When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
We all know and love these common, American proverbs.
Sometimes ironic, often silly and amusing, these sayings test our brainsand our wit.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
The Dutch proverbs reach far and wide.
There’s even significance to color.
She puts the blue cloak on her husband.
“She puts the blue cloak on her husband.” (She cheats on, or deceives, her husband.)Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(She cheats on, or deceives, her husband.
In 1559, when the piece was painted, red was a color of sin.
At the same time, thebluecloak she’s draping over her husband tells the other half of the tale.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Just think of it as Bruegel’s version ofWhere’s Waldo, but with words.
Discover 29 more Dutch proverbs hidden in Pieter Bruegel the Elder’sThe Dutch Proverbs.
To bang one’s head against a brick wall.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
One shears sheep, the other shears pigs.
(One has all the advantages, the other has none.)
It depends on the fall of the cards.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(Let the chips falls where they may.)
Two fools under one hood.
(Stupidity loves company.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
To be pissing against the moon.
(To be pissing into the wind.)
They both crap through the same hole.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(Bosom buddies.)
If the blind lead the blind, both will fall in the ditch.
(The blind leading the blind.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
It is ill to swim against the current.
(An uphill battle.)
He who has spilt his porridge cannot scrape it all up again.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(Don’t cryover spilt milk.)
Two dogs over one bone seldom agree.
(To argue uselessly over a single point).
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Sitting on hot coals.
(To be impatient.)
To hang one’s cloak according to the wind.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(To adapt one’s viewpoint to the current opinion.)
The whole world is upside down.
To have the roof tiled with tarts.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(To be very wealthy).
To sit between two stools in the ashes.
(To be indecisive.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
To be able to tie even the devil to a pillow.
(Perseverance overcomes everything.)
To crap on the world.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(To despise everything.)
A pillar-biter.
(A religious hypocrite.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
To lead each other by the nose.
(To fool each other.)
To have the world spinning on one’s thumb.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(To have the world in the palm of your hand.)
To put a spoke in someone’s wheel.
(To throw a wrench in someone’s plans.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Horse droppings are not figs.
(Appearances are deceiving.)
To venture to kill two flies with one stroke.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(To kill two birds with one stone.)
To marry under the broomstick.
(To live together without marrying.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
To look through one’s fingers.
(To turn a blind eye.)
The die is cast.
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
(The decision is made.)
Leave an egg in the nest.
(Always have something in reserve.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
There is more in it than an empty herring.
(There is more than meets the eye.)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
Pieter Bruegel the Elder, detail of “The Dutch Proverbs,” 1559 (Photo:Google Arts & Culture, Public domain)
