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Russian Proverbs
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A great way to improve your understanding of the Russian culture, people and history is to study Russian proverbs and sayings. A proverb refers to a short saying in frequent and widespread use that expresses a basic truth or belief - wisdom acculmulated by common folk.
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| Altynnogo Vora Veshayut, a Poltinnovo Chestvuyut. | | One Hangs the Thief Who Stole 3 Kopecks, and Honors the One Who Stole 50. |
| Baba S Vozu, Kobyle Legche | | It is Easier for the Horse when a Woman is off the Cart. |
Moral: The work is easier when one does not get in its way.
| Babushka Nadvoye Skazala to Li Dozhdik, to Li Sneg, to Li Budet, to Li Net. | | Granny Told Fortunes and Said Two Things - It Will Either Rain or Snow; It Either Will or Will Not. |
Moral: The outcome is still unknown despite all that's been said.
| Bare Derutsya U Kholopov Chuby Treschat. | | When Masters Are Fighting, Servants' Forelocks Are Creaking. |
Moral: When powerful people are quarrelling, it's the commoners that suffer.
| Berezhyonogo Bog Berezhyot | | God Keeps Safe Those Who Are Kept Safe. |
English version: The Lord helps those who help themselves
| Beshenoy Sobakye Syem' Vyerst Nye Kryuk | | For a Mad Dog Seven Miles is Not a Detour. |
Moral: If you are passionate (or unreasonably driven) about something you will do all the extra work without noticing it
| Bez Kota Mysham Razdolye | | Without a Cat Mice Have No Limits. |
English version: When the cat is away, the mice will play
| Blizok Lokotok, Da Ne Ukusish. | | Your Elbow is Close, Yet You Can't Bite It. |
Moral: It only seems to be easy.
| Bodlivoy Korove Bog Rog Ne Dayot | | Literally: God Does Not Give Horns to a Cow That Likes to Gore |
Moral: Overzealous people often don't have means to do what they would like to
| Bog Dal, Bog I Vzyal. | | God Gave, God Took Back. |
English version: The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away
| Bogu Molis', a Dobra-uma Derzhis' | | Pray to God, but Be Level-headed. |
English version: Trust in God, but steer away from the rocks
| Bol'shomu Korablyu, Bol'shoye Plavaniye | | Big Voyage for a Big Ship |
English version: A great ship asks deep waters
| Byla Ne Byla | | There Was - There Wasn't |
English version: Sink or swim
| Daryonomu Konyu V Zuby Ne Smotryat. | | Don't Look at the Teeth of a Horse You've Been Given. |
English version: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
| Delit' Shkuru Neubitovo Medvedya. | | Distributing the Skin of an Unkilled Bear. |
English version: Don't count the chickens before they hatch
| Dolg Platezhom Krasen. | | Debt is Beautiful when Repaid. |
English version: One good turn deserves another
| Do Svad'by Zazhivyot. | | [It] Will Heal Before Marriage. |
English version: You will manage
| Druzhba Druzhboy, a Sluzhba Sluzhboy. | | Friendship is Friendship and Business is Business. |
Moral: Friendship is one thing, business another.
| Druzya Poznayutsa V Bede. | | Friends Are Known in Times of Trouble |
Moral: When you are in hard times, your true friends will be the ones that help you.
| Gde Tonko, Tam I Rvyotsya. | | Where It is Thinnest - There It Snaps. |
English version: The chain is no stronger than its weakest link
| Gol' Na Vydumku Khitra. | | Poverty is Crafty. |
English version: Necessity is the mother of invention
| Golod Ne Tyotka, Pirozhka Nye Podnyesyot. | | Hunger is Not Your Aunt (it Will Not Bring You a Pie). |
Moral: If you are in need, help yourself and don't count on situation improving by itself
| Gorbatogo Mogila Ispravit | | Only Death Will Change the Hunchback |
English version: The leopard cannot change his spots
| I Khochetsya I Koletsya | | It is Wanted and Repellent. |
English version: The cat would eat fish and would not wet her feet
| I Na Starukhu Byvayet Prorykha | | Even an Old Lady Makes Mistakes. |
English version: Everyone makes mistakes
| Ishchi Vetra V Pole. | | Look for Wind in a Field. |
English version: The wind cannot be caught in a net
| Ispodvol' I Ol'khu Sognyosh'. | | You Can Bend an Alder-tree, if You Do It Gradually. |
English version: Time conquers all
| I Volki Syty, I Ovtsy Tsely. | | The Wolves Are Sated, and the Sheep Are Intact. |
Moral: Everyone has gotten what they want.
| Kak Ayknetsya, Tak I Otkliknetsya. | | How Echo is Prompted, It Will Bounce Back. |
English version: People get what they deserve
| Kak Dvazhdy Dva, Chetyre | | As Twice Two is Four |
English version: As sure as eggs is eggs
| Kak Dve Kapli Vody. | | Like Two Drops of Water. |
English version: As alike as two peas in a pod
| Kak Nazhito, Tak I Prozhito. | | As Earned, Spent. |
English version: Easy come, easy go
| Kaplya V More. | | A Drop in the Sea. |
English version: A drop in the bucket
| Kashu Maslom Ne Isportish | | Porridge Cannot Be Spoiled With Butter. |
English version: You can't spoil a good thing. Plenty is no plague
| Kazyonnovo Kozla Za Khvost Poderzhat - Mozhno Shubu Sshit' | | Having Held a State Goat's Tail One Can Make a Fur-coat. |
Moral: The official can make a lot of money by bribes.
| Khudoi Mir Luchshe Dobroy Ssory. | | Bad Peace is Better Than a Good Quarrel. |
English version: A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.
| Klin Klinom Vyshibayut. | | One Uses a Wedge to Knock out a Wedge. |
English version: Fight fire with fire. One nail drives out another
| Kogda Den'gi Govoryat, Togda Pravda Molchit. | | When Money Talks, then Truth Stays Silent. |
Moral: A bribed official doesn't care about the truth.
| Komu Na Meste Ne Siditsya, Tot Dobra Ne Nazhivyot. | | Those Who Are Discontent to Remain in One Place Will Not Accumulate Much. |
English version: A rolling stone gathers no moss
| Kozla Boysya Speredi, Konya; Szadi, a Likhogo Cheloveka; So Vsekh Storon. | | Beware of the Goat from Its Front Side, the Horse - from Its Back Side, and the Evil Man from Any Side. |
| Kto Rano Vstayot, Tomu Bog Podayot. | | God Gives to Those Who Wake up Early. |
English version: The early bird catches the worm
| Kuram Na Smekh. | | To Make the Hens Laugh |
English version: It is enough to make a cat laugh
| Kurnitsa Nye Ptyitsa, Baba Nye Chelovyek. | | A Chicken Isn't a Bird, a Woman is Not a Human Being. |
Lbom stenku ne rasshibyosh'. -- You cannot break a wall with your forehead. -- English version: Use the correct tool for the job.
| Kuy Zhelezo, Poka Goryacho. | | Strike While the Metal is Hot. |
English version: Strike while the iron is hot. Make hay while the sun shines
| Lbom Stenku Ne Rasshibyosh. | | You Cannot Break a Wall With Your Forehead. |
Moral: Use the correct tool for the job. Also: Don't deal with stubborn people.
| Les Rubyat, Shchepki Letyat. | | When Chopping Down a Tree Woodchips Fly. |
English version: You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs
| Likha Beda Nachalo. | | Trouble is the Beginning of Disaster. |
English version: A good beginning makes a good ending.
| Lozhka Dyogtya V Bochke Meda. | | A Spoonful of Tar in a Barrel of Honey. |
English version: A fly in the ointment.
| Luchshe Odin Raz Uvidet', Chem Sto Raz Uslishat' | | It's Better to See Once Than Hear a Hundred Times |
English version: A picture is worth a thousand words
| Luchshe Sinitsa V Rukakh, Chem Zhuravl' V Nebe | | Better a Titmouse in the Hand Than a Crane in the Sky. |
English version: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
| Lyubish' Katat'sya, Lyubi I Sanochki Vozit'. | | If You Enjoy Riding, Enjoy Pulling the Sleigh. |
English version: He that would eat the fruit must climb the tree; No pains, no gains.
| Mir Da Lad, Bol'shoy Klad | | Peace is Great Treasure |
English version: Plenty is no plague
| Mnogo Budesh' Znat', Skoro Sostaritsya. | | If You Learn a Lot, You'll Age Soon. |
English version: Too much knowledge makes the head bald
| Mnogo Shuma Iz Nishego. | | Much Noise from Nothing |
English version: Much ado about nothing
| Myagko Stelet, Zhyostko Spat'. | | Makes Bed Soft but Hard to Sleep. |
English version: Iron fist in a velvet glove
| Nashla Kosa Na Kamen'. | | The Scythe Has Hit a Stone. |
English version: You have met your match
| Nazvalsa Gruzdem, Polezay V Kuzov. | | If You Call Yourself a Milk-mushroom Get Into the Basket! |
English version: In for a penny, in for a pound
| Na Bezryb'ye I Rak, Ryba. | | On a Fishing Lull, Even a Lobster is Considered Fish. |
English version: Something is better than nothing
| Ne Budi Likha, Poka Likho Spit. | | Don't Wake up Trouble While Trouble is Sleeping. |
English version: Let sleeping dogs lie
| Ne Bylo U Baby Khlopot, Tak Kupila Porosya. | | A Woman Farmer Had No Trouble, So She Bought a Piglet. |
English version: You are asking for trouble
| Ne Imey Sto Rubley, a Imey Sto Druzey. | | Don't Have a Hundred Rubles, but Have a Hundred Friends. |
| Nem, Kak Ryba. | | Mute As a Fish |
English version: Silent as a grave
| Ne Mytyom, Tak Katanyem. | | If Not by Washing, then by Rolling Around |
English version: By hook or by crook
| Ne Oshibayetsa Tot, Kto Nichego Ne Delayet. | | Only He Who Never Does Anything Never Makes Mistakes |
English version: He that never climbed, never fell; No guts, no glory.
| Ne Plyuy V Kolodets, Prigoditsya Vody Napit'sya. | | Do Not Spit Into a Well, It May Be Useful to Drink Water. |
English version: Never cast dirt into that fountain where you drink
| Ne Poyman, Ne Vor. | | Weren't Caught, Not a Thief. |
English version: Innocent till proven guilty
| Ne Roy Drugomu Yamu, Sam V Neyo Popadyosh'. | | Don't Dig a Hole for Someone Else, As You Will Fall in It. |
English version: Curses like chickens come home to roost
| Ne Tak Strashen Chyort, Kak Ego Malyuyut. | | The Devil is Not As Scary As They Paint Him. |
English version: The devil is not so black as he is painted
| Net Dyma Bez Ognya. | | There is No Smoke Without Fire |
English version: Where there is smoke, there is fire.
| Net Khuda Bez Dobra. | | There's No Bad Without Good. |
English version: Every cloud has a silver lining
| Net Plokhikh Sudov, Net Plokhikh Vetrov, Yest' Plokhiye Kapitany. | | There Are No Bad Ships or Winds, There Are Bad Captains. |
| Ne Uchi Uchyonogo. | | Do Not Teach a Taught Person. |
English version: Do not teach an old dog new tricks
| Ni K Selu, Ni K Gorodu. | | Not for Village, Not for Town. |
English version: Neither here nor there
| Novaya Metla Metyot Po-novomu. | | A New Broom Sweeps a New Way. |
English version: A new broom sweeps clean
| Na Vore Shapka Gorit. | | A Thief's Hat Burns. |
English version: A guilty mind betrays itself
| Na Vsyakogo Mudretsa Dovol'no Prostoty. | | For Each Wise Man There is Plenty of Fools. |
English version: Every man has a fool in his sleeve
| Odin V Pole Ne Voin. | | One in a Field is Not a Warrior. |
English version: Clothes don't make the man.
| Oreshek Ne Po Zubam. | | The Teeth Are No Match for the Nut. |
English version: A hard nut to crack
| Ot Dobra Dobra Ne Ishchut. | | Do Not Look for Further Good from Good. |
English version: Leave well enough alone.
| Ovchinka Vydelki Ne Stoit. | | The Lambskin Isn't Worth the Currying |
English version: The food isn't worth the fire
| O Vkusakh Ne Sporyat. | | Tastes Are Not Debated. |
English version: Tastes differ
| Pervy Blin Komom. | | The First Pancake is a Blob. |
English version: Things Don't work the first time
| Plokhaya Molva Na Kryl'yah Letit | | A Bad Rumour Flies on Wings. |
English version: Bad news travels fast
| Pogonishsya Za Dvumya Zaytsami, Ni Odnogo Ne Poymayesh. | | If You Run After Two Hares, You Will Catch Neither. |
Moral: If you grasp at all, you will lose all
| Poshol Za Sherst'yu, a Vernulsya Strizhenym. | | Went to Get Wool, but Returned Sheared. |
Moral: If you plan to hurt others, be ready to be hurt yourself instead. English version: If planning revenge, dig two graves
| Posledny, No Ne Meneye Vazhny. | | Last, but No Less Important. |
English version: Last, but not least
| Posle Draki Kulakami Ne Mashut. | | You Don't Wave Your Fists After a Fight. |
English version: What's done is done
| Pospeshish', Lyudey Nasmeshish'. | | If You Rush, Others Will Be Only Amused. |
English version: Hasty climbers have sudden falls
| Prishla Beda, Otvoryay Vorota. | | Trouble is Here, So Open the Gates. |
English version: Misfortunes never come alone
| Pri Tsare Gorokhe. | | In the Times of Czar Goroch |
Czar from fairy tales; English version: Since Adam was a boy
| Puganaya Vorona Kusta Boitsya. | | A Scared Crow is Afraid of a Bush. |
English version: Once bitten, twice shy
| Ruka Ruku Moyet | | One Hand Washes the Other. |
English version: You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours
| Rybak Rybaka Vidit Izdaleka | | A Fisherman Sees a Fisherman from Afar. |
English version: Birds of a feather flock together
| S Volkami Zhit', Po-volch'i Vyt' | | You Live With Wolves, You Howl Like a Wolf. |
English version: Who keeps company with the wolves, will learn to howl.
| Tishe Yedesh', Dal'she Budesh' | | The Slower You Go, the Farther You'll Get. |
English version: Slow and steady wins the race.
| Tserkov' Blizko, Da Idti Sklizko, Kabak Daleko, La Idti Legko. | | Church is Close, but the Road is Slippery; the Pub is Far, but the Road is Easy. |
| Umny V Goru Ne Poydyot, Umny Goru Oboydyot. | | A Clever Man Will Not Go up a Mountain; a Clever Man Will Go Around It. |
| V Chuzhoy Monastyr' So Svoim Ustavom Ne Khodyat. | | Do Not Go to Another Monastery With Your Own Charter. |
English version: When in Rome, do as the Romans do
| V Dome Poveshennovo Ne Govorat O Veryovke. | | Don't Talk About Ropes in the Home of the Hanged Person. |
| V Dozhd' Izby Ne Kroyut, a V Vyodro I Sama Ne Kaplet | | When It Rains One Doesn't Roof the Cottage, and It Doesn't Pour in the Bucket. |
Moral: People tend to delay their job until it's too late to do it.
| Vek Zhivi, Vek Uchis'. | | Live for a Century, Learn for a Century. |
English version: Live and learn
| V Gostyakh Khorosho, a Doma Luchshe. | | Visiting is Good, but Home is Better. |
English version: There is no place like home.
| Vidna is Kremlya Vsya Sovetskaya Zemlya. | | The Whole Soviet Country is Visible from the Kremlin. |
Moral: The government sees all.
| Vkrute I Vyaz Perelomish | | Together It is Possible to Break Even an Elm |
English version: There is strength in numbers.
| V Ogorode Buzina, a V Kiyeve Dyad'ka. | | Elder-berry is in the Kitchen-garden, Therefore Your Uncle is in Kiev. |
Moral: You're jumping to conclusions; Your story doesn't add up; So what does it matter?
| Volkov Boyat'sa, V Les Ne Khodit'. | | If You're Afraid of Wolves, Don't Go to the Forest. |
English version: If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
| Vot Gde Sobaka Zaryta | | That's Where the Dog is Buried |
English version: That's where the shoe pinches. That's the crux (the rub)
| Vot V Chyom Zagvozdka | | That's the Snag! |
English version: That's where the shoe pinches. That's the crux (the rub)
| Vremya Luchshiy Doktor. | | Time Makes the Best Healer. |
English version: Time heals all wounds. Modern mockery: Time is the best healer, but a terrible cosmetologist.
| Vsego S Soboy Ne Unesyosh. | | You Can't Take Everything With You. |
English version: The one who dies with most toys, still dies.
| V Sem'ye Ne Bez Uroda. | | No Family is Without an Ugly Member. |
English version: There is a black sheep in every flock
| Vsyak Kulik Svoyo Boloto Khvalit | | Every Sandpiper Praises His Own Swamps |
English version: Every cook praises his own broth
| Vsyakomu Ovoshchu Svoyo Vremya. | | Every Vegetable Has Its Time |
English version: Everything is good in its season
| V Tulu So Svoim Samovarom (ne Yezdyat). | | Going to Tula With Your Own Samovar |
Tula is where the best samovars are made. English version: Carrying coals to Newcastle (Newcastle being a mining town.)
| Vzyalsya Za Guzh, Ne Govori, Chto Ne Dyuzh. | | If You Took the Tug, Don't Say You're Not Strong Enough. |
Moral: If you began doing something, you should complete it.
| Yabloko Ot Yabloni Nedaleko Padayet | | The Apple Doesn't Fall Far from the Apple Tree. |
English version: Like father like son
| Yaytsa Kuritsu Ne Uchat | | Eggs Cannot Teach a Hen. |
Moral: Do not give advice to someone more experienced than you
| Yazyk Do Kiyeva Dovedyot | | Your Tongue Can Get You to Kiev. |
Moral: You can achieve almost anything by asking for help from others
| Yesli by Da Kaby Da Vo Rtu Rosli Griby | | If Mushrooms Grew in the Mouth |
English version: If wishes were horses, then I'd be King
| Yesli Khochetsya Rabotat', Lyag, Pospi, I Vsyo Proydyot. | | If You Feel the Need to Work, Take a Nap and the Need Will Pass. |
| Zakon Chto Dyshlo, Kuda Povernyosh - Tuda I Vyshlo. | | Law is Like a Shaft of a Cart, It Points Wherever You Turn It To. |
Moral: Powerful, rich or smart people can make the law work for them.
| Zastav' Duraka Bogu Molyitsya, Tak on Syebye I Lob Rasshibyot. | | If You Force a Fool to Pray, He Will Do It So Enthusiasticaly He Will Hurt His Head Bowing to the Floor. |
Moral: Better to understand underlying reasons, and make your own educated decisions.
| Zhizn' Prozhit', Ne Pole Pereyti. | | To Live Life is Not to Walk Through a Meadow. |
English version: Life was never meant to be easy.
| Za Morem Telushka Polushka, Da Rubl' Perevoz. | | Overseas, a Cow Costs a Quarter of Kopeck, but Will a Rouble to Ship It Here. |
Moral: This offer is great by itself, but strings attached to it kill the deal.
| Za Odnovo Bitogo Dvukh Nebityh Dayut. | | In Exchange for a Beaten One They Give Two Unbeaten Ones. |
English version: Experience is worth it
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