"Even cypresses have their whims." Everyone and everything has their quirks and unpredictable moments — even things that seem stiff, formal, or unchanging. A …

"Even Hercules is helpless when there's a crowd against him." No matter how strong or capable a person is, they cannot overcome a large group. Numbers beat …

"Even Hercules cannot help when there is a whole sea of people." A more elevated variant of the same idea: individual strength, however legendary, is no match …

"Even a king sits on a broken throne when he dines well." A good meal makes any discomfort bearable. Comfort and contentment come from within — especially from …

"Even a king will be eaten by worms." Death is the great equaliser — no rank, wealth, or power can save anyone from mortality. A memento mori.

"Even on an old bush, roses bloom." Age does not extinguish beauty, talent, or vitality. Old people can still flourish and surprise.

"Even the last piece of bread must be shared with a brother." Generosity and solidarity are obligations, not options — even when you have almost nothing left to …

"Both the thief who steals and the one who holds the ladder for the thief are thieves." Complicity in wrongdoing makes you equally guilty. There is no innocent …

Even the best craftsmen or the most sophisticated place cannot make something good out of poor raw material. Quality of the result depends on quality of the …

A politer variant of the same idea: even in the most capable hands, you cannot transform one thing into something fundamentally different. Limitations of raw …

A situation where both parties get what they want — a win-win outcome where no one has to sacrifice anything.

February brings harsh cold and icy conditions, so prepare yourself — literally and figuratively. A reminder to get ready for tough times ahead.

The more wine (alcohol) someone has drunk, the more truth comes out in what they say. Drunk people tend to say what they really think.

The deeper you go into something, the more complex and overwhelming it becomes. Often used when a problem turns out to be much bigger than expected.

The older someone gets, the more stubborn and set in their ways they become. Old habits and attitudes harden with age.

A weather proverb: the warmer and fairer the weather on Saint Christopher's Day (July 25), the harsher the ice and frost will be in the coming winter.

The harder the work, the sweeter the reward and the more satisfying the effort feels. Struggle makes the outcome more meaningful.

Someone was making plans for the future while being completely unaware of the danger right in front of them. Plans are pointless if you ignore present threats.