Proverbs About Cats

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Wisdom, Culture, and Symbolism Across the World

Cats and Human Wisdom

Cats have fascinated humanity for thousands of years. From ancient temples of Egypt to modern households, they have been companions, protectors, and sometimes even symbols of mystery and superstition. Across cultures, cats have not only been admired for their elegance and independence but also woven into the wisdom of society through proverbs and sayings.

Proverbs are more than just clever phrases—they represent lessons, values, and shared cultural experiences. In the case of cats, they capture how humans have perceived their behavior, characteristics, and symbolic meaning across time.

This article explores proverbs about cats from different cultures, explains their meanings, and examines how these feline sayings continue to shape the way we view cats today.

Classic English and American Proverbs About Cats

English-speaking cultures, particularly in Britain and the United States, have developed a number of cat-related proverbs. These sayings often reflect observation of cat behavior and turn it into life lessons.

“Curiosity killed the cat.”

Perhaps the most famous cat proverb in English. It warns against excessive curiosity or meddling in matters that do not concern you. Cats are naturally curious animals, and this saying highlights how dangerous it can be to push boundaries too far.

“A cat has nine lives.”

This proverb emphasizes cats’ remarkable ability to escape danger and survive accidents. It also symbolizes resilience and adaptability in humans.

“When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”

A proverb about authority: when the figure of power is absent, subordinates will misbehave or relax rules.

“Look what the cat dragged in.”

Used humorously to describe someone who arrives looking disheveled—or someone who was not particularly welcome.

“Let the cat out of the bag.”

This means to reveal a secret. The origin dates back to medieval markets, where dishonest sellers would sell a bag supposedly containing a piglet, but instead substitute it with a less valuable cat. Once the bag was opened, the trick was revealed.

European Proverbs About Cats

Across Europe, cats appear in folklore and superstitions, often tied to luck, cunning, or mystery.

German Proverbs

“Nachts sind alle Katzen grau.”
(“At night all cats are grey.”)
Meaning: In the dark, appearances don’t matter, suggesting that superficial differences fade under certain conditions.
“Katzen haben sieben Leben.”
(Cats have seven lives.)
In German culture, unlike the English “nine lives,” cats are believed to have seven.

French Proverbs

“Il n’y a pas de chat sans griffes.”
(“There is no cat without claws.”)
Meaning: Everyone has a defensive side, no matter how gentle they may seem.
“La nuit, tous les chats sont gris.”
Similar to the German proverb: appearances are equalized in the dark.

Italian Proverbs

“Quando il gatto non c’è, i topi ballano.”
Equivalent to “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
“Gatta ci cova.”
(“The cat is brooding.”)
Meaning: Something suspicious is going on, as if a cat is quietly watching.

Proverbs About Cats in Asian Cultures

Cats are deeply symbolic in many Asian societies, sometimes representing luck, other times danger or mystery.

Japanese Proverbs

“Neko ni koban.”
(“Gold coins to a cat.”)
Meaning: Giving something valuable to someone who cannot appreciate it.
“Neko no te mo karitai.”
(“I’d even borrow a cat’s paw.”)
Meaning: Being so busy that you’d accept help from anyone—even a cat.
“Neko wo kaburu.”
(“To wear a cat.”)
Meaning: To pretend to be innocent or gentle while hiding one’s true nature.

Chinese Proverbs

“Māo bú zài, lǎoshǔ tiào wǔ.” (猫不在，老鼠跳舞)
Equivalent to “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
“Yī zhǐ māo bùnéng zhuā liǎng zhǐ lǎoshǔ.” (一只猫不能抓两只老鼠)
(“One cat cannot catch two mice.”)
Meaning: Focus on one task at a time.

Middle Eastern Proverbs

Arabic: “The cat dreams of mice.”
Suggesting that our desires shape our dreams.
Persian: “A cat may look at a king.”
Similar to the English version, this emphasizes that even the lowliest creatures have certain rights.

African Proverbs About Cats

Africa’s relationship with cats goes back to ancient Egypt, where cats were worshiped as sacred beings. Proverbs from the continent often highlight survival, cunning, and instinct.

Ethiopian: “The cat dreams of fish but fears water.”
Meaning: People often want things they are not willing to work for.
Egyptian: “The cat was given milk and asked for meat.”
A lesson about greed and ingratitude.
Swahili: “The cat’s whiskers do not lie.”
Suggesting that instinct and natural senses are trustworthy.

Cats in Proverbs from Latin America

Latin America blends Spanish influence with indigenous folklore, creating rich feline symbolism.

Mexican: “Cuando el gato duerme, los ratones hacen fiesta.”
Similar to “When the cat’s away, the mice will play.”
Brazilian: “Quem não tem cão, caça com gato.”
(“If you don’t have a dog, hunt with a cat.”)
Meaning: Make the best use of what you have.

Symbolism Behind Cat Proverbs

Across all these sayings, certain symbolic themes emerge:

Curiosity and Cunning: Cats’ natural hunting instincts made them symbols of intelligence, sometimes deceit.
Survival and Resilience: From nine lives to sharp claws, cats embody resilience.
Mystery and Independence: Proverbs often emphasize the secretive nature of cats.
Luck and Fortune: Particularly in Asia, cats are seen as bringers of prosperity.

Modern Use of Cat Proverbs

Even today, cat proverbs remain in everyday speech, literature, and even marketing slogans. Social media has amplified their presence, with hashtags like #CuriosityKilledTheCat or #NineLives used in humorous and motivational contexts.

Writers, poets, and cat lovers continue to use these phrases to reflect life lessons in simple but powerful ways.

Timeless Wisdom in Cat Proverbs

From Europe to Asia, Africa to the Americas, cat proverbs demonstrate the universal fascination humans have with felines. They reveal how cats mirror human qualities—curiosity, resilience, cunning, and independence—while also holding cultural significance as symbols of luck, mystery, and survival.

The next time you hear someone say “curiosity killed the cat” or “a cat has nine lives,” remember: these aren’t just sayings, they’re reflections of centuries of shared human experience with one of our most beloved animals.

References

Mieder, W. (2004). Proverbs: A Handbook. Greenwood Press.
Whiting, B. J. (1989). Modern Proverbs and Proverbial Sayings. Harvard University Press.
Mieder, W., & Dundes, A. (1981). The Wisdom of Many: Essays on the Proverb. Garland Publishing.
Tilley, M. P. (1950). A Dictionary of the Proverbs in England in the Sixteenth and Seventeenth Centuries. University of Michigan Press.
Crystal, D. (2004). The Stories of English. Penguin Books (for English proverb origins).
Kuusi, M. (1994). Proverbia Septentrionalia: The Nordic Proverbs. Finnish Literature Society.
Chen, L. (2011). Chinese Proverbs and Popular Sayings: With Observations on Culture and Language. Stone Bridge Press.
Kiyomiya, S. (2016). Japanese Proverbs and Sayings. Tuttle Publishing.
Opie, I., & Opie, P. (1992). The Oxford Dictionary of Proverbs. Oxford University Press.
Mbiti, J. S. (1992). African Religions and Philosophy. Heinemann (for African proverbs context).
https://www.academia.edu/31875861/Proverbs_A_Handbook