French
English
Literal Translation
C’est à l’œuvre qu’on connaît l’ouvrier.
A man is judged or known by his works, by the work he does. it is by the work that we know the worker.
C’est au pied du mur qu’on voit le maçon.
The tree is known by its fruit . It is at the base of a wall that one can see the mason.
C’est dans le besoin qu’on reconnaît ses vrais amis.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. It is when there is need that one finds his real friends.
C’est dans les vieilles marmites qu’on fait les meilleures soupes.
The best broth is made in the oldest pot . A well-seasoned pan or pot is preferable to a new one.
C’est en forgeant qu’on devient forgeron.
Practice makes perfect. It is in forging that one becomes a blacksmith.
C’est la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase.
It’s the straw that broke the camel’s back; it’s the last straw . It’s the drop of water that makes the vase overflow .
C’est la paille et la poutre.
It’s the pot calling the kettle black. It’s six of one or a half dozen of the other.
C’est l’arroseur arrosé.
Hoisted by one’s own petard. it’s the waterer being soaked.
C’est la poule qui chante qui a fait l’œuf.
The guilty dog barks the loudest. It is the hen that sings that laid the egg.
C’est le ton qui fait la chanson.
It’s not what you say but how you say it. How things are said makes their meaning credible.
C’est un prêté pour un rendu.
Tit for tat. It is something loaned for something returned.
C’est trop aimer quand on en meurt.
They love too much who die for love. It is loving too much when one dies of it .
Ce n’est pas à un vieux singe qu’on apprend à faire la grimace
You can’t teach an old dog new tricks. One can’t teach an old monkey to smile.
Ce n’est pas la vache qui crie le plus fort qui fait le plus de lait.
Talkers are not doers . It’s not the cow that moos the loudest that makes the most milk.
Ce que femme veut, Dieu le veut.
What woman wants, God wants. i.e. : Woman always reach their goals .
Ce qui est fait n’est plus à faire.
Don’t leave till tomorrow what can be done today. What is already done needs not to be done.
Ce sont les tonneaux vides qui font le plus de bruit.
Empty vessels make the most noise. It’s the empty barrels that make the most noise.
Celui qui a volé de l’or est en prison, celui qui a volé un pays est fait roi .
He who steals gold lands in prison, he who steals a country is made king. i.e.: Invasion of a nation is a form of theft, though not so recognized.
Chacun pour soi et Dieu pour tous.
Each to himself and God for all. Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost.
Chacun ses gôuts.
To each his own. Each their tastes, style, etc.
Chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées.
Mind your own business; tend to your own. Each to his task, and the cows will be watched well.
Chacun voit midi à sa porte.
To each his own. Each person sees midday at their door.
Chaque chose en son temps.
All things in their time. Each thing in its time.
Charbonnier est maître chez soi.
Every man’s home is his castle. The charcoal maker is master in his home.
Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même.
Charity begins at home. Well-ordered charity starts with oneself.
Chose promise, chose due.
Promises are made to be kept. Thing promised, thing owed.
Ciel pommelé et fille fardée ne sont pas de longue durée.
Like a dappled sky, the beauty of a woman does not last long. The ciel pommelé is a sky that changes quickly, often into a storm. And the heavy make-up, fardée , does not last long either.
Cœur qui soupire n’a pas ce qu’il désire.
The heart that sighs yet has desires. A scalded cat fears cold water.
Comme on connaît ses saints, on les honore.
To know a friend is to respect him. As you know your saints, you honor them.
Comme on fait son lit, on se couche.
As you make your bed, so you shall lie in it. As one makes his/her bead, one sleeps.
Comparaison n’est pas raison.
Comparison is not reason A comparison proves nothing.
Contentement passe richesse.
Contentment is better than wealth. Contentment or serenity surpasses riches.
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