Justice / Equality

flaw

A fly in the ointment.

refers to a small flaw or imperfection that spoils something that is otherwise perfect or ruins the overall impression of something.

flaw

A cracked bell can never sound well.

Something that is flawed, doesn't work as well as something that is perfect.

conscience

A clear conscience laughs at false accusations.

If your conscience is clear, you won't be intimidated by unjust accusations

compromise

A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.

With the time, the money and the effort that a case at court of law requires, it is better to avoid it by making a compromise, even if it is not so much on your advantage.

reputation

A good name is sooner lost than won.

It takes a long time to build up a good reputation, which can be lost much quicker, just with one incident.

joke

A Joke never gains an enemy but often loses a friend.

A friend can be offended by a rude joke whereas nobody will become enemy just because of a joke.

friendship

All are not friends that speak us fair.

Just because someone says nice things about you -usually in front of you- doesn't mean that he is a real friend.

feeling

All are not merry that dance lightly.

You cannot know how one is feeling, just by their appearance or behaviour; People often hide their true feelings.

bad

A hole is but a hole, though laden with gold.

A bad person is just a bad person, even if he or she is very rich.

ability

A clever hawk hides its claws.

One should hide his best abilities until the right time comes.

freedom

Better die standing than live kneeling.

the idea that some principles are so important that they're worth dying for; underscores the importance of freedom, dignity, courage, and resistance in the face of oppression or injustice.

help

Claw me, and I will claw you.

Help me, and I'll help you.

fortune

One day honey, one day onion

The changing of fortunes; Just as we take the good times, we have to accept and the bad ones

bad

Dead men don't bite.

A dead person cannot do any harm; it is often used to justify the death of a bad person.

excuse

Idle folks lack no excuses.

those who are not actively engaged in work or meaningful activities tend to find reasons or excuses to avoid taking responsibility or making progress. The phrase highlights the tendency of idle individuals to come up with various justifications for their inactivity, rather than taking initiative and being productive

education

Just as the twig is bent, the tree is inclined.

Early influences have a permanent effect.

law

Laws catch flies, but let hornets go free.

Laws catch the small time crooks but are less useful in catching the rich criminals.

punishment

Little thieves are hanged, but great ones escape.

People who commit crimes on a huge scale are going often unpunished, because they have money and connections, whereas those who commit small crimes are always facing the full consequences of the law.

purpose

Many a fine dish has nothing on it.

even the most beautiful or luxurious items are useless without their intended purpose being fulfilled. The phrase can also be used to comment on superficiality or outward appearances. Just as a beautiful plate might be empty, a person might be attractive or appear accomplished, but lack substance, depth, or value underneath the surface.

power

Might goes before right.

Those in power have the ability to control other people and enforce their own justice and beliefs.

necessity

Necessity knows no law.

If someone is in great need of something, he will do everything, he will even break the law in order to get it.

rule

New lords, new laws.

When new rulers comes to power or take control of a situation, they make changes and apply new rules.

law

One law for the rich, and another for the poor.

the wealthy and the less privileged are treated differently under the law, with the implication that the wealthy may receive more favorable treatment or face less severe consequences for their actions.

lies

One lie makes many.

When we tell one lie, in order to justify it, we are often forced to tell more lies.

poverty

Poverty is no sin.

People should not be regarded as inferior or blameful just because they are poor.

appearance

Speak of the devil and he will appear.

Someone who has arrived just after they were being discussed.

group

Tarred with the same brush.

A situation when all of a group are considered bad just because some of them are bad.

matching

The cap fits.

The hypothesis or allegation for something are proved just and true.

hope

The darkest hour is just before the dawn.

When things seem to be at their worst point, they are about to start getting better.

result

The end justifies the means.

Wrong or unfair or illegal methods may be used if the result of an action is good.