all’s fair in love and war

Any action, however mean or unscrupulous, is permissible in certain situations; often used to justify cheating or deception: “‘You opened the letter!’ . . . ‘How was I to read it if I hadn’t? All’s . . . fair in love and war, you know’” (Francis Edward Smedley, Frank Fairleigh, 1850). The proverb was first recorded, with different wording, in 1620. In modern use an extra word is often added to or substituted for part of the proverb, as in “All’s fair in love—an’ war—an’ politics” (George Ade, County Chairman, 1903).

all things come to those who wait

If are patient, you will have what you desire: Remember that all things come to those who wait, and don't be disappointed if you miss promotion this time. First recorded in 1530 with different wording, the proverb occurs in Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Tales of a Wayside Inn (1863): "All things come to him who will but wait."

Variant of this proverb: all good things come to those who wait; everything comes to those who wait.

all fish are not caught with flies

In some circumstances different methods must be employed to achieve a desired end: The old man grinned and said something about all fish not being caught with flies. The proverb was first recorded in 1580 by John Lyly in Euphues and his England.

the age of miracles is past

Miracles no longer happen; used when some desirable occurrence seems highly unlikely: I didn't expect the authorities to take any action in response to my complaint--the age of miracles is past. The proverb occurs in Shakespeare's play All's Well that Ends Well (2:3) in the form "They say miracles are past," which implies that it is of earlier origin.

Proverb expressing opposite meaning: WONDERS WILL NEVER CEASE!

alcohol will preserve anything but a secret

People have a tendency to talk too freely and become indiscreet when they are drunk.

Proverb expressing similar meaning: DRUNKENNESS REVEALS WHAT SOBERNESS CONCEALS; THERE'S TRUTH IN WINE.

admiration is the daughter of ignorance

People often admire others about whom they only have incomplete knowledge.

Proverb expressing similar meaning: WHAT THE EYE DOESN'T SEE, THE HEART DOESN'T GRIEVE OVER.

Proverb expressing opposite meaning: PREDJUDICE IS THE DAUGHTER OF IGNORANCE.

action without thought is like shooting without aim

Think before you act in order to achieve the best results: Disregarding the proverb that action without thought is like shouting without aim, he went straight out and bought a computer that proved to be totally unsuitable for his needs.

Proverb expressing similar meanings: LOOK BEFORE YOU LEAP