Netherlandish Proverbs
 

52 An ear-blower (a tattle-tale or gossip; "To fan rumours").
69 a) He catches fish with his bare hands (this shrewd fellow profits from the work of others by taking fish out of the nets which they have cast), b) To throw a smelt to catch a cod (same meaning as 28a).
83 He falls from the ox onto the ass (to make a bad deal; to fall on hard times).
84 One beggar pities the other standing in front of the door.
85 Anyone can see through an oak plank if there is a hole in it.
86 a) He wipes his arse on the door (to make light of everything).
b) He goes around shouldering a burden.
87 He kisses the (door) ring (insincere, exaggerated respect).
88 He fishes behind the net (to miss an opportunity, wasted effort).
89 Big fish eat little fish.
91 He throws his money into the water (to squander money; 'To throw one's money out of the window"; "Money down the drain").
92 They both shit through one hole (inseparable friends).
93 It hangs like a privy over a ditch (a clear-cut matter).
94 He wants to kill two flies with one stroke (however, none will be caught; excessive ambition will be punished).
95 She gazes at the stork (she wastes her time).
96 To recognize a bird by its feathers
97 He hangs his cloak according to the wind (he adapts his viewpoint to conform to the circumstance at hand; "He trims his sails to the wind"; "He swims with the tide").
98 He tosses feathers in the wind (all his efforts are for nothing; to work unsystematically).
107 He does not care whose house is on fire as long as he can warm himself at the blaze (he seizes every opportunity to further his advantage).
108 A wall with cracks will soon collapse.
113 He drags the block (a deceived suitor; to slave away at a senseless task).

53 The fox and the crane entertain each other (Bruegel uses a motif familiar from Aesop's Fables: two deceivers always keep their own advantage in mind; the deceiver deceived).
54 What is the good of a beautiful plate when there is nothing on it? ("Gold plate does not fill your belly").
55 He is a skimming ladle or an egg-beater (a sponger, a parasite).
56 To chalk it up (it will not be forgotten; the debt must be repaid; "To be in a person's book").
57 He fills the well after the calf has drowned (measure taken only when an accident has occurred).
58 He has the world spinning on his thumb (everyone dances to his tune; "He has got the world on a string").
59 To put a spoke in someone's wheel (to put an obstacle in the way).
60 He has to stoop if he wants to get on in the world (whoever is ambitious must be devious and unscrupulous).
61 He ties a flaxen beard to the face of Christ (deceit often masquerades under the guise of piety).
62 To cast roses (pearls) before swine (Matthew 7:6; effort wasted on the unworthy).
64 The pig is stabbed through the belly (a foregone conclusion; it is irrevocable; "Things done cannot be undone").
65 Two dogs over one bone seldom agree (to quarrel bitterly over one and the same thing; "a bone of contention"; image of cupidity and jealousy; envy).
66 To sit on hot coals (to be anxious and impatient; "To be on needles and pins").
67 a) The meat on the spit must be basted.
b) It is healthy to piss on the fire.
c) His fire is pissed out (his fire has been extinguished; he is completely discouraged).
68 There is no turning a spit with him (he is uncooperative).