35 profound Danish Proverbs and Human Truths

Today’s collection of proverbs is drawn from the Northern European nation of Denmark. Denmark with a population of 5.6 million (2014) is the smallest of the three Scandinavian countries (comprising of Norway, Sweden and Denmark). Copenhagen is its capital city. The following Danish proverbs, expressive of timeless human truths, are sure to impart valuable wisdom as you go through them:

Danish proverbs

Sun drying herrings by Laurits Tuxen

Danish Proverbs

1- What the sober man has in his heart, the drunkard has on his lips.

2- Sail while the breeze blows, wind and tide wait for no man.

3- A good example is like a bell that calls many to church.

4- No man is so tall that he need never stretch, and none so small that he need never stoop.

5- A fair exchange is no robbery.

6- Many small streams make a large river.

7- Life without a friend is death without a witness.

8- A gross belly does not produce a refined mind.

9- Bad is never good until worse happens.

10- We must sow even after a bad harvest.

11- A headstrong man and a fool may wear the same cap.

12- From children and drunks will you hear the truth.

13- Better a friend’s bite than an enemy’s caress.

14- He is little suited to be a baker, whose head is made of butter.

15- It is best to be off with the old love before you are on with the new.

Danish proverbs

(Photo: RhinoMind)

DID YOU KNOW:

In Denmark, great attention is paid to traditions and festivals, though without great ceremony. Many Danish traditions are based around the Christian calendar, with Christmas, Easter and St. John’s Eve (at the end of June) being some of the most important and typically spent together with family. (Official website of Denmark)

More Danish proverbs

16- You cannot take a cow from a man who has none.

17- Who takes the child by the hand takes the mother by the heart.

18- Better ask twice than lose your way once.

19- The owl does not praise the light, nor the wolf the dog.

20- Presents make women affable, priests indulgent, and the law crooked.

21- Onions, smoke, and a shrew, make a good man’s eyes water.

22- He who is afraid of asking is ashamed of learning.

23- Keep not two tongues in one mouth.

24- Don’t sail out farther than you can row back.

25- Never advise anyone to go to war or to marry.

Danish proverbs and words of wisdom

(Photo by David Hall)

26– He who gives to me teaches me to give.

27- A lord without land is like a cask without wine.

28- That bench is well adorned that is filled with virtuous women.

29- A man too busy to take care of his health is like a mechanic too busy to take care of his tools.

30- Love and poverty are hard to conceal.

31- He must keep a sharp look-out who would speak the truth.

32- It is a bad well that need water to be carried to it.

33- Every fool can find faults that a great many wise men can’t remedy.

34- God gives every bird its food, but does not throw it into the nest.

35- An ounce of mother is worth a pound of priests.

BONUS DANISH PROVERB:

“To the good listener, half a word is enough.”

Thank you for reading ’35 profound Danish Proverbs and Human Truths’. We always like to hear from you. Leave a comment with your favorite Danish proverb.

 

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