Icelandic Proverbs

Icelandic Proverbs distill saga-born wit from a windswept North Atlantic island. Shaped by fishing, farming, and the world’s oldest parliament, they prize grit, fairness, and dry humor.

It is difficult to steal when the boss is a thief. (Icelandic Proverb)
Better to drink the milk than to eat the cow. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
He who lives without discipline dies without honor. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Everyone wants to live long, but no one wants to be called old. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Every story has two sides and every song has twelve versions. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Hunger, work, and sweat are the best herbs. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
All sails do not suit every ship. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
A sitting crow starves. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Need is a bad negotiator. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
You do not really know your friends from your enemies until the ice breaks. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Few are like father, no one is like mother. (Icelandic Proverb)
Character is always corrupted by prosperity. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Better wise language than well combed hair. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
When your neighbor's wall breaks, your own is in danger. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
One enemy is too many; 100 friends are far too few. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
A bad rower blames the oar. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
All old sayings have something in them. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Useless wisdom is double foolishness. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
It would be good to have two mouths and speak to yourself with both. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
A man's will can be his paradise, but it can also be his hell. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
You will reach your destination even though you travel slowly. (Icelandic Proverb)
The twigs are rarely better than the trunk. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Bad birds seldom bring good weather. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Mediocrity is climbing molehills without sweating. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
Two make an army against one. View proverb
Icelandic Proverb
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