It is common in many countries to have expressions or sayings that represent something especial and that are generally used to exemplify a situation or clarify a specific point of view. Sometimes they have been transmitted form generation to generation, some others they are just created based on the necessity to make fun of something or to exaggerate the meaning of a situation. Here there is a list of popular proverbs that are said in Colombia and in some other countries. They are translated into English in case you are interested in using them.
| English | Spanish |
| early to bed and early to rise (makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise) | a quien madruga Dios lo ayuda. madrugar = to get up early |
| brain is better than brawn | más vale maña que fuerza. maña = skill, knack |
| out of sight, out of mind | ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente |
| we all make mistakes | el que tiene boca se equivoca |
| if you keep your mouth shut, you won’t put your foot in it | en boca cerrada no entran moscas |
| if you buy cheaply, you pay dearly | lo barato sale caro |
| you can’t teach an old dog new tricks | loro viejo no aprende a hablar loro = parrot |
| better late than never | más vale tarde que nunca |
| no cows, no cares | quien no tiene, no teme |
| better safe than sorry | más vale prevenir que curar; |
| it’s no use crying over spilt milk | a lo hecho pecho |
| every cloud has a silver lining | no hay mal que por bien no venga |
| never put off till tomorrow what you can do today | no dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy |
| the end justifies the means | el fin justifica los medios |
