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French |
English |
Literal Translation | |
| C’est à l’œuvre qu’on connaît l’ouvrier.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Practice makes perfect. | It is in forging that one becomes a blacksmith. | |
| C’est la goutte d’eau qui fait déborder le vase.
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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.
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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.
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Hoisted by one’s own petard. | it’s the waterer being soaked. | |
| C’est la poule qui chante qui a fait l’œuf.
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The guilty dog barks the loudest. | It is the hen that sings that laid the egg. | |
| C’est le ton qui fait la chanson.
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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.
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Tit for tat. | It is something loaned for something returned. | |
| C’est trop aimer quand on en meurt.
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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
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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.
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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.
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What woman wants, God wants. | i.e. : Woman always reach their goals. | |
| Ce qui est fait n’est plus à faire.
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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.
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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
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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.
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Each to himself and God for all. | Every man for himself and the Devil take the hindmost. | |
| Chacun ses gôuts.
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To each his own. | Each their tastes, style, etc. | |
| Chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées.
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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.
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To each his own. | Each person sees midday at their door. | |
| Chaque chose en son temps.
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All things in their time. | Each thing in its time. | |
| Charbonnier est maître chez soi.
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Every man’s home is his castle. | The charcoal maker is master in his home. | |
| Charité bien ordonnée commence par soi-même.
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Charity begins at home. | Well-ordered charity starts with oneself. | |
| Chose promise, chose due.
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Promises are made to be kept. | Thing promised, thing owed. | |
| Ciel pommelé et fille fardée ne sont pas de longue durée.
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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.
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The heart that sighs yet has desires. | A scalded cat fears cold water. | |
| Comme on connaît ses saints, on les honore.
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To know a friend is to respect him. | As you know your saints, you honor them. | |
| Comme on fait son lit, on se couche.
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As you make your bed, so you shall lie in it. | As one makes his/her bead, one sleeps. | |
| Comparaison n’est pas raison.
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Comparison is not reason | A comparison proves nothing. | |
| Contentement passe richesse.
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Contentment is better than wealth. | Contentment or serenity surpasses riches. |
They said it...