Famous Russian proverbs and saying

Russians have a unique, very diverse and often self-contradictory set of old proverbs and sayings in wide use.  The collection below is what a typical Russian instantly recognizes as a proverb.  They are often quoted in speech, although not always in their literal meaning. Often they are used as sarcasm too.

Most of then (probably 90% are at least 200 years old.

Adapted from Russian proverbs - Wikiquote

А

• Алты́нного во́ра ве́шают, а полти́нного че́ствуют.
  • Transliteration: Altynnogo vora veshayut, a poltinnogo chestvuyut.
  • English equivalent: Laws catch flies but let hornets go free.
  • Владимир Иванович Даль; Анатолий Николаевич Филиппов (1 January 2010). 1000 русских пословиц и поговорок. MintRight Inc. p. 107. ISBN 978-5-4250-2657-6.

• Аппети́т прихо́дит во вре́мя еды́.
  • Transliteration: Appetit prikhodit vo vremya yedy
  • English equivalent: The appetite comes with eating
  • Arany-Makkai (1996). Russian Idioms. Barron's. p. 3.

Б

• Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ле ле́гче.
  • Transliteration: Baba s vozu — kobyle legche.
  • Translation: It is easier for the mare when a woman is off the cart...
  • Meaning: If you want to sneak away from doing this hard part of the job, go ahead, you will only make it simpler for me. — Also: Good riddance! —
  • Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу — кобы́ла в ку́рсе. (When a woman gets off the cart, the horse will notice.)

• Ба́бушка (гада́ла, да) на́двое сказа́ла ( — то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет).
  • Transliteraion: Babushka (gadala, da) nadvoye skazala ( — to li dozhdik, to li sneg, to li budet, to li net).
  • Translation: Granny (told fortunes and) said two things (— it will either rain or snow; it either will or will not).
  • English equivalent: We'll see what we'll see; maybe rain or maybe snow, maybe yes or maybe no.
  • Meaning: The outcome is still unknown (despite all that's been said.) — Also: You seem uncertain.
  • Compare: Ви́лами на воде́ пи́сано.

• Беда́ (никогда́) не прихо́дит одна́.
  • Transliteration: Beda (nikogda) ne prikhodit odna.
  • Translation: Trouble never comes alone.
  • English equivalent: Misery loves company.
  • Belentschikow (2009). Russisch-Deutsches Wörterbuch (RDW): O. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 152. ISBN 3447060859.

• Без кота́ мыша́м раздо́лье.
  • Transliteration: Bez kota mysham razdol'ye.
  • Translation: Without a cat, mice feel free.
  • English equivalent: When the cat is away, the mice will play.

• Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.
  • Transliteration: Bez truda ne vytaschish y rybku iz pruda.
  • Translation: Without effort, you can't [even] pull a fish out of the pond.
  • "What you would seem to be, be really."
  • Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickard's Almanack (1744)
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 455. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
  • Armalinskiĭ (1995). Russkie besstyzhie poslovit͡s͡y i pogovorki. M.I.P. Co.. p. 63.

• Береги́ пла́тье сно́ву, а честь смо́лоду.
  • Transliteration: Beregi plat'ye snovu, a chest' smolodu.
  • Translation: Take care of clothes from new, take care of [your] honor from when [you are] young.
  • English equivalent: Those who would be young when they are old must be old when they are young.
  • Мокиенко, Сидоренко (2005). Школьный словарь крылатых выражений Пушкина. Нева. p. 30. ISBN 5765445403.

• Бережёного Бог бережёт.
  • Transliteration: Berezhonogo bog berezhot.
  • Translation: God keeps those safe who keep themselves safe.
  • Closest English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves. Pray to God but keep the powder dry.
  • Modern mockery: Бережёного Бог бережёт, а небережёного конвой стережёт. (God watches over those who are careful, and the jail wardens watch over those who were not.)
  • Meaning: Blessings/luck come most to those who do not recklessly rely on them, but work for them.
  • Visson (1991). From Russian into English: an introduction to simultaneous interpretation. Ardis. p. 151. ISBN 0875010954.

• Бли́зок локото́к, да не уку́сишь.
  • Transliteration: Blizok lokotok, da ne ukusish.
  • Translation: [Your] elbow is close, yet [you] can't bite it.
  • Meaning: The situation is such that it's much harder than it looks and attaining goals is not given.
  • Nezhat, Nezhat, Nezhat (2008). Nezhat's Operative Gynecologic Laparoscopy and Hysteroscopy. Cambridge University Press. p. 2. ISBN 0521862493.

• Бог дал, Бог и взял.
  • Transliteration: Bog dal, bog i vzyal.
  • Translation: God gave, God took back.
  • English equivalent: The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.
  • Margulis, Kholodnaya (2000). Russian-English dictionary of proverbs and sayings. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 0786407034.

• Бог тро́ицу лю́бит.
  • Transliteration: Bog troitsu lyubit.
  • Translation: God likes trinity.
  • English equivalent: All good comes in threes.
  • Margulis, Kholodnaya (2000). Russian-English dictionary of proverbs and sayings. McFarland. p. 24. ISBN 0786407034.

• Болту́н — нахо́дка для шпио́на.
  • Transliteration: Boltun — nakhodka dlya shpiona.
  • Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy.
  • English equivalent: Loose lips sink ships.

• Большо́му кораблю́ — большо́е пла́вание.
  • Transliteration: Bol'shomu korablyu — bol'shoye plavaniye.
  • Translation: For a big ship, a big voyage.
  • Modern mockery: Большо́му кораблю́ — больша́я торпе́да. (For a big ship, a big torpedo)
  • Meaning: Remarkable people make a big impact in the world.

• Бу́дет и на на́шей у́лице пра́здник.
  • Transliteration: Budet i na nashey ulitse prazdnik.
  • Translation: There'll be a holiday in our street too.
  • Meaning: One day we will get lucky too.
• Бума́га всё сте́рпит.
  • Transliteration: Bumaga vsyo sterpit.
  • Translation: Paper will endure anything.
  • Alt: Бумага без души - что угодно пиши.
  • Translation: Paper has no soul - you can put anything on it."
  • English equivalent: Paper is forbearing.
  • Latin version: Epistula non erubescit - A letter doesn't blush (Cicero)
  • Contrast: Что напи́сано перо́м — не вы́рубить топоро́м.
  • Раков, Юрий (1999). Сокровища античной и библейской мудрости: происхождение афоризмов и образных выражений. ОЛМА-Пресс. p. 30. ISBN 5765403697.

В

• Вашими бы устами да мед пить.
  • Transliteration: "Vashymi by ustami da myod pit'."
  • Translation: With your mouth it would be good to drink mead (sweet alcoholic beverage made out of fermented honey).
  • Meaning: It would be good if everything would turn out as you say (said in response to favorable predictions, assumptions, comforting words, etc.); may your words come true.
  • English equivalent: From your mouth to God's ears.

• В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше.
  • Transliteration: V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe.
  • Translation: Visiting is good, but home is better.
  • English equivalent: East or West - home is best.

• В до́ме пове́шенного не говоря́т о верёвке.
  • Transliteration: V dome poveshennovo ne govoryat o veryovke.
  • English equivalent: In the house of the hanged man, [they] mention not the rope.
  • Михайлович, Мокиенко Валерий (2010). Большой словарь русских пословиц. ОЛМА Медиа Групп. p. 291. ISBN 978-5-373-03250-6.

• Век живи́ — век учи́сь.
  • Transliteration: Vek zhivi — vek uchis'.
  • Translation: Live for a century — learn for a century.
  • English equivalent: We are to learn as long as we live.
  • "Virtus sui gloria.
    Think that day lost whose (low) descending sun
    Views from thy hand no noble action done."
  • Jacob Bobart, in David Krieg's Album in British Museum (December 8, 1697); see also Staniford, Art of Reading, 3d Ed, p. 27. [1803].

• Видна́ пти́ца по полёту.
  • Transliteration: Vidna ptitsa po polyotu.
  • Translation: The bird is known by its flight.
  • English equivalent: A tree is known by its fruit.
  • Meaning: You can judge someone based on his surroundings. For instance, a person living in a messy house is messy.
  • Modern mockery: Видна́ пти́ца по помёту. (The bird is known by its droppings.)

• Ви́дит о́ко, да зуб неймёт.
  • Transliteration: Vidit oko, da zub neymyot.
  • Translation: The eye can see it, but the tooth can't bite it.
  • English equivalent: One's reach exceeds one's grasp.

• В нога́х правды не́т.
  • Transliteration: V nogakh pravdy net.
  • Translation: There is no truth in feet.
  • Meaning: Take a seat, please.

• Во́лка но́ги ко́рмят.
  • Transliteration: Volka nogi kormyat.
  • Translation: Wolf feeds on his feet.
  • Meaning: A hard time of scarce resources.

• Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.
  • Transliteration: Volk v ovech'yey shkurye.
  • Translation: Wolf in sheep's pelt.
  • English equivalent: Wolf in sheep's clothing.
  • Meaning: "An innocent demeanor may hide much evil."  -- ancient definition of psychopath.
  • Compare: В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.

• Волко́в боя́ться — в лес не ходи́ть.
  • Transliteration: Volkov boyat'sa — v les ne khodit.
  • Literally: To fear the wolves — not to go into the woods.
  • Translation: [Just] because one fears wolves, is one not to go into the woods?
  • Translation note: Although the original proverb has the structure of a declarative sentence it is commonly understood and used in context as a rhetorical question.
  • Meaning: "Fear is no excuse from [possibly risky but] necessary undertakings."
  • English equivalent: (You need to) face your fears.

• Во́рон во́рону глаз не вы́клюет.
  • Transliteration: Voron voronu glaz ne vyklyuyet.
  • Translation: The raven won't peck out the eye of [another] raven.
  • English equivalent: Hawks will not pick out hawk's eyes.
  • Meaning: High society protects each other no matter what is the committed crime.
  • Compare: Рука́ ру́ку мо́ет.

• Вот где соба́ка зары́та.
  • Transliteration: Vot gde sobaka zaryta
  • Translation: That's where the dog is buried
  • English equivalent: That’s where the shoe pinches; That’s the crux (the rub).
  • See also: Вот в чём загво́здка.

• В семье́ не без уро́да.
  • Transliteration: V sem'ye ne bez uroda.
  • Translation: No family has no ugly member.
  • English equivalent: There is a black sheep in every flock.

• Всё хорошо́, что хорошо́ конча́ется.
  • Transliteration: Vsyo khorosho, chto khorosho konchayetsa.
  • Translation: All is well that ends well.
  • English equivalent: All's well that ends well.

• Всяк кули́к своё боло́то хва́лит.
  • Transliteration: Vsyak kulik svoyo boloto khvalit.
  • Translation: Every sandpiper praises his own swamp.
  • Meaning: Everyone praises their own work, lifestyle (or possession), no matter how inferior it is.
  • English equivalent: Every cook praises his own broth.

• Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
  • Transliteration: Vsyakomu ovoshchu svoyo vremya.
  • Translation: Every vegetable has its time.
  • English equivalent: Everything is good in its season.
  • "Plans are insulted destinies. I don't have plans, I only have goals."
  • Ash Chandler, Freudian Slip, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, April (2006).
  • Compare: Пе́рвый блин (всегда́) ко́мом.

• Всяк сверчо́к знай свой шесто́к.
  • Transliteration: Vsyak sverchok znai svoy shestok.
  • Translation: Every cricket must know its hearth
  • English equivalent: A blind man should not judge of colours.
  • "An uneducated man cannot judge of the attainments of the learned."
  • M. W. Carr (1868). A Collection of Telugu Proverbs translated, illustrated and explained; together with some Sanscrit Proverbs printed in the Devanâgarî and Telugu Characters: By M. W. Carr. A Supplement to the Collection of Telugu Proverbs: containing additional Proverbs, an Index verborum, and an index to the European Proverbs quoted in illustration. Christian Knowledge Society's Press. p. 141.

• В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.
  • Transliteration: V tesnote da ne v obide.
  • Translation: In a crush, yet without resentment.
  • Meaning: Though the place is crowded, nobody will mind if you join as well. — Also: Come on in!
  • Compare: Вме́сте те́сно, а врозь ску́чно.

• В чужо́й монасты́рь со свои́м уста́вом не хо́дят.
  • Transliteration: V chuzhoy monastyr' so svoim ustavom ne khodyat.
  • Translation: No-one goes to the foreign/other monastery with their own charter.
  • English equivalent: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
  • Compare: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (не е́здят).

• В чужо́м глазу́ сори́нку заме́тно, а в своём — бревна́ не вида́ть.
  • Transliteration: V chuzhom glazu sorinku zametno, a v svoyom — brevna ne vidat.
  • Translation: In another person's eye one can notice [even] a mote, but in one's own, cannot see [even] a log.
  • English equivalent: Luke 6:41: And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • See also: Чья́ бы коро́ва мыча́ла, а твоя́ бы молча́ла; На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́.

Г

• Где то́нко — там и рвётся.
  • Transliteration: Gde tonko — tam i rvyotsya.
  • Translation: It will snap where it is thinnest.
  • English equivalent: The chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
  • Meaning: "A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 38. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 31 July 2013.

• Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги (, а по ним шага́ть).
  • Transliteration: Gladko bylo na bumage, da zabyli pro ovragi (, a po nim shagat').
  • Translation: It worked on paper, but [we've] forgotten about ravines (and we'll have to march [them]).
  • Meaning: Obstacles that were overlooked/ignored during planning, turned out to be a major showstopper when executing the plan.

• Говоря́т, что кур доя́т.
  • Transliteration: Govoryat, shto kur doyat.
  • Translation: They say they milk chickens.
  • Meaning: Don't believe all the rumors.

• Го́лод не тётка (, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
  • Transliteration: Golod ne tyotka (, pirozhka nye podnesyot).
  • Translation: Hunger is not [your] aunt (, [it] will not bring you a pie).
  • Meaning: If you are in need, help yourself and don't count on the situation improving by itself. — Also: If you're in need, take what they give you, it's not time to decline offers.
  • English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted; God helps those who help themselves; No pain, no gain
  • Meaning: One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort.
  • Compare: Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смотря́т; На безры́бье и рак — ры́ба.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 455. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
  • Иванович Даль, Владимир (2002). Толковый словарь живого великорусского языка. В 2 тт. Т. 1: А—О. ОЛМА Медиа Групп. p. 345. ISBN 5224035848.

• Голь на вы́думку хитра́.
  • Transliteration: Gol' na vydumku khitra.
  • Translation: Poor people are crafty.
  • English equivalent: Necessity is the mother of invention.

• Горба́того моги́ла испра́вит.
  • Transliteration: Gorbatovo mogila ispravit.
  • Translation: [Only] grave will cure the hunchback.
  • English equivalent: The leopard cannot change his spots.
  • Meaning: A person can never change his character.
  • Compare: Зарека́лася лиса́ кур не ворова́ть.

• Гром не гря́нет, мужи́к не перекре́стится.
  • Transliteration: Grom ne gryanet, muzhik ne perekrestitsya.
  • Translation: Unless thunder strikes, a man won't cross himself.
  • Cultural background: Since lightning strikes were considered acts of punishment by God, it was believed that crossing oneself would prevent one from being hit by a lightning.
  • Swedish equivalent: You don't miss the cow until the barn is empty.
  • Meaning: People tend to not take precautionary measures until trouble actually happens.

• Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.
  • Transliteration: Gus' svin'ye ne tovarisch.
  • Translation: A goose is not a pig's friend.
  • Meaning: Opposite of Birds of a feather flock together; — Also: I despise you.
  • Answer: Ну, тогда я полетел.(Well, I'm flying away.)
  • Compare: Тамбо́вский волк тебе́ това́рищ.

Д

• Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят.
  • Transliteration: Daryonomu konyu v zuby ne smotryat.
  • Translation: Don't look at the teeth of a horse you've been given.
  • Note: Looking at a horse's teeth is a way to determine its age, and thus its value (a practice that also gives us the English expression “long in the tooth,” meaning old.)
  • English equivalent: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
  • Meaning: Don’t question a gift's value; be thankful, rather than judging something you received as a gift.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 54. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
  • Compare: Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
  • Modern mockery: Дарёному коню́ под хвост не смо́трят. (Don't check a gift horse under the tail)

• Даю́т - бери́, а бьют - беги́.
  • Transliteration: Dayut - beri, a b'yut - begi
  • Translation: If given - take it; if beaten - run away.

• Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть, одно́й не минова́ть.
  • Transliteration: Dvum smertyam ne byvat, odnoy ne minovat'
  • Translation: Two deaths will not happen, [but] one is inevitable.
  • Meaning: It's worthwhile to take a risk.
  • Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Была́ не была́.

• Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.
  • Transliteration: Delit' shkuru neubitovo medvedya.
  • Translation: To divide the pelt of a bear not yet killed.
  • English equivalent: To cook a hare before catching him; Don't count your chickens before they hatch; Don't run before your horse to market; Don't put the cart before the horse.
  • Compare: Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь (перепры́гнешь).

• Де́ло ма́стера бои́тся.
  • Transliteration: Delo mastera boitsya.
  • Translation: Work is afraid of a skilled worker.
  • Meaning: Work goes well when you know what you are doing.

• До́брое сло́во и ко́шке прия́тно.
  • Transliteration: Dobroye slovo i koshke priyatno.
  • Translation: Even a cat appreciates kind word[s].

• Долг платежо́м кра́сен.
  • Transliteration: Dolg platezhom krasen.
  • Translation: Debt is beautiful [only] after [it is] repaid.
  • Meaning: Debt is a shame until it is repaid; – Also used as a hint: It's time for you to pay me back.
  • English equivalent: One good turn deserves another.

• До́ма и сте́ны помога́ют.
  • Transliteration: Doma i steny pomogayut.
  • Translation: [When you are] at home, even the walls help [you].

• Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.
  • Transliteration: Doroga lozhka k obyedu.
  • Transalation: A spoon is valuable at dinner.
  • Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. — Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand.
  • Compare: До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.
  • See also: Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
  • English equivalent: A stitch in time saves nine.

• До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.
  • Transliteration: Dorogo yaichko k Khristovu dnyu.
  • Translation: A spring egg is dear at the Easter day.
  • Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. — Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand.
  • Compare: Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.

• Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.
  • Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a sluzhba sluzhboy.
  • Translation: Friendship is friendship but service is service.
  • Meaning: Friendship is one thing, business another; Nothing personal; just business.
  • Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.

• Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.
  • Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a tabachok (denezhki) — vroz'.
  • Translation: Friendship is friendship, but [keep our] tobacco (money) apart.
  • Meaning: You might be my friend, but it doesn't entitle you to using my assets (or not repaying my debts).
  • Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.

• Друг познаётся в беде́.
  • Transliteration: Drug poznayotsa v bede.
  • Translation: [You get to really] know [your] friend when trouble [comes].
  • English equivalent: A friend in need's a friend indeed.

• Дурака́м зако́н не пи́сан (, е́сли пи́сан, то не чи́тан, е́сли чи́тан, то не по́нят, е́сли по́нят, то не так).
  • Transliteration: Durakam zakon ne pisan (, yesli pisan, to ne chitan, yesli chitan, to ne ponyat, yesly ponyat, to ne tak).
  • Translation: There is no law written for fools ( if it is written it's not read, if it is read it's not understood, if it is understood, in the wrong way).
  • English equivalent: There is no law for fools.

Е

• Ели—пили, веселились. Подсчитали — прослезились
  • Transliteration: Yeley-peeley, veselealeas'. Podschitalee — proslezealees'
  • Translation: [Theу/we] Ate and drank and make merry. Then [they/we] counted and shed tears.
  • Meaning: For all you have to pay, sooner or later.

• Е́сли бы да кабы́ да во рту росли́ грибы́ (бобы́)(, это был бы не рот, а огоро́д).
  • Transliteration: Yesli by da kaby da vo rtu rosli griby (boby) (, eto byl by nye rot a ogorod)
  • Translation: If and when mushrooms (beans) grew in the mouth(, that would have been not mouth but kitchen garden).
  • English equivalent: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts; If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.; If ifs and ands were pots and pans, then we would need no tinkers.; If wishes were fishes, there'd be no room in the river for water.; If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
  • Modern mockery: Если бы у бабушки были яйца, то она была бы дедушкой (If only Grandma had balls, she would have been Grandpa)

• Если бы молодость знала, если бы старость могла.
  • Transliteration: Yesli by molodost' znala, yesli by starost' mogla.
  • Translation: If only youth would know, if only old age were able.
  • Meaning: If only youth had the wisdom, and old age had the strength everything would have been much better.
  • English equivalent: Youth is wasted on the young

Ж

• Жизнь прожи́ть — не по́ле перейти́.
  • Transliteration: Zhizn' prozhit' — ne pole pereyti.
  • Translation: Living [your] life is not like crossing a meadow.
  • English equivalent: Life was never meant to be easy; life's no walk in the park.
  • Source note: this proverb originated as a line in Boris Pasternak's poem "Hamlet."

З

• Запретный плод сладок
  • Translation: Forbidden fruit is sweet.
  • English equivalent: Forbidden fruit is sweetest.
  • Meaning: "Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 93. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.
  • János Erdélyi (1851). Magyar közmondások könlyve. Nyomatott Kozma Vazulnál. p. 169.

• • Школьный словарь живых русских пословиц. ОЛМА Медиа Групп. p. 320. ISBN 978-5-7654-1546-7. Retrieved on 7 June 2013.

• Зако́н что ды́шло, куда́ повернёшь - туда́ и вы́шло.
  • Transliteration: Zakon chto dyshlo, kuda povernyosh - tuda i vyshlo.
  • Translation: Law is like the shaft of a cart, it points wherever you turn it.
  • Alt. Translation: The law is like a shaft, no matter the way you turn it, you're shafted.
  • Meaning: Powerful, rich or smart people can make the law work for them.

• Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).
  • Transliteration: Zastav' duraka Bogu molitsya - on (sebe) lob rasshibyot (i drugim nogi pootshibayet).
  • Translation: [If you] make a fool pray to God, he will hurt (both his) forehead (and other people's toes).
  • Meaning: When eagerness is coupled with lack of understanding of the task, one's efforts will be more of a hindrance than a help; Better not to follow instructions literally but understand their purpose.
  • English equivalent: Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse.
  • "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it conscientiously."
  • Variant: "Men never do evil so completely and cheerfully as when they do it from religious conviction" (trans. W.F. Trotter)
  • Blaise Pascal, Pensées (1669) (# 894 or 895, depending on differing editions).
  • Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к — все он сде́лает не так; Медве́жья услу́га.

• За что боро́лись, на то и напоро́лись.
  • Transliteration: Za chto borolis', na to i naporolis'.
  • Translation: Whatever [we, they] fought for is what [we, they] impaled [ourselves, themselves] upon.
  • English equivalents: To be hoisted by one's own petard; to shoot oneself in the foot; to slit one's own throat.
  • Meaning: One can suffer for his/her activity or initiative; result is sometimes an oposite of expected.

• За что купи́л, за то и продаю́ (, не лю́бо - не слу́шай, а врать не меша́й).
  • Transliteration: Za chto kupil, za to i prodayu (, ne lyubo - ne slushay, a vrat' ne meshay).
  • Translation: I sell it for what I bought it (, if you don't like it, don't listen, but don't hamper [my] lying/telling).
  • Meaning: I don't endorse this message, I'm just telling you what I was told.
  • English equivalent: Don't shoot the messenger.

• Зна́ет ко́шка, чьё мя́со съе́ла.
  • Compare: На во́ре и ша́пка гори́т.
  • Transliteration: Znayet koshka, ch'yo myaso s'yela.
  • Translation: The cat knows whose meat it has eaten.
  • English equivalent: A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
  • Meaning: "People who know they have done wrong reveal their guilt by the things they say or the way they interpret what other people say."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 112. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.

И

• И волки сыты, и овцы целы.
  • Transliteration: I volki syty, i ovtsy tsely.
  • Translation: The wolves are sated, and the sheep are intact.
  • Meaning: Sometimes it is impossible to get two desired things at the same time.
  • English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it too.
  • Compare: За двумя зайцами погонишься (, ни одного не поймаешь). Двух зайцев одной пулей.
  • Belentschikow (2009). Russisch-Deutsches Wörterbuch (RDW): O. Harrassowitz Verlag. p. 136. ISBN 3447060859.

• Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее.
  • Transliteration: Iz dvukh zol vybirayut men'sheye.
  • Translation: [They] choose lesser of two evils.
  • Meaning: If all the options are bad, choose the one that hurts the least.
  • English equivalent: Lesser of two evils

• Из огня́ да в полымя́.
  • Transliteration: Iz ognya da v polymya.
  • Translation: From fire to flame.
  • English equivalent: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
  • Compare: Ме́жду мо́лотом и накова́льней.
  • "Who are a little wise the best fools be."
  • John Donne, The Triple Fool (~1600)
  • Offord (1996). Using Russian: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 151. ISBN 0521457602.

• Из пе́сни сло́ва не вы́кинешь.
  • Transliteration: Iz pesni slova ne vykinesh.
  • Translation: [You] cannot throw a word out of a song.
  • Meaning: You cannot alter the information that many people know by heart. — Also: The following may contain obscene, rude or otherwise questionable content, yet it content cannot be omitted as it's an integral part of the story.
  • Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Что напи́сано перо́м – не вы́рубить топоро́м.
  • English equivalent: A word dropped from a song makes it all wrong.

• Ищи́ ве́тра в по́ле.
  • Transliteration: Ishchi vetra v pole.
  • Translation: Look for wind in a field.
  • Meaning: What's lost cannot be found.
  • English equivalent: You can't catch the wind in a net.

• И один в поле воин.
  • Translation: Even one matters in the battlefield.
  • Mertvago, Peter (March 25, 1998). Dictionary of 1000 Russian proverbs: with English equivalents. Hippocrene Books. p. 104. ISBN 978-0-7818-0564-3. Retrieved on July 18, 2013.

К

• Как ау́кнется — так и откли́кнется.
  • Transliteration: Kak auknetsya — tak i otkliknetsya.
  • Translation: How [echo] is prompted, it will bounce back.
  • Meaning: Others will treat you the way you treat them.
  • English equivalent: What goes around, comes around.
  • Compare: Что посе́ешь, то пожнёшь.
• Ка́шу ма́слом не испо́ртишь.
  • Transliteration: Kashu maslom ne isportish.
  • Translation: One can't spoil porridge with butter.
  • Meaning: You can’t spoil a good thing with another good thing.
  • English equivalent: Plenty is no plague.
  • Compare: Мно́го — не ма́ло.

• Клин кли́ном вышиба́ют.
  • Transliteration: Klin klinom vyshibayut.
  • Translation: They use a wedge to knock out a wedge.
  • Meaning: Pay back with the same medicine.
  • English equivalents: Fight fire with fire; Like cures like; One nail drives out another.

• Когото́к увя́з - всей пти́чке пропа́сть.
  • Transliteration: Kogotok uvyaz — vsey ptichke propast.
  • Translation: If the claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost.
  • Meaning: Trouble begins with small mistakes.
  • Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.

• Козла́ бо́йся спе́реди, коня́ — сза́ди, а лихо́го челове́ка — со всех сторо́н.
  • Transliteration: Kozla boysya speredi, konya — szadi, a likhogo cheloveka — so vsekh storon.
  • Translation: Beware of the goat from its front side, of the horse - from its back side, and the evil man - from any side.
  • Closest English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.

• Конь о четырёх нога́х, да и тот спотыка́ется.
  • Transliteration: Kon' o chetyryokh nogakh, da i tot spotykaetsya.
  • Translation: A horse has four legs, but still stumbles.
  • English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles.
  • Meaning: Even most experienced (or most capable) people make mistakes sometimes.
  • Compare: Не ошиба́ется тот, кто ничего́ не де́лает.
• Коней на переправе не меняют
  • Translation: Don't swap horses when crossing the stream.
  • Note: When in water it is arduous to mount and dismount.
  • English equivalent: Don't change horses in the midstream.
  • "There is only one good. And that is to act according to the dictates of one's conscience."
  • Simone de Beauvoir, All Men are Mortal (1946)
  • Мокиенко Валерий Михайлович (2010). Большой словарь русских пословиц. ОЛМА Медиа Групп. p. 26. ISBN 978-5-373-03250-6. Retrieved on 7 June 2013.

• Копе́йка рубль бережёт (, а рубль го́лову стережёт).
  • Transliteration: Kopeyka rubl' berezhot (, a rubl' golovu sterezhot).
  • Translation: A kopeck saves the rouble (, and the rouble guards your head).
  • English equivalent: Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.
• Куда́ конь с копы́том, туда и рак с клешнёй.
  • Transliteration: Kuda kon' s kopytom, tuda i rak c kleshnyoy.
  • Translation: Where [goes] a horse with [its] hoof, there [goes] a crayfish with [its] pincer.

• Куда́ ни кинь, везде́ (всё, всю́ду) клин.
  • Transliteration: Kuda ni kin', vezde (vsyo,vsyudu) klin.
  • English equivalent: Damned if you do, damned if you don't
  • Compare: Что в лоб, что по́ лбу; Что пнём об сову, что сово́й об пень.

• Куй желе́зо, пока горячо́.
  • Transliteration: Kuy zhelezo, poka goryacho.
  • Translation: Strike while the iron is hot.
  • Meaning: Do things while it's the best time to to them.
  • English equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot; Make hay while the sun shines.
  • Modern mockery: Куй желе́зо, пока Горбачёв (Strike iron while Gorbachyov [is at power] — encouraging people to use the opportunities opened by

Л

• Ла́сковый телёнок двух ма́ток сосёт.
  • Transliteration: Laskovyy telyonok dvukh matok sosyot.
  • Translation: The affectionate calf sucks [udders of] two cows.
  • Meaning: One can take advantage of both sides (in a dispute). Such behavior is often seen with disapproval.

• Лбом сте́нку не расшибёшь.
  • Transliteration: Lbom stenku ne rasshibyosh.
  • Translation: You cannot break a wall with your forehead.
  • Meaning: Use the correct tool for the job. – Also: Don't deal with stubborn people.
  • English equivalent: Don't kick against the pricks, meaning don't try to remove a thorn by pushing it in deeper -- don't injure yourself in an attempt to use brute force to go through/past an obstacle which requires finesse in order to pass.

• Лежа́чего не бьют.
  • Transliteration: Lezhachevo ne b'yut.
  • Translation: One shouldn't beat the one who fell.
  • English equivalent: Don't kick a man when he's down.

• Лес ру́бят — ще́пки летя́т.
  • Transliteration: Les rubyat — schepki letyat.
  • Translation: When wood is chopped, woodchips will fly.
  • English equivalent: You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg.

• Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.
  • Transliteration: Likha beda nachalo.
  • Translation: Beginning is the big trouble.
  • Meaning: Starting something is the hardest part of business.
  • English equivalent: A good beginning makes a good ending.
  • Compare: Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают.

• Ло́жка дегтю по́ртит бо́чку мёда.
  • Transliteration: Lozhka dyogtya portit bochku myoda.
  • Translation: A spoonful of tar spoils a barrel of honey.
  • English equivalent: A fly in the ointment; The rotten apple spoils the barrel.

• Лу́чшее — враг хоро́шего.
  • Transliteration: Luchsheye — vrag khoroshego.
  • English equivalent: Best is the enemy of good.

• Лу́чше оди́н раз уви́деть, чем сто раз услы́шать.
  • Transliteration: Luchshe odin raz uvidet', chem sto raz uslyshat'
  • Translation: It's better to see once than hear a hundred times.
  • English equivalent: Seeing is believing; One look is worth a thousand words.

• Лу́чше по́здно, чем никогда́.
  • Transliteration: Luchshe pozdno, chem nikogda.
  • Translation: Better late than never.
  • English equivalent: Better late than never.

• Любо́вь зла́, полю́бишь и козла́.
  • Transliteration: Lyubov' zla, polyubish i kozla.
  • Translation: love's evil, you'll love even a goat.
  • English equivalent: Love is blind.

М

• Молоде́ц про́тив ове́ц, а про́тив молодца́ — и сам овца́.
  • Transliteration: Molodets protiv ovets, a protiv moldtsa — i sam ovtsa.
  • Translation: [He is] brave [when fighting] against sheep, and [when fighting] against a brave man [he's] a sheep himself.

• Мя́гко сте́лет, да жёстко спать.
  • Transliteration: Myaghko stelet, da zhostko spat.
  • Translation: [He] makes the bed soft, yet [it's] hard to sleep [on].
  • Meaning: Iron fist in a velvet glove. — Also: Things built without effort are hard to use.
  • English equivalent: Iron fist in a velvet glove; Velvet paws hide sharp claws.

Н

• Не делай из мухи слона
  • Translation: Don't make an elephant out of a fly.
  • English equivalent: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
  • "A fop sometimes gives important advice."
  • Nicolas Boileau-Despréaux, L'Art Poétique, IV. 50. Reported in Hoyt's New Cyclopedia Of Practical Quotations (1922), p. 10-11.
  • М. А. Котова. Фразеологический словарь русского языка для школьников. Рипол Классик. p. 155. ISBN 978-5-7905-3580-2. Retrieved on 7 June 2013.

• На безры́бье и рак — ры́ба [, на безлю́дье и си́день — челове́к].
  • Transliteration: Na bezryb'ye i rak — ryba [, na bezlyud'ye i siden' chelovek].
  • Translation: On a fishing lull, even a crayfish is fish [, at the lack of people even a lazybones is a man].
  • Meaning: Maybe this is not the best choice, but it's our only option.
  • English equivalent: Something is better than nothing.
  • See also: Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее, Го́лод не тётка (, пирожка́ не поднесёт)
  • Modern Mockery: "На безрыбье и сам раком станешь" (On a fishing lull, you'll even (wordplay): 1) become a crayfish yourself; 2) assume kneeling position.)

• На Бо́га наде́йся, а сам не плоша́й.
  • Transliteration: Na boga nadeysya, a sam ne ploshay.
  • Translation: Hope for God, but do not be reliant.
  • English equivalent: Trust in God, but lock your car.
  • Compare: Бо́гу моли́сь, а добра́-ума́ держи́сь; Бережёного Бог бережёт.

• На вкус и цвет това́рищей нет.
  • Transliteration: Na vkus i tsvet tovarischey net.
  • Translation: There are no friends in tastes and colours.
  • English equivalent: There is no accounting for taste.
  • Compare: У вся́кого Па́вла своя́ пра́вда; О вку́сах не спо́рят.
  • יוסף גורי, I. Guri (2006). On the tip of the tongue: 500 Yiddish proverbs (illustrated ed.). Hebreisher Uniṿersiṭeṭ in Yerushalayim, Opṭeyl far Rusishe limudim. p. 226. ISBN 9659025033.

• На во́ре ша́пка гори́т.
  • Transliteration: Na vore shapka gorit.
  • Translation: A thief's hat burns.
  • English equivalent: A guilty mind betrays itself.

• На всех не угоди́шь
  • Transliteration: Na vsekh ne ugodish.
  • Translation: You cannot please everybody.
  • English equivalent: He who pleased everybody died before he was born.
  • Compare: О вку́сах не спо́рят.

• На вся́кого мудреца́ дово́льно простоты́.
  • Transliteration: Na vsyakogo mudretsa dovol'no prostoty.
  • Translation: Any wise man has enough of simplicity.
  • Meaning: Any experience person can be fooled.
  • Compare: И на старуху бывает проруха. Конь о четырёх ногах, а спотыкается.

• Назва́лся гру́здем — полеза́й в ку́зов.
  • Transliteration: Nazvalsya gruzdem — polezay v kuzov.
  • Translation: If you called yourself a milk-mushroom — get into the basket!
  • Meaning: If you make a claim, be ready to prove it; If you made a promise, do not take it back
  • English equivalent: In for a penny, in for a pound [?], If you undertook some thing, do it (see it through); If the shoe fits, ...; If you pledge, don't hedge.
  • Compare: Взя́лся за гуж — не говори́, что не дюж.
  • See also: Лю́бишь ката́ться, люби́ и са́ночки вози́ть.
  • Modern mockery: Назва́лся ку́зовом — принима́й гру́зди. (If you called yourself a basket — get ready to take in the milk-mushrooms). Назва́лся гру́здем - лечи́сь да́льше. (If you called yourself a milk-mushroom — keep on your treatment.)

• На ловца́ и зверь бежи́т.
  • Transliteartion: Na lovtsa i zver' bezhit.
  • Translation: Prey runs into a trapper.
  • English equivalent: Speak of the devil, and he appears.
  • Compare: Про се́рого речь, а се́рый — навстре́чь.

• На миру́ и смерть красна́.
  • Transliteration: Na miru i smert' krasna.
  • Translation: With company, even death loses its sting.

• На то и щу́ка [в мо́ре], что́бы кара́сь не дрема́л.
  • Transliteration: Na to i schuka v more, shtoby karas' ne dremal.
  • Translations: The pike in the sea is there to make the crucian to stay alert.
  • Meaning: There are dangers, but don't complain about them, stay alert.

• На чужо́й карава́й рот не разева́й.
  • Transliteration: Na chuzhoy karavay rot ne razevay.
  • Translation: Don't open your mouth [to eat] other people's bread.
  • Modern Mockery (vulgar): "На чужое бухло не разевай ебло."

• Нашла́ коса́ на ка́мень.
  • Transliteration: Nashla kosa na kamen'.
  • Translation: The scythe has hit a stone.
  • English equivalent: Diamond cut diamond, You have met your match.

• На языке́ мёд, а на се́рдце — лёд.
  • Transliteration: Na yazyke myod, a na serdtse — lyod.
  • Translation: On the tongue [there's] honey, and on the heart [there's] ice.
  • English equivalent: A honey tongue, a heart of gall.

• Не бо́ги горшки́ обжига́ют.
  • Transliteration: Ne bogi gorshki obzhigayut.
  • Translation: [It's] not gods [who] make pots.
  • Meaning: All arificial objects in the world, no matter how minute or astonishing, were made by people, so do not get overexcited.

• Не́ было бы сча́стья, да несча́стье помогло́.
  • Transliteration: Ne bylo by schast'ya, da neschast'ye pomoglo
  • Translation: [I] would have had no luck, if not for misfortune.
  • Meaning: This particular misfortune in the end has led me to more gain than it made harm.
  • Compare: Нет ху́да без добра́.

• Не́ было у ба́бы хлопо́т, так купи́ла порося́.
  • Transliteration: Ne bylo u baby khlopot, tak kupila porosya.
  • Translation: The woman had no trouble, so she bought a piglet.
  • English equivalent: You've asked for trouble.

• Не всё коту́ ма́сленица, бу́дет и вели́кий пост.
  • Transliteration: Ne vsyo kotu maslenitsa, budet i velikiy post.
  • Translation: Not every day is a Shrovetide, in time it will be a Lent.
  • English equivalent: Life's not all beer and skittles; Life's not all wine and roses; I never promised you a bed of roses

• Не всё то зо́лото, что блести́т.
  • Transliteration: Ne vsyo to zoloto, chto blestit.
  • Translation: Not every glittering thing is gold.
  • English equivalent: Not all that glitters is gold.
  • Modern mockery: Не всё то долото́, что блести́т.
  • English equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.
  • Meaning: An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content.
  • Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 114. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
  • G.K. Chesterton (January 2013). Жив-человек. Издательство Pubmix.com. p. 22. ISBN 978-5-4241-1474-8. Retrieved on 18 June 2013.

• Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь (перепры́гнешь).
  • Transliteration: Ne govori gop, poka ne pereskochish (pereprygnesh).
  • Translation: Don't say "hop", until you jumped over
  • English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch;
  • Compare: Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.

• Не да́вши сло́ва — крепи́сь, а да́вши — держи́сь.
  • Transliteration: Ne davshi slova — krepis', a davshi — derzhis'.
  • Meaning: Don't give promises you can't fulfil; once given, the word must be kept.
  • English equivalent: Don't make a promise you can't keep.
  • Compare: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.

• Не за то во́лка бьют, что сер, а за то, что овцу́ съел.
  • Transliteration: Ne za to volka b'yut, shto ser, a za to, shto ovtsy s'yel.
  • Translation: The wolf is beaten not for being grey, but for having eaten a sheep.

• Не зна́я бро́ду, не су́йся в во́ду.
  • Transliteration: Ne znaya brodu, ne suysya v vodu.
  • Translation: Don't wade into a river without knowing a ford.
  • Meaning: Don't rush into something without throughly studying the matter first.
  • English equivalent: Wait for the cat to jump.

• Не ме́сто кра́сит челове́ка, а челове́к — ме́сто.
  • Transliteration: Ne mesto krasit cheloveka, a chelovek — mesto.
  • Translations: Not the place adorns the man, but a man adorns the place.

• Не мечи́те би́сер пе́ред сви́ньями.
  • Transliteration: Ne mechite biser pered svin'yami
  • Translation: Don't cast beads before(in front of) pigs.
  • English equivalent: Cast not your pearls before swine.
  • "Jesus’ instruction to His apostles on how to handle rejection was to simply go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it."
  • What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? Retrieved 2017-04-21
  • Станислав Брехов (2017). Смертельная печаль. Саби-си.
• Не ошиба́ется тот, кто ничего́ не де́лает.
  • Transliteration: Ne oshibayetsa tot, kto nichego ne delayet.
  • Translation: Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes.
  • English equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained; He that never climbed, never fell.

• Не плюй в коло́дец — пригоди́тся [воды] напи́ться.
  • Transliteration: Ne plyuy v kolodets — prigoditsya [vody] napit'sya.
  • Translation: Do not spit into a well—it may be useful to drink water.
  • English equivalent: Actions can boomerang; Never cast dirt into that fountain of which you have sometime drunk; Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
  • Vulgar: Don't sh*t where you eat.
  • Modern mockery: Не плюй в коло́дец: вы́летит — не пойма́ешь.

• Не по́йман — не во́р.
  • Transliteration: Ne poyman — ne vor.
  • Translation: Unless caught [stealing], [one is] not a thief.
  • English equivalent: Steal, but do not get caught.

• Не рой друго́му я́му, сам в неё попадёшь.
  • Transliteration: Ne roy drugomu yamu, sam v neyo popadyosh.
  • Translation: Don't dig a pit for somebody [to fall into], [or] you will end up in it yourself.
  • English equivalent: Curses like chickens come home to roost.
  • Modern mockery: Не рой друго́му я́му, пусть сам ро́ет (Don't dig a pit for somebody, let him dig [it] himself)

• Нет ды́ма без огня́.
  • Transliteration: Net dyma bez ognya.
  • Translation: There is no smoke without fire.
  • English equivalent: There is no smoke without fire.

• Нет ху́да без добра́.
  • Transliteration: Net khuda bez dobra.
  • Translation: There's no bad without the good.
  • English equivalent: Every cloud has a silver lining.
  • Compare: Не́ было бы сча́стья, да несча́стье помогло́.

• Ни к селу́, ни к го́роду.
  • Transliteration: Ni k selu, ni k gorodu.
  • Translation: Not for village, not for town.
  • Meaning: Not useful for anything.
  • English equivalent: Neither here nor there

• Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со [ни кафтан, ни ряса].
  • Transliteration: Ni ryba, ni myaso.
  • Translation: Neither fish nor meat.
  • Usage: A person without a strong character.
  • English equivalent: Neither fish nor flesh.

• Но́вая метла по-но́вому метёт.
  • Transliteration: Novaya metla po-novomu metyot.
  • Translation: A new broom sweeps in a new way.
  • Meaning: Newcomers are the most ambitious.
  • English equivalent: A new broom sweeps clean.; In with the new and out with the old.

О

• Обе́щанного три го́да ждут.
  • Transliteration: Obeschannovo tri goda zhdut.
  • Translation: [They] wait three years for [what was] promised.
  • Meaning: Promises aren't usually carried out immediately.

• Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
  • Transliteration:
  • Translation: He who got burned by hot milk, blows on water.
  • English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
  • Mockery: На молоке обжёгся, а водку дует (He got burned by hot milk, but drinks vodka)

• Овчи́нка вы́делки не сто́ит.
  • Transliteration: Ovchinka vydelki ne stoit.
  • Translation: Lambskin is not worth currying.
  • English equivalent: The game isn’t worth the candle.

• Оди́н в по́ле [—] не во́ин.
  • Transliteration: Odin v pole ne voin.
  • Translation: A single [man] in a field is not a warrior.
  • English equivalent: One man, no man

• Оди́н с со́шкой — се́меро с ло́жкой.
  • Transliteration: Odin s soshkoy — semero s lozhkoy.
  • Translation: [For every] one with a plow — [there's] seven with a spoon.
  • Meaning: There's a lot of slackers for each productive worker.

• От добра́ добра́ не и́щут.
  • Transliteration: Ot dobra dobra ne ishchut.
  • Translation: Do not look for [further] good from good.
  • English equivalent: Leave well enough alone.
  • Meaning: "Do not try to change or improve something that is satisfactory as it stands."
  • Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 147. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5.
  • Мокиенко Валерий Михайлович (2010). Большой словарь русских пословиц. ОЛМА Медиа Групп. p. 278. ISBN 978-5-373-03250-6. Retrieved on 7 June 2013.

• От трудо́в пра́ведных не наживёшь пала́т ка́менных.
  • Transliteration: Ot trudov pravednykh ne nazhivyosh palat kamennykh.
  • Translation: Honest work won't let you live in a stone palace.
  • Meaning: Great wealth stems from illegal activities more often than not.

• Охо́та пу́ще нево́ли.
  • Transliteration: Okhota pusche nevoli.
  • Translation: Desire is worse then compulsion.
  • English equivalent: A burden of one's own choice is not felt.
  • Meaning: Work you enjoy never feels too hard.

П

• Пей, да де́ло разуме́й.
  • Transliteration: Pey, da delo razumey.
  • Translation: Drink (alcohol), but be an expert in your business

• Пе́рвый блин (всегда́) ко́мом.
  • Transliteration: Pervyy blin (vsegda) komom.
  • Translation: The first pancake is (always) a blob.
  • English equivalent: You have to learn to crawl before you can learn to walk.
  • Swedish equivalent: We are children in the beginning.
  • Compare: Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.

• Пло́х тот солда́т, кото́рый не мечта́ет стать генера́лом.
  • Translation: A soldier who doesn't dream of becoming a general is a bad one.

• Пова́дился кувши́н по́ воду ходи́ть, тут ему́ и го́лову сломи́ть.
  • Transliteration: Povadilsya kuvshin po vodu kxodit', tut yemu i golovu slomit'.
  • English equivalent: The pitcher goes often to the well but is broken eventually.

• Пови́нную го́лову и меч не сечёт.
  • Transliteration: Povinnuyu golovu i mech ne sechot.
  • Translation: Even the sword doesn't cut the head of the one who confesses.
  • English equivalent: A fault confessed is half redressed.

• Повторе́нье - мать уче́нья.
  • Transliteration: Povtoren'ye — mat' uchen'ya.
  • Translation: Repetition is the mother of learning.
  • English equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
  • Meaning: The more often you repeat your lesson, the more likely you are to memorize it.
  • Mockery: Повторе́нье - мать пита́нья (Repetition is a mother of feeding);

• Пожале́л волк кобы́лу, оста́вил хвост да гри́ву.
  • Transliteration: Pozhalel volk kobylu, ostavil khvost da grivu
  • Translation: The wolf spared the mare, left a tail and mane.

• Поживём - увидим.
  • Transliteration: Pozhivom - uvidim.
  • Translation: Wait and see.

• По одёжке встреча́ют, по уму́ провожа́ют.
  • Transliteration: Po odyozhke vstrechayut, po umu provozhayut.
  • Translation: One meets/greets [people] by their clothes, and says farewell by their mind.
  • English equivalent: Beauty may open the door, but only virtue enters.

• Посади́ свинью́ за стол — она́ и но́ги на сто́л
  • Transliteration: Posadi svin'yu za stol — ona i nogi na stol.
  • Translation: Seat the pig at the table — she'll put [her] legs on the table.
  • English equivalent: Give one an inch, and he will take a mile.
  • See also: [Ему́] па́льца(па́лец) в рот не клади́( — (всю) ру́ку отку́сит).

• По́сле дра́ки кулака́ми не ма́шут.
  • Transliteration: Posle draki kulakami ne mashut.
  • Translation: They don't swing fists when the fight is over.
  • English equivalent: What’s done is done; Don't lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.

• Поспеши́шь – люде́й насмеши́шь.
  • Transliteration: Pospeshish' – lyudey nasmeshish'.
  • Translation: If you rush things, you'll only make others laugh.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.

• Привычка – вторая натура
  • Translation: Habit is second nature.
  • English equivalent: Old habits die hard.
  • Ом (January 2013). По ту сторону. Теория и практика универсального подхода. Издательство Pubmix.com. p. 321. ISBN 978-5-458-22961-6. Retrieved on 7 June 2013.

• Простота́ ху́же воровства́.
  • Transliteration: Prostota khuzhe vorovstva.
  • Translation: Simplicity is worse than thievery (crime).
  • Meaning: A fool can do more damage than an enemy/a criminal.

• Пу́ганая воро́на куста́ (теле́жного скри́па/со́бственной те́ни) бои́тся.
  • Transliteration: Puganaya vorona kusta (telezhnogo skripa/sobstvennoj teni) boitsya.
  • Translation: A spooked crow is afraid of a bush (a carriage [wheel's] squeak/its own shadow).
  • English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy
  • Compare: Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.

• Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа — по́ уши).
  • Transliteration: P'yanomu more po koleno (, a luzha - po ushi).
  • Translation: For a drunk, the sea is knee-deep (, and a puddle ear-deep).
  • Meaning: Drunk people brag a lot, yet are capable of very little.

Р

• Работа не волк - в лес не убежит.
  • Transliteration: Rabota ne volk - v les ne ubezhit.
  • Translation: Work is not a wolf, it's not going away to the forest.
  • English equivalent: You can do any job later.
  • Krylov, Konstantin Arkadʹevich (1973). Russian-English Dictionary of Russian Sayings and Proverbs. C.A. Krylov. p. VII.

• Раз на раз не прихо́дится.
  • Transliteration: Raz na raz ne prikhoditsya.
  • Translation: Each time it's different.
  • English equivalent: You can’t expect perfection every time.

• Рука́ ру́ку мо́ет [, вор во́ра кр́оет].
  • Transliteration: Ruka ruku moyet[, vor vora kroyet].
  • Translation: Hands wash each other[, a thief covers another thief].
  • English equivalent: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. ; One hand washes the other.

• Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к — где лу́чше.
  • Transliteration: Ryba ischet gde glubzhe, a chelovek — gde luchshe.
  • Translation: Fish seek a deep place, men seek a better place.
  • Modern mockery: Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к — где ры́ба. (Fish seek for a deep place, men seek for a fishing place.)

• Рыба́к рыбака́ ви́дит издалека́.
  • Transliteration: Rybak rybaka vidit izdaleka.
  • Translation: A fisherman can tell another fisherman from afar.
  • English equivalent: It takes one to know one.
  • Mockery: Дурак дурака видит издалека. (A fool can tell another fool from afar.)

С

• С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.
  • Transliteration: S volkami zhit', po-volch'i vyt'.
  • Translation: To live with wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.
  • English equivalent: Who keeps company with the wolves, will learn to howl; You are like the company you keep; When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
  • Compare: С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.

• Своя́ руба́шка бли́же к те́лу.
  • Transliteration: Svoya rubashka blizhe k telu.
  • Translation: [One's] own shirt [is] closer to the body.
  • Meaning: One is much more likely to protect one's own property than anybody else's.
  • See also: Всяк кули`к своё боло`то хва`лит.

• Свя́то ме́сто пу́сто не быва́ет.
  • Transliteration: Svyato mesto pusto ne byvayet.
  • Translation: A holy place is never empty.
  • English equivalent: Nature abhors a vacuum; The throne is never vacant

• С глаз доло́й — из се́рдца вон.
  • Transliteration: S glaz doloy — iz serdtsa von.
  • Translation: Out of sight, out of heart.
  • English equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.
  • Contrast: Да́льше с глаз - бли́же к се́рдцу.

• Седина́ в бо́роду, бес в ребро́.
  • Transliteration: Sedina v borodu, bes v rebro.
  • Translation: Grey hair into beard, devil into rib.
  • Meaning: When a man gets elderly, he often becomes a womanizer.

• Се́меро одного́ не ждут.
  • Transliteration: Semero odnogo ne zhdut.
  • Translation: Seven [people] don't wait for one.
  • English equivalent: For one that is missing there's no spoiling a wedding.
  • Meaning: If you severely hinder others, don't be surprised when you get left behind.

• Семь бед — оди́н отве́т.
  • Transliteration: Sem' bed — odin otvet.
  • Translation: Seven troubles - one responce.
  • English equivalent: As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.

• Семь раз отме́рь, оди́н отре́жь.
  • Transliteration: Sem' raz otmer', odin otrezh.
  • Translation: Measure seven times, cut once.
  • English equivalent: Measure thrice, cut once.
  • Howlett, Colin (1997). The Oxford Russian dictionary (2, revised ed.). Oxford University Press. p. 1252.

• С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.
  • Transliteration: S kem povedyoshsya, ot togo i naberyoshsya.
  • Translation: [You'll] learn [(in a bad way)] from those [you] hang out with.
  • English equivalent: Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas; You are what your friends are.
  • Modern mockery: С кем поведёшься, с тем и наберёшься. (You'll get drunk with those you hang out with.)
  • Compare: С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.

• Ско́лько во́лка ни корми́, он всё в лес смо́трит.
  • Transliteration: Skol'ko volka ne kormi, on vsyo v les smotrit.
  • Translation: However [much/ well] you feed the wolf, he still looks at the woods.
  • English equivalent: A leopard can't change his spots.
  • Compare: Горбатого могила исправит.
  • Mockery: Ско́лько во́лка не корми́, он всё жрёт и жрёт (However much you feed the wolf, he still eats and eats.)

• Ско́ро ска́зка ска́зывается, да не ско́ро де́ло де́лается.
  • Transliteration: Skoro skazka skazyvayetsya, da ne skoro delo delaetsya.
  • Translations: A tale is told quickly, but the job is done slowly.
  • English equivalent: Talk is cheap.

• Сло́во — се́ребро, молча́ние — зо́лото.
  • Transliteration: Slovo — serebro, molchaniye — zoloto.
  • Translation: Words are silver, silence is gold.
  • English equivalent: Talk is cheap, silence is golden.

• Слу́хом земля́ по́лнится.
  • Transliteration: Slukhom zemlya polnitsya.
  • Translation: A rumour fills the Earth.
  • English equivalent: News spreads like wildfire; News flies fast.
  • See also: Дурна́я молва́ на кры́льях лети́т; Худы́е ве́сти не сидя́т на ме́сте.

• С ми́ру по ни́тке — го́лому руба́ха.
  • Transliteration: S miru po nitke — golomu rubakha.
  • Translation: One thread from [everyone in] the world — [makes a] shirt for [the] naked.
  • English equivalent: Little things make a big difference.
  • Meaning: If many people will donate even a little bit each, it will make a huge difference for the recipient.
  • World War II mockery: С миру по нитке — Гитлеру верёвка (One thread from everyone in the world makes a noose for Hitler). Source: За край свой насмерть стой. Сборник пословиц и поговорок. Составители Жигулев А. М., Кузнецов Н. П. — М.: Воениздат, 1974
  • See also: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.

• Соловья́ ба́снями не ко́рмят.
  • Transliteration: Solov'ya basnyami ne kormyat.
  • Translation: The nightingale can't be fed by fables.
  • English equivalent: Fine words butter no parsnips.
  • Offord, Derek (1996). Using Russian: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 156. ISBN 0521457602.

• Сня́вши го́лову, по волоса́м не пла́чут.
  • Transliteration: Snyavshi golovu, po volosam ne plachut.
  • Translation: After taking off the head one doesn't (shouldn't) grieve over the hair.
  • English equivalent: What's done is done.

• Соба́ка на се́не: и сама́ не ест, и други́м не даёт.
  • Transliteration: Sobaka na sene: i sama ne yest i drugim ne dayot.
  • Translation: A dog on hay will neither eat it himself, nor let others eat it.
  • English equivalent: A dog in the manger.

• Соро́ка на хвосте́ принесла́.
  • Transliteraton: Soroka na khvoste prinesla.
  • Translation: A magpie brought it on its tail.
  • English equivalent: A little bird told me.

• Ста́рость - не ра́дость.
  • Transliteration: Starost' - ne radost'.
  • Translation: Old age is no fun.
  • Modern mockery: Старость не радость, маразм не оргазм (Old age is no fun, marasmus is not orgasm)
  • English equivalent: An old ape has an old eye; Old age, boy, is no joy.

• Ста́рый друг лу́чше но́вых двух.
  • Transliteration: Staryy drug luchshe novykh dvukh.
  • Translation: An old friend is better than two new ones.
  • Compare: За одного́ би́того двух неби́тых даю́т.

• Суженого конем не объедешь
  • Transliteration: Suzhenogo konyom ne ob"edyesh.
  • Translation: You can't escape your fate [even] with a horse.
  • Meaning: You can't change your fate.

• Сы́тый голо́дного не разуме́ет: одному́ суп жи́дкий, друго́му - же́мчуг ме́лкий.
  • Transliteration: Sytyy golodnogo ne razumeyet: odnomy sup zhidkiy, drugomu - zhemchug melkiy.
  • Translation: The sated one doesn't understand the hungry one: for one the soup is too thin, for the other - the pearls are too small.
  • English equivalent: He that is warm thinks all so.

Т

• Там хорошо́, где нас нет.
  • Transliteration: Tam khorosho, gde nas net.
  • Translation: It's good there, where we are not.
  • English equivalent: On the other side grass is greener.

• Твои́ми бы уста́ми да мёд пить.
  • Transliteration: Tvoimi by ustami da myod pit'.
  • Translation: [I'd like to] drink honey with your lips.
  • Meaning: The way you describe it, this story/plan/thing sounds too good to be true.
  • Compare: Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги(, а по ним шага́ть).

• Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
  • Transliteration: Terpeniye i trud vsyo peretrut.
  • Translation: Patience and work will fray through anything.
  • Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
  • English equivalent: Time works wonders; He that can have patience can have what he wants.
  • See also: Ти́ше е́дешь — да́льше бу́дешь.

• Терпи́, каза́к, атама́ном бу́дешь.
  • Transliteration: Terpi kazak, atamanom budesh.
  • Translation: Put up with it cossack, and you'll be an ataman.
  • English equivalent: No pain, no gain; Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
  • Alexander Margulis; Asya Kholodnaya (February 2000). Russian-English dictionary of proverbs and sayings. McFarland. p. 215–. ISBN 978-0-7864-0703-3. Retrieved on 22 May 2013.

• Ти́ше е́дешь — да́льше бу́дешь.
  • Transliteration: Tishe yedesh — dal'she budesh.
  • Translation: Ride slower — [you'll] get further.
  • Meaning: You will accomplish more if you do things methodically. — Also: Don't rush things.
  • Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
  • See also: Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
  • English equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.

• Тону́л – топо́р сули́л, а как вы́тащили – и топори́ща жаль (ста́ло).
  • Transliteration: Tonul - topor sulil, a kak vytschili - i toporoscha zhal' (stalo).
  • Translation: While [he] was sinking, [he] promised [me] an axe [if I save him], but when pulled [ashore], [he] begrudged even an axe handle.
  • Meaning: People often don't keep their promises.
  • See also: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.

• Труд челове́ка ко́рмит, а лень — по́ртит.
  • Transliteration: Trud cheloveka kormit, a len' — portit.
  • Translation: A job feeds a man, laziness spoils him.

У

• У ба́бы во́лос до́лог, да ум ко́роток.
  • Translitertion: U baby volos dolog, da um korotok.
  • Translation: A woman's hair is long, and her mind short.

• У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
  • Translation: Fear has big eyes.
  • ** Жуков, В. П.; Жуков, Влас Платонович (1993). Slovarʹ russkikh poslovit︠s︡ i pogovorok. Русский язык. p. 174. ISBN 5200022371.

• Угово́р доро́же де́нег.
  • Translitertion: Ugovor dorozhe deneg.
  • Translation: The agreement(contract) costs more than money.
  • Meaning: You must keep your word, even if doing so costs you money.
  • Compare: Не да́вши сло́ва — крепи́сь, а да́вши — держи́сь.
  • English equivalent: A bargain is a bargain.

• Уката́ли Си́вку круты́е го́рки.
  • Transliteration: Ukatali Sivku krutyye gorki.
  • Translation: Steep hills exhausted Sivka (ash-grey horse).

• У́мные ре́чи прия́тно и слу́шать.
  • Transliteration: Umnyye rechi priyatno i slushat'.
  • Translation: A clever speech (speaker) is pleasant to listen to.

• У семи́ ня́нек дитя́ без гла́зу.
  • Transliteration: U semi nyanek ditya bez glazu.
  • Translation: Seven nannies make a kid not looked after.
  • Meaning: If too many people are working on the same project, everybody will expect that another one will do the actual job.
  • English equivalent: Everybody's business is nobody's business.

• Услу́жливый дура́к опа́снее врага́.
  • Transliteration: Usluzhlivyy durak opasnee vraga.
  • Translation: Complacent fool harms worse than enemy.
  • English equivalent: A foolish friend is like an open enemy.
  • Somali equivalent: Doqoni sokeeye ma aha.
  • Translation: A fool is not a kinsman.
  • "A fool sees not the same tree that a wise man sees."
  • William Blake, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell (1790–1793).

• Уста́ми младе́нца глаго́лет и́стина.
  • Transliteration: Ustami mladentsa glagolet istina.
  • Translation: Truth is spoken from the toddler's mouth; From the mouth of babes
  • English equivalent: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings come great truth.
  • "Even the youngest of us may be wrong sometimes."
  • George Bernard Shaw, Love Among the Artists (1900)

• У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
  • Transliteration: U strakha glaza veliki.
  • Translation: Fear has large eyes.
  • Meaning: People tend to overestimate the danger when scared.
  • Compare: Не так стра́шен чёрт, как его́ малю́ют; Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают

• Утопа́ющий за соло́минку хвата́ется.
  • Transliteration: Utopayuschiy i za solominku khvatayetsya.
  • Translation: A drowning man grabs even a straw.
  • English equivalent: A drowning man will cling to a straw.

• У́тро ве́чера мудрене́е.
  • Transliteration: Utro vechera mudreneye.
  • Translation: Morning is wiser than the evening.
  • Meaning: One should make important decisions in the morning (i.e. after getting some sleep/rest) rather than in the evening.
  • English equivalent: I need to sleep on it.
  • Very common in fairy tales, such as The Frog-Tzarevna and Vasilisa the Fair.

• Уче́нье свет, а неуче́нье тьма.
  • Transliteration: Uchen'ye cvet, a neuchen'ye t'ma.
  • Translation: Studying is light; not studying is darkness.
  • English equivalent: Knowledge is power.
  • Variations: "Ученье свет, а неученых тьма." (Studying is light; there are many people who don't study. It's a play on the word тьма which can mean "many" or "darkness.")

Ф

Х

• Хвали́лась сини́ца мо́ре заже́чь.
  • Transliteration: Khvalilas' sinitsa more zazhech.
  • Translation: The titmouse boasted of putting the sea on the fire..
  • Meaning: Your plan doesn't hold water.
  • See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа — по́ уши).

• Хвали́лся чёрт всем ми́ром владе́ть, а Бог ему́ и над свиньёй не дал вла́сти.
  • Transliteration: Khvalilsya chort vsem mirom vladet, a Bog yemu i nad svin'yoy ne dal vlasti.
  • Translation: The devil boasted of ruling the whole world, but God didn't give him power over even the pig.
  • "The significant point is that people unfit for freedom — who cannot do much with it — are hungry for power. The desire for freedom is an attribute of a "have" type of self. It says: leave me alone and I shall grow, learn, and realize my capacities. The desire for power is basically an attribute of a "have-not" type of self. If Hitler had had the talents and the temperament of a genuine artist, if Stalin had had the capacity to become a first-rate theoretician, if Napoleon had had the makings of a great poet or philosopher they would hardly have developed the all-consuming lust for absolute power.
    Freedom gives us a chance to realize our human and individual uniqueness. Absolute power can also bestow uniqueness: to have absolute power is to have the power to reduce all the people around us to puppets, robots, toys, or animals, and be the only man in sight. Absolute power achieves uniqueness by dehumanizing others.
    To sum up: Those who lack the capacity to achieve much in an atmosphere of freedom will clamor for power."
  • Eric Hoffer, Working and Thinking on the Waterfront (1969), Journal entry (28 March 1959)
  • See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа — по́ уши).

• Хоть кол (ему́) на голове́ теши́.
  • Transliteration: Khot' kol (yemu) na golove teshi.
  • Translation: [You could] even chop sticks on (his) head.
  • English equivalent: He is so pig-headed; Stubborn as a mule.

• Хре́н ре́дьки не сла́ще.
  • Transliteration: Khren red'ki ne slasche.
  • Translation: Horseradish is no sweeter than radish.
  • Meaning: The proposed alternative is no better.
  • See also: Что в лоб, что по́ лбу; Что пнём об сову́, что сово́й об пень ( — всё одно́ сове́ несла́дко).

• Худо́й мир лу́чше до́брой ссоры.
  • Transliteration: Khudoi mir luchshe dobroy ssory.
  • Translation: A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
  • English equivalent: A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.
  • See also: Кому́ война́, а кому́ мать родна́.

• Худы́е ве́сти не лежа́т на ме́сте.
  • Transliteration: Khudyye vesti ne lezhat na meste.
  • Translation: Bad news doesn't rest peacefully.
  • Compare: Плоха́я молва́ на кры́льях лети́т.

Ц

• Цыпля́т по о́сени счита́ют.
  • Transliteration: Tsiplyat po oseni schitayut.
  • Translation: One [should] count chicks in autumn.
  • English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatched.

Ч

• Челове́к предполага́ет, а Бог располага́ет.
  • Transliteration: Chelovek predpolagayet, a Bog raspolagayet.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.

• Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, ли́шь бы не пла́кало.
  • Transliteration: Chem by ditya ni teshilos', lish by ne plakalo.
  • Translation: It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't cry.
  • Modern mockery: Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не вешалось (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't hang himself.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы в рот не брало (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as it's not with oral sex.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы по обоюдному согласию (It doesn't matter what (whom) the kid plays with as long as it's upon mutual agreement.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не руками. (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as it's not with [his] hand.).

• Чем да́льше в лес, тем бо́льше дров.
  • Transliteration: Chem dal'she v les, tem bol'she drov.
  • Translation: The further into the woods, the more firewood [you'll encounter].
  • Meaning: The further you get into something, the greater gain you might expect (or the more obstacles you will encounter).
  • Modern mockery: Чем да́льше в лес, тем толще партизаны; Чем да́льше в лес, тем бли́же вы́лез (wordplay on similarly sounding "в лес"/"влез").

• Чему́ быть, того́ не минова́ть.
  • Transliteration: Chemu byt', tomu ne minovat'.
  • Translation: Fate can't be avoided.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.
  • "Plans are insulted destinies. I don't have plans, I only have goals."
  • Ash Chandler, Freudian Slip, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, April 2006.
  • Владимир Иванович Даль (1862). Пословицы русского народа. Изд. Императорскаго общества исторіи и древностей россійских при Московском университетѣ. p. 26.

• Что бы́ло, то прошло́ (и быльём поросло́).
  • Transliteration: Chto bylo, to proshlo (i byl'yom poroslo).
  • Translation: What used to be - is [now] gone (and overgrown with grass).
  • See also: Кто ста́рое помя́нет, тому́ глаз вон; Э́то бы́ло давно́, и непра́вда.

• Что в лоб, что по́ лбу.
  • Transliteration: Chto v lob, chto po lbu.
  • Meaning: It doesn't make a difference. — Also: You're dumb.
  • Compare: Что пнем об сову, что совой об пень ( — все одно сове несладко).
  • English equivalent: Six of one, half a dozen the other.

• Что име́ем — не храни́м, потеря́вши — пла́чем.
  • Transliteration: Chto imeyem — ne khranim, poteryabshi — plachem.
  • Translation: What we own, we don't [safe]keep [properly]; when [we] lose [it], [we] cry.
  • English equivalent: You never miss the water till the well runs dry.

• Что напи́сано перо́м — не вы́рубить топоро́м.
  • Transliteration: Chto napisano perom — ne vyrubit' toporom.
  • Translation: What was written by a pen can't be erased by an axe.
  • Meaning: What has been documented, cannot be changed [easily].
  • Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Из пе́сни сло́ва не вы́кинешь.
  • Contrast: Бумага всё стерпит.
  • Modern mockery: Что написано топором - не вырубить пером. (Written by axe cannot be taken out with pen) — said by editors about poorly written articles.

• Что посе́ешь, то и пожнёшь.
  • Transliteration: Chto posyeyesh', to i pozhnyosh'.
  • Translation: What [you] plant, [you] will harvest.
  • English: You reap what you sow.
  • Compare: Как ау́кнется – так и откли́кнется; Пошёл за ше́рстью, а верну́лся стри́женым; За чем пойдёшь, то и найдёшь; Не рой друго́му я́му - сам в неё попадёшь.

• Что с во́зу упа́ло, то пропа́ло.
  • Transliteration: Chto s vozu upalo, to propalo.
  • Translation: What fell off the cart is [as good as] gone.
  • Meaning: If you have lost (left behind/forgotten) something, expect to never see it again.

• Что у тре́звого на уме́, то у пья́ного на языке́.
  • Transliteration: Chto u trezvogo na ume, u p'yanogo na yazyke.
  • Translation: What's on sober's mind, is on drunk's tongue.
  • Meaning: Drunk people have poor self-control, often saying things they shouldn't have said.
  • See also: Язы́к мой – враг мой

• Чужа́я душа́ – потёмки.
  • Transliteration: Chuzhaya dusha - potyomki.
  • Translation: Another person's soul is [in] darkness.
  • Meaning: You can't know for sure what other person think.

• Чужу́ю беду́ рука́ми разведу́, а к свое́й ума́ не приложу́.
  • Transliteration: Chuzhuyu bedu rukami razvedyu, a k svoyey uma ne prilozhu.
  • Translation: [I can] push others' problem away with my hands, but can't put my [own] mind to my own problem.
  • Meaning: All problems seem to be easy to solve, unless they're your own.

• Чья́ бы коро́ва мыча́ла, а твоя́ бы молча́ла.
  • Transliteration: Ch'ya by korova mychala, a tvoya by molchala.
  • Translation: Another's cow can moo, yours had best stay silent.
  • English equivalent: The pot calls the kettle black.
  • "I always pass on good advice. It is never of any use to oneself." Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband (1895), Act I.
  • See also: На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́; В чужо́м глазу́ сори́нку заме́тно, а в своём — бревна́ не вида́ть.

Ш

• Ши́ла в мешке́ не утаи́шь.
  • Transliteration: Shila v meske ne utaish.
  • Translation: [You] cannot hide an awl in a sack.
  • Meaning: Truth will always be discovered, sooner or later.
  • Latin equivalent: Time discloses the truth
  • See also: Ско́лько верёвочке не ви́ться — коне́ц буде́т.

Щ

Э

• Это ещё цвето́чки, а я́годки впереди́.
  • Transliteration: Eto escho tsvetochki, a yagodki vperedi.
  • Translation: These are just flowers; berries will come soon.
  • Meaning: This is not all folks; things will get much worse/better soon.
  • Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.

• Это вот где собака зарыта.
  • English equivalent: To smell a rat.
  • Уваров, Николай (2017). "6119". Энциклопедия народной мудрости. Пословицы, поговорки, афоризмы, крылатые выражения, сравнения. Инфра-Инженерия. p. 210. ISBN 978-5-457-65172-2.

Ю

Я

• Я́блоко от я́блони недалеко́ па́дает.
  • Transliteration: Yabloko ot yabloni nedaleko padayet.
  • Translation: The apple falls not so far away from the apple-tree.
  • Meaning: A person is in many regards like his parents.
  • English equivalent: Like father like son; The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

• Язы́к до Кие́ва доведёт.
  • Transliteration: 'Yazyk do Kieva dovedjot.
  • Translation: Your tongue will take you as far as Kiev.
  • Closest English equivalent: The only stupid question is the one not asked.
  • Meaning: If you want to know something, ask the people for it.
  • Offord, Derek (1996). Using Russian: A Guide to Contemporary Usage. Cambridge University Press. p. 155. ISBN 0521457602.

• Язы́к мой – враг мой (, пре́жде ума́ глаго́лет).
  • Transliteration: Yazyk moy - vrag moy (, prezhde uma glagolet).
  • Translation: My tongue is my enemy (, speaks ahead of mind).
  • Meaning: I shouldn't have said that.
  • See also: Что у тре́звого на уме́, то у пья́ного на языке́; И у стен быва́ют у́ши.

• Я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат.
  • Transliteration: Yaytsa kuritsu ne uchat.
  • Literally: Eggs don't teach a hen.
  • Meaning: Do not give advice to somebody more experienced than you.
  • English equivalent: Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.

• Я не я, и ло́шадь не моя́ (, и я не изво́зчик).
  • Transliteration: Ya ne ya, i loshad' ne moya (, i ya ne izvozchik) .
  • Translation: I'm not me, and [this] horse isn't mine (, and I'm not a cabman)
  • Meaning: I'm denying your accusations. — Also (used in "O RLY" fashion): What you're telling me, contradicts obvious facts; You must be lying.
  • Compare: Мели́, Еме́ля — твоя́ неде́ля.

NEWS CONTENTS

• 20191012 : Proverbs and Sayings. Familiar Quotations, Russian writers ( Proverbs and Sayings. Familiar Quotations, Russian writers, Oct 12, 2019 )

Old News ;-)

[Oct 12, 2019] Proverbs and Sayings. Familiar Quotations, Russian writers

A silent man is not a conquered man….Russian Proverb.

A spoken word is not a sparrow. Once it flies out, you can't catch it….Russian Proverb.

Every sandpiper praises his own swamp….Russian Proverb.

A man should be judged by his deeds, not by his words.

A drop by drop the stone is hollowed….Russian Proverb.

Do not try to make an elephant out of a fly….Russian Proverb.

Some day the sun will visit our corner too….Russian Proverb.

At night all cats looks grey….Russian Proverb.

Every seed knows its time….Russian Proverb.

All is well that ends well….Russian Proverb.

It's not all gold that glitters….Russian Proverb.

The appetite comes during a meal….Russian Proverb.

What you cooked you must eat….Russian Proverb.

The evil person may make up a soft bed (for somebody), but still it will be extremely uncomfortable to sleep in it

It is a bad workman that has a bad saw….Russian Proverb.

Better late than never….Russian Proverb.

Beware of a quite dog and still water….Russian Proverb.

A bird are recognized by its flight….Russian Proverb.

One fisherman sees another from afar….Russian Proverb.

Take the bull by the horns….Russian Proverb.

Idleness is the mother of all vices….Russian Proverb.

There will be trouble if the cobbler starts making pies….Russian Proverb.

A wolf won't eat wolf….Russian Proverb.

Do not look at gift hourse's mouth….Russian Proverb.

Do not strike the opponent when he is down….Russian Proverb.

You do not swap horses while crossing the river….Russian Proverb.

A drowing man clutches at straw….Russian Proverb.

It is good to be visiting, but it is better at home….Russian Proverb.

The end is the crown of any work….Russian Proverb.

There is no evil without good….Russian Proverb.

If you are a host to your guest, be a host to his dog also….Russian Proverb.

He who doesn't take risk never gets to drink champagne….Russian Proverb.

The hammer shatters glass but forges steel….Russian Proverb.

One who sits between two chairs may easily fall down….Russian Proverb.

To ask is no sin and to be refused is no calamity….Russian Proverb.

The wolf will hire himself out very cheaply as a shepherd….Russian Proverb.

the wolf is fed by the speed of his legs.

The offender never forgives….Russian Proverb.

A kind word is like a spring day….Russian Proverb.

An enemy will agree, but a friend will argue….Russian Proverb.

Devils usually are plentiful in quiet pond….Russian Proverb.

Tomorrow usually comes without calling….Russian Proverb.

No matter how well you feed a wolf he will always seek to run to the forest….Russian Proverb.

In the kingdom of hope there is no winter….Russian Proverb.

No one should be dragged to the heaven by the hair….Russian Proverb.

Happiness is not a horse, you cannot harness it….Russian Proverb.

All roads lead to Rome.

Once burned by milk you will blow on cold water.

Idleness is the mother of all vices.

You cannot pull a fish out of a pond without labour.

If one would like to eat fish, should not afraid to get into the water.

A fly can't get in if your mouth is closed.

Where something is thin, that's where it tears.

People usually do not value what they have, but cry when it is lost.

Do not dig a hole for somebody else; you yourself will fall into it.

You need a sharp axe for a tough bough.

The devil is not so frightful as he is painted.

Do not praise yourself while going into battle; praise yourself coming out of battle.

Chickens are to be counted only at autumn.

Do not measure (others) by your own yardstick. Eggs should no try to teach a hen.

An empty barrel makes the greatest sound.

There is no evil without good.

There are dark spot even on the sun.

If you don't know how deep the river is, don't step in."

One does not have a time to sharpen the axe when he need to use it

God gives to those who get up early

There is enough traps for every wise man.

One fool may ask more questions that ten wise men can answer.

For fools no written law exists.

One wit is good, but two are better.

The stolen fur hat might burn a thief

Recommended Links

Softpanorama Recommended

Top articles

Sites

• Russian proverbs - Wikiquote
• Russian Proverbs and Sayings