Manda o amo ao moço, o moço ao gato, e o gato ao rabo. The master orders the man, the man orders the cat, and the cat orders her tail.
Manda o sabio com embaixada, e naõ lhe digas nada. Send a man of sense on the embassy, and you need not instruct him.
Máo he ter moço, mas peior he ter amo. It is bad to have a servant, but worse to have a master.
Matar dous passaros com huma pedra. To kill two birds with one stone.
Melhor he a gallinha da minha visinha, que a minha. Better is my neighbour’s hen than mine.
Melhor he curar goteira, que casa inteira. Better repair the gutter than the whole house.
Melhor he dar a ruins, que pedir a bons. Better have to give than have to beg.
Melhor he dobrar, que quebrar. Better bend than break.
Melhor he errar com muitos, que acertar com poucos. Better be wrong with the many than right with the few.