip: Greed costs you the whole thing.

Out of the frying pan into the fire.

Tip: lit. 'out of the ashes into the fire'.

Let sleeping dogs lie.

Tip: lit. 'don't wake the bear that sleeps'.

After rain comes sunshine.

Tip: Comfort after a hard stretch.

The early bird catches the worm.

Tip: lit. 'the morning hour has gold in its mouth'.

Little pitchers have big ears.

Tip: lit. 'small pots have ears too' — watch what you say near children.

Necessity knows no law.

Tip: Excusing something done out of need.

You live and learn.

Tip: Said after a mistake, with a shrug.

Speech is silver, silence is gold.

Tip: Very Swedish: sometimes saying nothing is better.

Third time lucky.

Tip: lit. 'all good things are three' — also used to justify a third helping.

First come, first served.

Tip: lit. 'first to the mill' — used about tickets and berry spots alike.

Don't buy a pig in a poke.

Tip: Don't buy what you haven't inspected.

A good laugh lengthens your life.

Tip: Said after something genuinely funny.

If you're afraid of the wolf, stay out of the forest.

Tip: Don't take on what frightens you.

Make haste slowly.

Tip: Two words, endlessly quoted.

Don't throw the axe in the lake.

Tip: Don't give up in despair.

A capable man manages on his own.

Tip: Said, often ironically, to someone refusing help.

The more you stir it, the worse it smells.

Tip: Crude but common — leave a bad matter alone.

Better to keep quiet than speak ill.

Tip: On holding your tongue.

Speak no ill of the dead.

Tip: Said at funerals and after them.

Dig where you stand.

Tip: Start with what's in front of you.

What doesn't kill you hardens you.

Tip: Grim Swedish comfort.

Every country has its custom.

Tip: On cultural difference.

Don't promise more than you can keep.

Tip: About overcommitting.

When two quarrel, both are at fault.

Tip: Said to squabbling children and adults alike.

Better an honest enemy than a false friend.

Tip: On loyalty.

He who does not work shall not eat.

Tip: Biblical, and quoted at teenagers.

To part is to die a little.

Tip: Said at goodbyes, half-seriously.

Nobody knows what the future holds.

Tip: Slightly literary, still used.

To err is human.

Tip: Forgiving a mistake.

A friend in need is a friend indeed.

Tip: lit. 'in need the friend is tested'.