Even roses have thorns.
His temper burns like the pits of The Cleft.
Even the gods seek the Church's wisdom at times.
'Tis said his tongue tickles the ears of the Council of Elves.
If kisses were the only pleasures in bed, one woman would another wed.
She would become a Sister of Mercy for you.
I am struck to the quick.
In religion there is no damned failing, that a pontiff cannot bless and approve with a text.
Greatest scandals await in greatest estates.
Grievous wrong doings! It blows me up like a bladder.
Surely as a Svartalfar has a beard.
A knavish speech finds home in a foolish ear.
Sweetmeats grown common, lose their dear delight.
Fair thoughts be of my fair pillow.
Many a man's tongue shaking, undoes his master's doings.
Breaking your bargain is the surest way to meet Hel, though not the fairest way.
Cudgel thy brains no more on the matter.
'Tis more than jewelry that can be stolen from a maid. And that what cannot be replaced.
If I follow such a deception again, I'll have my brains buttered and given to an Orc for a treat.
Gods send him well. The courts a place for harsh learning.
Unnatural deeds breed unnatural troubles.
A friend in the court is worth more than pence in the purse.
I'll spend my days in my ladies lap; and deck my body in gay ornaments, and witch sweets maids with my words and looks.
He that wants money, power, and fame is one without three good friends.
He who signs Loki's pact, has the direst price to pay.
He who lives by the sword, dies by the arrow.
Thor gives us strength, Geofon gives us forgiveness, but Freya gives us permission!
"A calm sea does not make a skilled sailor.": Nothing worth gaining is gained without difficulty. Mostly used along the southern coast, especially among those of Brondheim. A variation on this is found in Ambria is "A bad harvest teaches more than a good one".
"Anywhere a rat can go, you will find two Hobbits waiting.": A human expression meant to indicate the fact that Hobbits live everywhere that men do. The Hobbits find it insulting.
"A wrinkled apple tastes sweeter.": A saying among the peasants and farm-folk of Ambria, indicating the benefits of experience.
"Anyone can fancy his bed as a palace.": Meaning "believe what you want, because I know the truth." Used mainly by the Dornicans, this expression is usually said in response to someone else making an outrageous statement of fact that flies in the face of common wisdom or direct evidence.
"Better to be clever than to be thought clever.": A person's reputation is useless if he can't back it up.
"Cut the coat according to the cloth.": A common expression meaning "don't try to make something into something its not".
"Dragons beget dragons, and lions beget lions, and the offspring of mice will know how to chew holes.": A Darian proverb meaning "accept that which is fated to be" or "you can't change the way the world works".
"Even a black lamb's wool is warm.": An Irolon proverb meaning "every cloud has a silver lining." - black animals are generally held to be unlucky.
"If I knew where I was going to fall, I'd spread straw.": A common expression used to indicate a foolish wish for prescience. Its used in the same manner that some people today use the phrase "If wishes were horses, beggars would ride".
"Lightning, then thunder.": All things happen in their own good time.
"The time to collect rainwater is while its raining.": Take advantage of opportunities when they come. This one is used almost everywhere.
"The lion roars. The snake hisses. The stranger smiles.": A Darian proverb taken to mean "take warning" or "be on your guard".
"Never use up your arrows before the battle.": Always keep your priorities straight. This saying is used mostly in the Marches of Irolo.
"No road is ever old.": A saying among the trading caravans meant to express the opinion that the only life is the traveling life. A variant is "All roads lead to somewhere."
"Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.": A Dornican proverb indicating the value of thinking before acting.
"Sorrow runs while joy sleeps.": This is an expression among the Darians, indicating that a bad reputation will travel farther and faster than a good one.
"Talk gathers no firewood.": A farm-folk proverb on the virtues of doing rather than talking about doing.
"Empty armor clatters loudest.": This phrase is usually used in response to bravos on the part of another. Its use is similar to the real-world "Put up or shut up" or "Don't let your alligator mouth get your mockingbird ass in trouble". A variant used in Ambria is "A tree is known by the fruit, and not by the leaves.", while the Hobbits say "Barking dogs seldom bite."
"There is no mud without rain.": Nothing goes wrong without a cause.
"The value of the water is only seen when the well runs dry.": You don't know what you have until its gone. A Darian proverb.
"Trust in the Gods, but row away from the rocks.": A Dornican proverb that shows the wisdom of self-sufficiency.
"When the avalanche begins, it is too late for the pebbles to vote.": A saying among the people of several kingdoms speaking to the fact that in the grand scheme of things the common folk have little influence when compared to the nobles.
"When the fight is lost, all that is left is to die gloriously.": A saying used by many warriors across Taranche. It used in a similar manner to "it is better to die on your feet that live on your knees."
"Where the wolf howls, the goblin prowls.": Troubles almost never come alone. This one is most often found in the easter reaches of Ambria.
"A wolf whose belly is full will still hunt.": Don't assume that you know what another man's motives are.
"You cannot blame a mirror for a crooked face.": This expression, common among the Bronheimian, is a warning against blaming others for your own mistakes.
"You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.": You can't have your cake and eat it too.
"You don’t know what is in the pot until you lift the lid.": A Bronheimian proverb meaning "the best way to learn is to act".