head

jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jak pan buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ tɔ ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

lit

Literally, “if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”

(idiomatic) the loss of one's logical faculties is the worst fate one can have

jeżeli Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, temu rozum odbiera

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to mu rozum odbiera


head

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, temu rozum odbiera

/ˈkɔ.ɡɔ pan buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ ˈtɛ.mu ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

Literally, “he who The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”.

m-g

he who The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away 􂀿one's􂁀 reasoning

lit

jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera


head

jeżeli Pan Bóg chce ukarać, to rozum odbiera

/jɛˈʐɛ.li pan buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ tɔ ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/

Literally, “if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away [one's] reasoning”.

m-g

if The Lord wants to punish, then he takes away 􂀿one's􂁀 reasoning


head

chcesz stracić przyjaciela, pożycz mu pieniądze

/xt͡sɛʂ ˈstra.t͡ɕit͡ɕ pʂɘjat͡ɕɛlaˌ ˈpɔ.ʐɘt͡ʂ mu pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “[if] you want to lose a friend, loan him money”.

m-g

􂀿if􂁀 you want to lose a friend, loan him money

lit

(idiomatic) one should not get into business with one's friends, as they often turn out to be unreliable with money, which can lead to the end of the friendship


head

kto chce psa uderzyć, kij zawsze znajdzie

/ktɔ xt͡sɛ psa udɛʐɘt͡ɕˌ kij ˈzaf.ʂɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “he who wants to hit a dog, will always find a club”.

lit

jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie


head

musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce

/ˈmu.ɕi ˈtɔ.na ˈru.ɕi aˈfpɔl.st͡sɛ jakˈktɔ.xt͡sɛ/

Literally, “Must – that's in Ruthenia/Rus, and in Poland, it's [one does] as one wants”. Kto chce stressed on the first syllable, keeping the meter of a w Polsce.

m-g

Must – that's in Ruthenia/Rus, and in Poland, it's 􂀿one does􂁀 as one wants

lit

(idiomatic, colloquial) you can't force one to do what you want, one will do as one pleases (snapped in response to a sentence containing musieć)


head

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać, mu rozum odbiera

kogo Pan Bóg chce ukarać (canonical)
mu rozum odbiera (canonical)

/ˈkɔ.ɡɔ pan buk xt͡sɛ ukarat͡ɕˌ tɔ mu ˈrɔ.zum ɔdˈbjɛ.ra/


jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć (canonical)
to kij się znajdzie (canonical)

/jak ktɔɕ xt͡sɛ psa udɛʐɘt͡ɕˌ tɔ kij ˈzaf.ʂɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “if someone wants to hit a dog, then a club will be found”.

lit

jak ktoś chce psa uderzyć, to kij zawsze znajdzie


head

jeśli się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

/ˈjɛɕ.li ɕɛ xt͡sɛ psa udɛʐɘt͡ɕˌ tɔ kij ɕɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

Literally, “if one wants to hit a dog, then a club will be found”.


cierp ciało, skoroś chciało

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, since you wanted to”.

the chickens come home to roost
the chickens come home to roost

(idiomatic, normally of negative consequences) the chickens come home to roost


head

jak się chce psa uderzyć, to kij się znajdzie

/jak ɕɛ xt͡sɛ psa udɛʐɘt͡ɕˌ tɔ kij ɕɛ ˈznaj.d͡ʑɛ/

(idiomatic) if someone is expecting to find something, usually through bias or prejudice, then anything can look like the sought thing


musi to na Rusi

ellipsis

musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce#Polish

(idiomatic, colloquial) Ellipsis of musi to na Rusi, a w Polsce jak kto chce.


head

chciałaby dusza do raju, ale grzechy nie pozwalają

/xt͡ɕaˈwa.bɘ ˈdu.ʂa dɔ rajuˌ ˈa.lɛ ˈɡʐɛ.xɘ ɲɛ pɔz.vaˈla.jɔw̃/

Literally, “[a] soul would like [to get] into heaven, but sins don't allow [it]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 soul would like 􂀿to get􂁀 into heaven, but sins don't allow 􂀿it􂁀

lit

chciałaby dusza do raju
chciałaby dusza do raju#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of chciałaby dusza do raju


牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛

head

牛就是牛，牽到北京也是牛

牛就是牛，牵到北京也是牛

An ox is an ox, even if it is brought toBeijing

/ɡu²⁴ to²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu²⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu²⁴ to⁴¹⁻²² si⁴¹⁻²² ɡu²⁴ kʰan³³ kau⁴¹ pak̚⁵⁻²⁴ kiã³³ ia⁴¹⁻²² si⁴¹⁻²² ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu¹³ to²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu¹³ kʰan⁴⁴⁻²² kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁵ kiã⁴⁴ ia²²⁻²¹ si²²⁻²¹ ɡu¹³/

/ɡu²⁴ to³³⁻¹¹ si³³⁻¹¹ ɡu²⁴ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ kau¹¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia³³⁻¹¹ si³³⁻¹¹ ɡu²⁴/

/ɡu²³ tɤ³³⁻²¹ si³³⁻²¹ ɡu²³ kʰan⁴⁴⁻³³ kau²¹ pak̚³²⁻⁴ kiã⁴⁴ ia³³⁻²¹ si³³⁻²¹ ɡu²³/

a leopard can't change its spots
a leopard can't change its spots

(Hokkien) a leopard can't change its spots


cierp ciało, kiedy ci się chciało

/t͡ɕɛrp t͡ɕawɔˌ ˈkjɛ.dɘ t͡ɕi ɕɛ ˈxt͡ɕa.wɔ/

Rhyme, literally, “suffer [my] body, when you wanted to”.

lit

cierp ciało, skoroś chciało
cierp ciało, skoroś chciało#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of cierp ciało, skoroś chciało


żadna praca nie hańbi

Literally, “no job disgraces [a person]”.

(idiomatic) every job has its upsides and one should not be ashamed of their job


jaka praca, taka płaca

Rhyme, literally, “as the work, such is the pay”.

(idiomatic) payment for work should equal the work itself


oszczędnością i pracą ludzie się bogacą

/ɔ.ʂt͡ʂɛndˈnɔɕ.t͡ɕɔw̃ iˈpra.t͡sɔw̃ ˈlu.d͡ʑɛ.ɕɛ bɔˈɡa.t͡sɔw̃/

Rhyme, literally, “people get rich with frugality and work”.

lit

(idiomatic) hard work and frugality can make a person rich


嫁出去的女兒，潑出去的水

head

嫁出去的女兒，潑出去的水

嫁出去的女儿，泼出去的水

ㄐㄧㄚˋ ㄔㄨ ㄑㄩˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄋㄩˇ ㄦˊ

ㄆㄛ ㄔㄨ ㄑㄩˋ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄕㄨㄟˇ

цзя чуцюй дэ нюйэр

по чуцюй дэ шуй

/t͡ɕi̯ä⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ d̥ə¹ ny²¹⁴⁻²¹ ˀɤɻ³⁵ pʰu̯ɔ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰy⁵¹ d̥ə¹ ʂu̯eɪ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

a daughter married off is like water that has been splashed out


అప్పు చేసి పప్పు కూడు

అప్పు చేసి పప్పు కూడు • (appu cēsi pappu kūḍu)

Literally "eating dal through debt", from the perception of dal as an expensive and luxurious food in villages.

getting into unnecessary spending/debt to show off

en-అప్పు_చేసి_పప్పు_కూడు-te-proverb-DEAdhAZ9


fr-proverb

/il vo mjø s‿a.dʁɛ.se o bɔ̃ djø k‿a se sɛ̃/

LL-Q150 (fra)-M2D2V2 (Kvardek du)-il vaut mieux s’adresser au Bon Dieu qu’à ses saints.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-Lepticed7-il vaut mieux s’adresser au Bon Dieu qu’à ses saints.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-Benoît Prieur-il vaut mieux s’adresser au Bon Dieu qu’à ses saints.wav

Literally, “it is better to go and speak to good God than to his saints”.

lit

il vaut mieux s'adresser au Bon Dieu qu'à ses saints

It is more expedient to go and speak to the person in charge than to their subordinates.

mieux vaut s’adresser au Bon Dieu qu’à ses saints


Fett schwimmt oben

the rich always find ways out of problems or hardships and can get back on their feet easily

die Kleinen hängt man, die Großen lässt man laufen


divide y vencerás

[d̪iˌβ̞i.ð̞e i β̞ẽn̟.θeˈɾas]


el lobo muere lobo

the fox may grow grey but never good
the fox may grow grey but never good

the fox may grow grey but never good; the wolf may lose his teeth but never his nature


en boca cerrada no entran moscas

a closed mouth catches no flies
a closed mouth catches no flies


nadie da duros a pesetas

nothing comes for free
nothing comes for free

you don't get something for nothing
you don't get something for nothing

nothing comes for free; you don't get something for nothing


三個臭皮匠，勝過一個諸葛亮

head

三個臭皮匠，勝過一個諸葛亮

三个臭皮匠，胜过一个诸葛亮

threeunskilled cobblers are superior to one Zhuge Liang

ㄙㄢ ˙ㄍㄜ ㄔㄡˋ ㄆㄧˊ ㄐㄧㄤˋ

ㄕㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄧ ˙ㄍㄜ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˇ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

ㄕㄥˋ ㄍㄨㄛˋ ㄧ ˙ㄍㄜ ㄓㄨ ㄍㄜˊ ㄌㄧㄤˋ

saam¹ go³ cau³ pei⁴ zoeng⁶, sing³ gwo³ jat¹ go³ zyu¹ got³ loeng⁶

shèngguò yīge Zhūgě Liàng [Phonetic:sān ge chòupíjiàng

сань гэ чоупицзян

шэнго игэ Чжугэ Лян

/sän⁵⁵ g̊ə² ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵¹ pʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ g̊ə ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

shèngguò yīge Zhūgé Liàng [Phonetic:sān ge chòupíjiàng

/sän⁵⁵ g̊ə² ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯⁵¹ pʰi³⁵ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ʂɤŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ g̊ə ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ kɤ³⁵ li̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

sāam go chau pèih jeuhng, sing gwo yāt go jyū got leuhng

saam¹ go³ tsau³ pei⁴ dzoeng⁶, sing³ gwo³ jat⁷ go³ dzy¹ got⁸ loeng⁶

sam¹ go³ ceo³ péi⁴ zêng⁶, xing³ guo³ yed¹ go³ ju¹ god³ lêng⁶

/saːm⁵⁵ kɔː³³ t͡sʰɐu̯³³ pʰei̯²¹ t͡sœːŋ²² sɪŋ³³ kʷɔː³³ jɐt̚⁵ kɔː³³ t͡syː⁵⁵ kɔːt̚³ lœːŋ²²/

三個臭皮匠，勝過諸葛亮 三個臭皮匠，勝過諸葛亮#Chinese

三个臭皮匠，胜过诸葛亮 三个臭皮匠，胜过诸葛亮#Chinese

Synonym of 三個臭皮匠，勝過諸葛亮／三个臭皮匠，胜过诸葛亮 (sān ge chòupíjiàng, shèngguò Zhūgě Liàng)


vill man vara fin får man lida pin

Literally, "If one wants to be pretty, one has to suffer torment." Pin is a form of pina that mostly only appears in this phrase/proverb (for the rhyme).

Korsetten var skitobekväm, men vill man vara fin får man lida pin

The corset was bloody uncomfortable, but if you want to be pretty, you have to suffer

Said when someone endures something (moderately) unpleasant in order to look good.


allt utan blöja går att töja

Literally, “Everything without a diaper can be stretched”.

lit

(vulgar, potentially offensive) if there's grass on the field, play ball


semper ubi sub ubi

Mock Latin, involving a pun on wear and where.

And on the subject of “below” or “under,” there is the famous line that every student of Latin knows by heart: Semper ubi sub ubi.

2004, Bill Sherk, 500 Years of New Words (page 138)

Kids, always remember these words: semper ubi sub ubi.

2010, Richard A. Davis, The Intangibles of Leadership, page xii:

While our teacher conducts a declension drill we busily draw jock straps and pushup bras on the statuary in our Living Latin textbooks. We pass notes with crude Latin jokes — Semper ubi sub ubi — Always wear underwear. Snigger, snigger.

2019, Michael Mitchell, Final Fire: A Memoir:


जैसा बाप, वैसा बेटा

hi-proverb

جیسا باپ، ویسا بیٹا

जैसा बाप, वैसा बेटा • (jaisā bāp, vaisā beṭā) (Urdu spelling جیسا باپ، ویسا بیٹا)

jaisā bāp (romanization)
vaisā beṭā (romanization)
جیسا باپ، ویسا بیٹا (Urdu)

/d͡ʒɛː.sɑː bɑːp ʋɛː.sɑː beː.ʈɑː/

[d͡ʒɛː.säː‿bäːp‿ʋɛː.säː‿beː.ʈäː]

like father, like son
like father, like son


les ordres sont les ordres

orders are orders (used wrily when someone attempts to justify questionable actions by referring to rules, laws or orders from higher up)


тӏом — шураца модз бац, хоттаца цӏий да

head

тӏом — шураца модз бац, хоттаца цӏий да

тӏом — шураца модз бац, хоттаца цӏий да • (tʼom — šuraca modz bac, xottaca cʼiı̇ da)

/tʼ(u̯)om | ʃurat͡sa m(u̯)od͡z bat͡s | χottat͡sa t͡sʼiː da/

Literally, "war is not honey with milk, but blood with mud".

en-тӏом_—_шураца_модз_бац,_хоттаца_цӏий_да-inh-proverb-47DEQpj8


fool me once

fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me#English

Short for fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.


tong kosong nyaring bunyinya

Literally "[an] empty barrel [makes] loud noise".

empty vessels make the most sound
empty vessels make the most sound

(idiomatic) stupid people usually talk big; empty vessels make the most sound.


air tenang menghanyutkan

Literally "still water makes [one] drift away".

still water runs deep
still water runs deep

(idiomatic) quiet people with many knowledge; still water runs deep.


paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka

/paˈlu.ʂɛk i ˈɡwuf.ka tɔ ˈʂkɔl.na vɘˈmuf.ka/

Rhyme, literally, “a finger and a head is a school excuse”.

lit

(idiomatic) one should not use small excuses to try and get out of responsibilities


paluszek i główka

ellipsis

paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka#Polish

(idiomatic) Ellipsis of paluszek i główka to szkolna wymówka.


he laughs best that laughs last

he who laughs last laughs best
he who laughs last laughs best#English

Alternative form of he who laughs last laughs best


non è tutto oro quello che riluce

non è tutto oro quello che luccica#Italian

Alternative form of non è tutto oro quello che luccica.


各花入各眼

ㄍㄜˋ ㄏㄨㄚ ㄖㄨˋ ㄍㄜˋ ㄧㄢˇ

гэхуажугэянь

/kɤ⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ jɐp̚² kɔːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/

/kɤ⁵¹ xu̯ä⁵⁵ ʐu⁵¹⁻⁵³ kɤ⁵¹ jɛn²¹⁴⁻²¹⁽⁴⁾/

/kɔːk̚³ faː⁵⁵ jɐp̚² kɔːk̚³ ŋaːn¹³/


hyvät teot palkitaan

one good turn deserves another
one good turn deserves another


never waste a crisis

Exploit any possible opportunity that arises from difficult situations.


envar är sin egen lyckas smed

Literally, "each person is the smith of his own happiness / fortune."

vara sin egen lyckas smed
vara sin egen lyckas smed#Swedish

every man is the architect of his own fortune (or happiness – see vara sin egen lyckas smed.)


Schuster, bleib bei deinen Leisten

De-Schuster, bleib bei deinen Leisten.ogg

Plural of Leisten m (“cobbler's last”). Sometimes misinterpreted as the plural of Leiste f (“lath”).

Ein Schuster, dem nicht Alles glückt,
Weiß sicher, wo der Schuh ihn drückt;
Sein Handwerk lob' ich mir am Meisten—
D'rum, Schuster, bleib' bei deinen Leisten!

1842, Alexander Cosmar, “Riquiqui, oder: die seltsame Heirath”, in Dramatischer Salon: Almanach kleiner Bühnenstücke zur Unterhaltung in geselligen Kreisen, page 143:

Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten#German

Alternative form of Schuster, bleib bei deinem Leisten


fr-proverb

chacun son métier et les vaches seront bien gardées

/ʃa.kœ̃ sɔ̃ me.tje e le vaʃ sə.ʁɔ̃ bjɛ̃ ɡaʁ.de/

chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées#French

Alternative form of chacun son métier, les vaches seront bien gardées


日頭赤焱焱，隨人顧性命

/lit̚²⁴⁻² tʰau²⁴ t͡sʰia(ʔ)⁵ iã⁴¹⁻²² iã⁴¹ sui²⁴⁻²² laŋ²⁴ kɔ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ sĩ⁴¹⁻⁵⁵⁴ miã⁴¹/

/lit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²⁴ t͡sʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ iã²²⁻²¹ iã²² sui²⁴⁻²² laŋ²⁴ kɔ²¹⁻⁵³ sĩ²¹⁻⁵³ miã²²/

/d͡zit̚¹²¹⁻²¹ tʰau¹³ t͡sʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ iã²²⁻²¹ iã²² sui¹³⁻²² laŋ¹³ kɔ²¹⁻⁵³ sɛ̃²¹⁻⁵³ miã²²/

/zit̚⁴⁻³² tʰau²³ t͡sʰia(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ iã³³⁻²¹ iã³³ sui²³⁻³³ laŋ²³ kɔ²¹⁻⁴¹ sẽ²¹⁻⁴¹ miã³³/

(Hokkien) People tend to protect themselves first in adversity.


加減趁，較袂散

/ke⁴⁴⁻³³ kiam⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰan²¹ kʰa(ʔ)³²⁻⁴¹ be³³⁻²¹ san²¹/

/ke⁴⁴⁻³³ kiam⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰan¹¹ kʰa(ʔ)³²⁻⁵³ be³³⁻¹¹ san¹¹/

(Taiwanese Hokkien) one is better off do some work for some money than doing nothing


慢工出細活

ㄇㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊ

маньгун чу сихо

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

ㄇㄢˋ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄔㄨ ㄒㄧˋ ㄏㄨㄛˊㄦ

маньгунчусихор

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ³⁵/

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ xu̯ɔ³⁵/

/män⁵¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰu⁵⁵ ɕi⁵¹ xu̯ɔɻ³⁵/

soft fire makes sweet malt
soft fire makes sweet malt

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

slow and meticulous work leads to fine quality; soft fire makes sweet malt; slow and steady wins the race


co z oczu, to z serca

Literally, “what is gone from before the eyes, that is gone from the heart.”

lit

out of sight, out of mind
out of sight, out of mind

long absent, soon forgotten
long absent, soon forgotten

(idiomatic) out of sight, out of mind, long absent, soon forgotten (we stop feeling strongly about things and people that are away from us)

czego oczy nie widzą, tego sercu nie żal


ciekawość to pierwszy stopień do piekła

/t͡ɕɛˈka.vɔɕt͡ɕ tɔ ˈpjɛr.fʂɘ ˈstɔ.pjɛɲ dɔˈpjɛk.wa/

Literally, “curiosity is [the] first step to hell”.

curiosity killed the cat
curiosity killed the cat


don't mess with success

Cited in print in 1964. Popularized in the 1960s.

if it ain't broke, don't fix it
if it ain't broke, don't fix it#English

Synonym of if it ain't broke, don't fix it


天下烏鴉一般黑

ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄨ ㄧㄚ ㄧ ㄅㄢ ㄏㄟ

tiānxià wūyā yībān hēi [Phonetic:tiānxià wūyā yìbān hēi]

тянься уя ибань хэй

/tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ u⁵⁵ jä⁵⁵ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ pän⁵⁵ xeɪ̯⁵⁵/

/tʰiːn⁵⁵ haː²² wuː⁵⁵ aː⁵⁵ jɐt̚⁵ puːn⁵⁵ hɐk̚⁵/

bad people or things are similar everywhere


en-proverb

what happens in Las Vegas stays in Las Vegas

what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas#English

Alternative form of what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas


一朝天子一朝臣

One reign of emperor, one reign of ministers

ㄧ ㄔㄠˊ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄗˇ ㄧ ㄔㄠˊ ㄔㄣˊ

yī cháo tiānzǐ yī cháo chén [Phonetic:yì cháo tiānzǐ yì cháo chén]

и чао тяньцзы и чао чэнь

/i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ t͡sz̩²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ ʈ͡ʂʰɑʊ̯³⁵ ʈ͡ʂʰən³⁵/

/jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ tʰiːn⁵⁵ t͡siː³⁵ jɐt̚⁵ t͡sʰiːu̯²¹ sɐn²¹/

When a leader falls from power, his/her subordinates may fall from power too.


醜人多八怪

/t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

/t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ paːt̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

(Cantonese) Ugly people tend to dress up weirdly or do weird things (to get attention).


гроші не пахнуть

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гро́ші не па́хнуть

гро́ші не па́хнуть • (hróši ne páxnutʹ)

гро́ші не па́хнуть (canonical)
hróši ne páxnutʹ (romanization)

money does not smell
money does not smell


醜人多作怪

ㄔㄡˇ ㄖㄣˊ ㄉㄨㄛ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄍㄨㄞˋ

чоу жэнь до цзогуай

/ʈ͡ʂʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʐən³⁵ tu̯ɔ⁵⁵ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹⁻⁵³ ku̯aɪ̯⁵¹/

/t͡sʰɐu̯³⁵ jɐn²¹ tɔː⁵⁵ t͡sɔːk̚³ kʷaːi̯³³/

(by extension) People without enough abilities tend to show off.


les morts ne parlent pas

dead men tell no tales
dead men tell no tales

dead men tell no tales (a dead person can no longer reveal information, especially information which others wish to keep secret)


নাচতে না জানলে উঠান বাঁকা

নাচতে না জানলে উঠান বাঁকা • (nacote na janle uṭhan bãka)

nacote na janle uṭhan bãka (romanization)

Literally, if one doesn’t know how to dance, he/she blames the yard to be slanted.

a bad workman always blames his tools
a bad workman always blames his tools

Upon failure, it is easier to blame the tools used rather than how they were employed, a bad workman always blames his tools.

en-নাচতে_না_জানলে_উঠান_বাঁকা-bn-proverb-NXlD39Vu


fr-proverb

l’oisiveté est la mère de tous les vices

Literally, “idleness is the mother of all vices.”

l'oisiveté est la mère de tous les vices

idle hands are the devil's workshop
idle hands are the devil's workshop

idle hands are the devil's workshop (one who is idle will likely come to do evil)


jong geleerd is oud gedaan

/ˌjɔŋ ɣəˈleːrt ɪs ˌɑu̯t ɣəˈdaːn/

Literally, “learned when young means done when old”.

lit

as the twig is bent, so is the tree inclined


食尾牙面憂憂，食頭牙撚喙鬚

head

食尾牙面憂憂，食頭牙撚喙鬚

食尾牙面忧忧，食头牙撚喙须

worried when having last dinner with employer before Chinese New Year, but touching beard calmly when having the first dinner with employer after Chinese New Year

/t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ be⁵³⁻⁴⁴ ɡe²⁴ bin³³⁻¹¹ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻¹¹ tʰau²⁴⁻¹¹ ɡe²⁴ liɛn⁵³⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰui¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sʰiu⁴⁴/

/t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ bue⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ ɡe²³ bin³³⁻²¹ iu⁴⁴⁻³³ iu⁴⁴ t͡sia(ʔ)⁴⁻²¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ ɡe²³ liɛn⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ t͡sʰui²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sʰiu⁴⁴/

(Southern Min) Employees are more prone to dismissal before than after Chinese New Year.

Dictionary of Frequently-Used Taiwan Minnan


żołnierz strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi

/ˈʐɔw.ɲɛʂ stʂɛlaˌ pan buk ˈku.lɛ ˈnɔ.ɕi/

Literally, “a soldier shoots, Lord God carries the bullets”.

lit

człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of człowiek strzela, Pan Bóg kule nosi


head

przyzwyczajenie jest drugą naturą człowieka

/pʂɘz.vɘ.t͡ʂaˈjɛ.ɲɛ jɛzd ˈdru.ɡɔw̃ naˈtu.rɔw̃ t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.ka/

Literally, “getting used [to something] is man's second nature”.

m-g

getting used 􂀿to something􂁀 is man's second nature

lit

you can't teach an old dog new tricks
you can't teach an old dog new tricks

(idiomatic) you can't teach an old dog new tricks


head

jak się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

jak się człowiek spieszy (canonical)
to się diabeł cieszy (canonical)

/jak ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ɕpjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

Rhyme, literally, “when man rushes, the devil is glad”.

lit

jak się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


człowiek uczy się na błędach

Literally, “man learns from [his] mistakes”.

you learn from your mistakes
learn the hard way

(idiomatic) you learn from your mistakes


/jak ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk spjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

jak się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


head

gdy się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ɡdɘ ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ɕpjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/


góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem tak

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ zɛjd͡ʑɛˌ a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm tak/

Literally, “[a] mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person will”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person will

lit

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze


head

jeśli się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

jeśli się człowiek spieszy (canonical)
to się diabeł cieszy (canonical)

/ˈjɛɕ.li ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk ɕpjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

Rhyme, literally, “if man rushes, the devil is glad”.

lit

jeśli się człowiek śpieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


head

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ zɛjd͡ʑɛˌ ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

Literally, “[a] mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person always [will]”.

m-g

􂀿a􂁀 mountain will not get back together with a mountain, but a person with a person always 􂀿will􂁀


head

góra z górą się nie zejdzie, ale człowiek z człowiekiem tak

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ zɛjd͡ʑɛˌ ˈa.lɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm tak/


góra z górą się nie zejdzie, a człowiek z człowiekiem zawsze

/ˈɡu.ra z ˈɡu.rɔw̃ ɕɛ ɲɛ zɛjd͡ʑɛˌ a ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk s t͡ʂwɔˈvjɛ.kjɛm ˈzaf.ʂɛ/

(idiomatic) one can find someone known in unexpecting places or times


/ˈjɛɕ.li ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk spjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

jeśli się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy


gdy się człowiek spieszy, to się diabeł cieszy

/ɡdɘ ɕɛ ˈt͡ʂwɔ.vjɛk spjɛʂɘˌ tɔ ɕɛ ˈdja.bɛw ˈt͡ɕɛ.ʂɘ/

more haste, less speed
more haste, less speed

slow and steady wins the race
slow and steady wins the race

(idiomatic) more haste, less speed; haste makes waste; slow and steady wins the race


qui vole un œuf, vole un bœuf

qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf
qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf#French

Alternative spelling of qui vole un œuf vole un bœuf


högmod går före fall

högmod (“pride, arrogance”) + går (“goes”) + före (“before”) + fall (“fall”)

af

pride goes before a fall
pride goes before a fall


częste mycie skraca życie

/ˈt͡ʂɛw̃s.tɛ ˈmɘ.t͡ɕɛ ˈskra.t͡sa ˈʐɘ.t͡ɕɛ/

Rhyme, literally, “frequent washing shortens [one's] life”.

lit

(idiomatic, humorous) one should not wash oneself too much


kto się umywa, tego ubywa

Rhyme, literally, “who washes themselves is decreased”.


est modus in rebus

It is best to live with moderation; it is best to find a middle ground.


est modus in rebus

Coined by Horace 35 BC in "Satires," (I, 1, 106-107):
:Est modus in rebus sunt certi denique fines, quos ultra citraque nequit consistere rectum.
:(There is a limit to things, there are definite boundaries, beyond which and before which there cannot be justice).


一講曹操，曹操就到

jat¹ gong² cou⁴ cou¹, cou⁴ cou¹ zau⁶ dou³

yāt góng chòuh chōu, chòuh chōu jauh dou

jat⁷ gong² tsou⁴ tsou¹, tsou⁴ tsou¹ dzau⁶ dou³

yed¹ gong² cou⁴ cou¹, cou⁴ cou¹ zeo⁶ dou³

/jɐt̚⁵ kɔːŋ³⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sʰou̯²¹ t͡sʰou̯⁵⁵ t͡sɐu̯²² tou̯³³/

speak of the devil and he shall appear
speak of the devil and he shall appear

(Cantonese) speak of the devil and he shall appear


nie oceniaj książki po okładce

/ɲɛ.ɔˈt͡sɛ.ɲaj ˈkɕɔw̃ʂ.ki pɔ.ɔˈkwat.t͡sɛ/

Literally, “don't judge a book by [its] cover”.

Pozycją, przy której aż wypada powiedzieć „nie oceniaj książki po okładce”.

2021 December 1, Magazyn Hipogryf #4 Grudzień 2021, Arkadiusz Orzeł, page 63:

A position, which one ought to say to: don't judge a book by its cover.

don't judge a book by its cover
you can't judge a book by its cover

(idiomatic) don't judge a book by its cover


wyjątek potwierdza regułę

Literally, “[the] exception proves [the] rule”.

exception proves the rule
exception that proves the rule


na układy nie ma rady

Rhyme, literally, “there's nothing you can do about arrangements”.

lit

(idiomatic) one is helpless when someone makes decisions that affect others based purely on personal criteria


തോക്കിൽ കയറി വെടി വയ്ക്കരുത്

head

തോക്കിൽ കയറി വെടി വയ്ക്കരുത് • (tōkkil kayaṟi veṭi vaykkarutŭ)

tōkkil kayaṟi veṭi vaykkarutŭ (romanization)

Literally, "don't get on a gun and fire".

en-തോക്കിൽ_കയറി_വെടി_വയ്ക്കരുത്-ml-proverb-URoLCmfG


മിണ്ടാപ്പൂച്ച കലമുടയ്ക്കും

മിണ്ടാപ്പൂച്ച കലമുടയ്ക്കും • (miṇṭāppūcca kalamuṭaykkuṁ)

Literally, "the mute cat will break the clay pot".

The quiet ones may turn out be the troublemaker.

en-മിണ്ടാപ്പൂച്ച_കലമുടയ്ക്കും-ml-proverb-fDOvamMD


കാക്കയ്ക്ക് തൻ കുഞ്ഞ് പൊൻ കുഞ്ഞ്

കാക്കയ്ക്ക് തൻ കുഞ്ഞ് പൊൻ കുഞ്ഞ് • (kākkaykkŭ taṉ kuññŭ poṉ kuññŭ)

kākkaykkŭ taṉ kuññŭ poṉ kuññŭ (romanization)

Literally, "for a crow it's child is golden".

everyone gives preferences to themselves

en-കാക്കയ്ക്ക്_തൻ_കുഞ്ഞ്_പൊൻ_കുഞ്ഞ്-ml-proverb-cs0eG60i


അറിയാത്ത പിള്ള കൊള്ളുമ്പോൾ അറിയും

അറിയാത്ത പിള്ള കൊള്ളുമ്പോൾ അറിയും • (aṟiyātta piḷḷa koḷḷumpōḷ aṟiyuṁ)

aṟiyātta piḷḷa koḷḷumpōḷ aṟiyuṁ (romanization)

the ignorant will only learn through suffering

en-അറിയാത്ത_പിള്ള_കൊള്ളുമ്പോൾ_അറിയും-ml-proverb-kvkiBhkp


കാര്യം കാണാൻ കഴുതക്കാലും പിടിക്കണം

കാര്യം കാണാൻ കഴുതക്കാലും പിടിക്കണം • (kāryaṁ kāṇāṉ kaḻutakkāluṁ piṭikkaṇaṁ)

kāryaṁ kāṇāṉ kaḻutakkāluṁ piṭikkaṇaṁ (romanization)

/kaːɾjɐm kaːɳaːn kɐɻud̪ɐkkaːlum piɖikkɐɳɐm/

Literally, "to see success you may even need to hold a donkey's legs".

you might need to do many things to be successful

en-കാര്യം_കാണാൻ_കഴുതക്കാലും_പിടിക്കണം-ml-proverb-YFSiGbzp


ഗതി കെട്ടാൽ പുലി പുല്ലും തിന്നും

ഗതി കെട്ടാൽ പുലി പുല്ലും തിന്നും • (gati keṭṭāl puli pulluṁ tinnuṁ)

gati keṭṭāl puli pulluṁ tinnuṁ (romanization)

Literally, "in times of desperation, a tiger will eat even the grass".

a hungry dog will eat dung
a hungry dog will eat dung

"a hungry dog will eat dung" or "desperation can make a person do surprising things"

en-ഗതി_കെട്ടാൽ_പുലി_പുല്ലും_തിന്നും-ml-proverb-Gq-yWSVD


എലിയെ പേടിച്ചു ഇല്ലം ചുടുക

എലിയെ പേടിച്ചു ഇല്ലം ചുടുക • (eliye pēṭiccu illaṁ cuṭuka)

eliye pēṭiccu illaṁ cuṭuka (romanization)

Literally, "burn down a house in fear of a mouse".

en-എലിയെ_പേടിച്ചു_ഇല്ലം_ചുടുക-ml-proverb-M6JHN75y


പട്ടി പുല്ലു തിന്നുകയുമില്ല, പശുവിനെക്കൊണ്ടു തീറ്റിക്കുകയുമില്ല • (paṭṭi pullu tinnukayumilla, paśuvinekkoṇṭu tīṟṟikkukayumilla)

paṭṭi pullu tinnukayumilla (romanization)
paśuvinekkoṇṭu tīṟṟikkukayumilla (romanization)

Literally, "a dog won't eat grass and won't let the cow eat grass".

some people won't let others live in peace

en-പട്ടി_പുല്ലു_തിന്നുകയുമില്ല,_പശുവിനെക്കൊണ്ടു_തീറ്റിക്കുകയുമില്ല-ml-proverb-OdgSPz5M


പട്ടിയുടെ വാൽ പന്തീരാണ്ടു കൊല്ലം കുഴലിലിട്ടാലും വളഞ്ഞേ ഇരിക്കത്തുള്ളു • (paṭṭiyuṭe vāl pantīrāṇṭu kollaṁ kuḻaliliṭṭāluṁ vaḷaññē irikkattuḷḷu)

/pɐʈʈijuɖe ʋaːl pɐn̪d̪iːɾaːɳɖu kollɐm kuɻɐliliʈʈaːlum ʋɐɭɐɲɲeː iɾikkɐt̪t̪uɭɭu/

Literally, "even if you put a dog's tail in a tube for 12 years it will be crooked".

en-പട്ടിയുടെ_വാൽ_പന്തീരാണ്ടു_കൊല്ലം_കുഴലിലിട്ടാലും_വളഞ്ഞേ_ഇരിക്കത്തുള്ളു-ml-proverb-qY8r4Q-I


ഇല മുള്ളിൽ വീണാലും മുള്ള് ഇലയിൽ വീണാലും കേട് ഇലയ്ക്കാണ് • (ila muḷḷil vīṇāluṁ muḷḷ ilayil vīṇāluṁ kēṭ ilaykkāṇŭ)

/ilɐ muɭɭil ʋiːɳaːlum muɭɭə̆ ilɐjil ʋiːɳaːlum keːɖə̆ ilɐjkkaːɳə̆/

Literally, "whether a leaf falls on a thorn or a thorn falls on a leaf, the damage is to the leaf".

en-ഇല_മുള്ളിൽ_വീണാലും_മുള്ള്_ഇലയിൽ_വീണാലും_കേട്_ഇലയ്ക്കാണ്-ml-proverb-TYGrXMk7


ഈനാമ്പേച്ചിക്ക് മരപ്പട്ടി കൂട്ട്

ഈനാമ്പേച്ചിക്ക് മരപ്പട്ടി കൂട്ട് • (īnāmpēccikkŭ marappaṭṭi kūṭṭŭ)

īnāmpēccikkŭ marappaṭṭi kūṭṭŭ (romanization)

/iːnaːmbeːt͡ʃt͡ʃikkə̆ mɐɾɐppɐʈʈi kuːʈʈə̆/

[iːnaːmbeːt̚t͡ʃikkə̆ mɐɾɐppɐʈʈi kuːʈʈə̆]

Literally, "there is a musang for the pangolin's company".

there will always be supporters for some people inspite of whatever they do

en-ഈനാമ്പേച്ചിക്ക്_മരപ്പട്ടി_കൂട്ട്-ml-proverb-bSzlyFTm


you can't pour from an empty cup

This view is shared widely across the industry, including by London-based yoga teacher Kat Achtelik, who participated in several NGO-led projects in Asia before moving to the UK. For her, practicing yoga and meditation comes down to self-love: “You cannot pour from an empty cup. You have to take care of yourself first, before catering for others.”

2017 September 18, Camille Darroux, “How yoga and meditation can help social care workers deal with trauma”, in The Guardian:

In order to be able to provide other people with emotional support, one must take care of one's own mental health.


അമിതമായാൽ അമൃതും വിഷം

അമിതമായാൽ അമൃതും വിഷം • (amitamāyāl amr̥tuṁ viṣaṁ)

Literally, "if excessive, even amrita is poison".

en-അമിതമായാൽ_അമൃതും_വിഷം-ml-proverb-mQp8YoEW


вуэррьял пӣӈӈк пӣӈӈькай, аххц е̄ннӭ лӯҋкэшкуэдтӭв (vuerr’’al pīŋŋk pīŋŋ’kaj, axxc jēnn’e lūj̥keškuedt’ev)

вуэррьял пӣӈӈк пӣӈӈькай (canonical)
аххц е̄ннӭ лӯҋкэшкуэдтӭв (canonical)
vuerr’’al pīŋŋk pīŋŋ’kaj (romanization)
axxc jēnn’e lūj̥keškuedt’ev (romanization)

Literally, "West wind blows, nine mothers start to cry".

вуэррьял пӣӈӈк пӣӈӈькай, аххц е̄ннӭ лӯйхкэшкуэдтӭв

(dialectal, Ārʹsjogk) dangerous wind can cause shipwrecks

en-вуэррьял_пӣӈӈк_пӣӈӈькай,_аххц_е̄ннӭ_лӯйхкэшкуэдтӭв-sjd-proverb-mUrW1X19


ഒന്നെങ്കിൽ കളരിക്ക് പുറത്ത് അല്ലെങ്കിൽ ആശാന്റെ നെഞ്ചത്ത് • (onneṅkil kaḷarikkŭ puṟatt alleṅkil āśānṟe neñcattŭ)

/on̪n̪eŋɡil kɐɭɐɾikkə̆ purɐt̪t̪ə̆ ɐlleŋɡil aːʃaːnte n̪eɲd͡ʒɐt̪t̪ə̆/

[on̪n̪eŋɡil kɐɭɐɾikkə̆ purɐt̪t̪ə̆ ɐlleŋɡil aːʃaːnde n̪en̠ʲd͡ʒɐt̪t̪ə̆]

Literally, "either outside the kalari or on guru's chest".

everything should be in limits, neither too much nor too little

en-ഒന്നെങ്കിൽ_കളരിക്ക്_പുറത്ത്_അല്ലെങ്കിൽ_ആശാന്റെ_നെഞ്ചത്ത്-ml-proverb-3KSpnHx-


സമ്പത്ത് കാലത്ത് തൈ പത്ത് വച്ചാൽ, ആപത്ത് കാലത്ത് കാ പത്ത് തിന്നാം • (sampattŭ kālattŭ tai pattŭ vaccāl, āpattŭ kālattŭ kā pattŭ tinnāṁ)

sampattŭ kālattŭ tai pattŭ vaccāl (romanization)
āpattŭ kālattŭ kā pattŭ tinnāṁ (romanization)

Literally, "if you plant 10 plants in your working years, in years of crisis you can eat 10 fruits".

en-സമ്പത്ത്_കാലത്ത്_തൈ_പത്ത്_വച്ചാൽ,_ആപത്ത്_കാലത്ത്_കാ_പത്ത്_തിന്നാം-ml-proverb-avyAt5F2


各處鄉村各處例

各處鄕村各處例
各处乡村各处例

/kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰyː³³ hœːŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰyːn⁵⁵ kɔːk̚³ t͡sʰyː³³ lɐi̯²²/

(Cantonese) Different places have different customs.


金窩銀窩，不如自己的狗窩

金窩銀窩，不如自己的狗窩

ㄐㄧㄣ ㄨㄛ ㄧㄣˊ ㄨㄛ

ㄅㄨˋ ㄖㄨˊ ㄗˋ ㄐㄧˇ ˙ㄉㄜ ㄍㄡˇ ㄨㄛ

цзинь во инь во

бужу цзыцзи дэ гоуво

/t͡ɕin⁵⁵ wɔ⁵⁵ in³⁵ wɔ⁵⁵ pu⁵¹ ʐu³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ t͡ɕi²¹⁴ d̥ə⁴ koʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ wɔ⁵⁵/

In this phrase, 狗窩／狗窝 (gǒuwō) is a self-deprecatory term of one's home.

金窝银窝，不如自己的狗窝

A gold house or a silver house is not as good as one's doghouse

there's no place like home
there's no place like home


il tempo è galantuomo

From Voltaire. Literally, “time is a gentleman.”

“Presidente Meloni il tempo è galantuomo. Oggi è caduta nel ridicolo in pratica si è auto-dichiarata tafazziana.” Così il leader del Movimento 5 stelle... ha commentato le parole della premier che nel suo intervento ha... sottolinea[to] che “l’interesse dell’Italia oggi è affrontare il negoziato sulla nuova governance europea con un approccio a pacchetto”.... Tre anni e mezzo fa, la stessa premier commentava in Aula la “logica del pacchetto” dell’allora presidente del Consiglio Conte, accusandolo di tafazzismo....

2023 June 28, Editorial Board, “Mes, Conte a Meloni: “Parla di pacchetto? Nel 2019 quando lo dissi io mi accusò di essere Tafazzi”. Cosa disse allora la leader Fdi [EMS, Conte to Meloni: "You are talking about a package? In 2019, when I said it, she accused me of being Tafazzi". Here is how the leader of Fdi responded]”, in il Fatto Quotidiano:

"President Meloni: time tells the truth. This has gotten ridiculous; she has practically declared herself a follower of Tafazzi." This is how the leader of the Five-Star Movement... commented on the words of the Prime Minister, who... emphasized in her speech that "Italy's interest today is to approach the negotiations on the new European governance as a whole package".... Three and a half years ago, the same Prime Minister criticized the then-Prime-Minister Conte's "logic of the package" in Parliament, accusing him of being a follower of Tafazzi....

time has a fair and just nature; with the passage of time, honesty and integrity will prevail


gwyn y gwêl y frân ei chyw

/ˌɡwɨ̞n ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːn ei̯ χɪu̯/

/ˌɡwɨ̞n ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːn ei̯ χɨ̞u̯/

/ˌɡwɨ̞n ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːnɪe χɪu̯/

/ˌɡwɨ̞n ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːnɪ χɨ̞u̯/

/ˌɡwɪn ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːn ei̯ χɪu̯/

/ˌɡwɪn ə ˌɡweːl ə ˌvraːni χɪu̯/

Literally, "the crow sees her chick as white".

(idiomatic) a parent does not see the faults of his or her own child


പാപി ചെല്ലുന്നിടം പാതാളം

പാപി ചെല്ലുന്നിടം പാതാളം • (pāpi cellunniṭaṁ pātāḷaṁ)

Literally, "wherever a sinner goes is hell".

en-പാപി_ചെല്ലുന്നിടം_പാതാളം-ml-proverb-3c78e-4B


ഒരു പാലം ഇട്ടാൽ അങ്ങോട്ടും ഇങ്ങോട്ടും വേണം • (oru pālaṁ iṭṭāl aṅṅōṭṭuṁ iṅṅōṭṭuṁ vēṇaṁ)

oru pālaṁ iṭṭāl aṅṅōṭṭuṁ iṅṅōṭṭuṁ vēṇaṁ (romanization)

/oɾu paːlɐm iʈʈaːl ɐŋŋoːʈʈum iŋŋoːʈʈum ʋeːɳɐm/

Literally, "if you build a bridge, it should go both ways".

if someone helps you, you should help him too

en-ഒരു_പാലം_ഇട്ടാൽ_അങ്ങോട്ടും_ഇങ്ങോട്ടും_വേണം-ml-proverb-MF1lqcte


time heals

time heals all wounds
time heals all wounds#English


zgoda buduje, niezgoda rujnuje

Rhyme, literally, “concord builds, discord ruins”.

lit

united we stand, divided we fall
united we stand, divided we fall

(idiomatic) united we stand, divided we fall


stara miłość nie rdzewieje

Literally, “old love does not rust”. Compare Czech stará láska nerezaví, Dutch oude liefde roest niet, German alte Liebe rostet nicht, Russian старая любовь не ржавеет (staraja ljubovʹ ne ržavejet).

cog

старая любовь не ржавеет

(idiomatic) old habits die hard (old feelings toward a person, place, or activity do not fade away)


same shit, different toilet

the more things change, the more they stay the same

(vulgar, derogatory) The same problems persist even in a supposedly different situation (usually emphasizing irony and human folly).


la vérité est dans le vin

in wine, there is truth
in wine, there is truth

in wine, there is truth (things said under the influence of alcohol reveal true beliefs not expressed when sober)


εν οίνω αλήθεια

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εν οίνω αλήθεια • (en oíno alítheia)


money won is twice as sweet as money earned

From a line spoken by Paul Newman (as Eddie Folson) in the 1986 film The Color of Money.

It is more enjoyable to obtain money by gambling than to obtain it by working.


что у тре́звого на уме́, то у пья́ного на языке́ • (što u trézvovo na umé, to u pʹjánovo na jazyké)

что у тре́звого на уме́ (canonical)
то у пья́ного на языке́ (canonical)
što u trézvovo na umé (romanization)
to u pʹjánovo na jazyké (romanization)

[ʂto ʊ‿ˈtrʲezvəvə nə‿ʊˈmʲe | to ʊ‿ˈp⁽ʲ⁾janəvə nə‿(j)ɪzɨˈkʲe]

Literally, “what a sober person has on their mind, a drunk person has on their tongue”.

lit

что у трезвого на уме, то у пьяного на языке

en-что_у_трезвого_на_уме,_то_у_пьяного_на_языке-ru-proverb-rtlmSbWU


fr-proverb

/il nə fo pa diʁ | fɔ̃.tɛn | ʒə nə bwa.ʁɛ pa də tɔ̃.n‿o/

/il nə fo pɑ diʁ | fɔ̃.tɛn | ʒə nə bwa.ʁɛ pɑ də tɔ̃.n‿o/

/il nə fo pa diʁ | fɔ̃.tɛn | ʒə nə bwa.ʁe pa də tɔ̃.n‿o/

/il nə fo pɑ diʁ | fɔ̃.tɛn | ʒə nə bwa.ʁe pɑ də tɔ̃.n‿o/

LL-Q150 (fra)-Lepticed7-il ne faut pas dire, fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-M2D2V2 (Kvardek du)-il ne faut pas dire, fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau.wav

LL-Q150 (fra)-Benoît Prieur-il ne faut pas dire, fontaine, je ne boirai pas de ton eau.wav

Literally, “one mustn't say: "fountain, I won't drink from your water".”


nöden har ingen lag

nöden (“the distress (definite is often idiomatic when referring to concepts)”) + har (“has”) + ingen (“no”) + lag (“law”)

af

necessity knows no law
necessity knows no law

necessity knows no law, desperate times call for desperate measures


drunk words are sober thoughts

Statements expressed in drunken recklessness often reveal truths or secrets that one would not express while sober.


i panni sporchi si lavano in famiglia

Literally, “(the) dirty laundry is washed in (the) family.” Compare French laver son linge sale en famille.

lit

wash one's dirty laundry in public
wash one's dirty laundry in public

it is best not to wash one's dirty laundry in public


Neugier ist der Katze Tod

Literally, “curiosity is the cat's death”, probably a loose calque of English curiosity killed the cat. According to Google Ngram Viewer, the Germanized proverb was essentially nonexistent prior to the early 2000s and has been steadily increasing in usage since then.

clq

curiosity killed the cat
curiosity killed the cat


吉人自有天相

ㄐㄧˊ ㄖㄣˊ ㄗˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄊㄧㄢ ㄒㄧㄤˋ

цзижэнь цзыю тяньсян

/t͡ɕi³⁵ ʐən³⁵ t͡sz̩⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ tʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹/

/kɐt̚⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡siː²² jɐu̯¹³ tʰiːn⁵⁵ sœːŋ³³/

A good person naturally enjoys the help from the Heaven. (Used as blessing words for people in difficulties)


mas matimbang ang dugo kaysa tubig

tl-head

mas matimbáng ang dugô kaysá tubig (Baybayin spelling ᜋᜐ᜔ ᜋᜆᜒᜋ᜔ᜊᜅ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜓᜄᜓ ᜃᜌ᜔ᜐ ᜆᜓᜊᜒᜄ᜔)

mas matimbáng ang dugô kaysá tubig (canonical)
ᜋᜐ᜔ ᜋᜆᜒᜋ᜔ᜊᜅ᜔ ᜀᜅ᜔ ᜇᜓᜄᜓ ᜃᜌ᜔ᜐ ᜆᜓᜊᜒᜄ᜔ (Baybayin)

/ˌmas matimˌbaŋ ʔaŋ duˌɡoʔ kajˌsa ˈtubiɡ/

[ˌmas mɐ.t̪ɪmˌbaŋ ʔɐn̪ d̪ʊˌɣoʔ kaɪ̯ˌsa ˈt̪uː.bɪɡ̚]

/ˌmas matimˌbaŋ ʔaŋ duˌɡo(ʔ) kajˌsa ˈtubiɡ/

[ˌmas mɐ.t̪ɪmˌbaŋ ʔɐn̪ d̪ʊˌɣoː xaɪ̯ˌsa ˈt̪uː.bɪɡ̚]

Literally, “blood is heavier than water”.

lit

blood is thicker than water
blood is thicker than water


knee-high by the Fourth of July

En-us-knee-high by the Fourth of July.ogg

(US, agriculture) If a corn crop has grown knee-high by American Independence Day (July 4th), it is on track for a bountiful harvest.


소나기는 피하는 게 상책

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소나기-는 피하는 게 상책

소나기는 피하는 게 상책 • (sonagi-neun pihaneun ge sangchaek)

sonagi-neun pihaneun ge sangchaek (romanization)

[sʰo̞na̠ɡinɯn pʰi(ː)ɦa̠nɯn ke̞ sʰa̠(ː)ŋt͡ɕʰɛk̚]

[sʰo̞na̠ɡinɯn pʰi(ː)ɦa̠nɯn ke̞ sʰa̠(ː)ŋt͡ɕʰe̞k̚]

소나기는피(ː)하는게상(ː)책

소나기는피(ː)하는게상(ː)첵

"a rain shower is better off avoiding": don't pointlessly ask for trouble


tarih tekerrürden ibarettir

History repeats itself
history repeats itself


風吹雞蛋殼，財散人安樂

[like how] wind blows eggshells apart, one is happy when wealth is lost

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐi̯⁵⁵ taːn²² hɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ saːn³³ jɐn²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

/fʊŋ⁵⁵ t͡sʰɵy̯⁵⁵ kɐi̯⁵⁵ taːn²²⁻³⁵ hɔːk̚³ t͡sʰɔːi̯²¹ saːn³³ jɐn²¹ ɔːn⁵⁵ lɔːk̚²/

(Cantonese) Don't be upset by spending or losing one's wealth.


Papier ist geduldig

Die Verordnung schreibt doch ganz genau vor, wie in solchen Fällen zu verfahren ist! — Naja, Papier ist geduldig, und hier auf dem Land wird das eben etwas anders gehandhabt.

Bei solchen Formularen braucht man mit der Wahrheit nicht übergenau sein... Papier ist geduldig.

the fact that something has been put in writing does not make it true or certain to be realized


o buraco é mais embaixo

Literally "the hole is lower", or "the hole is deeper".

more than meets the eye
more than meets the eye


seepra ei pääse raidoistaan

a leopard cannot change its spots
a leopard cannot change its spots


蜀中無大將，廖化作先鋒

When there are no generals left inShu Han, even Liao Hua can become the leader

ㄕㄨˇ ㄓㄨㄥ ㄨˊ ㄉㄚˋ ㄐㄧㄤˋ

ㄌㄧㄠˋ ㄏㄨㄚˋ ㄗㄨㄛˋ ㄒㄧㄢ ㄈㄥ

suk⁶ zung¹ mou⁴ daai⁶ zoeng³, liu⁶ faa³ zok³ sin¹ fung¹

Шу чжун у дацзян

Ляо Хуа цзо сяньфэн

/ʂu²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂʊŋ⁵⁵ u³⁵ tä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯ɑŋ⁵¹⁻⁵³ li̯ɑʊ̯⁵¹⁻⁵³ xu̯ä⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡su̯ɔ⁵¹ ɕi̯ɛn⁵⁵ fɤŋ⁵⁵/

suhk jūng mòuh daaih jeung, liuh fa jok sīn fūng

suk⁹ dzung¹ mou⁴ daai⁶ dzoeng³, liu⁶ faa³ dzok⁸ sin¹ fung¹

sug⁶ zung¹ mou⁴ dai⁶ zêng³, liu⁶ fa³ zog³ xin¹ fung¹

/sʊk̚² t͡sʊŋ⁵⁵ mou̯²¹ taːi̯²² t͡sœːŋ³³ liːu̯²² faː³³ t͡sɔːk̚³ siːn⁵⁵ fʊŋ⁵⁵/

when the cat's away the mice will play
when the cat's away the mice will play

in the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king; when the cat's away the mice will play


tyvestä puuhun noustaan

learn to walk before you can run
learn to walk before one can run


oma tupa, oma lupa

my house, my rules; it's my house, I can do what I want


luja tahto vie läpi harmaan kiven

where there is a will there is a way
where there is a will there is a way


eteenpäin, sanoi mummo lumessa

Expression of defiance in face of adversity: one must keep going, no matter how hard things get


onni ei tule etsien, vaan eläen

happiness is not a destination, it is a way of life: happiness is a journey, not a destination


kell' onni on, se onnen kätkeköön

kell’ onni on (canonical)
se onnen kätkeköön (canonical)

From Eino Leino's poem Laulu onnesta (from Hiihtäjän virsiä, 1900), line 1

Hide your light under a bushel
hide one's light under a bushel

Do not make a fuss by boasting about something you have just because you can. Hide your light under a bushel.


omansa kunkin hyvä, sammakonkin nuijapää

every ape thinks his puppy the fairest
every ape thinks his puppy the fairest

every ape thinks his puppy the fairest (everyone likes their own (things, children, etc.) and considers them better than others')


aamu on iltaa viisaampi

sometimes tough problems are easier to solve after a good night's sleep.


käbi ei kuku kännust kaugele

Literally, "the cone does not fall far from the tree stump".

(idiomatic) the apple does not fall far from the tree


szewc bez butów chodzi

Literally, “[the] shoemaker goes without boots”.

lit

the shoemaker's children go barefoot
the shoemaker's children go barefoot

(idiomatic) the shoemaker's children go barefoot (one often neglects those closest to themself)


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

/ɡdɘ ɲɛ vjadɔmɔˌ ˈɔ.t͡sɔ xɔd͡ʑiˌ tɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ.pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “if one doesn't know what it's about, then it's about money”.

lit

jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze#Polish

(idiomatic) Alternative form of jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze.


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

Literally, “if one doesn't what it's about, then it's definitely about money”.


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to wiadomo, że chodzi o pieniądze

/ɡdɘ ɲɛ vjadɔmɔˌ ˈɔ.t͡sɔ xɔd͡ʑiˌ tɔ vjadɔmɔˌ ʐɛ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ.pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

Literally, “if one doesn't what it's about, then it's clearly about money”.


head

gdy nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, na pewno chodzi o pieniądze

/ɡdɘ ɲɛ vjadɔmɔˌ ˈɔ.t͡sɔ xɔd͡ʑiˌ naˈpɛv.nɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ.pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/


jak nie wiadomo, o co chodzi, to chodzi o pieniądze

/jak ɲɛ vjadɔmɔˌ ˈɔ.t͡sɔ xɔd͡ʑiˌ tɔ ˈxɔ.d͡ʑi ɔ.pjɛˈɲɔn.d͡zɛ/

(idiomatic) Money is the driving force and main motivation for peoples' actions.


non c'è rosa senza spine

Literally, “there is no rose without thorns.”

lit

every rose has its thorn
every rose has its thorn


altezza è mezza bellezza

Literally, “height is half (of) beauty.”

height is a physically attractive characteristic


臭頭仔嘛會做皇帝，做總統你嘛有機會

head

臭頭仔嘛會做皇帝，做總統你嘛有機會

/t͡sʰau¹¹⁻⁵³ tʰau²⁴⁻³³ a⁵³ mã³³⁻¹¹ e³³⁻¹¹ t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ hɔŋ²⁴⁻¹¹ te¹¹ t͡so¹¹⁻⁵³ t͡sɔŋ⁵³⁻⁴⁴ tʰɔŋ⁵³ li⁵³ mã³³⁻¹¹ u³³⁻¹¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ hue³³/

/t͡sʰau²¹⁻⁴¹ tʰau²³⁻³³ a⁴¹ mã³³⁻²¹ e³³⁻²¹ t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ hɔŋ²³⁻³³ te²¹ t͡sɤ²¹⁻⁴¹ t͡sɔŋ⁴¹⁻⁴⁴ tʰɔŋ⁴¹ li⁴¹ mã³³⁻²¹ u³³⁻²¹ ki⁴⁴⁻³³ hue³³/

臭頭仔／臭头仔 refers to Zhu Yuanzhang, the founding emperor of Ming Dynasty.

臭头仔嘛会做皇帝，做总统你嘛有机会

A country bumpkin can become the emperor too, and you have the chance to become the President too.

every dog has its day
every dog has its day

(Taiwanese Hokkien) every dog has its day


valkeus nauraa pimeyden töille

tasks are better done during the day, not during the night


ei korppi pesten valkene

something inherently bad won't turn good even if you defend it or make excuses


tasan ei käy onnen lahjat

From the Finnish translation of The Tales of Ensign Stål (original by Johan Ludvig Runeberg); the original Swedish text was ojämnt falla ödets lotter (“unevenly fall the lots of fate”) (the Finnish term is, however, not a calque).

Johan Ludvig Runeberg
The Tales of Ensign Stål


miehen on mela kädessä, Jumala venettä viepi

God gives us hands, but does not build bridges for us


tänään minä, huomenna sinä

hodie mihi, cras tibi
hodie mihi, cras tibi


vesi on vanhin veljeksistä, tuli nuorin tyttäristä

(incantation) what fire damages, water heals

vesi vanhin veljeksistä, tuli nuorin tyttäristä


leipää ne on murusetkin

breadcrumbs are still bread; a proverb against wasting food


ken uniinsa uskoo, se varjoaan pelkää

Don't take your dreams (that you see at night) too seriously. If you do, it probably tells more about you than anyone else.


turha rypistellä, kun on paskat housussa

there's no point crying over spilt milk
there's no point crying over spilt milk

ei kannata itkeä maahan kaatunutta maitoa

(vulgar) there's no point crying over spilt milk


syksyinen yö ajaa yhdeksällä hevosella

the weather in the autumn/fall is unpredictable and changes often


愚者千慮，必有一得

ㄩˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄑㄧㄢ ㄌㄩˋ

ㄅㄧˋ ㄧㄡˇ ㄧ ㄉㄜˊ

jyu⁴ ze² cin¹ leoi⁶, bit¹ jau⁵ jat¹ dak¹

юйчжэцяньлюй

/y³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛn⁵⁵ ly⁵¹⁻⁵³ pi⁵¹ joʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ i⁵⁵⁻⁵¹ tɤ³⁵/

jy⁴ dze² tsin¹ loey⁶, bit⁷ jau⁵ jat⁷ dak⁷

/jyː²¹ t͡sɛː³⁵ t͡sʰiːn⁵⁵ lɵy̯²² piːt̚⁵ jɐu̯¹³ jɐt̚⁵ tɐk̚⁵/

Lord Guangwu (Li Zuoche) said, “I have heard a saying that a wise person may make mistakes after thinking thousand times; an unintelligent person may have some good ideas after thinking thousand times.”

The Records of the Grand Historian, by Sima Qian, c. 91 BCE

Guǎngwǔ jūn yuē: ‘Chén wén zhìzhěqiānlǜ，bìyǒuyīshī; yúzhěqiānlǜ，bìyǒuyīdé.’

廣武君曰：『臣聞智者千慮，必有一失；愚者千慮，必有一得。』

广武君曰：『臣闻智者千虑，必有一失；愚者千虑，必有一得。』

愚者千虑，必有一得
愚者千慮，亦有一得

even the foolish ones can sometimes have good ideas after making deep and careful consideration; even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while


kiusa se on pienikin kiusa

even a small nuisance is still a nuisance


głupich nie sieją, sami się rodzą

/ˈɡwu.pix ɲɛ ɕɛjɔw̃ˌ ˈsa.mi ɕɛ ˈrɔ.d͡zɔw̃/

Literally, “the foolish are not sown, they are born”. Compare Belarusian ду́рняў не се́юць, яны́ са́мі ро́дзяцца (dúrnjaŭ nje sjéjucʹ, janý sámi ródzjacca).

cog

ду́рняў не се́юць, яны́ са́мі ро́дзяцца

(derogatory, idiomatic) used to express helplessness in the face of somebody's unwise behavior


i w Paryżu nie zrobią z owsa ryżu

/i f paˈrɘ.ʐu ɲɛ ˈzrɔ.bjɔw̃ z ˈɔf.sa ˈrɘ.ʐu/

Literally, “even in Paris they won't make rice from oats”.

lit

(idiomatic) you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear


от осины не родятся апельсины

head

от оси́ны не родя́тся апельси́ны

от оси́ны не родя́тся апельси́ны • (ot osíny ne rodjátsja apelʹsíny)

от оси́ны не родя́тся апельси́ны (canonical)
ot osíny ne rodjátsja apelʹsíny (romanization)

[ɐt‿ɐˈsʲinɨ nʲɪ‿rɐˈdʲat͡sːə ɐpʲɪlʲˈsʲinɨ]

(informal) you can't make a silk purse of a sow's ear (it is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value)

en-от_осины_не_родятся_апельсины-ru-proverb-nZ03lJmG


desc

Afrikaans: al dra 'n aap 'n goue ring, hy is en bly 'n lelike ding

Nl-al draagt een aap een gouden ring, het is en blijft een lelijk ding.ogg

Literally, “even when an ape wears a golden ring, he is and remains an ugly thing”.


精人出口，笨人出手

zeng¹ jan⁴ ceot¹ hau², ban⁶ jan⁴ ceot¹ sau²

jēng yàhn chēut háu, bahn yàhn chēut sáu

dzeng¹ jan⁴ tsoet⁷ hau², ban⁶ jan⁴ tsoet⁷ sau²

zéng¹ yen⁴ cêd¹ heo², ben⁶ yen⁴ cêd¹ seo²

/t͡sɛːŋ⁵⁵ jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ hɐu̯³⁵ pɐn²² jɐn²¹ t͡sʰɵt̚⁵ sɐu̯³⁵/

a smart person settles disputes through communication; a stupid person fights


tottumus on toinen luonto

custom is a second nature
custom is a second nature


kylmät kädet, lämmin sydän

cold hands, warm heart
cold hands, warm heart


mesi kielessä, myrkky mielessä

a honey tongue, a heart of gall
a honey tongue, a heart of gall


joka tuulen kylvää, se myrskyn niittää

sows the wind reaps the whirlwind
sow the wind, reap the whirlwind


viina viisaan villitsee

when the wine is in, the wit is out
when the wine is in, the wit is out


pieniä on silakat joulukaloiksi

the wedding feast is not made with mushrooms only


kipinästä tuli syttyy

it takes only a spark to start a fire
it takes only a spark to start a fire


ulkonäkö pettää

looks can be deceiving
looks can be deceiving


ei parta pahoille kasva

he that hath a beard is more than a youth, and he that hath no beard is less than a man


head

kun kovalle ottaa, niin koiraskin poikii


köyhtyä saa, muttei laihtua

It's better to spend some money than to go hungry; it's better to go poor than to go hungry.


ei kannata ostaa ruutia ja ampua harakoita

take not a musket to kill a butterfly
take not a musket to kill a butterfly


ei pyyssä kahden jakoa

Some things are so small or little that there's no point trying to share/split them between multiple people.

ei pyyssä kahden jakoa, koppelossa kolmen miehen


useampi päivä kuin makkara

Better always leave something to spare; it is wise to not spend/waste everything one has at once.


joka keitetyn paistaa, se makean maistaa

Twice-cooked foods can taste better than their once-cooked counterparts.


kauneimmankin ruusun alla piilee piikki pistävä

even the most beautiful rose has thorns
even the most beautiful rose has thorns


joka aina on korea, ei koskaan ole kaunis

Someone who tries their best to look beautiful probably isn't in reality.


missäs harakka jos ei siantappajaisissa

A retort to a person who visits places just because they are so nosy or curious.


ei pidä syyttää peiliä, jos naama on vino

don't blame others for your own flaws or shortcomings


jonka jalka paskassa, sen suu rasvassa

kenen jalka kapsaa, sen suu napsaa#Finnish

(vulgar) Synonym of kenen jalka kapsaa, sen suu napsaa


vie sika Saksaan, tuo sika Saksasta, sika sika sittenkin on

vie sika Saksaan, tuo sika Saksasta, sika sika kumminkin on


monta juonta juopuneella eikä yhtään hyvää

intoxicated people come up with stupid ideas


paljon maalla viisaita, kun merellä sattuu vahinko

it is easy to be wise after the event
it is easy to be wise after the event

it is easy to be wise after the event, especially when you don't know what you're talking about

kun merellä sattuu vahinko, niin kaikki ovat maalla viisaita

kun merellä vahinko sattuu, niin kaikki ovat maalla viisaita


kissa kiitoksella elää, koira pään silityksellä

keep your thanks to feed the chickens; warm words don't pay the bills


mies se tulee räkänokastakin vaan ei tyhjän naurajasta

Someone who always finds humor in things and can never take them seriously is never going to amount to anything useful; in general, a proverb against not taking things seriously.


kun konna pääsee korrelle, niin hän pyrkii orrelle

there is no pride like that of a beggar grown rich


viina on viisaan juotavaa

know your limits, don't overdo things (e.g. consume too much alcohol)


leipä miehen tiellä pitää

an army marches on its stomach
an army marches on its stomach

food is a basic necessity; an army marches on its stomach


time heals every wound

Do you say, Time heals every wound? Ay, time heals the wounds of time by slaying eternity. He vampeth up a kind of endurance of threescore and ten years by the death of ages and ages. That is the cure of time.

1865, Edward Irving, The Collected Writings of Edward Irving, volume III, page 228:

Early on, when Maggie says time heals every wound, Mama replies, "I suppose -- if you live long enough." At the end, as anguish reveals how fragile Buddy and Maggie both are, the old woman's quiet compassion turns to steel.

1993 January 25, D. J. R. Bruckner, “Review/Theater; The Ties That Bind And Bind Too Tightly”, in The New York Times, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2018-01-18:

Time heals every wound – that's still the best solution.' 'We don't have much time. Maybe twenty years if all goes well.' 'You're always so dramatic!' Marianne took several deep breaths. 'Forget it. I'll tell you what I want.

2017 March 2, Nina George, The Little Breton Bistro, Hachette UK, →ISBN:

time heals all wounds
time heals all wounds#English

Alternative form of time heals all wounds


time heals all sorrows

“Time heals all sorrows; and that which, perhaps, appears almost unbearable at the beginning of the year, may be looked upon with calm complacency at the end of it. Time will do that for us which nothing else can; and grateful ought we to be that it is so.”

1844, Anonymous [Eliza Peake], Honour! A Tale, London: Saunders and Otley, page 121:

“Time heals all sorrows,” they tell you; but it is a platitude, and not a true one. Sometimes people deceive themselves; they think they have forgotten, and then something brings all back again, and it is worse than before.’

1891, Mary Linskill, Between The Heather And The Northern Sea, London: Richard Bentley and Son, page 127:

By time, I don’t mean that “time heals all sorrows.” That’s a bad cliché— and nothing could be further from the truth. Time will never heal all sorrows. I know because it hasn’t healed mine, and it certainly hasn’t healed the hearts of the people whose stories I listen to every day.

2013, Rita Schulte, Shattered: Finding Hope and Healing Through the Losses of Life, Abilene, Texas: Leafwood Publishers, →ISBN, page 61:


time heals all hurts

However, it is a true saying that time heals all hurts, and so it was with Jack Grosvenor, for it came to pass that when the first soreness was over Fred induced Jack to pay them another visit before he took his bride back to the bush, […]

1883 February 1, The Australian Woman's Magazine and Domestic Journal, volume 1, number 2, page 332:

She pressed my arm. “Time heals all hurts,” she said, “and some day you will find a woman worthy of you, if such a one exists.”

1930, Edgar Rice Burroughs, A Fighting Man of Mars, New York, N.Y.: Ace Books, Inc., published 1931, page 211:

She also assures Jacob that time heals all hurts. The day will come when Esau's seething will dissipate, and the scenario with Jacob and Esau will become only part of Esau's distant past.

1995 September 26, Victor P. Hamilton, The Book of Genesis, Chapters 18-50, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, →ISBN, page 89:


ചേരയെ തിന്നുന്ന നാട്ടിൽ ചെന്നാൽ നടു കഷണം തിന്നണം • (cēraye tinnunna nāṭṭil cennāl naṭu kaṣaṇaṁ tinnaṇaṁ)

/t͡ʃeːɾɐje t̪in̪n̪un̪n̪ɐ n̪aːʈʈil t͡ʃen̪n̪aːl n̪ɐɖu kɐʂɐɳɐm t̪in̪n̪ɐɳɐm/

Literally, "if you went to a land where they eat rat snakes, eat the middle part".

en-ചേരയെ_തിന്നുന്ന_നാട്ടിൽ_ചെന്നാൽ_നടു_കഷണം_തിന്നണം-ml-proverb-OShx4nzV


empty barrels make the most noise

empty vessels make the most sound#English

Alternative form of empty vessels make the most sound


time heals all things

Time heals all things. Calm endurance took the place of uncontrollable anguish. One hope was left to the pair.

1888, Rudolf Baumbach, “The Ass’s Spring”, in Helen B. Dole, transl., Summer Legends, New York: Thomas Y. Crowell & Co., →OCLC, page 138:

They sye that time ‘eals all things,
They sye you can always forget;

1949 June 8, George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], chapter 4, in Nineteen Eighty-Four: A Novel, London: Secker & Warburg, →OCLC; republished [Australia]: Project Gutenberg of Australia, August 2001, part 2, page 130:

But time heals all things. Marius’s wrath abated, righteous though he held it to have been. He forgave her in the end; but it cost him an effort and he nursed his grievance for three whole days.

1976 [1862], Victor Hugo, “Part Three: Marius; chapter VI”, in Norman Denny, transl., Les Misérables, New York, N.Y.: Penguin Books, published 2012, →ISBN, page 616:


ما حك جلدك مثل ظفرك

مَا حَكَّ جِلْدَكَ مِثْلُ ظِفْرِكْ

مَا حَكَّ جِلْدَكَ مِثْلُ ظِفْرِكْ • (mā ḥakka jildaka miṯlu ẓifrik)

مَا حَكَّ جِلْدَكَ مِثْلُ ظِفْرِكْ (canonical)
mā ḥakka jildaka miṯlu ẓifrik (romanization)

/maː ħak.ka d͡ʒil.da.ka miθ.lu ðˤif.rik/

Literally “none has scratched your skin better than your own fingernail”, attributed to 8th-century Muslim scholar Al-Shafi'i.

it is better to be self-reliant than to rely on others


potius sero quam numquam

[ˈpɔt̪iʊs̠ ˈs̠eːroː kʷä̃ˑ ˈnʊŋkʷä̃ˑ]

potius (“better, rather”) + sērō (“late”) + quam (“than”) + numquam (“never”). This proverb is attested in the fourth book of Livy's Ab Urbe condita with an enclitic -que (“and”) attached to potius, which however should not be considered to be an actual part of the proverb.

better late than never
better late than never


zo vader, zo zoon

like father, like son
like father, like son

like father, like son (a son takes after his father)


ill-gotten gains never prosper

Money or other property acquired dishonestly does not bring long-term and lasting joy.

la farina del diavolo va tutta in crusca


kradzione nie tuczy

Literally, “stolen things don't nourish”.

lit

ill-gotten gains never prosper
ill-gotten gains never prosper

(idiomatic) ill-gotten gains never prosper


head

la farina del diavolo va tutta in crusca

Literally, “the devil's flour all turns into bran”.


head

അട്ടയെ പിടിച്ച് മെത്തയിൽ കിടത്തിയാൽ അത് കിടക്കില്ല • (aṭṭaye piṭiccŭ mettayil kiṭattiyāl atŭ kiṭakkilla)

/ɐʈʈɐje piɖit͡ʃt͡ʃə̆ met̪t̪ɐjil kiɖɐt̪t̪ijaːl ɐd̪ə̆ kiɖɐkkillɐ/

[ɐʈʈɐje piɖit̚t͡ʃə̆ met̪t̪ɐjil kiɖɐt̪t̪ijaːl ɐd̪ə̆ kiɖɐkkillɐ]

Literally, "if you place a leech on a bed, it wont sleep".

some people never change no matter what you do for them

en-അട്ടയെ_പിടിച്ച്_മെത്തയിൽ_കിടത്തിയാൽ_അത്_കിടക്കില്ല-ml-proverb-RkR0aa4O


ما فات قد مات

مَا فَاتَ قَدْ مَاتْ

مَا فَاتَ قَدْ مَاتْ • (mā fāta qad māt)

مَا فَاتَ قَدْ مَاتْ (canonical)
mā fāta qad māt (romanization)


ćwiczenie czyni mistrza

Literally, “the exercise makes the master”.

lit

practice makes perfect
practice makes perfect


ᜏᜎᜅ᜔ ᜋᜐᜋᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔

tl-head

ᜏᜎᜅ᜔ ᜋᜐᜋᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔ • (walang masamang tinapay)

walang masamang tinapay
walang masamang tinapay#Tagalog

Baybayin spelling of walang masamang tinapay


ᜃᜉᜄ᜔ ᜊᜒᜈᜆᜓ ᜃ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜊᜆᜓ ᜵ ᜊᜆᜓᜑᜒᜈ᜔ ᜋᜓ ᜈᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔ • (kapag binatu ka nang batu, batuhin mu nang tinapay)

kapag binatu ka nang batu (romanization)
batuhin mu nang tinapay (romanization)

kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay#Tagalog

Baybayin spelling of kapag binato ka ng bato, batuhin mo ng tinapay

en-ᜃᜉᜄ᜔_ᜊᜒᜈᜆᜓ_ᜃ_ᜈᜅ᜔_ᜊᜆᜓ_᜵_ᜊᜆᜓᜑᜒᜈ᜔_ᜋᜓ_ᜈᜅ᜔_ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔-tl-proverb-HXEYuezr


walang masamang tinapay

waláng masamáng tinapay (Baybayin spelling ᜏᜎᜅ᜔ ᜋᜐᜋᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔)

waláng masamáng tinapay (canonical)
ᜏᜎᜅ᜔ ᜋᜐᜋᜅ᜔ ᜆᜒᜈᜉᜌ᜔ (Baybayin)

Literally, “there is no such thing as bad bread”.


head

när det regnar på prästen så skvätter det på klockaren

/nɛr dɛt ˈrɛŋnar poː ˈprɛsːtɛn soː ²skvɛtːɛr dɛt poː ²klɔkːarɛn/

Literally ‘when it rains on the priest it [also] splashes on the sexton’.

a rising tide lifts all boats
a rising tide lifts all boats


go fash, lose cash

Coined to oppose the earlier phrase get woke, go broke.

(informal, neologism, politics) Businesses who focus on catering to right-wing politics, especially extremists, are liable to lose customers.


ottaja, antaja, kananpaskan kantaja

Alternative form: ottaa ja antaa ja kananpaskan kantaa

(vulgar) When someone asks to get back something that they earlier (especially just a moment ago) gave away.


missäs paska muualla kuin rattailla

(vulgar) When someone always happens to be present, 'tagging along', wherever one goes.


Tuppurainen Tappuraisen takausmies

Tappurainen does not appear to be a real surname, instead coined as a rhyme based on tappura.

Alternative form: Tuppurainen Tappuraisen takausmiehenä

The guarantor of a loan need not be any more trustworthy than the lender.


monena mies eläessään, koiranpaska kuoltuaan

(vulgar) It doesn't matter who you are when you're dead.


ọsan ja ọrun dọpa

ọsán já (canonical)
ọrun dọ̀pá (canonical)

how the mighty have fallen
how the mighty have fallen

a statement uttered after hearing the death of an important figure; how the mighty have fallen


bonnach air bois, cha bhruich e is cha loisg

Bonnach air bois, cha bhruich 's cha loisg.

1882, proverb, A collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases : based on Macintosh's collection, page 70:

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained

nothing ventured, nothing gained; no pain, no gain (lit: "a scone on the palm, it does not toast nor does it burn")

a man who does not plant on a cold day, he will not harvest on a hot day

am fear nach dèan cur rè latha fuar, cha dèan e buain rè latha teth

the scratching chicken gets something, the squatting chicken gets nothing at all

gheibh cearc an sgrìobain rudeigin, chan fhaigh cearc a' chrùbain dad idir


bris mo chlaigeann air thùs, is an sin ciùrr mo chorrag

Bris mo chlaigeann air thùs, 's an sin ciùrr mo chorrag.

First break my skull, then hurt my finger.

add insult to injury
add insult to injury

add insult to injury (lit: "first break my skull, then hurt my finger")


fada bhon t-sùil, fada bhon chridhe

fada bhon t-sùil (canonical)
fada bhon cridhe (canonical)

Fada bho'n t-sùil, fada bho'n cridhe.

1882, proverb, A collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases : based on Macintosh's collection, page 174:

Far from eye, far from heart. Out of sight, out of mind.

out of sight, out of mind
out of sight, out of mind

out of sight, out of mind (lit. far from the eye, far from the heart)

an rud nach cluinn cluas, cha gluais e cridhe


kertaus on opintojen äiti

repetition is the mother of learning
repetition is the mother of learning


kyllä paska lumen alta löytyy

(vulgar) the truth will come out, the true culprit will be discovered


am fear a thèid san droigheann dhomh, thèid mi san dris dha

Literally, “the man who goes into the thorny bush for me, I'll go into the thorny bush for him”

lit

you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours


aika neuvon antaa

time is the greatest innovator
time is the greatest innovator


ajakseen orja aitaa tekee

someone who stands to benefit nothing from an endeavor will not work as hard for it or make as good of a job as someone who would


head

anna koiralle lihaa, saat luuta takaisin

some people do not give back in kind when you do good deeds to them


akaton mies on kuin aidaton pelto

a life is not complete until one marries (and has children)


arka mies ei saa kaunista vaimoa

you can never get some things in life if you are too scared to try


aina uusi hempeämpi, ehkä entinen parempi

something isn't necessarily better just because it's new


akka tieltä kääntyköön

(literally) a woman may give up, but I will not

(figuratively) a generic expression of defiance in face of trouble


ei järkeä kauhalla päähän ajeta

you can't force people to understand or make the right choice


arka purtu, hellä lyöty

once bitten, twice shy
once bitten, twice shy


ei kolmisäinen köysi kesken katkea

a threefold cord is not quickly broken
a threefold cord is not quickly broken


ei maantie ruohotu

grass doesn't grow on a busy street
grass doesn't grow on a busy street

grass doesn't grow on a busy street (promiscuous women won't settle down in a family with children)


ei kavaluus kauas auta

knavery may serve a turn but honesty never fails


ei aina kekriä kestä

Christmas comes but once a year
Christmas comes but once a year

Christmas comes but once a year: it's worth celebrating special occasions


ei kateen koto korkene

nobody ever got rich by being jealous or envious


ei hiiri heinäkuorman alle kuole

the anvil is not afraid of the hammer
the anvil is not afraid of the hammer


ei kalu lainassa parane

nothing loaned to someone else gets any better; think twice before loaning


aika menee arvellessa, päivä päätä käännellessä

don't spend all day thinking, start doing something

aika kuluu arvellessa, päivä päätä käännellessä


ei hepo häitä kiitä

the ass is invited to a wedding to carry wood or water

ei härkä häitä kiitä, hepo pitkiä pitoja


ei lisä pahaa tee

sometimes you can have a little extra; a little extra is never a bad thing


asia kun pitkistyy niin se mutkistuu

things not dealt with quickly will take longer and longer to complete


ei markat maaten tule

the sleeping fox catches no poultry
the sleeping fox catches no poultry


ei laihan koiran haukku taivaaseen kuulu

the moon does not care if the dog barks at it


ei tule vanhasta konkaria

an old bachelor/old maid is not worth marrying


ei kaksi kuningasta yhteen linnaan sovi

two kings in one kingdom do not agree well together


arvaa oma tilasi, anna arvo toisellekin

warning against disregarding your own faults or sins


ei lapsesta ole laulajaksi

don't make your child do something only you can do


ei munaa munaan vaihdeta

always sell things for more than they are worth

ei munaa munaan vaihdeta, eikä kanaa kanaan


ei merta pisaroitta soudeta

you've got to crack a few eggs to make an omelette


ei puu yksin pala

your life can be more fulfilling when you aren't alone, e.g. when you are married


ei koira koiran hännälle polje

ei korppi korpin silmää noki
ei korppi korpin silmää noki#Finnish


ei ystävyys yksin puolin pysy

one-sided, unreciprocated relationships (e.g. love, friendship) aren't destined to last for long


ei ketään kukkaro kaulassa hirtetä

the gift blindeth the wise (money can buy your way out of trouble)


ei yhden syy kuin kaksi tappelee

it takes two to tangle
it takes two to tangle


etulyönti on puoli voittoa

the early bird gets the worm
the early bird gets the worm

the early bird gets the worm (the advantage belongs to the one who makes the first move)


ei kaksi kovaa kiveä hyviä jauhoja tee

hard with hard makes not the stone wall
hard with hard makes not the stone wall


ei kukaan ole kuurompi kuin se, joka ei tahdo kuulla

there's none so deaf as those who will not hear


ei leipä lopu syömiseen vaan saamiseen

if any would not work, neither should he eat


ei hulluja kynnetä eikä kylvetä, itsestään niitä kasvaa

folly grows without watering
folly grows without watering

ei hulluja kynnetä eikä kylvetä, niitä kasvaa itsestään


ei tipu, sanoi akka, kun sonnia lypsi

don't fish for strawberries in the bottom of the sea


ennättävän munat karilla

aikainen lintu madon nappaa
aikainen lintu madon nappaa#Finnish


ei pidä mennä herrojen kanssa marjaan

don't trust empty promises made by the people who rule over you

herrojen kanssa ei pidä mennä marjaan, ne vievät sekä marjat että roppeet


ei Jumala kiirettä luonut, sen on pahat ihmiset suonut


ennen kurki kuolee kuin suo sulaa

while the grass grows, the steed starves


ei kirkko niin täynnä ole ettei pappi mahdu

(to a child) (take only as much food as you will eat, and) eat everything you take

ei kirkko niin täynnä ole ettei pappi sisään mahdu


ei kahta: hyvää ja joutuin

soft fire makes sweet malt
soft fire makes sweet malt


ei niin pieniä pitoja, ettei kuokkavieraita

even the least significant things are interesting to nosy people


ei luutonta lihaa eikä päätöntä kalaa

nothing in life comes easy; one must be prepared to work for everything


ei yhden kuuron tähden kahta saarnaa pidetä

there is no use in repeating one's words when the person being spoken to is not willing to listen; I'm not going to repeat what I said, you're not going to listen anyway


ei makaavan kissan suuhun hiiri juokse

you don't get something for nothing
you don't get something for nothing

you don't get something for nothing, nothing comes from doing nothing


ennen mies maansa myö kuin sanansa syö

bulls are trapped by their horns and men by their words


ei pidot parane jollei vieraat vähene

(humorous) too many guests spoil a party (often said in jest by someone who is leaving)


ei se koira oravia hauku, joka väkisin metsään viedään

you can't force someone to do a job properly if they do not want to


ei niin pientä pilaa, ettei totta toinen puoli

there's a grain of truth in every joke
there's a grain of truth in every joke


etehen elävän mieli, kuollut taakse katsokohon


ei se ole narri, joka narraa, vaan se, joka antaa itsensä narrata


ensin asia tutkitaan, sitten vasta hutkitaan

ask questions first, shoot later; do not be hasty in giving punishment

ensin asia tutkitaan ja sitten vasta hutkitaan

ensin asia tutkitaan, sitten vasta selkään hutkitaan


ei niin hyvää, ettei moitita, eikä niin pahaa, ettei kiitetä

everything is a matter of perspective; you can find something good in something bad and vice versa (especially in response to someone who the speaker considers has thanked or criticized them for no reason)

ei niin hyvää, ketä ei moitita, eikä niin pahaa, ketä ei kiitetä


ennen veljeltä vettä kuin vieraalta olutta

members of a family trust each other more than other people

ennen vettä veljeltä kuin olutta vieraalta


ei ole kiirettä kirkkoon, pappi on vielä paitasillaan

more haste, less speed
more haste, less speed

ei kiirettä kirkkoon, pappi on vielä paitasillaan


ennen lyhyt rikan maasta, kuin pitkä tähden taivaasta

maasta se pienikin ponnistaa
maasta se pienikin ponnistaa#Finnish

ennen ottaa lyhyt rikan maasta, kuin pitkä tähden taivaasta


ennen maa repeää kuin huora häpeää

(vulgar) Some people simply cannot feel shame.


ei ole kukaan niin köyhä, ettei voi auttaa, eikä kukaan niin rikas, ettei apua tarvitse

help others when you can so you will be helped too

ei niin köyhää, ettei auttaa voi, eikä niin rikasta, ettei apua tarvitse


ei sota yhtä miestä kaipaa

"[…]Ei yhtä miestä sodassa kaivata. Hankitaan joku muu siihen osaan ja aletaan kohta harjoitella."

1899 February, Santeri Alkio, “Nuorten liittoja Vareslahdella”, in Pyrkijä: Nuorison rientojen kannattaja, volume 10, number 2, Vaasa, page 22:

" […] No one is indispensable. Let's get someone else for the part and start rehearsing soon."

no man is indispensable
no man is indispensable


नई कहानी गुड़ से मीठी

hi-proverb

नई कहानी गुड़ से मीठी • (naī kahānī guṛ se mīṭhī)

[nɐ.iː‿kɐ.ɦäː.niː‿ɡʊɽ‿seː‿miː.ʈʰiː]

A new thing is very desirable; humans like novelty.


la naturaleza aborrece el vacío

nature abhors a vacuum
nature abhors a vacuum


hedelmistään puu tunnetaan

a tree is known by its fruit
a tree is known by its fruit


huvinsa kullakin

whatever floats your boat
whatever floats your boat


harvoin härkä linnasta palaa

the people who rule over you will seek to exploit you


haukkuu se koira hyvääkin miestä

all are not thieves that dogs bark at
all are not thieves that dogs bark at


hyvät neuvot ovat kalliit

good advice is beyond all price
good advice is beyond all price


head

hullu viisasta neuvoo, viisas villiin tulee

a stopped clock is right twice a day
a stopped clock is right twice a day

a stopped clock is right twice a day; anyone, no matter how stupid they seem, can (at times) give great advice


hullu pilaan suuttuu, viisas vastaa puolestansa

there is no use in getting offended by jokes


itse lääkärit läsivät

physician, heal thyself
physician, heal thyself


hiki laiskan syödessä, vilu työtä tehdessä

a lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy
a lazy sheep thinks its wool heavy


herrat ja koirat jättävät oven auki

it is polite to close the door after you

herrat ja koirat jättävät oven perässään auki


hyvä omatunto on paras päänalunen

a clear conscience is a soft pillow
a clear conscience is a soft pillow


hullu ei huomaa, viisas ei virka mitään

fools never perceive where they are ill-timed or ill-placed


joka on verassa, se on velassa

warning against splurging or excessive spending of money, e.g. on clothing


joka kuritta kasvaa, se kunniatta kuolee

where shame is, there is fear
where shame is, there is fear


tyhmästä päästä kärsii koko ruumis

those who can't use their head must use their back (those who do not think have to make a physical effort to deal with the consequences)


isot varkaat vaunulla ajaa, pienet linnassa istuu

powerful people are often as unscrupulous/corrupt as criminals


hyvä antaa vähästään, paha ei anna paljostakaan

some people are generous, some people are greedy


joka koko kesän onkii, sitä talvella nälkä tonkii

they must hunger in winter that will not work in summer


joka ei nuorena työtä tee, se vanhana kerjää

diligent youth makes easy age
diligent youth makes easy age


hyvä kello kauas kuuluu, paha vielä kauemmas

hyvä kello kauas kuuluu, paha kello kauemmaksi

bad news travels fast
bad news travels fast

it takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it


josta paljon puhutaan, siitä paljon pidetään

suggesting that someone who is being talked is the subject of affection by one or more of the people talking about them

josta paljon puhutaan, siitä paljon tykätään


hyvä pitkän pinon vierestä lastuja poimia

associating with a wealthy person gives you some benefits

hyvä on pitkän pinon vieressä lastuja poimia


jota koulumestari kovempi, sitä oppi selkeämpi

learning is impossible without discipline


joka on laiska lauantaina, se on musta sunnuntaina

Literally, “he who is lazy on Saturday is black [dirty] on Sunday”. Saturday was traditionally a laundry day.

m-g

he who is lazy on Saturday is black 􂀿dirty􂁀 on Sunday

lit

someone who is too lazy to do something they should will have to deal with the consequences of not having done it

joka on laiska lauantaina, pää sydessä sunnuntaina


Jumala taivaassa ja kapteeni laivassa

everything is well when the leader is there to lead


head

jos työ herkkua olisi, herrat sen tekisivät

nobody would work if they didn't have to

jos työ herkkua olisi, herrat tekisivät sen itse


itselleen porsas kiusaa tekee, kun kaukalonsa kaataa

a person who sets out to do something out of spite often ends up hurting themselves more than the one they are trying to hurt

itselleen sika kiusaa tekee, kun kaukalonsa kaataa


isännän silmä hevosen lihottaa

the master's eye makes the horse fat
the master's eye makes the horse fat


joka härjillä ajaa, se härjistä puhuu

one tends to speak of one's own grievances; the mouth speaks what the heart is full of


jolla on kello kaulassa, sen on pää painossa

even those who are well off have their own worries


他山之石，可以攻玉

ㄎㄜˇ ㄧˇ ㄍㄨㄥ ㄩˋ

/tʰä⁵⁵ ʂän⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ ʂʐ̩³⁵ kʰɤ²¹⁴⁻³⁵ i²¹⁴⁻²¹ kʊŋ⁵⁵ y⁵¹/

taa¹ saan¹ dzi¹ sek⁹, ho² ji⁵ gung¹ juk⁹

/tʰaː⁵⁵ saːn⁵⁵ t͡siː⁵⁵ sɛːk̚² hɔː³⁵ jiː¹³ kʊŋ⁵⁵ jʊk̚²/

From the Classic of Poetry, poem 184 (《詩經·小雅·鶴鳴》)

lang

(《詩經·小雅·鶴鳴》)

(《詩經·小雅·鶴鳴》)

Pleasant is that garden, In which are the sandal trees;
But beneath them is the paper-mulberry tree,
The stones of those hills, May be used to polish gems.

The Classic of Poetry, c. 11ᵗʰ – 7ᵗʰ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Lè bǐ zhī yuán, yuán yǒu shù tán, qí xià wéi gǔ.
Tā shān zhī shí, kěyǐ gōng yù.

樂彼之園，爰有樹檀，其下維穀。
他山之石，可以攻玉。

乐彼之园，爰有树檀，其下维谷。
他山之石，可以攻玉。

Stones from another hill can be used to polish my jade

(figurative) advice from others may help remedy one's own shortcomings


joka syyttä suuttuu, se lahjatta leppyy

if you get angry over something insignificant, don't expect people to make any compromises just to appease you


joka myllyyn menee, se tomuun tulee

one can tell from someone's appearance when someone has been working hard (and vice versa)


jokaisella päivällä on omat murheensa

sufficient for the day is its own trouble


hyvä on toisen housuilla tuleen istua

it's easy not to worry about doing an action when you're not the one that will face its consequences


hullu itseänsä kiittää

self-praise is no praise
self-praise is no praise

self-praise is no recommendation
self-praise is no recommendation

self-praise is no praise, self-praise is no recommendation


kauppa se on joka elättää

honor and profit lie not in one sack
honor and profit lie not in one sack


ken seisoo, katsokoon, ettei lankea

wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall


head

kala ja vieraat alkavat haista kolmantena päivänä

guests, like fish, begin to smell after three days


korpi kaapu köyhän miehen

the forest is the poor man's overcoat
the forest is the poor man's overcoat


kuuluisa rikkaan tauti vaan ei köyhän kuolemakaan

the rich and famous get (much) more attention than the ordinary people

kuuluisa rikkaan kipu, vaikkei köyhän kuolema


kun hätä on suurin, on apu lähinnä

help nearest when need greatest
help nearest when need greatest


kateus on kunnian kumppani

things most excellent are ever most envied


kepillä on kaksi päätä

every stick has two ends
every stick has two ends


kissan ilo hiiren itku

the pleasures of the mighty are the tears of the poor


kaikella on aikansa ja paikkansa

there is a time and place for everything


kompastuu hevonenkin neljältä jalalta

a horse may stumble though he has four legs


kunnia sille, jolle kunnia kuuluu

honor to whom honor is due
honor to whom honor is due


kyllä susi poikansa ulvomaan opettaa

a parent with a bad quality will impart it on their children too


kaikki tuntevat apinan mutta apina ei tunne ketään

the fool does not know that they are (or that others consider them) a fool

kaikki tuntee apinan mutta apina ei tunne ketään


kyllä koira haavansa nuolee

you may have defeated someone, but they will bounce back


ken kutsumatta tuli, se käskemättä lähteköön

unbidden guests are often welcomest when they are gone


korea kutsuttu vieras, koreampi kutsumaton

nobody can be as agreeable as an uninvited guest

korea kutsuttu vieras, kutsumaton koreampi


kyllä mäki velkansa maksaa

if you go uphill, you also get to go downhill; hard work is rewarded with good, easy times


kyllä kuiva rikka hännästä putoaa

scandal will rub out like dirt when it is dry


kyllä aika tavaran kaupitsee

keep a thing seven years and you will find use for it


kotiin on moni kuollut

(humorous) objection to leaving a place, an event, etc. to go home


köyhyys ei ole mikään ilo

poverty is a heavy burden; understand people who have it tougher than you


kaikki siat ovat pimeässä mustia

all cats are grey in the dark
all cats are grey in the dark

all cats are grey in the dark (under some circumstances, individual distinctions no longer matter)


kyllä lyöpä aseen löytää

where there is a will there is a way
where there is a will there is a way

where there is a will there is a way (when one really wants to do something, they will find a way or means to do it)


kyllä maailma ääntä vetää

talk is free but nobody is obligated to listen to you or think your words matter

kyllä maailma ääntä vetää ja viita paskaa


kuu on torpparin aurinko

A crofter (torppari) worked for his landlord for the right to live where he did, but still had to work his own land to get food for himself.

the poor work two jobs: one for their master and the other for themselves


kyllä kissa kynnet löytää, kun puuhun pitää

kyllä lyöpä aseen löytää
kyllä lyöpä aseen löytää#Finnish


kysyen kylän löytää

kysyvä ei tieltä eksy
kysyvä ei tieltä eksy#Finnish


kyllä koira päänsä silittäjän tuntee

people will remember when you've helped them


kenen lehmä suossa, sen käsi alinna

the person who works the hardest out of a group of people is the one who most benefits from the work being done


köyhän on oltava nöyrä

don't be picky if you don't have options


kärsi, kärsi, kirkkaamman kruunun saat

kärsi, kärsi, niin kirkkaamman kruunun saat


kolmen markan räätäli tekee kuuden markan vahingon

cheap is expensive (picking the cheapest option, i.e. trying to be thrifty, often tends to cost more in the long run)

kolmen markan suutari tekee kuuden markan vahingon


kun köyhyys tulee ovesta, rakkaus lentää ikkunasta

when poverty comes in the door, love goes out the window


kyllä rahalla ruokaa saa, oluella ystäviä

true friends are gotten through favors and kindness, not through money or wealth


köyhäkin malttaa keittää, vaan ei jäähdyttää

malttaa köyhäkin keittää, vaan ei jäähdyttää


kahden kauppa ja kolmannen korvapuusti

stick your nose into
stick one's nose into

don't stick your nose into private matters between two people (often a couple)


kun itse kysyy ja itse vastaa, ei tule jälkipuheita

you won't get feedback or criticism for your choices if you don't ask anyone to provide any

a (small) group of people who think alike and agree on things will not criticize each other


köyhän oikeus on ovensuussa ja rikkaan pöydän päässä

take the law into their own hands
take the law into one's own hands

those who cannot afford to go to the court must take the law into their own hands


kyllä susi syitä löytää, kun lampaan lihaa mieli tekee

any excuse will serve a tyrant
any excuse will serve a tyrant


kuollaan sitä vielä meilläkin

Attributed to an apocryphal story about funerals, as in to say "you didn't invite us to your funeral [feast], people die over in our place too, you know [and we won't invite you to ours]"

people will remember when you do not invite them to a feast/party/etc.


köyhän velka ei kauaksi jouda

people who have nothing to lose won't risk much to get back something owed to them


kuule paljon, puhu vähän

be swift to hear, slow to speak
be swift to hear, slow to speak


the first turn of the screw pays all debts

/θə‿fɚɹst‿tɚn‿ʌv‿θə‿skɹu‿peɪ̯z‿ɑl‿dɛts/

On the one hand was Martyn's dictum that the 'first turn of the screw pays all debts';

1943, Geoffrey Willans, One Eye on the Clock, page 41:

—The first turn of the screw pays all debts, he had muttered (crossing himself) in the stern of the Purdue Victory, where the deck shuddered underfoot as the blades of the single screw churned Boston's water beneath him;

1955, William Gaddis, The Recogntions, page 9:

The first turn of the screw pays all debts, they say, except when there is a warship about.

1991, T.R. Frame, J.V.P Goldrick, P.D. Jones, Reflections on the RAN, page 16:

(nautical) One's problems on shore may be forgotten at the first turn of one's ship's propeller.


kuningasta kuuleminen, herroja kumartaminen


mitä kylvää, sitä niittää

as you sow, so shall you reap
as you sow, so shall you reap


kun on joulu, niin on joulu: paistahan akka toinenkin silakka

one can be a little less stingy or austere on special occasions


hyvin suunniteltu on puoliksi tehty

measure twice and cut once
measure twice and cut once

measure twice and cut once (plan and prepare in a careful, thorough manner before taking action)


lupaus on pahempi velkaa

a promise made is a debt unpaid
a promise made is a debt unpaid


omat koirat purivat

a man may provoke his own dog to bite him


millainen isäntä, sellainen renki

like master, like man
like master, like man


laki on niin kuin se luetaan

the interpretation of a legal text is what matters; one can interpret laws, rules, etc. as one likes


oma löytty, vieras varastettu

finders, keepers; losers, weepers
finders, keepers; losers, weepers


oma apu paras apu

don't expect help or aid from others; be prepared to be on your own


merellä silmät, metsällä korvat

fields have eyes, and woods have ears
fields have eyes, and woods have ears


naapuri on paras vieraista

a good neighbour is a priceless treasure


omaansa kukin kiittää

omansa kunkin hyvä, sammakonkin nuijapää#Finnish

Synonym of omansa kunkin hyvä, sammakonkin nuijapää


oikein, väärin, kokoon käärin

greedy people don't care whether something is right or wrong as long as they can get richer


oma suu tikanpojan surma

the fish dies through the mouth
the fish dies through the mouth


niin monta mieltä kuin miestä

opinions are like noses
opinions are like noses

opinions are like noses (everyone has an opinion)


nukkuva ei tee syntiä

a sleeping man is not hungry
a sleeping man is not hungry


mies syö, mies saa, miehelle Jumalakin antaa

let me enjoy (splurge, waste) what I get


mitä emo laulaa, sitä poika piiskuttaa

ei omena kauas puusta putoa
ei omena kauas puusta putoa#Finnish


opiksi koiralle kylmä sauna

teach someone a lesson
teach someone a lesson

one ought to teach someone a lesson, that'll stop them for doing the same mistake again


millä mitalla te mittaatte, sillä teille mitataan

do as you would be done by
do as you would be done by


minä herra, sinä herra, kuka meistä kontin kantaa

when Adam delved and Eve span, who was then the gentleman? (proverb about pride and humility, i.e. of people who refuse to do hard work because it is "beneath them")


lukot eivät ole varkaita vaan rehellisiä ihmisiä varten

locks only keep honest people honest
locks only keep honest people honest


laiskuus on hyvä lahja, kun sen osaa oikein käyttää

laziness can be helpful, if it results in inventions that make (your) life easier


oma suu on lähempänä kuin kontin suu

every miller draws water to his own mill


neljä silmää näkee enemmän kuin kaksi silmää

four eyes see more than two
four eyes see more than two


mahti ei jouda maan rakohon, vaikka mahtajat menevät

you may die, but your legacy will survive

mahti ei joua maan rakohon, vaikka mahtajat menevät


on syytä sysissä, jos on sepissäkin

no vice but hath its patron
no vice but hath its patron


omat maat makuisimmat, omat metsät mieluisimmat

oma maa mansikka, muu maa mustikka#Finnish

Synonym of oma maa mansikka, muu maa mustikka


mitä nainen tahtoo, sitä tahtoo Jumalakin

Compare French ce que femme veut, Dieu le veut.

women always manage to obtain what they want


lapsen suusta totuus kuullaan

out of the mouths of babes
out of the mouths of babes


orjaa harvoin kiitetään, miniää ei milloinkaan

a mother-in-law won't treat her daughter-in-law well

harvoin orjaa kiitetään, miniää ei milloinkaan


ota omasta nenästäsi kiinni, siinä on hyvä kädensija

you're a fine one to talk
you're a fine one to talk

ota kiinni omasta nenästä, siinä on hyvä kädensija


nahkurin orsilla tavataan

I'll see you in heaven/hell/the afterlife/etc. (i.e. when the speaker thinks they and the addressed will die soon in some kind of desperate situation, or if they are unlikely to meet again, etc.)


mol an deireadh

trust the process, don't count your chickens before they're hatched (lit. "praise [it] in the end")


寧為雞口，無為牛後

ja-r

鶏口となるも牛後となるなかれ

けいこう となるも ぎゅうご となるなかれ

→ Japanese: 鶏口(けいこう)となるも牛後(ぎゅうご)となるなかれ (keikō tonarumo gyūgo tonarunakare) (calque)

desc

→ Vietnamese: Thà làm đầu gà, hơn làm đuôi trâu (calque)

ㄋㄧㄥˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄐㄧ ㄎㄡˇ

ㄨˊ ㄨㄟˊ ㄋㄧㄡˊ ㄏㄡˋ

нин вэй цзикоу

/niŋ³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ t͡ɕi⁵⁵ kʰoʊ̯²¹⁴⁻²¹ u³⁵ weɪ̯³⁵ ni̯oʊ̯³⁵ xoʊ̯⁵¹/

Quoted from Su Qin's speech to King Xuanhui of Han, persuading him to unite with other states to fight against Qin

(Su Qin said,) “I have heard that there is a saying that ‘it is better to be the beak of a chicken than the arse of an ox’. Now if Your Majesty would like to bow to the west and submit to Qin, that is no difference with being an ox's arse, isn't it?”

Zhanguo Ce, circa 5ᵗʰ – 3ʳᵈ centuries BCE

Chén wén bǐyǔ yuē: “Níng wèi jī kǒu, wú wèi niú hòu”. Jīn dàwáng xīmiàn jiāobì ér chénshì qín, héyǐ yì yú niú hòu hū?

臣聞鄙語曰：「寧為雞口，無為牛後」。今大王西面交臂而臣事秦，何以異於牛後乎？

臣闻鄙语曰：「宁为鸡口，无为牛后」。今大王西面交臂而臣事秦，何以异于牛后乎？

寧爲鷄口，無爲牛後
宁为鸡口，无为牛后
寧為雞口，不為牛後

Better be the beak of a chicken (smaller but cleaner) than the arse of an ox (bigger but dirtier)

Shi Nai'an, Water Margin, circa 14ᵗʰ century CE

Chéngchí jiāngù, liángcǎo fēngzú, shàng kě zhànshǒu. Gǔyǔ yǒu yún: ‘Níngwèijīkǒu, wúwèiniúhòu’.

城池堅固，糧草豐足，尚可戰守。古語有云：『寧為雞口，無為牛後』。

城池坚固，粮草丰足，尚可战守。古语有云：『宁为鸡口，无为牛后』。

big fish in a small pond
big fish in a small pond

(figurative) It is better to be a big fish in a small pond than a small fish in a big pond.


parempi tyhjä kukkaro kuin vieras raha

survive on your own, do not rely on other people's help to survive

parempi tyhjä kukkaro kuin lainattu raha


papin pojat ovat pahimpia

clergymen's sons always turn out badly
clergymen's sons always turn out badly


parempi lehmä lypsää kuin tappaa

it is the duty of a good shepherd to shear his sheep, not to skin them


parempi taipua kuin taittua

better bend than break
better bend than break


pojasta polvi paranee

the son (child) will be better than his father (parent)


head

paikka paikan päällä, markka markan päällä


parempi vara kuin vahinko

ei vara venettä kaada
ei vara venettä kaada#Finnish


parempi oja tukkia kuin joki

a stitch in time saves nine
a stitch in time saves nine


pelto ei petosta salli

if you take care of the soil, it will take care of you


parempi hyvä ystävä kuin huono suku

a good friend is better than a near relation


parempi on pala suussa kuin haava päässä

when you are someone's guest, you have to accept their hospitality


parempi maassa kuin jumalattoman suussa

it's not the end of the world if you (accidentally) drop something (some food, etc.)


puhuen asiat selviävät

one can't resolve arguments or issues without communication


pienet lapset, pienet murheet, isot lapset, isot murheet

little kids, little problems, big kids, big problems


parempi vähän annettu kuin paljon luvattu


pois tieltä talonpoika, että herra helvettiin pääsee

no point in interrupting someone prouder and richer than you if they want to do something that is a really bad idea (and will only end up badly for themselves)

pois tieltä talonpoika, päästä herra helvettiin


siinä näkijä, missä tekijä

someone who is eager to talk about how something (e.g. a crime) happened may have done it


parempi lusikka taskussa kuin sulka lakissa

feather in your cap
feather in one's cap

better bread in the basket than a feather in your cap


puhuttu puhe, ammuttu nuoli

what is said cannot be unsaid, you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube


älä herätä nukkuvaa karhua

let sleeping dogs lie
let sleeping dogs lie


rikas maksaa rahallaan, köyhä selkänahallaan

In the past, someone who could not afford to pay a monetary fine would get lashes instead.


sanasta miestä, sarvesta härkää

one must be as good as one's word; one must keep the promises one has made


syötä vierasta sanoilla, kunnes keitto kerkeävi

guests have to be entertained until the meal can be served


se kosken tavat tietää, joka kosken rannalla asuu

harjoitus tekee mestarin
harjoitus tekee mestarin#Finnish

joka kosken rannalla asuu, se kosken tavat tietää

se kosken tavat tietää, joka rannalla asuu


älä luule luuta lihaksi, pässin päätä paistikkaaksi

you assumed/guessed and your assumption/guess was wrong


sota sortaa, rauha rakentaa

war is destruction, peace is construction


sydämen kyllyydestä suu puhuu

the mouth speaks what the heart is full of


siitä siasta kiinni pidetään, joka aidan raosta löydetään

it is not illegal to commit a crime, only to get caught doing so

siitä siasta kiinni pidetään, joka aidan raosta tavataan


se on naapurin vika, jos itseään pitää kehua

self-praise is no praise
self-praise is no praise

self-praise is no recommendation
self-praise is no recommendation

he has bad neighbours who must praise himself; self-praise is no praise, self-praise is no recommendation


älä luule lukkari, että pappi virren alkaa

if you want to get something done, do it yourself


parempi kunniaa kourallinen kuin häpeää helmallinen

think twice before doing something unhonorable

parempi kunniata kourallinen kuin häpeää helmallinen


vahingosta viisaaksi tullaan

one should learn from accidents (not necessarily just one's own)


yksimielisyys on voimaa

united we stand, divided we fall
united we stand, divided we fall


talossa talon tavalla

when you are a guest, behave/do as the hosts say; respect your host as a guest


terveys on kultaa kalliimpi

health is better than wealth
health is better than wealth


viisi virkaa, kuusi nälkää

a man of many trades begs his bread on Sunday


vahingonilo on paras ilo

nothing is quite as satisfying as schadenfreude; "the misfortune of others tastes like honey"


totuus ei pala tulessakaan

the truth will outlive any lies; truth will out


viikon kestää vaikka aidan seipäänä

sometimes one has to stand difficulties or trouble for some time


tyhjän saa pyytämättäkin

nothing ventured, nothing gained
nothing ventured, nothing gained


yksi tie, kaksi asiaa

don't make two trips for two errands when one trip is enough


tulee mies merentakainen, ei tule turpeen alainen

tulee se mies meren takainen, vaan ei tule turpeen alainen


vuosi vanhan vanhentaa, kaksi lapsen kasvattaa

vuosi lapsen kasvattaa, kaksi vanhan vanhentaa


vasen käsi ei tiedä mitä oikea tekee

the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing


vähän päivässä, paljon viikossa

little strokes fell great oaks
little strokes fell great oaks


talo elää tavallaan, vieras tulee ajallaan


terävä tekevän ase, tylsä veitsi tyhmän miehen

a bad workman always blames his tools
a bad workman always blames his tools

tylsä veitsi tyhmän miehen, terävä tekevän ase


tina on kulta köyhän miehen, vaski vaivaisen hopea

value what you have, even if it isn't that much

vaski on kulta köyhän miehen, tina vaivaisen hopea


toinen puhuu aidasta, toinen aidan seipäistä

of two or more people who are talking past each other

toinen puhuu aidasta, toinen aidan seipäästä


ystävä sanoo ystävälle, ystävä koko kylälle

the more people know a secret, the harder it is to keep it secret

yksi sanoo ystävälle, ystävä koko kylälle


yksi tykkää äidistä, toinen tyttärestä

Probably a corruption/misconstruction of earlier yksi tykkää äidistä, toinen tyttären äidistä, which has a different meaning ("it's all about perspective").

yksi tykkää äidistä ja toinen tyttärestä

toinen tykkää äidistä, toinen tyttärestä


joka kerran keksitään, sitä aina arvellaan

once a thief, always a thief
once a thief, always a thief


viha viepi viljan maasta, kateus kalat vedestä

viha viepi viljan maasta (canonical)
kateus kalat vedestä (canonical)

viha viepi viljan maasta, kateus kalat vesistä

viha viepi viljan maasta, kateus kalan merestä


lapsi tuo leivän tullessaan

a child will support their parents when old; i.e. having children is 'worth the investment'


äänellään se lintukin laulaa

every bird sings as it is beaked
every bird sings as it is beaked


kukas kissan hännän nostaa, ellei kissa itse?

reminder to not brag about oneself; do not toot your own horn

kuka kissan hännän nostaa, ellei kissa itse

kuka se kissan hännän nostaa, ellei kissa itse


söisi suu, vetäisi vatsa, vaan ei kanna heikot sääret


vie sie, mie vikisen

people (especially women) can just play hard to get

vie sie, mie vikisen, ole vievinäs väkisin, mie tulen mielelläni


ei ne suuret tulot, vaan pienet menot

you can get by with little money if you just don't spend much of it


ei leikki leivässä pidä

work is meant to be difficult and demanding, otherwise there'd be no point


laiska töitään luettelee

do more work instead of wasting time on figuring out how much work you have done


antaa tulla lunta tupaan

expression of defiance in face of adversity: there is no giving up even if things get tough

antaa tulla lunta tupaan ja jäitä porstuaan


joka säästää saadessaan, sillä on ottaa tarvitessaan

save for a rainy day
save something for a rainy day


mitä meillä ei ole, sitä ei tarvita

mitä meillä ei ole, sitä meillä ei tarvita


vie mennessäs, tuo tullessas

killing two birds with one stone
kill two birds with one stone#English

if you can do something at once without having to go somewhere else (first), just do it; if you happen to be near to a task, you might as well do it; a proverb about efficiency, of 'killing two birds with one stone'

vie mennessäs, tuo tullessas, tee siellä ollessas


ilo pintaan vaikka syän märkänis

having fun is an essential part of life; you must look on the bright side


hullu mies Huittisista, syö enemmän kuin tienaa

live beyond your means
live beyond one's means


vierivä kivi ei sammaloidu

a rolling stone gathers no moss
a rolling stone gathers no moss


chan eil am bonnach beag bruich fhathast

it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings
it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings

it ain't over till it's over
it ain't over till it's over

it ain't over 'til the fat lady sings; it ain't over till it's over (lit: "the little bannock isn't toasted yet")

Cha 'n 'eil am bonnach beag bruich fhathasd.

1882, proverb, A collection of Gaelic proverbs and familiar phrases : based on Macintosh's collection, page 110:

The little bannock is not toasted yet. This is a phrase used at hide-and-seek, or blind-man's-buff, to announce that the players are not ready yet.

a phrase used in children's games such as hide-and-seek or blind man's buff when not all players are ready for the game to begin


sokea rampaa taluttaa

the blind leading the blind
the blind leading the blind


sitä puuta puskeminen, johon kiinni kytkettynä

address the most urgent issue/problem first

sitä puuta puskeminen, johon on kiinni kytkettynä


糟糠之妻不下堂

ㄗㄠ ㄎㄤ ㄓ ㄑㄧ ㄅㄨˋ ㄒㄧㄚˋ ㄊㄤˊ

zāokāng zhī qī bù xiàtáng [Phonetic:zāokāng zhī qī bú xiàtáng]

tsao¹-kʻang¹ chih¹ chʻi¹ pu⁴ hsia⁴-tʻang²

цзаокан чжи ци бу сятан

/t͡sɑʊ̯⁵⁵ kʰɑŋ⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂʐ̩⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵⁵ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ ɕi̯ä⁵¹ tʰɑŋ³⁵/

Treasure those who had been good to you when you were in need.


竊鉤者誅，竊國者侯

ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄡ ㄓㄜˇ ㄓㄨ

ㄑㄧㄝˋ ㄍㄨㄛˊ ㄓㄜˇ ㄏㄡˊ

chʻieh⁴ kou¹ chê³ chu¹, chʻieh⁴ kuo² chê³ hou²

це гоу чжэ чжу

це го чжэ хоу

/t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ koʊ̯⁵⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ ʈ͡ʂu⁵⁵ t͡ɕʰi̯ɛ⁵¹ ku̯ɔ³⁵ ʈ͡ʂɤ²¹⁴⁻²¹ xoʊ̯³⁵/

Here is one who steals a hook (for his girdle) - he is put to death for it: here is another who steals a state - he becomes its prince. But it is at the gates of the princes that we find benevolence and righteousness (most strongly) professed - is not this stealing benevolence and righteousness, sageness and wisdom?

Zhuangzi, circa 3ʳᵈ – 2ⁿᵈ centuries BCE, translated based on James Legge's version

Bǐ qiè gōu zhě zhū, qiè guó zhě wèi zhūhóu, zhūhóu zhī mén, ér rényì cún yān, zé shìfēi qiè rényì shèng zhì yé?

彼竊鉤者誅，竊國者為諸侯，諸侯之門，而仁義存焉，則是非竊仁義聖知邪？

彼窃钩者诛，窃国者为诸侯，诸侯之门，而仁义存焉，则是非窃仁义圣知邪？

竊鈎者誅，竊國者侯
窃钩者诛，窃国者侯

(sarcastic) Used to criticize political corruption to an extent that right and wrong is falsified.


puhtaus on puoli ruokaa

cleanliness is next to godliness
cleanliness is next to godliness

it's good and important to keep oneself clean; cleanliness is next to godliness


故舊不棄

ㄍㄨˋ ㄐㄧㄡˋ ㄅㄨˋ ㄑㄧˋ

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kuː³³ kɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/

/ku⁵¹⁻⁵³ t͡ɕi̯oʊ̯⁵¹ pu⁵¹⁻³⁵ t͡ɕʰi⁵¹/

/kuː³³ kɐu̯²² pɐt̚⁵ hei̯³³/


vak tyúk is talál szemet

vak (“blind”) + tyúk (“hen”) + is (“even”) + talál (“to find”) + szem (“grain”) + -et (accusative suffix), literally “even a blind hen finds grain”

affix

a stopped clock is right twice a day
a stopped clock is right twice a day

(idiomatic) even a blind squirrel can find a nut once in a while, a stopped clock is right twice a day (even a usually clumsy or foolish person can be right sometimes, even if it is just by chance; even an unlucky person can be lucky once in a while)


en-proverb

almost only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades

Maybe you're the runner-up but the first one to lose the race
Almost only really counts in horseshoes and hand grenades.

2009, “Horseshoes and Hand Grenades”, in 21st Century Breakdown, performed by Green Day:

close only counts in horseshoes
close only counts in horseshoes#English

Alternative form of close only counts in horseshoes


no kosi kaiman mama fosi yu abra liba

/no ˈko.s(i)ˈkai̯.maŋ mːa ˈfo.s‿i ˈa.bɾa ˈli.ba/

Literally, “don't curse the caiman's mother before you've crossed the river”.

lit

So langa joe no koti abra liba, joe no moe kosi kaiman.

1874, Willem Boekhoudt, Uit mijn verleden. Bijdrage tot de kennis van Suriname [From my past. Contribution to the knowledge of Suriname], Winschoten: J.D. van der Veen, page 94:

As long as you haven't crossed the river, you shouldn't curse the caiman.

Ef joe wani kot' abra liba, joe no moe kosi kaiman mama.

1977, Albert Helman, editor, Cultureel mozaïek van Suriname. Bijdrage tot onderling begrip. [Cultural mosaic of Suriname. A contribution to mutual understanding.], Zutphen: De Walburg Pers, →ISBN, page 112:

If you want to cross the rivier, you shouldn't insult the mother of the caiman.

Noiti no kosi kaiman mama fosi yu abra liba, a so den bigisma koti den odo, ya.

2003, Conjunto Pomos (lyrics and music), “No Kosi Kaiman”, in Kula Man:

Never curse the caiman's mother before you've crossed the river, yup, that's how the old people recite their proverbs.

Ei Selecta, mi granmama ben leri mi altèit, "no kosi kaiman fosi abra liba, boi."

2011, Selectabeats, Kayente (lyrics and music), “Djoegoe Djoegoe”:

Hey Selecta, my grandmother always taught me: "don't curse the caiman before crossing the river, boy."

don't count your chickens before they're hatched#English

don't insult people who might hurt your interests; don't self-sabotage; don't count your chickens before they're hatched

no kosi kaiman fosi yu abra liba

don't curse the caiman before you've crossed the river


जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह

hi-proverb

जहाँ चाह वहाँ राह • (jahā̃ cāh vahā̃ rāh)

/d͡ʒə.ɦɑ̃ː t͡ʃɑːɦ ʋə.ɦɑ̃ː ɾɑːɦ/

[d͡ʒɐ.ɦä̃ː‿t͡ʃäːʱ‿ʋɐ.ɦä̃ː‿ɾäːʱ]

Calque of English where there's a will, there's a way.

calque

where there's a will, there's a way
where there's a will, there's a way