90 He cannot bear to see the sun shine on the water (my
neighbour's property bothers me and I am annoyed at the sun
smiling in the water; envy, jealousy).
99 The best straps are cut from someone else's leather (it
is easy to dispose of someone else's property).
100 The pitcher goes to the water (the well) until it
finally breaks (everything has its limits).
101 He holds an eel by the tail (a difficult undertaking
sure to fail).
102 It is ill to swim against the stream (one who revolts
and is unwilling to comply with commonly held rules has a
hard time of it).
103 He throws his cowl over the fence (he discards the
familiar without knowing whether or not he can make it in
his new surroundings).
104 This proverb has not been identified with certainty. The
following meanings are possible:
a) He sees bears dancing (he is famished).
b) Wild bears prefer each other's company (it is a disgrace
if one cannot get along with one's peers).
108 A wall with cracks will soon collapse.
109 It is easy to sail before the wind (under optimal
conditions one succeeds easily).
110 He keeps his eye on the sail (he is alert; "To know
which way the wind blows").
111 a) Who knows why geese go barefoot? (there is a reason
for everything).
b) If I am not meant to be their keeper, I'll let geese be
geese.
112 Horse droppings are not figs (don' tbe fooled).
113 He drags the block (a deceived suitor; to slave away at
a senseless task).
114 Fear makes the old woman trot (need brings out
unexpected qualities).
115 He shits on the gallows (he is not deterred by any
penalty; a gallows bird who will come to a bad end).
116 Where the carcass is, there fly the crows.
117 If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the
ditch (when an ignoramus leads others, they will come to
grief).
118 The journey is not yet over when one can discern church
and steeple (the goal is reached only when one has fully
completed one's task). One further proverb relates to the
sun in the sky: Everything, however finely spun, finally
comes to the sun (in the end, nothing remains hidden or
unrequited).
59 To put a spoke in someone's wheel (to put an obstacle in
the way).
61 He ties a flaxen beard to the face of Christ (deceit
often masquerades under the guise of piety).
66 To sit on hot coals (to be anxious and impatient; "To be
on needles and pins").
70 He falls through the basket (rejected suitor; to be
turned down flat; to fail).
71 He is suspended between heaven and earth (he has got
himself into an awkward situation and does not know what he
should do).
72 She takes the hen's egg and lets the goose egg go (to
make a bad choice as a result of one's greediness).
73 He yawns against the oven; or, he who is determined to
out-yawn the oven will have to yawn for a long time (he
tries to open his mouth wider than an oven door, that is, he
overestimates his ability; "He bites off more than he can
chew"; or, it is futile to set oneself up against those who
are stronger).
74 He can barely reach from one loaf to the other (he cannot
live within his budget).
75 a) He is looking for the hatchet (he is trying to find an
excuse).
b) Here he is with his lantern (finally he has an
opportunity to let his light shine - to show how smart he
his).
76 A hatchet with a handle (the whole thing? -the meaning is
unclear).
77 A hoe without a handle (something useless? -of unclear
meaning; the object is a dough-scraper).
78 He who has spilt his porridge cannot scrape it all up
again (once damage is done, it cannot be completely undone;
"It is no use crying over spilt milk").
79 They pull to get the longest end (a tug-of-war; everyone
seeks his own advantage).
80 He hangs on tightly; rather: Love is on the side where
the money bag hangs.
81 a) He stands in his own light.
b) No one looks for others in the oven who has not been in
there himself (only he who is wicked himself thinks ill of
others; "Do not judge others by your own standards").
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