English and russian proverbs

Друг познаётся в беде”, literally, “A friend is proven in time of trouble.”
8. “А bad workman always blames his tools.” This innocent saying about poor skills and excuses sounds much more “adult” in Russian. It is “Плохому танцору и яйца мешают”, literally, “A bad dancer is impeded even by (his own) balls.” Some sources suggest that the correct translation should be, “A bad dancer is impeded even by eggs.” In Russian, a colloquial word for testicles is “яйца”, eggs. What’s is it with dancers and eggs? Some researchers believe that the saying was borrowed from German, and its “Eiertanz”, egg dance, an idiom for tortuous maneuvering. I didn’t find that explanation plausible. Even if it is true, in the modern Russian, the saying has nothing to do with dairy products.
9. “When pigs fly,” say English speakers when they mean “never”. It is very unlikely for pigs to develop wings, but Russians went further. In Russian, the unlikely event after which something may happen is when the crawfish whistles on the mountain, “Когда рак на горе свистнет”. After all, a pig may fly for some time if one uses it in a catapult. Finding a whistling crawfish is much harder, not to mention convincing the unique crustacean to go up to the mountain to perform the action.
Russian and English Proverbs
Preface
Students of English often ask how to convey this or that Russian proverb in English using similar English proverbs. This collection contains popular well-known Russian and English proverbs with similar meanings.Many Russian and English proverbs in the list are grouped according to similar meanings. However, these values are not the same and are not always close. For example, compare the similarity and dissimilarity of the meanings of these Russian and English proverbs:
Cheap and nasty. Miser pays twice. Don’t be sorry for the altyn, you’ll give back half a dime. – Cheapest is the dearest. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly. (Meaning: Cheap things cost more because they break down faster.) Penny wise and pound foolish. (Meaning: Saves in small things and loses in big things; risks big things for small things.)In addition, it must be taken into account that proverbs usually have a wide meaning, as a result of which the same proverb can be applicable in different situations, and different proverbs can be suitable in the same situation.

For example, the idea that it is necessary to choose one of two can be expressed using Russian and English proverbs that are similar and have different meanings, each of which may or may not be suitable depending on the specific situation:If you chase two hares, you won't catch either. You can't sit on two chairs. They don't serve two masters. Both ours and yours. You can't eat the same pie twice. Choose the lesser of two evils. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Between two stools one falls to the ground. No man can serve two masters. You can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. You can't eat your cake and have it. Of two evils choose the lesser.The imagery of English proverbs is often very different from the imagery of Russian proverbs (and even two synonymous English proverbs usually have different imagery), which is why proverbs that are similar in meaning often have different shades of meaning, which greatly complicates the choice of a suitable English proverb.For example, the idea that one cannot be sure of the success of a task until it is completed can be expressed with the help of several Russian and English proverbs that have different imagery:

Don't say hop until you jump over. Do not share the skin of an unkilled bear. Do not count your chickens before they are hatched. Don't halloo till you are out of the wood. First catch your hare, then cook him. Catch the bear before you sell his skin. Don't count your chickens before they are hatched. There's many a slip between the cup and the lip.
However, for many popular Russian proverbs, it was not possible to find popular English proverbs similar in meaning. For example: A bad head gives no rest to your legs. It is not the place that makes the person, but the person the place. Hunting is worse than captivity. The first damn thing is lumpy. While there is life there is hope. The legend is fresh, but hard to believe. Seven do not wait for one. Someone else's soul is darkness.It must be said that the list of popular Russian proverbs may differ significantly from the list of popular English proverbs. It is better to refrain from using an English proverb than to use a little-used, rare, bookish, outdated or ambiguous English proverb.To understand English proverbs, it is best to study their meaning along with examples of use. It should be borne in mind that English proverbs usually have text variants. In addition, in English literature, proverbs are often paraphrased, embedded in other sentences, and not given in full.Language learners are recommended to use only those English proverbs that have a clear, direct meaning, expressed in simple, understandable words. It is recommended to use proverbs very moderately.The list below is provided for study, understanding and entertainment, but not for active use.Russian proverbs – Similar English proverbs
A diamond is cut by a diamond. (See Found a scythe on a stone.)
Appetite comes with eating. – Appetite comes with eating. The more you have, the more you want.
Misfortune never comes alone. – Misfortunes never come alone. (See: Trouble has come - open the gate.)
Poverty is not a vice. – Poverty is no sin. Poverty is no crime.
Poor people don't have to choose. The rich do what they want, and the poor do as they can. – Beggars can't be choosers.

You can’t even take a fish out of a pond without difficulty. If you love to ride, you also love to carry sleds. – No pain, no gain. No pains, no gains. No gain without pain.God saves man, who save himself. – Better safe than sorry. One cannot be too careful. Discretion is the better part of value.Hell is paved with good intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intentions. – Hell is paved with good intentions. The road to hell is paved with good intentions.God does not give a horn to a lively cow. – Curst cows have curt horns. A curst cow has short horns. God sends a curst cow short horns.Big things come from small things. With the world on a thread, naked on a shirt. – Little streams make great rivers. Every little makes a mickle. Many a little makes a mickle.Marriages are made in heaven. – Marriages are made inPride does not lead to good. Pride goes before a fall. – Pride goes before a fall. Pride goes before destruction. Pride will have a fall.Give him a finger and he'll bite your whole hand off. Place the pig at the table, with its feet on the table. – Give him an inch, and he'll take a mile. Give him an inch, and he'll take an ell.They do not look at a given horse's teeth. – Never look the gift horse in the mouth.Two of a Kind; birds of a feather; made from the same dough; sewn together with one bast. – Birds of a feather. (Part of the proverb Birds of a feather flock together. See Fisherman sees fisherman from afar.)They don't serve two masters. Both ours and yours. – No man can serve two masters. (See both ours and yours.)Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided. – A man dies but once. A man cannot die more than once.The master's work is afraid. – He works best who knows his trade.Time for business, time for fun. Business before pleasure. – Business before pleasure. Business first, pleasure afterwards. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.Money doesn't smell. – Money has no smell.Money comes to money. Money to money. – Money makes money. Much will have more.Money is the root of all evil. Money is the root of all evil. – Money is the root of all evil.Money unlocks all doors. With money you can achieve anything. – Money talks.Cheap and nasty. Miser pays twice. Don’t be sorry for the altyn, you’ll give back half a dime. – Cheapest is the dearest. If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly. Penny wise and pound foolish.There are no barriers to love. Love conquers everything. – Love will creep where it may not go. Love laughs at locksmiths. Love conquers all.Good fame is better than wealth. – A good name is better than riches.Trust but check. – It is an equal failing to trust everyone and to trust nobody.Debt good turn deserves another. One good turn deserves another. – One good turn deserves another.Houses and walls help. (See: It’s good to be away, but it’s better to be at home; Every sandpiper is great in his own swamp.)

The road is a spoon for dinner. – A stitch in time saves nine.
A friend in need is a friend indeed. Friend is known in trouble. – A friend in need is a friend indeed.Fools are lucky. – Fools have fortune. Fortune favors fools.There is no law for fools. – Fools rush in where angels fear to thread.A bad example is contagious. Stupidity is contagious. – One fool makes many.The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. The flesh is weak. I would be glad to go to heaven, but sins are not allowed. – The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

Once you lie, who will believe you? Once you lie, you become a liar forever. – He that once deceives is ever suspected. (See One lie leads to another.)If only. If only there were mushrooms growing in my mouth. – If ifs and ans were pots and pans. If wishes were horses, beggars might ride. If the sky falls, we shall catch larks.If the mountain does not come to Mohammed, then Mohammed goes to the mountain. – If the mountain will not come to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.If you're going to do it, do it well. – If a thing is worth doing, it is worth doing well. What is worth doing at all is worth doing well.He got married in a hurry, but for a long time. – Marry in haste and repent at leisure.

Tough as a cat. – A cat with nine lives. (See Cats are resilient.)
Life is short. Life is short, art is eternal. Life is short, but there is a lot to do. – Life is short. Art is long, life is short. Life is but a span. Man's life is but a span.Living life is not a field to cross. – Life is not a bed of roses. Life is not all beer and skittles. Life is not all cakes and ale.
Taking on everything means doing nothing. Don't take on everything at once. Seven things cannot be handled by one person. – Don't have too many irons in the fire. Don't put too many irons in the fire. Grasp all, lose all.To take on everything is to be able to do nothing. He takes on everything, but not everything succeeds. Seven things cannot be handled by one person. – Jack of all trades is master of none. Jack of all trades and master of none. Grasp all, lose all.If you chase two hares, you won't catch either. – If you run after two hares, you will catch neither. Grasp all, lose all.Wise after the event. Everyone is strong with hindsight. A good thought comes later. – Wise after the event. It's easy to be wise after the event. If things were to be done twice, all would be wise.
The law is that whatever the drawbar turns, it ends up there. – One law for the rich and another for the poor.The Forbidden fruit is sweet. – Forbidden fruit is sweetest. Forbidden fruit is sweet.Make a fool pray and he'll bruise his forehead. – Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse.Health is more valuable than anything else. Health is more valuable than wealth. You can't buy health. – Health is better than wealth. Good health is above wealth.Evil cannot be corrected by evil. You can't correct evil with evil. – Two wrongs do not make a right.
Knowledge is power. – Knowledge is power.It is not worth it. The game is not worth the candle. – The game is not worth the candle.Choose the lesser of two evils. – Of two evils choose the lesser. Choose the lesser of two evils. Better the devil you know than the devil you don't know.
Out of the frying pan into the fire. – Out of the frying-pan into the fire.
There are lees to every wine. – There are spots even on the sun. Simplicity is enough for every wise man. And the old woman gets into trouble. – No man is wise at all times. Every man has a fool in his sleeve.Practice makes perfect. – Practice makes perfect. Elbow grease gives the best polish. If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again.
A lie won't get you far. – Lies have short legs.

In the world, even death is red. – Company in distress makes trouble less. Two in distress makes sorrow less. Misery loves company.

Enough for our lifetime. At least a dime a dozen. The light did not converge like a wedge. – There are as good fish in the sea as ever came out of it.They learn from mistakes. – Learn wisdom from the follies of others.You can't make it up on purpose. Truth is stranger than fiction. – Truth is stranger than fiction.Appearances are deceiving. Don't judge by appearance. Don't judge at first sight. – Appearances are deceptive. Never judge from appearances. Don't judge a book by its cover. Judge not of men and things at first sight.You won't be nice by force. Lawless Heart. – Love cannot be forced There is honey on the lips, and ice in the heart. Lays down softly, but sleeps hard. – A honey tongue, a heart of gall. (See Softly lays down, but sleeps hard.)You can't put a scarf over someone else's mouth. – Tongues are wagging. Chins are wagging.
I found a scythe on a stone. A diamond is cut by a diamond. – Diamond cut diamond. When Greek meets Greek, then comes the tug of war.
Don't wake him up while he sleeps quietly. Don't wake up the dashing one while the dashing one is sleeping. – Let sleeping dogs lie. Let a sleeping dog lie. Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.
There would be no happiness, but misfortune would help. Every cloud has a silver lining. – It's an ill wind that blows nobody any good.
Every day is not Sunday. – Every day is not Sunday.
Not everything is bad weather, the red sun will shine through. After a thunderstorm - a bucket, after grief - joy. Every cloud has a silver lining. – It's a long lane that has no turning. It is always darkest before the dawn. The darkest hour is nearest the dawn.
All that glitters is not gold. – All that glitters is not gold. All is not gold that glitters.Don't wash dirty linen in public. – It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.Don't say hop until you jump over. – Don't halloo until you are out of the wood. There's many a slip between the cup and the lip. First catch your hare, then cook him.Do not make mountains out of molehills. – Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Do not share the skin of an unkilled bear. – Catch the bear before you sell his skin. You must not sell the bear's skin until you have shot the bear. First catch your hare, then cook him.Don't ask questions and you won't hear lies. – Ask no questions and you will be told no lies. (See: You will know a lot, you will soon grow old.)Do not promise. Do not swear off money or prison. - Never say never.Don't mind your own business. – Every man to his trade.If you don't know the ford, don't go into the water. – No safe wading in an unknown water. Cross the stream where it is shallowest. Look before you leap.Don't look for trouble - trouble will find you. – Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.
If we don't wash, we'll just ride. By hook or by crook. – By hook or by crook.Don't be afraid of the knife, but of the tongue. – The tongue is not steel, yet it cuts.Don't stop halfway. Follow through. – Never do things by halves.Without tasting the bitter, you won’t know the sweet. – Who has never tasted bitter knows not what is sweet. Take the bitter with the sweet. Take the bad with the good. He knows best what good is that has endured evil. Misfortunes tell us what fortune is.

Don't put off until tomorrow what you can do today. – Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today. Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today.The one who does nothing makes no mistakes. – He who makes no mistakes makes nothing.Don't spit in the well, you'll need to drink the water. – Never cast dirt into that fountain of which you have some time drunk.Actions speak louder than words. Judge not by appearance, but by deeds. – Actions speak louder than words. Deeds, not words. Handsome is as handsome does.It is not work that ages, but care. – Care killed a cat. Care killed the cat.Don’t dig a hole for someone else, you will fall into it yourself. – Curses like chickens come home to roost. He that mischief hatches mischief catches.Don't create difficulties for yourself in advance. Everything has its turn. – Don't cross a bridge until you come to it. Don't cross the bridges before you come to them.Don't put everything on one card. – Don't put all your eggs in one basket.The devil is not as scary as he is painted. Fear has big eyes. – The devil is not so black as he is painted.There is no one more blind than the one who does not want to see. There is no one more deaf than someone who does not want to hear. – None so blind as those who won't see. None so deaf as those who won't hear.There is no smoke without fire. – There is no smoke without fire. Where there is smoke, there is fire.There are no rules without exceptions. – There is no rule without an exception.There is no prophet in his own country. – No man is a prophet in his own country. A prophet is not without honor, save in his own country.

There is no rose without thorns. – There is no rose without a thorn. There is no joy without alloy