Top 60 Swedish Proverbs

Sweden is a charming and almost magical country, where Scandinavian history and culture are still very much present in the architecture, customs, streets and myths of its inhabitants. And all this also dances along with the technological advances of today, being considered one of the nations with the largest range of internet service and modernization of its social services, buildings and human development.

• We recommend you read: "50 great Chinese Proverbs (and their meaning)"

Best Swedish proverbs

Here is a compilation of the greatest Swedish proverbs about life, good manners and the importance of learning about everything that happens around us.

1. Useless wisdom differs from foolishness only in that it is much more work.

Believing that everything is known is an exhausting and useless task, since ignorance always finds its way out.

2. Empty barrels make the most noise.

The most deprived people are those who are always showing off.

3. He who expects something good, never expects enough.

Conforming only leads us to a dead end, as it prevents us from developing our full potential.

4. The young go in groups, the adults in pairs and the old go alone.

The differences of accompaniment in life.

5. Even the smallest star glows in the dark.

We all have the ability to excel in what we do best.

6. When a blind man carries a lame man, they both advance.

We can all contribute to something big, even if it is by giving small things.

7. A gentle response calms the anger.

The best way to quell anger is with peace of mind.

8. Those who want to sing always find a song.

The opportunities, rather than arriving, are sought. This is the importance of proactivity.

9. Don't throw away the old bucket until you know if the new one contains water.

You should not leave something old if you are not sure that the new will be better.

10. Tips should be viewed from behind.

Not all advice is applicable. Sometimes you have to analyze them well to know if they serve us or not.

11. You can't say hello until you have crossed the stream.

We cannot interact with people if we have an attitude that alienates them.

12. Shared joy is double joy, shared sorrow is half sorrow.

It is always good to have someone to share the good and the bad moments.

13. The bigger the head, the stronger the head.

The knowledge we learn is never wasted.

14. A life without love is a year without a summer.

We all deserve and need love in our lives.

15. When it rains soup, the poor man does not have a spoon.

We don't always have what it takes to accept the opportunities that come our way.

16. Many streams make a great river.

This proverb reminds us of the one who says "in unity there is strength."

17. Fear less and expect more; eat less and chew more; complain less and breathe more; speak less and say more; hate less and love more. And all good things will be yours.

More than a proverb, a mantra for life. Exploit all the positive qualities you have and put the negative ones aside.

18. Angry cats scratch their fur.

When we are angry we seek to hurt others, since reason has no place, but only the feeling of revenge.

19. Wisdom has long ears and a short tongue.

Before speaking properly, you must first practice active listening.

20. Nobody becomes a good doctor before filling a graveyard.

A satirical phrase that talks about trying again and again to be successful.

21. What is to be twisted must be bent in time.

If we see that our actions can trigger something unfavorable, we must acknowledge and correct them.

22. Love is like a dew that falls on nettles and lilies.

Love reaches us all equally and it is our attitudes and decisions that determine the rest.

23. The evening knows what the morning never suspects.

Things are discovered later than ever.

24. I cannot change the direction of the wind but I can adjust my sails to always find my destination.

We can't control the future, but we can prepare to have a good one.

25. One must be invited to a friend in good fortune and uninvited in misfortune.

Friends should be there for good and bad times, but you should never drag them to the last.

26. He who laughs last laughs best.

Don't worry if you don't get what you want right away. Your efforts can be duplicated later.

27. Luck never gives, it only lends.

Luck does not come by magic. It is the result of our effort.

28. Better to forge the steel while it is still hot.

This proverb is compared to that of 'do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today'.

29. He who cannot keep silent cannot speak.

For our words to be heard, we must also learn to listen to others. Otherwise, no one will want to know what we mean.

30. Big in words, small in the world.

That our actions do not have a negative impact on others.

31. Whoever enters the game must endure it.

If you want something, you must abide by the consequences.

32. Worry often causes small things to cast big shadows.

Overthinking tends to magnify problems.

33. The rich man has five senses and the poor man six.

Poverty makes people more sensitive to what they have around them.

34. In a good book, the best is between the lines.

The best things are what we learn apart.

35. Love me when I least deserve it, because that's when I really need it.

Sometimes we are distant not out of pride, but out of fear. That is why it is important to open the heart.

36. God gives each bird a worm, but he does not take it to the nest.

This tells us that we must work for what we want. Natural talent is not everything.

37. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

It is better to be an expert in one thing than not to be fully productive in many.

38. The one to follows her, get her.

If we have the will, we can achieve our goals.

39. He who buys what he does not need steals from himself.

A great lesson that we must learn.

40. Friendship doubles our joys and divides our tragedies.

This is the true power of friendship.

41. Laugh and the world will laugh with you, cry and you will only get your face wet.

Not always the people who are with you in prosperity, will be in tragedies.

42. When women speak, the world is silent.

The voices of the women are awesome.

43. Good memories last a long time, bad memories even longer.

It is difficult to get out of the mind what has hurt us.

44. Eyes that do not cry, do not see.

Sadness makes us appreciate the good that we have around us.

45. A clear conscience is the best pillow.

Guilt is always a burden that grows heavier and more uncomfortable.

46. It is always good to learn from the mistakes of others, as there is not enough time to make them all by yourself.

A very interesting lesson to learn.

47. Wisdom is in the head and not in the beard.

We can all be wise. Men and women.

48. If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I would be collecting roses for life.

Do you have someone so special in your life?

49. The best place to find a helping hand is at the end of your own arm.

If we can't help ourselves, no one else will.

50. Forbidden fruit always tastes better.

Everything we cannot do or have is a temptation.

51. Who wants much little covers.

We can't have it all. Better let's focus on what we need the most.

52. What breaks in a moment can take years to recover.

A great and hard truth.

53. Loneliness is strength

Loneliness is not always bad. It can also be a space to work on us.

54. We all start out as children.

Never forget that we were once children.

55. The union in the herd forces the lion to go to bed hungry.

When we work as a team, it is more difficult for us to be defeated.

56. It is not one's fault if two fight.

In a conflict, everyone involved has responsibility.

57. A hearty laugh lengthens your life.

Good energies always cheer us up.

58. Without direction the nation fails,

There are things that do not work spontaneously, but need order.

59. Not all that glitters is gold.

Things and people are not always what they appear to be.

60. Sweep before your own door first, before you sweep your neighbors' doors.

Before criticizing someone, we must be honest about whether or not we have done the same.