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'{{Infobox Painting | image_file=Pieter_Bruegel_the_Elder_-_The_Dutch_Proverbs_-_Google_Art_Project.jpg | title=Netherlandish Proverbs | artist=[[Pieter Bruegel the Elder]] | year=1559 | type=Oil-on-panel | height=117 | width=163 | height_inch=46 | width_inch =64 | museum = [[Staatliche Museen]] | city = [[Berlin]] }} '''''Netherlandish Proverbs''''' ({{lang-nl|Nederlandse Spreekwoorden}}; also called '''''The Blue Cloak''''' or '''''The Topsy Turvy World''''') is a 1559 [[oil painting|oil]]-on-oak-[[panel painting|panel]] painting by [[Pieter Bruegel the Elder]] that depicts a land populated with literal renditions of [[Low Countries|Dutch]] proverbs of the day. The picture is overflowing with references and most of the representations can still be identified; while many of the [[proverb]]s have either been forgotten or never made the transition to the English language, some are still in use. Proverbs were popular during Bruegel's time: a number of collections were published including a famous work by [[Desiderius Erasmus|Erasmus]]. [[Frans Hogenberg]] had produced an [[engraving]] illustrating about 40 proverbs in around 1558 and Bruegel himself had painted a collection of ''Twelve Proverbs'' on individual panels by 1558 and had also produced ''Big Fish Eat Little Fish'' in 1556, but ''Netherlandish Proverbs'' is thought to be the first large scale painting on the theme. [[François Rabelais|Rabelais]] depicted a land of proverbs in his novel ''[[Gargantua and Pantagruel|Pantagruel]]'' soon after in 1564. Bruegel's paintings have themes of the absurdity, wickedness and foolishness of mankind, and this painting is no exception. The picture was originally entitled ''The Blue Cloak ''or'' The Folly of the World'' which indicates he was not intending to produce a mere collection of proverbs but rather a study of human stupidity. Many of the people depicted show the characteristic blank features which Bruegel used to portray fools. His son, [[Pieter Brueghel the Younger]], specialised in making copies of his father's work, and painted up to twenty copies of ''Netherlandish Proverbs''. Not all versions of the painting, by father or son, show exactly the same proverbs, also differing in other details. ==Detail== There are around 112 identifiable idioms in the scene (although Bruegel may have included others). Some are still in use today, amongst them: "''swimming against the tide''", "''big fish eat little fish''", "''banging one's head against a brick wall''" and "''armed to the teeth''", and there are some that are familiar if not identical to the modern English usage, such as "''casting roses before swine''". Many more have faded from use or have never been used in English, "''having one's roof tiled with tarts''" for example which meant to have an abundance of everything and was an image Bruegel would later feature in his painting of the idyllic ''[[Cockaigne|Land of Cockaigne]]''. The ''Blue Cloak'' referred to in the painting's original title is being placed on the man in the centre of the picture by his wife. This was indicative that she was [[cuckolding]] him. Other proverbs indicate mankind's foolishness: a man fills in a pond after his calf has died, just above the central figure of the blue-cloaked man another man carries daylight in a basket. Some of the figures seem to represent more than one figure of speech (whether this was Bruegel's intention or not is unknown), such as the man shearing a sheep in the centre bottom left of the picture. He is sat next to a man shearing a pig, so represents the expression "''one shears sheep and one shears pigs''" meaning that one has the advantage over the other, but he may also represent the advice "''shear them but don't skin them''" meaning make the most of your assets. {| class="wikitable" |+ Expressions featured in the painting<ref>From a list detailing the proverbs and meanings published by the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin and reproduced in Hagen pp.36–7.</ref> ! Proverb !! Meaning !! Area !! Image |- |To even be able to tie the devil to a pillow <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="On peut attacher le diable à un coussin">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De duivel op het kussen binden ">(nl)</sup>|| Obstinacy overcomes everything || Lower left||[[Image:NP-1.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be a pillar-biter <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mordre le pilier">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een pilaarbijter ">(nl)</sup>|| To be a religious hypocrite || Lower left||[[Image:NP-2.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Never believe someone who carries fire in one hand and water in the other <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Porter du feu dans une main et de l'eau dans l'autre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Geloof nooit iemand die in de ene hand water en de andere hand vuur draagt ">(nl)</sup>|| To be two-faced and to stir up trouble || Lower left||[[Image:NP-3.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To bang one's head against a brick wall <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Se taper la tête contre un mur de briques">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Met het hoofd tegen de muur lopen">(nl)</sup>|| To try to achieve the impossible || Lower left||[[Image:NP-6.jpg|100x100px]] |- |One foot shod, the other bare<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Un pied chaussé, l'autre nu">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Aan de ene voet een schoen, de ander blootvoets">(nl)</sup>|| Balance is paramount || Lower left||[[Image:NP-68.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The sow pulls the bung <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="La truie tire la bonde">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De zeug loopt met de tap weg ">(nl)</sup>|| Negligence will be rewarded with disaster || Lower left||[[Image:NP-4.jpg|100x100px]] |- |[[Belling the cat|To bell the cat]] <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mettre un grelot au chat">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De kat de bel aanbinden ">(nl)</sup>||To carry out a dangerous or impractical plan|| Lower left ||[[Image:NP-5.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be armed to the teeth <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mordre le fer">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Tot de tanden bewapend ">(nl)</sup>|| To be heavily armed || Lower left||[[Image:NP-5.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To put your armor on <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mordre le fer">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="In het harnas steken ">(nl)</sup>|| To be angry || Lower left||[[Image:NP-5.jpg|100x100px]] |- |One shears sheep, the other shears pigs <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="L'un tond le mouton, l'autre la truie">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De een scheert schapen, de ander varkens ">(nl)</sup>|| One has all the advantages, the other none || Lower left||[[Image:NP-7.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Shear them but do not skin them <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tonds-les, mais ne les écorche pas">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Men moet de schapen scheren al naar ze wol hebben ">(nl)</sup>|| Do not press your advantage too far|| Lower left||[[Image:NP-18.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The herring does not fry here<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Frire tout le hareng pour en manger les œufs ">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De haring braadt hier niet ">(nl)</sup>||It's not going according to plan || Lower left||[[Image:NP-15.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To fry the whole herring for the sake of the roe <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De haring braden om de hom of kuit ">(nl)</sup>|| To do too much to achieve a little || Lower left||[[Image:NP-15.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To get the lid on the head <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Een deksel op zijn kop hebben ">(nl)</sup>|| To end up taking responsibility || Lower left||[[Image:NP-16.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The herring hangs by its own gills <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le hareng pend par ses branchies">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De haring hangt aan zijn eigen kieuwen ">(nl)</sup>|| You must accept responsibility for your own actions || Lower left||[[Image:NP-17.jpg|100x100px]] |- |There is more in it than an empty herring <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar steekt meer in dan een enkele panharing ">(nl)</sup>|| There is more to it than meets the eye || Lower left||[[Image:NP-17.jpg|100x100px]] |- |What can smoke do to iron? <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Que peut faire la fumée contre le fer ?">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De rook kan het hangerijzer niet deren ">(nl)</sup>|| There is no point in trying to change the unchangeable || Lower left||[[Image:NP-92.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To find the dog in the pot <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Trouver un chien dans la marmite">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De hond in de pot vinden ">(nl)</sup>|| To arrive too late for dinner and find all the food has been eaten || Lower left||[[Image:NP-109.jpg|100x100px]]<ref>The dirt on the painting makes it almost impossible to make out the dog here.</ref> |- |To sit between two stools in the ashes <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="S'assoir entre deux chaises dans les cendres">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Tussen twee stoelen in de as zitten ">(nl)</sup>|| To be indecisive || Lower left||[[Image:NP-11.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be a hen feeler <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Être un tâteur de cul des poules (N.d.T. pour compter les œufs)">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De hennentaster ">(nl)</sup>|| To depend on an uncertain outcome (c.f. ''to count one's chickens before they hatch'')|| Middle left||[[Image:NP-8.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The scissors hang out there <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les ciseaux pendent ici">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar hangt de schaar uit ">(nl)</sup>|| They are liable to cheat you there || Upper left||[[Image:NP-10.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To always gnaw on a single bone <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Toujours mordre le même os">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Aan een been knagen ">(nl)</sup>|| To continually talk about the same subject || Upper left||[[Image:NP-9.jpg|50x50px]] |- |It depends on the fall of the cards <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ca dépend de la chute des cartes">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Het is maar hoe de kaarten vallen ">(nl)</sup>|| It is up to chance || Upper left||[[Image:NP-13.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The world is turned upside down <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="C'est le monde à l'envers">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De omgekeerde wereld ">(nl)</sup>|| Everything is the opposite of what it should be || Upper left||[[Image:NP-14.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Leave at least one egg in the nest <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Laisser au moins un oeuf dans le nid">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Een ei in het nest laten ">(nl)</sup>|| Always have something in reserve || Upper left||[[Image:NP-12.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To crap on the world <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Chier sur le monde">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Op de wereld schijten ">(nl)</sup>|| To despise everything || Upper left||[[Image:NP-19.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To lead each other by the nose <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="(Se faire) mener par le bout du nez">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Elkaar bij de neus nemen ">(nl)</sup>|| To fool each other || Upper left||[[Image:NP-21.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The die is cast <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les dés sont jetés ">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De teerling is geworpen ">(nl)</sup>|| The decision is made || Upper left||[[Image:NP-90.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Fools get the best cards <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Aux innocents les mains pleines">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De gekken krijgen de beste kaarten ">(nl)</sup>|| Luck can overcome intelligence || Upper left||[[Image:NP-20.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To look through one's fingers <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Regarder à travers ses doigts">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Iets door de vingers zien ">(nl)</sup>|| To turn a blind eye || Upper left||[[Image:NP-22.jpg|100x100px]] |- |There hangs the knife <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ici pend un couteau">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar hangt het mes uit ">(nl)</sup>|| To issue a challenge || Upper left||[[Image:NP-23.jpg|100x100px]] |- |There stand the wooden shoes <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ici se trouvent les chaussures de bois">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar staan klompen ">(nl)</sup>|| To wait in vain || Upper left||[[Image:NP-24.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To stick out the broom <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Sortir le balai par la fenêtre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De bezem uitsteken ">(nl)</sup>|| To have fun while the master is away || Upper left||[[Image:NP-25.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To marry under the broomstick <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Se marier sous le balai">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Onder de bezem getrouwd zijn ">(nl)</sup>|| To live together without marrying || Upper left||[[Image:NP-26.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To have the roof tiled with tarts <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir un toit de tartes">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar zijn de daken met vlaaien bedekt ">(nl)</sup>|| To be very wealthy || Upper left||[[Image:NP-27.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To have a hole in one's roof <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir un trou dans le toit">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Een gat in het dak krijgen ">(nl)</sup>|| To be unintelligent || Upper left||[[Image:NP-104.jpg|100x100px]] |- |An old roof needs a lot of patching up <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Il faut sans cesse réparer le vieux toit">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Aan een oud dak moet je veel herstellen ">(nl)</sup>|| Old things need more maintenance || Upper left||[[Image:NP-105.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The roof has lathes<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le toit a des lattes">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Men heeft daar latten op het dak ">(nl)</sup>|| There could be eavesdroppers (''The walls have ears'') || Middle left||[[Image:NP-103.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To have toothache behind the ears<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir mal aux dents derrière les oreilles">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Lachen als een boer die kiespijn heeft ">(nl)</sup>|| To be a malingerer|| Middle left||[[Image:NP-29.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be pissing against the moon<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Pisser contre la lune">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Tegen de maan pissen ">(nl)</sup>|| To waste one's time on a futile endeavour || Middle left||[[Image:NP-32.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Here hangs the pot<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ici pend le pot">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Daar hangt de po uit ">(nl)</sup>|| It is the opposite of what it should be|| Middle left||[[Image:NP-106.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To shoot a second bolt to find the first<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tirer une seconde flèche pour trouver la première">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De ene pijl de andere nazenden ">(nl)</sup>|| To repeat a foolish action|| Upper left||[[Image:NP-28.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To shave the fool without lather<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Raser quelqu'un sans savon">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Ergens de gek mee scheren ">(nl)</sup>|| To trick somebody|| Middle||[[Image:NP-30.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Two fools under one hood<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les deux benêts sont sous une capuche">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Twee zotten onder één kaproen ">(nl)</sup>|| Stupidity loves company|| Middle||[[Image:NP-34.jpg|100x100px]] |- |It grows out of the window<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ca pousse par la fenêtre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Uit het raam groeien ">(nl)</sup>|| It cannot be concealed || Middle||[[Image:NP-33.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To play on the pillory<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Jouer au pilori">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Hij speelt op de kaak ">(nl)</sup>|| To attract attention to one's shameful acts || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-31.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Where the gate is open the pigs will run into the corn<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Leur enclos ouvert, les cochons vont aller dans le blé">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Zodra het hek van de dam is, lopen de varkens in het koren ">(nl)</sup>|| Disaster ensues from carelessness|| Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-40.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Where the corn decreases the pig increases|| If one person gains then another must lose|| Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-40.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To run like one's backside is on fire<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir le feu aux fesses">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Hij loopt alsof hij het vuur in zijn aars heeft ">(nl)</sup>|| To be in great distress || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-94.jpg|100x100px]] |- |He who eats fire, craps sparks|| Do not be surprised at the outcome if you attempt a dangerous venture || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-94.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To hang one's cloak according to the wind<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Pendre sa cape dans le sens du vent">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Zijn huik naar de wind hangen ">(nl)</sup>|| To adapt one's viewpoint to the current opinion || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-39.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To toss feathers in the wind <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Lancer des plumes dans le vent">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Pluimen in de wind waaien ">(nl)</sup>|| To work fruitlessly || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-42.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To gaze at the stork<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="bailler la cigogne">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" De ooievaar nakijken ">(nl)</sup>|| To waste one's time || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-38.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To want to kill two flies with one stroke<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Vouloir tuer deux mouches d'un coup">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Twee vliegen in één klap slaan ">(nl)</sup>|| To be efficient (equivalent to today's To kill two birds with one stone)|| Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-43.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To fall from the ox onto the rear end of an ass<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tomber du boeuf sur l'âne">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Van de os op de ezel springen ">(nl)</sup>|| To fall on hard times || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-35.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To kiss the ring of the door <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Baiser l'anneau sur la porte">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title=" Hij kust het ringetje van de deur ">(nl)</sup>|| To be obsequious || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-37.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To wipe one's backside on the door <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Promener un fardeau sur ses épaules">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zijn gat aan de poort vegen ">(nl)</sup>|| To treat something lightly|| Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-36.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To go around shouldering a burden <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zijn last dragen ">(nl)</sup>|| To imagine that things are worse than they are|| Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-36.jpg|100x100px]] |- |One beggar pities the other standing in front of the door<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De ene bedelaar ziet de ander niet graag voor de deur staan ">(nl)</sup>|| Being afraid for competition || Upper Middle||[[Image:NP-91.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To fish behind the net <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Pêcher derrière le filet">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Achter het net vissen ">(nl)</sup>|| To miss an opportunity|| Middle||[[Image:NP-47.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Sharks eat smaller fish <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les gros poissons mangent les petits">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De grote vissen eten de kleine ">(nl)</sup>|| Anything people say will be put in perspective according to their level of importance || Middle||[[Image:NP-48.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be unable to see the sun shine on the water<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ne pas voir le soleil briler sur l'eau">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De zon niet in het water kunnen zien schijnen ">(nl)</sup>|| To be jealous of another's success || Middle||[[Image:NP-60.jpg|100x100px]] |- |It hangs like a privy over a ditch <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ca pend comme latrine au dessus d'un fossé">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Dat hangt als een schijthuis boven de gracht ">(nl)</sup>|| It is obvious || Middle||[[Image:NP-112.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Anybody can see through an oak plank if there is a hole in it <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tout le monde peut voir à travers une planche de chêne si elle a un trou">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Hij kan door een eiken plank zien als er een gat in zit ">(nl)</sup>|| There is no point in stating the obvious || Middle||[[Image:NP-45.jpg|100x100px]] |- |They both crap through the same hole <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ils chient tous les deux par le même trou">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Uit hetzelfde gat schijten ">(nl)</sup>|| They are in agreement|| Middle||[[Image:NP-46.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To throw one's money into the water<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Jeter son argent à l'eau">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Je geld in het water gooien">(nl)</sup>|| To waste one's money || Middle||[[Image:NP-61.jpg|100x100px]] |- |A wall with cracks will soon collapse<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le mur lézardé tombera bientôt">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een morse muur is snel afgebroken ">(nl)</sup>|| Anything poorly managed will soon fail || Middle right||[[Image:NP-93.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To not care whose house is on fire as long as one can warm oneself at the blaze<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ne pas se soucier de celui dont la maison brûle tant qu'on peut s'y chauffer">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Hij geeft er niet om wiens huis in brand staat, als hij zich maar aan de gloed kan warmen ">(nl)</sup>|| To take every opportunity regardless of the consequences to others|| Middle right||[[Image:NP-44.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To drag the block<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Trainer le moellon">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De bok slepen ">(nl)</sup>|| To be deceived by a lover or to work at a pointless task || Upper right||[[Image:NP-50.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Fear makes the old woman trot<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="La peur fait courir la vieille femme">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Nood doet zelfs oude vrouwen rennen ">(nl)</sup>|| An unexpected event can reveal unknown qualities || Upper right||[[Image:NP-49.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Horse droppings are not figs <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Il ne faut pas prendre le crottin pour des figues">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Paardenkeutels zijn geen vijgen ">(nl)</sup>|| Do not be fooled by appearances || Upper right||[[Image:NP-53.jpg|100x100px]] |- |If the blind lead the blind both will fall in the ditch<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Si l'aveugle guide l'aveugle, ils tomberont dans le fossé Il ne faut pas prendre les vessies pour des lanternes Ne vous laissez pas guider par aussi ignorant que vous">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Als de ene blinde de ander leidt vallen ze beiden in de gracht ">(nl)</sup>|| There is no point in being guided by others who are equally ignorant || Upper right||[[Image:NP-51.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The journey is not yet over when one can discern the church and steeple <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le voyage ne s'arrête pas quand on voit le clocher de l'église">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De reis is nog niet ten einde als men kerk en toren herkent ">(nl)</sup>|| Do not give up until the task is fully complete|| Upper right||[[Image:NP-52.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Everything, however finely spun, finally comes to the sun<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Niemand zo fijn iets spon of het kwam aan het licht der zon ">(nl)</sup>|| Nothing can be hidden forever || Upper right||[[Image:NP-111.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To keep one's eye on the sail<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Garder un œil sur la voile">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een oogje in het zeil houden">(nl)</sup>|| To stay alert, be wary || Upper right||[[Image:NP-54.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To crap on the gallows<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Chier sur l’échafaud">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Op de galg schijten">(nl)</sup>|| To be undeterred by any penalty || Upper right||[[Image:NP-55.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Where the carcass is, there fly the crows<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les corbeaux volent vers la carcasse">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Waar aas is vliegen kraaien ">(nl)</sup>|| If there's something to be gained, everyone hurries in front || Upper right||[[Image:NP-113.jpg|100x100px]] |- |It is easy to sail before the wind<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Garder un œil sur la voile">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Met de wind meewaaien">(nl)</sup>|| If conditions are favourable it is not difficult to achieve one's goal|| Upper right||[[Image:NP-54.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Who knows why geese go barefoot?<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Qui sait pourquoi les oies vont pied nu?">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Wie weet waarom de ganzen blootsvoets gaan? ">(nl)</sup>||There is a reason for everything, though it may not be obvious|| Upper right||[[Image:NP-56.jpg|100x100px]] |- |If I am not meant to be their keeper, I will let geese be geese|| Do not interfere in matters that are not your concern|| Upper right||[[Image:NP-56.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To see bears dancing<ref name="unknown">The exact proverb depicted is not known with certainty.</ref><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Voir les ours danser">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De beren zien dansen">(nl)</sup>|| To be starving || Right||[[Image:NP-57.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Wild bears prefer each other's company<ref name="unknown" /><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Wilde beren vertoeven graag bij soortgenoten">(nl)</sup>|| Peers get along better with each other than with outsiders || Right||[[Image:NP-57.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To throw one's cowl over the fence<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Jeter sa cape par dessus la barrière">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De jas over de haag smijten">(nl)</sup>|| To discard something without knowing whether it will be required later || Right||[[Image:NP-66.jpg|100x100px]] |- |It is ill to swim against the stream<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Nager à contre courant">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tegen de stroom is het kwaad roeien (zwemmen)">(nl)</sup>|| It is difficult to oppose the general opinion || Right||[[Image:NP-65.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The pitcher goes to the water until it finally breaks<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tant va la cruche l'eau, qu'à la fin elle se brise">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De kruik gaat zolang te water tot zij barst">(nl)</sup>|| Everything has its limitations || Right||[[Image:NP-95.jpg|NP-95.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The broadest straps are cut from someone else's leather <sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Les meilleures bretelles sont coupées dans le cuir d'un autre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Je moet niet brede riemen snijden uit andermans leer">(nl)</sup>|| One is quick to expend belongings that aren't their own.|| Right||[[Image:NP-67.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To hold an eel by the tail<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Attraper une anguille par la queue">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een aal bij de staart hebben">(nl)</sup>|| To undertake a difficult task || Right||[[Image:NP-62.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To fall through the basket<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tomber à travers le panier">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Door de mand vallen">(nl)</sup>|| To have your deception uncovered || Right||[[Image:NP-59.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be suspended between heaven and earth<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tussen hemel en aarde hangen">(nl)</sup>|| To be in an awkward situation || Right||[[Image:NP-59.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To take the hen's egg and let the goose's egg go<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ramasser l'oeuf de la poule et pas celui de l'oie.">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Naar het kippenei grijpen en het ganzenei laten lopen">(nl)</sup>|| To make a bad decision || Right||[[Image:NP-63.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To yawn against the oven<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Vouloir bailler plus que le four">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Men kan niet gapen tegen een oven">(nl)</sup>|| To attempt more than one can manage || Lower right||[[Image:NP-64.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be barely able to reach from one loaf to another<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir du mal à passer d'une miche à l'autre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Niet van het ene brood tot het andere weten te geraken">(nl)</sup>|| To have difficulty living within budget || Lower right||[[Image:NP-69.jpg|100x100px]] |- |A hoe without a handle<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Une houe sans manche">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een hark zonder steel">(nl)</sup>|| Probably something useless<ref name="unknownm">The exact meaning of the proverb is not known.</ref> || Lower right||[[Image:NP-96.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To look for the hatchet<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Chercher la hache">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Het bijltje zoeken">(nl)</sup>|| To try to find an excuse || Lower right||[[Image:NP-71.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Here he is with his lantern<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zijn licht ergens op laten schijnen">(nl)</sup>|| To finally have an opportunity to show a talent || Lower right||[[Image:NP-71.jpg|100x100px]] |- |A hatchet with a handle<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Une hache avec son manche">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De bijl naar de steel werpen">(nl)</sup>|| Probably signifies "the whole thing"<ref name="unknownm" /> || Lower right||[[Image:NP-97.jpg|100x100px]] |- |He who has spilt his porridge cannot scrape it all up again<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Celui qui a renversé son porridge ne peut pas le remettre dans son bol">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Die zijn pap gemorst heeft kan niet alles weer oprapen">(nl)</sup>|| Once something is done it cannot be undone || Lower right||[[Image:NP-70.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To put a spoke in someone's wheel<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mettre un baton dans la roue de quelqu'un">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een stok in het wiel steken">(nl)</sup>|| To put up an obstacle, to destroy someone's plans || Lower right||[[Image:NP-73.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Love is on the side where the money bag hangs<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="L'amour réside là où la bourse pend">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Liefde is waar de geldbuidel hangt">(nl)</sup>|| Love can be bought || Lower right||[[Image:NP-107.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To pull to get the longest end<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Tirer pour avoir le long bout">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Ze trekken om het langst ">(nl)</sup>|| To attempt to get the advantage || Lower right||[[Image:NP-74.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To stand in one's own light<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="In zijn eigen licht staan">(nl)</sup>|| To behave contrarily to one's own happiness or advantage || Lower right||[[Image:NP-72.jpg|100x100px]] |- |No one looks for others in the oven who has not been in there himself<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Niemand zoekt de ander in de oven, als hij er zich niet zelf in verstopt heeft">(nl)</sup>|| To imagine wickedness in others is a sign of wickedness in oneself || Lower right||[[Image:NP-72.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To have the world spinning on one's thumb<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir le monde sur son doigt">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Hij laat de wereld op zijn duim draaien">(nl)</sup>|| To have every advantage || Lower right||[[Image:NP-85.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To tie a flaxen beard to the face of Christ<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Mettre une barbe de lin sur le visage du christ">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Voor God een baard van vlas maken">(nl)</sup>|| To hide deceit under a veneer of Christian piety || Lower right||[[Image:NP-58.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To have to stoop to get on in the world<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Il faut se baisser pour réussir dans le monde">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Men moet zich krommen, wil men door de wereld kommen">(nl)</sup>|| To succeed one must be willing to make sacrifices || Lower right||[[Image:NP-84.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To cast roses before swine<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Met moet geen rozen (paarlen) voor de zwijnen werpen">(nl)</sup>|| To waste effort on the unworthy || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-79.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To fill the well after the calf has already drowned<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Boucher le puits où le veau s'est noyé">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Als het kalf verdronken is, dempt men de put">(nl)</sup>|| To take action only after a disaster (Compare: "Shutting the barn door after the horse has bolted") || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-75.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be as tame as a lamb<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Avoir la patience de l'agneau">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zo mak als een lammetje">(nl)</sup>|| Someone who is exceptionally calm or gentle || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-101.jpg|100x100px]] |- |She puts the blue cloak on her husband<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Elle lui met une cape bleue">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zij hangt haar man de blauwe huik om">(nl)</sup>|| She deceives him || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-76.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Watch out that a black dog does not come in between<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Attention à ce qu'un chien noir ne s'en mêle pas">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Zorg dat daar geen zwarte hond tussen komt">(nl)</sup>|| Mind that things don't go wrong || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-110.jpg|100x100px]] |- |One winds on the distaff what the other spins<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="L'une tient la quenouille de ce que l'autre file">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De een rokkent wat de ander spint">(nl)</sup>|| Both spread gossip || Lower middle||[[Image:NP-77.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To carry the day out in baskets<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Porter le jour dans des paniers">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Hij draagt de dag met manden uit">(nl)</sup>|| To waste one's time || Middle||[[Image:NP-78.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To hold a candle to the Devil<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Porter la chandelle du diable">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een kaars voor de duivel branden">(nl)</sup>|| To flatter and make friends indiscriminately || Middle||[[Image:NP-80.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To confess to the Devil<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Se confesser au diable.">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Bij de duivel te biecht gaan">(nl)</sup>|| To reveal secrets to one's enemy || Middle||[[Image:NP-81.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The pig is stabbed through the belly<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le cochon est poignardé dans le ventre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Het varken is door de buik gestoken">(nl)</sup>|| A foregone conclusion or what is done can not be undone || Middle||[[Image:NP-83.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Two dogs over one bone seldom agree<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Deux chiens ne peuvent pas s'accorder sur un os">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Twee honden aen eenen beene, si draghen selden wel overeene">(nl)</sup>|| To argue over a single point || Middle||[[Image:NP-82.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To be a skimming ladle<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Être un écumoire à écrémer">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een schuimspaan zijn">(nl)</sup>|| To be a parasite or sponger || Middle||[[Image:NP-102.jpg|100x100px]] |- |What is the good of a beautiful plate when there is nothing on it?<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="A quoi sert un beau plat qui est vide ?">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Wat heb je aan een mooi bord als het leeg is?">(nl)</sup>|| Beauty does not make up for substance || Middle||[[Image:NP-99.jpg|100x100px]] |- |[[The Fox and the Stork]] dine together<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Le renard et le grue se divertissent l'un l'autre">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="De haan en de vos hebben elkaar te gast">(nl)</sup>|| Two deceivers always keep their own advantage in mind<ref>This is a reference to one of Middle||[[Aesop's Fables]], ''[[The Fox and the Stork]]''.</ref>|| Middle|| [[Image:NP-87.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To blow in the ear<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Souffler dans l'oreille">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Een oorblazer ">(nl)</sup>|| To spread gossip || Middle||[[Image:NP-114.jpg|100x100px]] |- |Chalk up a debt<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Marquer à la craie">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Bij iemand in het krijt staan">(nl)</sup>|| To owe someone a favour || Middle||[[Image:NP-100.jpg|100x100px]] |- |The meat on the spit must be basted<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="La viande à la broche doit être arrosée">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Het is gezond om in het vuur te pissen">(nl)</sup>|| Certain things need constant attention|| Middle||[[Image:NP-116.jpg|100x100px]] |- |There is no turning the spit with him<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Rien ne sert de tourner la broche avec lui">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Met hem kan men geen spies draaien">(nl)</sup>|| He is uncooperative || Middle||[[Image:NP-115.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To sit on hot coals<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Il est assis sur des charbons">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Op hete kolen zitten">(nl)</sup>|| To be impatient || Middle||[[Image:NP-88.jpg|100x100px]] |- |To catch fish without a net<sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Attraper le poissin sans filet">(fr)</sup><sup style="text-align:right; line-height:1em; margin-left:0.3em; color:blue; cursor:help; font-family:Verdana,sans-serif;" title="Hij vangt vissen met zijn handen ">(nl)</sup>|| To profit from the work of others || Middle||[[Image:NP-117.jpg|100x100px]] |} ==Modern use== A cropped version of this painting is used as the cover of the American [[indie folk]] band [[Fleet Foxes]]' [[Fleet Foxes (album)|self titled release]]. ==Notes== {{Reflist}} ==References== *{{cite book|title=Bruegel: The Complete Paintings|author=Rainer Hagen|editor=Rose-Marie Hagen|publisher=Taschen|year=2000|pages=96|isbn=3822859915}} *{{cite book|title=How to Read a Painting: Lessons from the Old Masters|author=Patrick De Rynck|publisher=Abrams|location=New York|year=1963|pages=379|isbn=0810955768}} *{{cite web|url=http://www.uvm.edu/~fleming/index.php?category=exhibitions&page=netherlandish|title=The Netherlandish Proverbs by Pieter Brueghel the Younger |publisher=Fleming Museum, University of Vermont|year=2004|accessdate=18 May 2007}} *The Netherlandish Proverbs: An International Symposium on the Pieter Brueg(h)els, ed. by [[Wolfgang Mieder]]. University of Vermont. 2004. ==Further reading== {{Cite book|title=[http://libmma.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/p15324coll10/id/97318 Pieter Bruegel the Elder: Drawings and Prints]|last=Orenstein|first=Nadine M., ed.|year=2001|publisher=[[The Metropolitan Museum of Art]]|isbn=9780870999901}} (see index) ==External links== {{commons category|Netherlandish Proverbs (Bruegel)}} *[http://smarthistory.khanacademy.org/bruegel-the-dutch-proverbs.html Bruegel's The Dutch Proverbs], [[Smarthistory]] video, commentary by Beth Harris and Steven Zucker *[http://s3.imagediver.org/topic/album/cg/The_Dutch_Proverbs/1/index.html The Netherlandish Proverbs, Zoomable and Annotated] [[Category:Paintings by Pieter Brueghel the Elder]] [[Category:1559 paintings]] [[Category:Dutch paintings]] [[Category:Paintings in the Gemäldegalerie, Berlin]]'