The eye is bigger than the belly
Many of us, particularly children, over-estimate the capacity of our stomachs.
Proverbs starting with letter E
An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth
The meaning of the principle, an eye for an eye, is that a person who has injured another person receives the same injury in compensation. The exact Latin (lex talionis) to English translation of... Read more →
Extremes meet
The humble man can become so humble as to be haughty about his humbleness. In this way it might be said that the extremes of haughtiness and humbleness meet.
Experience is the teacher of fools
It has been said that experience is the best teacher, but that the school fees are high. This is another way of saying that although we certainly learn by experience,we may have to pay delay in... Read more →
Experience is the mother of wisdom
Out of experience comes wisdom. We learn by our mistakes. For the meaning of 'mother' in this sense see Necessity is the mother of invention.
Expectation is better than realization
Nothing is as good as it seems beforehand. When we have gained our object, or reached the point when we can enjoy something we have been looking forward to very much, more often than not it turns out... Read more →
Exchange is no robbery
This is usually the excuse given by those who have had the advantage of an unfair exchange. If Tom exchanges with Jack a pair of football boots for a camera is useless because it lets the light in,... Read more →
The exception proves the rule
An exception is something that does not follow the rule. When we say that the exception proves the rule, we mean that excepting those cases shows that the rule exists, or that it applies to those not... Read more →
Example is better than precept
The precept is a rule or order given to direct or instruct. 'Always clean your teeth after meals' is a precept; it is good advice. And it is much more likely to be followed if the giver of it sets... Read more →
Evil be to him who evil thinks
The French for this, Honi soit qui al y pense, is the motto of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, instituted by King Edward III in about 1344. A more correct translation is 'Dishonour be to him who... Read more →