Robert Christy, comp. Proverbs, Maxims and Phrases of All Ages. 1887.
Water
A glass of water is sometimes worth a tun of wine.Italian.
Brackish water is sweet in a drought.Portuguese.
Can a house be burned down with hot water?Tamil.
Drinking water neither makes a man sick, nor in debt, nor his wife a widow.
Far water does not put out near fire.Italian.
Foul water will quench fire.
From a pure source pure water comes.Latin.
From smooth (or still) water God preserve me; from rough (or running) I will preserve myself.Italian, Spanish.
He who would have clear water must go to the fountain head.Italian.
However foul it be, never say, “Of this water I will not drink.”Spanish.
If you want clear water draw it from the spring.Portuguese.
In still water are the largest fish.Danish.
In still water the worms are worst.Danish.
It is prophet drink (water).Dutch.
No safety wading in unknown water.
Of spilt water there is little to be gathered up.Ben Jonson.
On dry land even brackish water is good.Spanish.
Running water carries no poison.Italian.
Shallow waters make most din.
Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep.Shakespeare.
Smooth waters run deep.
Stagnant water grows stinking.German.
Still water breeds vermin.Italian.
Still waters run deep.German, Dutch, Danish.
The water breaks where it is not expected.Italian.
The water is so strong it requires too whiskies.Donegal.
The water runs while the miller sleeps.Danish.
The water that bears the boat is the same that swallows it up.Chinese.
There is no worse water than that which sleeps.French.
Under water famine, under snow bread.
Water comes to the mill from afar.Portuguese.
Water is less dreaded than fire, yet fewer suffer by fire than by water.Chinese.
Water is the best of all things.Greek.
Water is the least valued among things existing, and the most valued among things wanted.Hebrew.
Water is the strongest drink, it drives mills.German.
Water run by, will not turn a mill.Italian, Spanish.
Water washes everything.Portuguese.
We never know the worth of water till the well is dry.
What water gives, water takes away.Portuguese.
Where the water is shallow no vessel will ride.
Where water has been, water will come again.German.