9+ French Proverbs about Life & Love That Offers Wisdom

A famous French proverb “walls too have ears” which cautions the partner to be careful what you say as people may be eavesdropping. Just like this, there are several other French proverbs which separately talk about love, life and other situations. To help you understand, proverbs are short sayings of wisdom wrapped in clever sayings. To help you learn more about  French proverbs and how these will help you enhance your linguistic skills, make sure you continue reading this blog post.

Read more blogs on Proverbs here from scratch!

What are French Proverbs?

French culture is rich with tradition and here proverbs play a key role. They are a cherished part of their way of expressing wisdom and passing down knowledge. Not only this, proverbs connect generations and social groups. They’re part of a shared cultural heritage that binds people together. Knowing and using proverbs can even show respect for tradition.

• Universal themes: Many French proverbs deal with experiences we all go through in our lifetime, like love, work, and overcoming challenges. Take the proverb “Tout vient à point à qui sait attendre” which means “All things come to those who wait.” This applies across cultures, regardless of language.

• Practical advice: French proverbs often offer guidance for everyday situations. For instance, “Il vaut mieux prévenir que guérir” translates to “Prevention is better than cure,” a reminder to take precautions.

French proverbs offer a fresh perspective or a helpful tip for navigating life’s situations.

Also Read: 9 Best Proverbs on Art that are Full of Creativity with Meaning

French Proverbs about Life

French proverbs about life offer bite-sized advice of wisdom that has been passed down through generations. These short sayings offer practical advice and reflect French cultural values. Check out the table below with all the French proverbs of life that will be quite helpful for you.

French Proverbs about Life	Meaning
After the rain, comes sunshine	This proverb reminds us that difficult times are eventually followed by good times.
You can’t have your cake and eat it too	It highlights the fact that we often have to make choices and can’t have everything we want.
Little by little, the bird builds its nest	This proverb emphasises the importance of patience and perseverance in achieving goals.
To a valiant heart, nothing is impossible	This saying encourages courage and determination, reminding us that anything can be achieved with hard work.
Don’t sell the bear’s skin before you’ve killed the bear	This proverb is similar to the English saying “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.” It means to avoid getting ahead of yourself and celebrate achievements only after they’re accomplished.

Also Read: 11+ Famous Afghan Proverbs (with Meaning) that will Open Your Eyes!

French Proverbs about Love

French proverbs about love paint a rich picture of this complex emotion. They capture the joy, passion, challenges, and even the bittersweet realities of love. Here’s a quick table which enlists all the French proverbs about love, that you can use in Valentine’s Day wishes:

French Proverbs about Love	Explanation
The pleasure of love lasts only a moment. The pain of love lasts a lifetime	This proverb suggests that the moments of joy and passion in love are fleeting, while the pain of heartbreak or loss can leave a lasting impact.
The heart has its reasons that reason does not know	It highlights the complexity and depth of human emotions. It acknowledges the limitations of reason, especially when it comes to the heart’s desires.
The more the heart gets bigger, the less words are useful	It suggests that with a strong emotional connection, couples may develop a deeper understanding that allows them to communicate without needing a lot of words.
One lost, ten found	It conveys the idea that when you lose something, especially something replaceable like a possession or a romantic relationship, there are plenty of other opportunities to find something similar or even better.
There is no happy love	It doesn’t necessarily mean love is always doomed. It suggests that even the most fulfilling love experiences challenges, heartbreak, and difficulties.

French Proverbs about Love for Valentine’s Day Card

You can use the following French proverbs about love to express your feelings this Valentine’s day:

French Proverbs about Love in French	French Proverbs about Love in English	Meaning
L’amour est aveugle.	Love is blind.	When in love, one often overlooks flaws or imperfections in their partner.
On revient toujours à ses premières amours.	One always returns to their first loves.	First loves hold a special place in the heart and are hard to forget.
En amour, il n’y a que des commencements.	In love, there are only beginnings.	Love always feels new and fresh, as if it’s always starting anew.
L’absence est à l’amour ce qu’est au feu le vent; il éteint le petit, il allume le grand.	Absence is to love what wind is to fire; it extinguishes the small and kindles the great.	True love grows stronger with distance, while weak love fades away.
L’amour fait passer le temps, et le temps fait passer l’amour.	Love makes time pass, and time makes love pass.	Love can make us lose track of time, but over time, it can also fade.
En amour, il y en a toujours un qui souffre et un qui s’ennuie.	In love, there is always one who suffers and one who gets bored.	Love is often unbalanced, with one partner feeling more deeply than the other.
Aimer, c’est n’avoir plus de secrets.	To love is to have no more secrets.	True love is built on honesty and openness.
On ne badine pas avec l’amour.	One does not trifle with love.	Love is serious and should not be treated lightly.
Il n’y a qu’un bonheur dans la vie, c’est d’aimer et d’être aimé.	There is only one happiness in life: to love and to be loved.	The essence of true happiness lies in mutual love.
Le cœur a ses raisons que la raison ne connaît point.	The heart has its reasons that reason does not know.	Love often defies logic and cannot be explained rationally.
L’amour est comme la rosée, il tombe sur les orties comme sur les roses.	Love is like dew; it falls on nettles as well as on roses.	Love is impartial and can affect anyone, regardless of circumstances.
En amour, on commence par dévorer l’autre et on finit par le digérer.	In love, one begins by devouring the other and ends by digesting them.	Passionate love often transforms into a deeper, more stable affection.

Check out more blogs on Proverbs!

Popular African American Proverbs and Quotes	Funny Chinese Proverbs with Meaning about Life, Love, and Success
11+ Chinese Love Proverbs Which Will Make You Fall in Love!	Chinese Proverb about Family
9+ Timeless Chinese Proverbs about the Future You Should Know	19+ Ancient Chinese Proverb You Must Know!

FAQs

This was all about the “French proverbs.” Hopefully, you understand the concept and where it’s used. You can also follow Leverage Edu for more exciting and informative blogs.