Saying about Teeth
The teeth often bite the tongue, still the two stay together. ~ Danish Proverb
He that sleeps sound feels not the toothache. ~ Swiss Proverb
If a dog bites you and you don’t bite him back, it will say that you have no teeth. ~ Sudanese Proverbs
Don’t use your teeth when you can untie the knot with your fingers. ~ Afghan Proverb
Other people’s money has sharp teeth. ~ Russian Proverbs
A toad too would like to crack nuts, but he has no teeth. ~ Russian Proverb
The unfortunate would be bitten by toothless dogs. ~ Tibetan Proverb
Eat coconuts while you have teeth. ~ Senegalese Proverb
The tongue goes to where the tooth aches. ~ French Proverb
The teeth that laugh are also those that bite. ~ West African Proverb
The teeth are smiling, but is the heart? ~ Congolese Proverb
Fate sends almonds to toothless people. ~ Spanish Proverb
You can hate the dog, but do not tell him that his teeth are dirty. ~ Creole Proverb (Southern U.S.)
A man without money is like a wolf without teeth. ~ French Proverb
Death does not look at your teeth. ~ Danish Proverb
When a thief kisses you, count your teeth. ~ Yiddish Proverbs
The tongue that concedes will not wear out; obstinate teeth fall out. ~ Chinese Proverb
A loose tooth will not rest until it’s pulled out. ~ Ethiopian Proverb
Teeth will never quarrel with the tongue. ~ Ivorian Proverb
Teeth placed before the tongue give good advice. ~ Italian Proverb
A hundred-year-old revenge still has its baby teeth. ~ Italian Proverb
Almond nuts come to those who have no teeth. ~ Chinese Proverb
Dogs have teeth in all countries. ~ Dutch Proverbs
In the village that you don’t know, the chickens have teeth. ~ Ivorian Proverb
A woman would rather swallow her teeth than her tongue. ~ French Proverb
God gave teeth; He will give bread. ~ Lithuanian Proverb
We have never seen the earth show her teeth. ~ African Proverb
A glutton is one who digs his grave with his teeth. ~ French Proverb
When fortune turns against you, even jelly breaks your teeth. ~ Iranian Proverbs
Even a frog would bite if it had teeth. ~ Italian Proverbs
Listen to the wisdom of the toothless ones. ~ Fijian Proverb
Marriage has teeth and it bites hard. ~ Jamaican Proverb
The teeth sometimes bite the tongue. ~ Malawian Proverb
When the tide of misfortune moves over you, even jelly will break your teeth. ~ Persian Proverb
If you can’t bite, don’t show your teeth. ~ Spanish Proverbs
The tongue is safe; even among thirty teeth. ~ Indian Proverbs
Music helps not the toothache. ~ Traditional Proverb
My dog slaps you with his tail and bites you with his teeth. ~ Basque Proverb
Time has strong teeth. ~ Norwegian Proverbs
Adam ate the apple, and our teeth still ache. ~ Hungarian Proverbs
If you had teeth of steel, you could eat iron coconuts. ~ Senegalese Proverb
Quotations about Teeth
Better a tooth out than always aching. ~ Thomas Fuller
Faced with the choice of enduring a bad toothache or going to the dentist, we generally tried to ride out the bad tooth. ~ Joseph Barbera
I have a sweet tooth for song and music. This is my Polish sin. ~ Pope John Paul II
Americans may have no identity, but they do have wonderful teeth. ~ Jean Baudrillard
Perhaps no mightier conflict of mind occurs ever again in a lifetime than that first decision to unseat one’s own tooth. ~ Gene Fowler
Good dental care doesn’t make you a good student, but if your tooth hurts, it’s hard to be a good student. ~ Geoffrey Canada
Let us have a dagger between our teeth, a bomb in our hands, and an infinite scorn in our hearts. ~ Benito Mussolini
I told my dentist my teeth are going yellow. he told me to wear a brown tie. ~ Rodney Dangerfield
Teeth Proverbs and Their Meanings
In proverbs the teeth stand for a whole range of human things: age and mortality, hidden aggression behind a smile, the appetite that can shorten a life, and the quarrels of people who are nonetheless bound together. Here is what some of the best known teeth sayings actually mean.
- “The teeth often bite the tongue, still the two stay together.” (Danish) — Even those closest to us hurt one another at times, yet the bond holds. A gentle truth about family, marriage and old friendship.
- “The teeth that laugh are also those that bite.” (West African) — The same friendly face that smiles at you can also do you harm; do not mistake a warm manner for a safe one.
- “The teeth are smiling, but is the heart?” (Congolese) — An outward show of friendliness may hide very different feelings within. A smile is not proof of goodwill.
- “When a thief kisses you, count your teeth.” (Yiddish) — Be most on your guard when an untrustworthy person shows you affection; the warmer the gesture, the more carefully you should watch what you have.
- “A man without money is like a wolf without teeth.” (French) — Stripped of the means to act, even a formidable person becomes harmless; power without resources is only for show.
- “Fate sends almonds to toothless people.” (Spanish) — Good fortune has a way of arriving only when we can no longer enjoy it — a wry comment on the poor timing of luck.
- “Death does not look at your teeth.” (Danish) — Just as a horse’s age is read from its teeth, the saying reminds us that death takes young and old without distinction; no one is passed over for being in their prime.
- “If you can’t bite, don’t show your teeth.” (Spanish) — Do not make threats you have no power to carry out; empty menace only invites contempt.
- “Even a frog would bite if it had teeth.” (Italian) — The weak and harmless would do damage too, if only they had the means; ill will is limited more by ability than by desire.
- “Time has strong teeth.” (Norwegian) — Time gnaws away at everything in the end — stone, memory, reputation and all. Nothing withstands it forever.
- “Adam ate the apple, and our teeth still ache.” (Hungarian) — We go on suffering for the mistakes of those who came before us; the consequences of an old fault outlive the person who committed it.
- “A glutton is one who digs his grave with his teeth.” (French) — Overindulgence slowly destroys the one who cannot resist it; appetite left unchecked shortens a life.
- “Teeth placed before the tongue give good advice.” (Italian) — Because the teeth stand guard in front of the tongue, the saying counsels us to think, and to hold words back, before we speak.
Frequently Asked Questions About Teeth Proverbs
What does “the teeth that laugh are also those that bite” mean?
It warns that a friendly, smiling face can belong to someone who will also hurt you. Outward warmth is not proof of good intentions, so do not lower your guard on a smile alone.
What does “when a thief kisses you, count your teeth” mean?
It means you should be most careful precisely when an untrustworthy person is being affectionate towards you. A show of tenderness from a known cheat is a moment to watch your belongings, not to relax.
What do teeth usually symbolise in proverbs?
Teeth most often stand for age and mortality, for power and aggression (the ability to bite), for appetite, and for the hidden intentions that lie behind a friendly smile.
Why do so many proverbs pair the teeth and the tongue?
The teeth and the tongue share one small space yet the teeth sometimes bite the tongue, which makes them a perfect image for people who live closely together — family, spouses, neighbours — and quarrel, but remain bound to one another all the same.
Explore more in our full library of proverbs and their meanings, or browse related collections of Italian and French proverbs.