List of English proverbs {B}

B	Bad news travels fast.	People tend to circulate bad news (accidents, illness etc.) very quickly.
	Beauty is only skin deep.	A person's character is more important than their appearance.
	Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.	Different people have different tastes.
	Beauty is the wisdom of women. Wisdom is the  beauty of men.
	Be swift to hear, slow to speak.	Listen carefully before speaking.
	Better be alone than in bad company.	Be careful in the choice of the people you associate with.
	Better be the head of a dog then the tail of a lion.	It's better to be the leader of a small group than a subordinate in a bigger one.
	Better flatter a fool than fight him.	It's better to avoid disputes with stupid people.
	Better the devil you know than the devil you  don't know	It's better to deal with somebody difficult but familiar, than change and risk dealing   with somebody worse.
	Better late than never.	It's better to do something, even if it's late,  than not do it at all.
	Better lose the saddle than the horse.	It's better to stop and accept a small loss, rather than continue and risk losing   everything.
	Better safe than sorry	It's better to be too careful than to be careless and regret  it later.
	Better to drink the milk than to eat the cow.	Be careful not to destroy the source of your income or welfare.
	Better untaught than ill-taught	It's better not to be taught at all than to be taught badly.
	Beware of Greeks bearing gifts.	Don't trust your enemies.
	Birds of a feather flock together.	People of the same sort are usually found together.
	Blood is thicker than water	Family relationships are stronger than relationships with other people.
	Blood will out.	A person's background or education will eventually show.

List of English proverbs {A}

	Proverb	Explanation / Meaning
A	Absence makes the heart grow fonder.	When you are away from someone you love, you love them even more.
	Accidents will happen.	Some unfortunate events must be accepted as inevitable.
	Actions speak louder than words.	What a person actually does is more important that what they say they will do.
	Advice is cheap.	It doesn't cost anything to offer advice.
	Advice is least heeded when most needed.	When a problem is serious, people often do not follow the advice given.
	Advisers run no risks.	It's easier to give advice than to act.
	All cats are grey in the dark.	People are undistinguished until they have made a name.
	All good things come to those who wait.	Patience brings rewards.
	All that glitters is not gold.	Appearances can be deceptive.
	All days are short to Industry and long to Idleness.	Time goes by slowly when you have nothing to do.
	All is fair in love and war	Things that are done  in love or war can often be excused.
	All's well that ends well	There is a solution to everything even though there are doubts.
	All that glitters is not gold.	What look good on the outside may not be so in reality.
	All things grow with time - except grief.	As time goes by, grief subsides little by little.
	All things are difficult before they are easy.	With practice things become easier.
	All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.	Everybody needs a certain amount of relaxation.  It is not good to work all   the time.
	An apple a day keeps the doctor away.*	Eating an apple every day can help to keep you healthy.   Other interpretation : A small preventive treatment wards off serious problems.
	An empty purse frightens away friends.	When one's financial situation deteriorates,  friends tend to disappear.
	An Englishman's home is his castle.	An Englishman's home is a place where he feels safe,  enjoys privacy   and can do as he wishes.
	An idle brain is the devil's workshop.	When you work you avoid temptation.
	An onion a day keeps everyone away.*	*A humoristic version of "an apple a day..."
	An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.	It is easier to prevent something from happening than to repair the damage or   cure the disease later.
	Anger is the one thing made better by delay.	When you are angry, it is best not to speak or act immediately.
	Any time means no time.	If the date of an event remains vague, it will never happen.
	April showers bring May flowers.	Something bad or unpleasant today may bring good things in the future.
	A bad tree does not yield good apples.	A bad parent does not raise good children.
	A bad workman blames his tools.	Blaming the tools for bad workmanship is an excuse for lack of skill.
	A bird in hand is worth two in a bush.	It's better to keep what you have than to risk losing it by searching for something better.
	A broken friendship may be soldered but will  never be sound.	Friendships can be rebuilt after a dispute but will never be as strong as before.
	A burden of one's own choice is not felt.	Something difficult seems easier when it is done voluntarily.
	A burnt  child dreads the fire.	A bad experience will make people stay away from certain things.
	A cat has nine lives.	1) Cats can survive many accidents because they land on their feet without injury.   2) Three lives = 3 years to play, 3 years to stray, 3 years to stay.
	A chain is no stronger than its weakest link.	The strength of a group depends on each individual member.
	A change is as good as a rest.	A change in routine is often as refreshing as a break or a holiday.
	A dry March, a wet April and a cool May     fill barn and cellar and bring much hay.	Harvest predictions according to the weather.
	A fault confessed is half redressed.	Confession is the beginning of forgiveness.
	A flower blooms more than once.	If you miss an occasion, you can avail of it at another time.
	A fool and his money are soon (easily) parted.	A foolish person usually spends money carelessly.
	A fool at forty is a fool forever.	If a person hasn't matured by the age of 40, they never will.
	A friend in need is a friend indeed.	Someone who helps you when you are in trouble is a real friend.
	A friend to all is a friend to none.	Someone who is a friend to everyone makes none of them feel special.
	A friend's eye is a good mirror.	A real friend will tell you the truth.
	A good example is the best sermon.	Giving an example is better than giving advice.
	A good beginning makes a good end.	If a task is carefully planned, there's a better chance that it will be done well.
	A good conscience is a soft pillow.	You sleep well when you have nothing to feel guilty about.
	A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
	A leopard cannot change its spots.	It is not possible for a bad or unpleasant person to become good or pleasant.
	A loaded wagon makes no noise.	Really wealthy don't talk about money.
	A loveless life is a living death.
	A man can die but once.
	A man is as old as he feels himself to be.
	A man is known by the company he keeps.	A person's character is judged by the type of people with whom they spend   their time.
	A monkey in silk is a monkey no less.	No matter how someone dresses, it's the same person underneath.
	A new broom sweeps clean.	A newly-appointed person makes changes energetically.
	A problem shared is a problem halved.	It will be easier to deal with a problem if you discuss it with someone.
	A rising tide lifts all boats.	Describes something that will be helpful to all.
	A rolling stone gathers no moss.	If a person keeps moving from place to place, they gain neither friends nor   possessions.                                Another interpretation is that, by moving often, one avoids being tied down!
	A rotten apple spoils the barrel.	A dishonest or immoral person can have a bad influence on a group.
	A smooth sea never made a skilled mariner.	Overcoming adversity leads to competence.
	A stitch in time saves nine.	It's better to deal with a  problem at an early stage, to prevent it from getting   worse.
	A stumble may prevent a fall.	Correcting a small mistake may help you to avoid making a bigger one.
	A swallow does not make the summer.	One good event does not mean that everything is alright.
	A tree is known by its fruit.	A man is judged by his actions.
	A watched pot never boils	If you wait anxiously for something, it seems to take a long time.
	A young idler, an old beggar.	If you don't work, you won't have any money when you're old.
	After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile.	Today 'dinner' is usually called 'lunch', and 'supper' more often called 'dinner'.
	As you sow, so shall you reap	You have to accept the consequences of your actions.
	Ask me no questions, I'll tell  you no lies.	There are subjects I'd rather not discuss.

Regular Verbs List

There are thousands of regular verbs in English. This is a list of 600 of the more common regular verbs. Note that there are some spelling variations in American English (for example, "practise" becomes "practice" in American English).

accept add admire admit advise afford agree alert

allow amuse analyse announce annoy answer apologise appear

applaud appreciate approve argue arrange arrest arrive ask

attach attack attempt attend attract avoid

 

back bake balance ban bang bare bat bathe battle beam

beg behave belong bleach bless blind blink blot blush boast

boil bolt bomb book bore borrow bounce bow box brake

brake branch breathe bruise brush bubble bump burn bury buzz

 

calculate call camp care carry carve cause challenge change charge chase cheat check cheer chew

choke chop claim clap clean clear clip close coach coil collect colour comb command communicate

compare compete complain complete concentrate concern confess confuse connect consider consist contain continue copy correct

cough count cover crack crash crawl cross crush cry cure curl curve cycle

 

dam damage dance dare decay deceive decide decorate delay delight

deliver depend describe desert deserve destroy detect develop disagree disappear

disapprove disarm discover dislike divide double doubt drag drain dream

dress drip drop drown drum dry dust

 

earn educate embarrass employ empty encourage

end enjoy enter entertain escape examine

excite excuse exercise exist expand expect

explain explode extend

 

face fade fail fancy fasten fax fear fence

fetch file fill film fire fit fix flap

flash float flood flow flower fold follow fool

force form found frame frighten fry

 

gather gaze glow glue

grab grate grease greet

grin grip groan guarantee

guard guess guide

 

hammer hand handle hang happen harass

harm hate haunt head heal heap

heat help hook hop hope hover

hug hum hunt hurry

 

identify ignore imagine impress improve include

increase influence inform inject injure instruct

intend interest interfere interrupt introduce invent

invite irritate itch

 

jail jam

jog join

joke judge

juggle jump

 

kick kill

kiss kneel

knit knock

knot

 

label land last laugh launch

learn level license lick lie

lighten like list listen live

load lock long look love

 

man manage march mark marry match mate

matter measure meddle melt memorise mend mess up

milk mine miss mix moan moor mourn

move muddle mug multiply murder

 

nail name

need nest

nod note

notice number

 

obey object observe

obtain occur offend

offer open order

overflow owe own

 

pack paddle paint park part pass paste pat pause peck pedal peel peep perform

permit phone pick pinch pine place plan plant play please plug point poke polish

pop possess post pour practise pray preach precede prefer prepare present preserve press pretend

prevent prick print produce program promise protect provide pull pump punch puncture punish push

 

question

queue

 

race radiate rain raise reach realise receive recognise record reduce reflect

refuse regret reign reject rejoice relax release rely remain remember remind

remove repair repeat replace reply report reproduce request rescue retire return

rhyme rinse risk rob rock roll rot rub ruin rule rush

 

sack sail satisfy save saw scare scatter scold scorch scrape scratch scream screw scribble scrub seal search separate serve settle shade share shave shelter

shiver shock shop shrug sigh sign signal sin sip ski skip slap slip slow smash smell smile smoke snatch sneeze sniff snore snow soak

soothe sound spare spark sparkle spell spill spoil spot spray sprout squash squeak squeal squeeze stain stamp stare start stay steer step stir stitch

stop store strap strengthen stretch strip stroke stuff subtract succeed suck suffer suggest suit supply support suppose surprise surround suspect suspend switch

 

talk tame tap taste tease telephone tempt terrify test thank

thaw tick tickle tie time tip tire touch tour tow

trace trade train transport trap travel treat tremble trick trip

trot trouble trust try tug tumble turn twist type

 

undress unfasten

unite unlock

unpack untidy

use

 

vanish

visit

 

wail wait walk wander want warm warn wash

waste watch water wave weigh welcome whine whip

whirl whisper whistle wink wipe wish wobble wonder

work worry wrap wreck wrestle wriggle

 

x-ray

 

yawn

yell

 

zip

zoom

English Prepositions List

There are about 150 prepositions in English. Yet this is a very small number when you think of the thousands of other words (nouns, verbs etc). Prepositions are important words. We use individual prepositions more frequently than other individual words. In fact, the prepositions of, to and in are among the ten most frequent words in English. Here is a short list of 70 of the more common one-word prepositions. Many of these prepositions have more than one meaning. Please refer to a dictionary for precise meaning and usage.

• aboard
• about
• above
• across
• after
• against
• along
• amid
• among
• anti
• around
• as
• at

• before
• behind
• below
• beneath
• beside
• besides
• between
• beyond
• but
• by

• concerning
• considering

• despite
• down
• during

• except
• excepting
• excluding

• following
• for
• from

• in
• inside
• into

• like

• minus

• near

• of
• off
• on
• onto
• opposite
• outside
• over

• past
• per
• plus

• regarding
• round

• save
• since

• than
• through
• to
• toward
• towards

• under
• underneath
• unlike
• until
• up
• upon

• versus
• via

• with
• within
• without

12th Central Idea

Poem – 1 (Mercy)

(William Shakespeare)

Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “Mercy” composed by “William Shakespeare”, a famous poet and dramatist of Elizabethan age.
Context:
In these lines, Portia, the wife of Bassanio appeals to shylok to show mercy to Antonio. She praises the quality of mercy highly.
Explanation/Central Idea :
The poet says that Mercy is a divine quality. Nobody can force to show mercy. It comes like a gentle rain naturally. It is a double blessing. It blesses both the giver and the receiver.
King’s royal rod shows temporal power but mercy is above this. It suits the king better than his crown. It sits in hearts of the kings. It is a quality of God. When a king softens the punishment by showing mercy, the power of king appears like the power of God.

Long Answers Of Light of Asia

Question: 1 – Describe the seven visions which the king Suddhodhan saw.

Give the interpretation of the seven visions which the king Suddhodhan saw?

Answer: – Introduction: F-E-C-W-D-T-M

                                                                During his first visit Prince Siddhartha saw an old man. Seeing him he was very upset and did not sleep. That night king Suddhodhan saw seven visions “When king Suddhodhan saw seven visions, he was very much afraid. None of wise dream-reader could interpret his visions. Then a hermit came to his court and gave interpretation of these visions.”

First Vision:

In his first vision he saw glorious flag shining with golden sun in the center. A strong wind tore it and threw it into dust. It meant that old faiths would change and new faints would take their place.

Second Vision:

In his second vision the king saw ten huge elephants with silver tusks. They were moving towards south and the Prince was sitting on the leading elephant. It meant that the Prince would get ten gifts of wisdom and shake the world with them.

Third Vision:

In his third vision the king saw a chariot. Four horses were drawing it. They produced smoke from nostrils and fire from mouth. The prince was sitting in it. It meant that four horses were four virtues which would help the Prince get knowledge.

Fourth Vision:

In his fourth vision the king saw a fast moving wheel with golden hub. There were jewels on its spokes and there were some letters on its tyre. It was moving very fast and producing sweet music. It meant that wheel was wheel of perfect law and Prince will show perfect law to the world.

Fifth Vision:

In his fifth vision the king saw a drum placed between city and hills. When the prince beat it with an iron rod, it produced a thundering sound. It meant that like sound of drum Buddha’s teachings would spread in every corner of the world.
Sixth Vision:
In the sixth vision the king saw a tall tower. Standing on its top, the prince was scattering jewels and people were coming to collect them. It meant that rising of tower was the spread of Buddhism and jewels were his teachings.
Seventh Vision:
In his last vision the king saw six men weeping bitterly. They were grinding their teeth. Their mouths were shut with their hands. It meant that the weeping six men were the men whom the prince would give knowledge.
Introduction:
‘The Light of Asia’ has been composed by Sir Edwin Arnold. It has eight parts out of which only part III is in the course. It is about the life of Buddha.

Buddha’s Luxurious Life:

Buddha, the son of King Suddhodhan, lived in luxurious place. He had a beautiful wife. There was music, dance and pleasure all around him. He did not know of old age death, sickness, pain and want.

Buddha’s Restlessness:

While sleeping in a palace, he would become restless and cry “My World; Oh World! I hear! I Know: I Come!” At his wife had tears in her eyes. But he would smile again to stop the tears from eyes of his wife. He ordered for Veena to be play on.
The Message of Gods (Wind’s Song):
One day the Gods gave him an important message by playing on the Veena. They told him that life was only an empty dream and had no taste. Worldly love was not permanent. The world was full of misery and pain. They further said that he should give up his luxury for the sake of other people’s sorrow. He should end the sorrow of the world.

Chitra’s Tale:

Chitra was the maid-servant of the prince Siddhartha. One she told a tale of a magic of fairy land. That day he was surprised to know that the world was so large. He wished to have a wing of an eagle or a magic horse to sit on. He wished to see the world outside.

First Visit 

Decoration of the City:
The city was decorated for the prince’s visit. The water carrier sprinkled water on the streets. The house wives scattered fresh red power before their houses. The flower garlands were hanging on the doors. The whole the city looked neat and clean.

Warm-Welcome of the Prince:

There was no evil sight. The people were beating drum. Some people brought cakes to the bullocks. Some people were throwing flowers at the prince. They were crying “Jai! Jai !” for the noble prince.
The Sight of an Old Man:
During this visit the prince an old man. He was toothless and bent like a bow. He was very lean and then. He could hardly walk and speak.

His Conversation with Channa:

Seeing the old man, the prince asked what that thing was. Channa told him that he was an old man. Old age had made him so. The prince asked if he too would become old. Channa said that he would. At this he became sad asked him to go back to the place.
His Feelings During First Visit:
That night the prince kept thinking about the old man ad his old age. He neither took food nor a sleep. He kept tossing. That night the king saw seven visions.

 Second Visit 

Introduction:

Prince Siddhartha wished to visit the city second time. He requested his father to let him see the city as it was. Prince in the guise of a merchant and Channa in the dress of her clerk went out of the palace.

The Prince Saw a Sick Man:

During his first visit the prince and Channa met many people on the way. When they reached the river bridge, they saw a sick man. He was crying in pain. He said, “Ah! the pain! Good people, help! Seeing him the prince took pity on him and lifted him. He put his head on his knee.

His Conversation with Channa:

The prince asked Channa, “Why is his condition so pitiable?” Channa answered, “This man is suffering from a fatal disease. His heart beat is not normal. His blood is hot. The disease has sucked his energy. Channa advised the prince not to touch the sick man. The prince asked, “Does the disease come to all?” Channa said, “It comes to all but in many forms.”

A Procession of the Dead Body:

During the second visit the prince saw a group of mourners. They were crying aloud, “O Rama! Ram! Hear! Call upon Ram, brothers man!
They were going to the river bank.
Four people were carrying a dead body. The relatives of the dead were lamenting and their heads were shaven. A man had an earthen bowl with lighted coals in it.

Cremation of the Dead Body:

After some time they reached on the river bank. They put the dead body on the bier and set fire to it. The dead body caught fire and burnt to ashes. Only some bones were still left.

His Conversation with Channa:

Seeing it the prince asked, “Is this the end which comes to all who live?” Channa said, “Death is unavoidable. Though, it comes in many forms. When is alive, he can laugh, love and enjoy everything. But when he is, he can neither laugh nor love.”

His Feeling After Second Visit:

The prince realized that the world was full of sorrow. Everybody was suffering. The joy, youth and love are temporary things. Suffering man dies and is born again and suffers. It goes on for a time. He decides to end the sorrow of suffering humanity.

Question: 2 – Sketch the character of Channa. Who is Channa? Discuss his role and importance in the poem?

Answer: A Good Servant:
                                        Channa is a good servant of Prince. During the first visit of Prince Siddhartha, he goes with him as a charioteer. During the second the prince dresses like a merchant and Channa is in the guise of his clerk. When the prince asks him to return to the place, he obeys him willingly.

A Man of Worldly Knowledge:

Channa has got knowledge about the world. Living in a palace the prince did not know what old age, sickness and death were. He explains these things to the prince very cleverly. During his visits the prince asks him what he sees. The prince was satisfied with Channa’s answers.

His Answer:

Channa is not only a guide but a philosopher also. He explains death and old age like a philosopher. During first visit the prince asked, “What is old age?” Channa replied that old age comes to all and makes a man weak and toothless. During his second visit he said that sickness comes to all in many ways. Death is unavoidable and ends of a life. No man is immortal.

His Role (His Importance):

Thus we can say that Channa has played very important role in the poem. He is an obedient servant, a philosopher, a companion of the prince. He conceals nothing from the prince. If Channa had not been a part of poem, the poem would have been tasteless. Only Channa’s answers make it interesting. The prince could not know the reality of the world without Channa’s answers.

Question: 3 – Sketch the character of Prince Siddhartha.

Answer: Main Character:
                                          Prince Siddhartha is the main character in “The Light of Asia” composed by Sir Edwin Arnold. He is the only character around which the whole story moves. He was the founder of “Buddhism”.
His Earlier Life:
Prince Siddhartha was the only son of King Suddhodhan. He lived in a palace. He had a beautiful wife Yashodhara. He led a luxurious life. There was music and dance around him.

His Little Knowledge About The World:

Living fast he had very little of the outside world. He did not know what old age, death and sickness were. He wanted to know more about the world and he made two visits.
A Good Son and Husband:
Prince was an ideal son. He asked king’s permission when he wished to visit the city. He was a good husband. He would smile to stop the tears of his wife when suddenly he started crying.
A Kind and Sympathetic Man:
Prince was very kind and sympathetic. During the second visit he saw a sick man. He was crying in pain. He lifted that man up and put his head on his knee. He did not leave him despite Channa’s warning. When he had seen the old man, sick man and dead boy he said, “The world suffers from fear. Love is short lived. I would not let any one cry.”