Lang mint, little dint.—Scotch.
That is, a blow long aimed or threatened has little force; or, as the Italians and Spaniards say, "A blow threatened was never well given."[657]
Silence grips the mouse.
"A mewing cat was never a good mouser" (Spanish).[658] "He that threatens warns" (German).[659] "He that threatens wastes his anger" (Portuguese).[660] "The threatener loses the opportunity of vengeance" (Spanish).[661] "Threats are arms for the threatened" (Italian).[662]
Fleying [frightening] a bird is no the way to grip it.—Scotch.
The way to catch a bird is no to fling your bonnet at her.—Scotch.
"Hares are not caught with beat of drum" (French).[663]
Let not your mousetrap smell of blood.
Never show your teeth when you can't bite.
Brag is a good dog, but Holdfast is a better.
A boaster and a liar are cousins german.
"Believe a boaster as you would a liar" (Italian).[664] "Who is the greatest liar? He that talks most of himself" (Chinese).
The greatest talkers are always the least doers.
Great boast, small roast.
"Great vaunters, little doers" (French).[665] "It is not the hen which cackles most that lays most eggs" (Dutch).[666] "A long tongue betokens a short hand" (Spanish).[667]