Russian English proverbs. English proverbs for all occasions. Sayings and proverbs in English that are translated literally

English proverbs and their Russian analogues

A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit. A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. A bird in your hands is worth two in the bushes.
A bully is always a coward. A bully is always a coward (Well done among sheep, but well done by the sheep itself).
A burden of one’s choice is not felt. I can't bear my own burden.
A castle that parleys is half done. The claw got stuck and the whole bird was lost.

A cat may look at a king. The cat can look at the king (The dog and the ruler are free to lie).
A cock is valiant on his own dunghill. The rooster is brave on his dung heap (Every sandpiper is great in his swamp).
A cursed cow has short horns. God does not give a horn to a carnivorous cow.

A drop of honey catches more flies than a hogshed of vinegar. A drop of honey can catch more flies than a barrel of vinegar.

A fool and his money are soon parted. A fool quickly parts with his money (A fool has a hole in his fist).

A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years. A fool can ask more questions in an hour than a smart person can answer in seven years.

A friend in need is a friend indeed. A true friend is known in trouble.

A good anval does not fear the hammer. A good anvil is not afraid of a hammer.

A good husband should be deaf and a good wife should be blind. A good husband should be deaf, and a good wife should be blind.

A good name is better than riches. A good name is better than wealth.

A guilty conscience is a self-accuser. A bad conscience doesn't let you sleep.

A living dog is better than dead lion. A living dog is better than a dead lion (Better is a pigeon in a plate than a capercaillie on a lek).

A man can die but once. A person can die only once (Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided).

A man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks. A man is as old as he feels, and a woman is as old as she looks.

A man is known by the company he keeps. Tell me who your friend is and I will tell you who you are.

A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day. A foggy morning does not mean a cloudy day.

A sound mind in a sound body. In a healthy body healthy mind

A wonder lasts but nine days. The miracle lasts only nine days (Everything gets boring).

Absence makes the heart grow fonder. Absence makes the heart love more deeply.

Accidents will happen in the best regulated families. Scandals happen in the best families.

Actions speak louder than words. Actions speak louder than words.

Adversity is a good teacher - Trouble is a good teacher

All bread is not baked in one oven. Bread is baked in different ovens (People are different).

All is not gold that glitters. Not all that glitters is gold.

All married women are not wives. Not all married women are wives.

All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Just work without fun turns Jack into a stupid child (Mix business with idleness, you will live a century with fun).
An apple a day keeps the doctor away. An apple a day - and you don’t need a doctor (Onion for seven ailments).

An idle brain is the devil’s workshop. The devil finds something to do in an idle brain.

An old dog will learn no new tricks. An old dog will not learn new tricks (Teaching an old dog is the same as treating a dead dog).
Anything to make it tougher. It doesn't get any easier hour by hour.

Apropos of nothing. Neither to the village nor to the city.

Appearances are deceptive. Appearances are deceptive.

As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks. There is no law for a fool.

Attheworld'send. To be, to be, to live, etc. in the middle of nowhere.

Avoid someone or something like the plague. Like hell from incense.

Bacchus has drowned more men than Neptune - Bacchus drowned more people than Neptune

But one claw snagged, the bird is bagged. The claw gets stuck - the whole bird is lost.

Brave against sheep, but himself a sheep against the brave. Well done against the sheep, and against the well done the sheep itself.

Bowed heads don’t get chopped off. A fault confessed is half redressed.

Be my guest and have the rest. You are welcome to our hut.

Better one small fish than an empty dish. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.

Better never begin than never make an end. I picked up the tug, don’t say it’s not strong.

Beat the air. Pour from empty to empty, pound water in a mortar.

Barking dogs rarely bite. Barking dogs rarely bite (He who threatens a lot does little harm).

Beauty is but skin deep. Beauty is deceiving.
Beauty is in the eye of the gazer. Beauty lies in the eye of the beholder.

Beggars must be no choosers. A beggar doesn't have to choose.

Better bend than break. It's better to bend than to break.

Between friends all is common. Friends have everything in common.

Birds of a feather flock together. Birds of a feather. Birds of a feather flock together. The apple never falls far from the tree.

Brandishing fists after the fight never proves anyone’s might. After a fight they don’t wave their fists.

Business before pleasure. First business, and then pleasure (When you finish your business, go for a walk).

Children are poor man's riches. Children are the poor man's wealth.

Constantly dropping wears away a stone. Drop by drop the stone is sharpened.

Creditors have better memories than debtors. Creditors have a better memory than debtors.

Dance to smb's pipe. Dancing to someone else's tune.

Discretion is the better part of value. Caution is the best part of valor (God protects the careful).
Diamond cut diamond. Diamond is cut by diamond

Don’t cry out before you are hurt. Don't scream before you get hurt (Don't scream before you die).

Don't look agithorse in the mouth. They do not look at a given horse's teeth.

Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Don't put all your eggs in one basket (Don't put everything on one card).

Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs. Don’t teach your grandmother how to suck eggs (Eggs don’t teach a chicken).

Don’t trouble troubles till troubles trouble you. Don't bother trouble until trouble troubles you.

East or west home is best. East or West, at home is best (Away is good, but at home is better).

Every bullet has its billet. Each bullet has its own target (What happens, cannot be avoided).

Every cloud has a silver lining. Every cloud has a silver lining (Every cloud has a silver lining).

Every dog ​​has his day. Every dog ​​has its own day (There will be a holiday on our street).

Every man has his faults. Every person has their own shortcomings.

Facts are stubborn. Facts are stubborn things.

Fine feathers birds. With beautiful plumage, birds become beautiful.

Fine words butter no parsnips. You can’t butter parsnips with beautiful words (they don’t feed the nightingale with fables).

First catch your hare, then cook him. First catch the hare, and then you will cook dishes from it (Don’t say hop until you jump over).

Fish begins to stink at the head. The fish rots from the head.

Forewarned is forearmed. Forewarned means forearmed (Warning is the same as caution).

Friendship cannot stand always on one side. Friendship should be mutual.

Glutton: one who digs his grave with his teeth. A glutton is a person who digs his own grave with his own teeth.

God helps those who help themselves. God helps those who help themselves.

God is God but don’t be a clod. Trust in God, and don’t make a mistake yourself.

Gratitude is the heart's memory. Gratitude is a memory of the heart.

Gray hair is sign of age, not of wisdom. Gray hair is a sign of age, not wisdom.

Great cry little wool. There is a lot of screaming, but not enough wool (Much ado about nothing).

Half a loaf is better than no bread. Half a loaf is better than no bread at all.

Handsome is as handsome does. He is handsome who acts beautifully (He is not good who has a handsome face, but he is good who is good for business).

Hard words break no bones. Cruel words do not break bones (Swearing does not hang on the collar).

He that is afraid of wounds, must not come near a battle. If you're afraid of wolves, don't go into the forest.

He that would eat the fruit, must climb the hill. You can’t even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.

He who borrows sells his freedom. He who borrows sells his freedom.

He who likes skiing downhill must enjoy skiing uphill. If you love to ride, you also love to carry a sled.

He who pays the piper calls the tune. The one who pays the piper orders the tune.
Don't laughbestwholaughslast. He who laughs last laughs best.

Not that loseth wealth, loseth much, he that loseth friends, loseth more: but he who loseth his spirit loseth all. He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses friends loses even more; but he who loses his presence of mind loses everything.

Hell is paved with good intentions. Hell is paved with good intentions -

He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes. He who sacrifices his conscience to his ambition burns the picture when he needs ashes.

Honesty is the best policy. Honesty is the best policy.

Honor and profit lie not in one sack. Honor and profit do not live together.

Hope for the best but prepare for the worst. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

Husband and wife live the same life. Husband and wife, one of Satan.

If a man is destined to drown, he will drown even in a spoonful of water. If a person is destined to drown, he will drown even in a tablespoon of water.

If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade. In every pig you can find a piece of ham.

If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch. If a blind man leads a blind man, both will fall into a ditch (A blind man leads a blind man, neither of them can see a thing).

If the cap fits, wear it. If the hat fits, wear it.

If wishes were horses beggers might ride. If wishes were horses, then beggars could ride horses (If only mushrooms grew in their mouths).

If you try to please all you will please none. If you try to please everyone, you will not please anyone.

If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority. If you want to know what a person is like, give him power.

Ill news travels fast. Bad news travels fast (Bad news doesn't lie still).

Ill-gotten goods never prosper. Ill-gotten wealth is never used for future use (Stolen wealth disappears like ice melts).

In every beginning think of the end. When starting any business, think about how it might end.

It is easy to be wise after the event. It's easy to be smart after the event (Hindsight is strong).

It is never too late to mend. It's never too late to improve.

It is not work that kills men, it is worry. It's not work that kills people, but care.

It is too late to lock the stable-door when the horse is stolen. When a horse is stolen, it is too late to lock the stable doors (After a fight, they don’t wave their fists).

It’s a poor heart that never rejoices. Poor is the heart that never rejoices (He who knows how to have fun is not afraid of grief).

It’s not a gay coat that makes the gentleman. It is not an elegant jacket that makes a man a gentleman.

Least said, soonest mended. The less said, the faster it is fixed.

Let's go well alone. Leave the good alone (They do not seek good from goodness).

Life is not all beer and skittles. Life is not just beer and skittles (As the century drags on, there will be enough of everything).

Like a bull in chinashop. Like a bull in a china shop.

Like father, like son. Like father, like son (The apple doesn't fall far from the tree).

Little wit in the mind makes much work for the feet. A bad head gives no rest to your legs.

Lost time is never found again. Lost time cannot be returned.

Make hay while the sun shines. Make hay while the sun is shining.

Man does not live by bread alone. Man does not live by bread alone.

Man proposes, God disposes. Man proposes, but God disposes.

Many a true word is spoken in jest. A lot of truth is said in jest.

Marriages are made in heaven. Marriages are made in heaven.

Marry in haste and repent at leisure. You get married in a hurry, then you repent for a long time at your leisure (You get married in a hurry and for a long time torment).

Misfortunes never come singly. Misfortunes never come alone (When trouble comes, open the gate).

Money makes the mare go. Even a mare works for money (With money in the world, a fool rides in a carriage).

Money spent on the brain, is never spent in vain. Money spent to develop the mind is never wasted.

Never swap horses crossing a stream. Horses are not changed at the crossing.

No bees no honey, no work no money. Who does not work shall not eat.

No fool like an old fool. There is no such fool as an old fool (Gray hair in the beard, demon in the rib).

No man is a hero to his valet. No man is a hero in the eyes of his servant.

No news is good news. No news is good news.

No two minds think alike. So many heads, so many minds.

None but the brave deserve the fair. Only the brave deserve beauties.

Of two evils choose the least. Of two evils choose the less.

Once bitten, twice shy. Once bitten, he is doubly timid (a frightened crow is afraid of a bush).

One cannot put back the clock. You can't turn the clock back (You can't turn back the past).

One cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. You cannot run away with a hare and at the same time hunt it with the hounds (You cannot serve two masters).

One man's meat is another man's poison. What is food for one person is poison for another.

Patience is a plaster for all sores. Patience is a band-aid for all wounds.

Patience is power; with time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes silk. Patience is strength. Time and patience turn the mulberry leaf into silk.

People who live in glass houses should not throw stones. People who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

Practice makes perfect. Practice makes perfect (Skill makes a master).

Pride goes before a fall. Pride comes before the fall (The devil was proud, but fell from heaven).

Promise little, but do much. Promise less, deliver more.

Skeptics are never deceived. You can't fool a skeptic.

Seeing is believing. Seeing is believing.

Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get. Since we cannot have what we want, let us want what we can have.

Spare the rod and spoil the child. If you spare the rod, you will spoil the child.

Strike while the iron is hot. Strike while the iron is hot.

The absent are always in the wrong. Absentees are always wrong.

The appetite comes with eating. Appetite comes with eating.

The chain is no stronger than its weakest link. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link (Where it is thin, it breaks).

The course of true love never did run smooth. The path of true love is never smooth.

The exception proves the rule. Exception proves the rule.

The face is the index of the mind. The face is a mirror of thoughts (What is brewing in the heart cannot be hidden on the face).

The girl looks fine but she isn’t mine. Masha is good, but not ours.

The leopard cannot change his spots. A leopard cannot change its spots (You cannot wash a black dog white).

The man who lives only by hope will die with despair. He who lives only in hopes will die in despair.

The only real equality is in the cemetery. The only place where everyone is truly equal is the cemetery.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating. To know what a pudding is like, you need to taste it.

The shoemaker makes a good shoe because he makes nothing else. A shoemaker makes good shoes because he does nothing else.

The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. The way to a man's heart is through his stomach.

The weakest goes to the wall. The weakest one goes to the wall (Smyrna will beat the dog and kick).

The woman who tells her age is either too young to have anything to lose, or too old to have
anything to gain. A woman who does not hide her age is either too young and has nothing to lose, or too old and has nothing to seek.

There are two sides to every question. There are two sides to every question (Every coin has a flip side).

Time heals all wounds. Time heals all wounds.

To know everything is to know nothing. To know everything means to know nothing.

To be on one's guard. Keep your eyes open, keep your ears open.

To be back at the bottom of the ladder. Stay, find yourself, etc., with nothing.

Train hard fight easy. Hard to learn, easy to fight.

Trust but verify. Trust but check.

Truth lies at the bottom of a well. The truth is hidden at the bottom of the well.

Velvetpawshidesharpclaws - Velvet paws hide sharp claws

Virtue is its own reward. Virtue is its own reward.

We must learn to forgive and forget. We must learn to forgive and forget.

Well begun is half done. Well started, half done.

What cannot be cured must be endured. What cannot be corrected must be tolerated.

What is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh. What is nourished in the bones will manifest itself in the flesh (The wolf molts every year, but the custom does not change).

What is worth doing at all is worth doing well. If something is worth doing, then it must be done well.

What the eye does not see the heart does not grieve over. What the eye does not see, the heart does not hurt (Out of sight, out of mind).

What the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning. What a fool does in the end, a wise man does in the beginning.

When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window. When poverty enters the door, love flies out the window (Hud Roman, when his pocket is empty, Martyn is good, when there is altyn).

When the cat is away, the mice will play. When the cat is away, the mice frolic (The cat is out of the house - the mice dance).
Where there's a will, there is a way. If there is a desire, there will be an opportunity.

Whom Gods would destroy, they first make mad. Those whom the gods want to destroy, they first deprive them of their minds.

Worry gives a small thing a big shadow. Anxious thoughts create large shadows for small objects.

You can take the horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink. You can lead a horse to water, but you cannot force it to drink (You can’t take everything by force).

You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. You can't make a silk wallet from a pig's ear.

You never know what you can do till you try. You never know what you are capable of until you try yourself.

Zeal is fit for wise men but is mostly found in fools. Diligence is needed only by the smart, but it is found mainly in fools.

Proverbs and sayings have become so firmly established in our lives that they have practically “dissolved” in it. And now we weave apt phrases into our speech, rarely thinking about their wording. Because a proverb is a ready-made “formula” of thought, with a deep meaning and a refined form. These are English proverbs and sayings. Over their centuries-old history, they have achieved perfect accuracy of every thought expressed. Especially if you take into account your unique view of the world. Therefore, now we have English proverbs for any situation and area of ​​life: be it friendship, family, work and other important circumstances.

There are even proverbs about English in the English language! And this, in general, is not surprising, since it concerns such an important and voluminous area of ​​life. And so in every language, in every culture, proverbs reflect the accumulated invaluable experience of generations. Therefore, it is almost always possible to find equivalent proverbs in different languages. In this article, we will definitely look at not only the best proverbs about friendship, about family, about life and discuss their meaning, but also find an English analogue of a proverb that is familiar in Russian.

Proverbs in English with translation into Russian

If so, then we’ll start right away with familiar plots. More precisely, not like that: let's start by looking for familiar plots and ideas among English proverbs. To do this, we looked for proverbs in English that have direct Russian analogues. That's what came out of it:

English proverb	Translation into Russian	Russian analogue of the proverb
A cat in gloves catches no mice	A cat with gloves won't catch mice	You can’t even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty.
A chain is only as strong as its weakest link	A chain is only as strong as its weakest link	Where it's thin, that's where it breaks.
A change is as good as a rest	Change is as good as rest.	The best rest is a change of activity.
A friend in need is a friend indeed	A friend in need is a friend indeed.	A friend in need is a friend indeed.
A good beginning makes a good ending	A good start makes for a good ending	Down and Out trouble started
A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step	A journey of a thousand miles begins with one step.	The one who walks will master the road
A leopard cannot change its spots	A leopard cannot change its spots.	Leopard change his spots. A black dog cannot be washed white.
A little knowledge is a dangerous thing	Knowing little is dangerous	Half-knowledge is worse than ignorance.
A little of what you fancy does you good	A little treat goes a long way	Anything is possible, just be careful.
A new broom sweeps clean	The new broom sweeps cleanly.	A new broom sweeps in a new way.

It's funny to watch how similar thoughts are embodied in different languages ​​into those realities that are understandable to one or another people. For example, where Russian wisdom mentions a “black dog,” the English equivalent of the proverb speaks of a leopard, which Russian storytellers simply could not see.

English proverbs and their meaning

The meaning of proverbs in English lies not only in the transmission of folk wisdom, reflection of cultural achievements and other abstract formulations that we so often find in textbooks. In fact, you can find much more useful real-life applications for proverbs in English. It's about expanding your vocabulary.

The use of proverbs in English is a sign of a developed vocabulary and fairly fluent command of the language. This means that you can not only express a certain thought, but also creatively play with it. There are several advantages of knowing proverbs and sayings:

• development of spoken language in addition to the techniques and training that we wrote about in.
• a deeper understanding of the plots of books in English and audiobooks (with our recommendations).
• free perception and without.

So we are definitely in favor of learning proverbs, especially about friendship, family and other fundamental concepts.

Original English proverbs

Despite the similar meaning of many proverbs, there are completely original sayings that cannot be found in any other language. This is all the more interesting and helps in learning a foreign language and culture in general. We found the following proverbs in English:

• If you can't be good - be careful (Be careful if you can't be good). Obviously, the point here is to behave carefully when you need to do something wrong, and at least not to cause harm to yourself or others. This proverb does not have a Russian analogue, but there is an analogue in Latin: “Si non caste, tamen caute” (if not chastely, then at least carefully).
• A volunteer is worth twenty pressed men (One volunteer is worth twenty forced ones). This proverb also has no direct analogue in Russian culture, but we can understand it this way: sincere desire and enthusiasm can achieve more than completing a task without interest and desire.
• Suffering for a friend double friendship (Suffering for a friend doubles the friendship). Please note that this is not about helping out a friend or remaining friends despite any problems. Namely, about empathizing, sympathizing with a friend and even experiencing his grief as your own.
• Don't keep a dog and bark yourself (Don't get a dog if you bark yourself). Apparently, the proverb speaks of the importance of delegation of authority, in other words, that you do not need to fulfill other people's duties (for example, your subordinates).
• Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery (Imitation is the most sincere flattery). There’s not even anything to add here, this remark is so apt and eloquent.
• It’s better to light a candle than curse the darkness (It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness). That is, it is better to do at least something to correct the situation than to sit back and complain.
• Money talks (The money speaks for itself). That is, money decides everything. This is more of a saying than a proverb. And, contrary to popular belief, its translation into Russian is not an analogue at all, but a later borrowing.

Friends are made in wine and proven in tears

Translation: Friendship is born in wine and tested in tears. You can recall several Russian proverbs, the meaning of which fits into this one laconic statement. If you know other expressive English proverbs, we will be very glad to see them in the comments!

We bring to your attention an interesting selection of popular English proverbs with translation into Russian. English proverbs are directly reflected in Russian proverbs.

If you find yourself in a situation where a proverb would be appropriate, don’t be shy – speak up! You will immediately bring a touch of positivity and respect to your communication. Knowledge of the country's traditions, speech culture and customs of the nation is valued all over the world.

1. A bird may be known by its song- The bird is visible in flight
2. A dog is a manger - The dog is lying on the hay - it doesn’t eat itself and doesn’t give it to others
3. A good beginning makes a good ending- A good start is half the battle
4. A lame duck - Loser
5. A light purse is a heavy curse- The worst of all troubles is when there is no money
6. A man can do no more than he can- You can’t jump over your head
7. A penny saved is a penny gained- If you haven’t spent a penny, that means you’ve earned it.
8. All in the same boat - To be in the same position as someone.
9. All’s well that ends well - All is well that ends well
10. An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth- An eye for an eye a tooth for a tooth
11. As fit as a fiddle - In good health, in a good mood
12. As snug as a bug in a rug - Settled down like a bug in a carpet
13. As well be hung (hung) for a sheep as for a lamb- Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided
14. Better late than never - Better late than never
15. Break a leg / good luck - Good luck! Break a leg
16. But... There is always but...- But... There is always some kind of but...
17. But there is no flying from fate- You can’t escape fate
18. By one’s father’s side - On the paternal side, on the paternal side
19. East or West home is best - Away is good, but home is better
20. Every man has a fool in his sleeve- Simplicity is enough for every wise man
21. Extremes meet - Extremes meet
22. Have a heart! - Have mercy, have mercy!
23. He know most who speaks least - Talk less, listen more
24. He knows all the answers. - He won’t go into his pocket for a word.
25. He that can’t obey cannot command- The general who was a soldier is good
26. Honesty is the best policy - Honesty is the best policy
27. I dare swear - I dare to swear
28. If there is a will, there is a way- You can want it
29. If there were no clouds we should not enjoy the sun- If there were no clouds, we would not appreciate the sun
30. If you can't beat them, join them- If you can't beat it, join them
31. It's like putting a saddle on a cow- Fits like a cow's saddle
32. It's never too late to learn- Live and learn
33. Just a joke - Just a joke
34. Learning is the eye of the mind- Learning is light, not learning is darkness.
35. Look who's talking!
36. - Pot calls the kettle black!
37. Lovely weather for ducks!
38. - There is no bad weather! Make hay while the sun shines - Mow your hair while there is dew; strike while the iron is hot
39. Man can't live by bread alone- A person cannot live on bread alone
40. Men leap over where the hedge is lowest- Cross the stream in a shallow place
41. Men may meet but mountains never
42. Money doesn’t grow on trees - Money doesn’t lie on the street
43. Money makes the mare go - For oats and the nag will gallop
44. Never put off till tomorrow what you can do today- Don’t put off until tomorrow what you can do today
45. New lords new laws - The new broom sweeps in a new way….
46. No butts! - No buts!
47. No man can serve two masters - You cannot serve two masters at once
48. No man is born wise or learned- Sages and scientists are not born
49. No new - is a good new - No news - good news
50. No sweet without sweat - Without tasting the bitter, there is no sweet to be seen
51. Nothing is impossible to a willing heart- If there is a hunt, there will always be an opportunity
52. Nothing is so certain as the unexpected-What you don’t expect is what you get
53. Nothing is stolen without hands - No smoke without fire
54. One can’t make a silk purse if a sow’s ear- Man does not live by bread alone
55. One cannot be in two places at once- They don’t dance at two weddings at once.
56. One man’s meat is another man’s poison- What is useful to one is harmful to another
57. One swallow does not make a summer- One swallow does not make spring
58. Out of sight out of mind - Out of sight, out of mind
59. Pigs to you!
60. - But screw you!

Practice makes perfect - The skill of the master sets, the work of the master is afraid

Both English and Russian languages ​​are extremely rich in their proverbs and sayings. In this regard, it was always interesting to find an analogy between English proverbs and their Russian equivalents. In this article I tried to find the most similar examples.	English Proverb
analog / Russian proverb
A	A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit
A bad peace is better than a good quarrel	A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush	A bully is always a coward
Well done among the sheep, and well done by the sheep himself	A burden of one’s choice is not felt
I can't bear my own burden	A castle that parleys is half gotten
The claw gets stuck - the whole bird is lost	A cat may look at a king
Everyone is equal under the sun	A cock is valiant on his own dunghill
Every sandpiper is great in its swamp	A cursed cow has short horns
God does not give a horn to a carnivorous cow	A drop of honey catches more flies than a hogshed of vinegar
Small spool but precious	A fool and his money are soon parted
A fool has a hole in his fist	A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.
You can't save any fool's mind	A friend in need is a friend indeed
A friend in need is a friend indeed	A good anval does not fear the hammer
Truth is not afraid of court	A good husband should be deaf, and a good wife should be blind.
A good name is better than riches	Not a penny of money, but fame is good. It is better to be poor than to become rich through sin.
A guilty conscience is a self-accuser	Bad conscience doesn't let me sleep
A living dog is better than dead lion	Better a pigeon in a plate than a capercaillie on a leash
A man can die but once	Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided
A man is as old as he feels, and a woman as old as she looks	A man is as old as he feels, and a woman is as old as she looks.
A man is known by the company he keeps	Tell me who your friend is and I'll tell you who you are
A misty morning does not signify a cloudy day	hope dies last
A sound mind in a sound body	In a healthy body healthy mind
A wonder lasts but nine days	Pancakes, even then they get boring
Absence makes the heart grow fonder	From separation love is hot
Accidents will happen in the best regulated families	Every family has its black sheep
Actions speak louder than words	Actions speak louder than words
Adversity is a good teacher	Trouble is a good teacher
All bread is not baked in one oven	Don't put everyone under the same brush
All is not gold that glitters	All that glitters is not gold
All married women are not alive	Not all married women are wives
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy	Know how to get things done - know how to have fun. Mix business with idleness and you will live a lifetime of fun
An apple a day keeps the doctor away	Bow of the seven ailments
An idle brain is the devil’s workshop	Idleness is the mother of all vices. When idle, all sorts of stupid things come into my head.
An old dog will learn no new tricks	Leopard change his spots
Anything to make it tougher	It doesn't get any easier hour by hour
Apropos of nothing	Neither to the village nor to the city
Appearances are deceptive	Appearances are deceptive
As the fool thinks, so the bell clinks	There is no law for a fool
At the world's end	In the middle of nowhere
Avoid someone or something like the plague	Like hell from incense
B
Bacchus drowned more men than Neptune	More people drown in a glass than in the sea. More people die in wine than in water. He who loves wine destroys himself
But one claw snagged, the bird is bagged	The claw gets stuck - the whole bird is lost
Brave against sheep, but himself a sheep against the brave	Well done against the sheep, and against the well done the sheep itself
Bowed heads don't get chopped off	A fault confessed is half redressed
Be my guest and have a rest	You are welcome to our hut
Better one small fish than an empty dish	A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Better never begin than never make an end	Picked up the tug, don’t say it’s not strong
Beat the air / Beat the bush	Pour from empty to empty, pound water in a mortar
Barking dogs rarely bite	He who threatens a lot does little harm
Beauty is but skin deep	Beauty is deceiving
Beauty is in the eye of the gazer	It's not just good, but it's good
Beggars must be no choosers
Better bend than break	Seek meekness so as not to reach the abyss. Quiet is not dashing, but quieter is more profitable.
Between friends all is common	For a dear friend and an earring from the ear
Birds of a feather flock together	Birds of a feather. Birds of a feather flock together. The apple never falls far from the tree
Brandishing fists after the fight never proves anyone’s might	After a fight they don’t wave their fists
Business before pleasure	Finished the job - go for a walk safely. Time for business, time for fun
C
Children are poor man's riches	What a treasure when the children get along well.
Constantly dropping wears away a stone	A drop of stone is sharpened
Creditors have better memories than debtors	Debts are remembered not by those who take, but by those who give.
D
Dance to smb's pipe	Dancing to someone else's tune
Discretion is the better part of value	God saves man, who save himself
Diamond cut diamond	Found a scythe on a stone
Don’t cry out before you are hurt	Don't cry before you die
Don’t look a gift horse in the mouth	They do not look at a given horse's teeth
Don't put all your eggs in one basket	Don't bet everything on one card . You can't hang everything on one nail
Don’t teach your grandmother to suck eggs	Teach your grandmother to suck eggs
Don’t trouble troubles till troubles trouble you	Don't worry while it's quiet
E
East or west home is best	Being a guest is good, but being at home is better
Every bullet has its billet	Everyone has their own plan. Which have not be avoided
Every cloud has a silver lining	Every cloud has a silver lining
Every dog ​​has his day	Every dog ​​has his day
Every man has his faults	There are no people without flaws. From West to East there is no man without a vice.
F
Facts are stubborn	Facts are stubborn things
Fine feathers make fine birds	Tailor makes the man
Fine words butter no parsnips	Nightingales are not fed fables
First catch your hare, then cook him	Don't say hop until you jump over
Fish begins to stink at the head	The fish rots from the head
Forewarned is forearmed	Forewarned is forearmed
Friendship cannot stand always on one side	Friendship should be mutual
G
Glutton: one who digs his grave with his teeth	The glutton digs his own grave with his own teeth
God helps those who help themselves	Trust in God, and don’t make a mistake yourself. God saves man, who save himself
God is God but don’t be a clod	Trust in God, and don’t make a mistake yourself
Gratitude is the heart's memory	Gratitude is a memory of the heart
Gray hair is sign of age, not of wisdom	Gray hair is a sign of age, not wisdom
Great cry little wool	Much ado about nothing
H
Half a loaf is better than no bread	Without fish and cancer, fish
Handsome is as handsome does	He is not good who is good-looking, but he is good who is good for business
Hard words break no bones	Hard words break no bones. The word is not hard - it doesn’t hit you in the forehead. Words won't make it
He that is afraid of wounds, must not come near a battle	If you're afraid of wolves, don't go into the forest
He that would eat the fruit, must climb the tree	You can’t even pull a fish out of a pond without difficulty. If you love to ride, you also love to carry sleds. Without labor there is no fruit
He who borrows sells his freedom	He who borrows sells his freedom
He who likes skiing downhill must enjoy skiing uphill	If you like to ride, you also like to carry sleds
He who pays the piper calls the tune	The one who pays is the one who disposes
Don't laugh best who laugh last	He who laughs last laughs best
He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses a friend loses more; but he that loses his courage loses all (Miguel Cervantes)	He who loses wealth loses much; he who loses friends loses even more; but he who loses his presence of mind loses everything
Hell is paved with good intentions	The road to hell is paved with good intentions
He who sacrifices his conscience to ambition burns a picture to obtain the ashes	Small money comes from blood and sweat, big money comes from theft.
Honesty is the best policy	Honesty comes first
Honor and profit lie not in one sack	Honor and profit do not live together
Hope for the best but prepare for the worst	Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst
Husband and wife live the same life	Husband and wife, one of Satan
I
If a man is destined to drown, he will drown even in a spoonful of water	You can't escape fate
If life gives you a lemon, make lemonade	In any disgusting place you can find a piece of ham
If the blind lead the blind both shall fall into the ditch	A blind man leads a blind man, but neither of them can see. The blind are no guide to the blind
If the cap fits, wear it	The thief's hat is on fire
If wishes were horses beggers might ride	If only there were mushrooms growing in my mouth
If you try to please all you will please none	He pleases everyone, but he is unsuitable for anyone. You can't please the whole world. You can't make a soft bed for the whole world. You can't please everyone
If you wish to know what a man is, place him in authority	If you want to know what a person is like, give him power
Ill news travels fast	Bad news never stops
Ill-gotten goods never prosper	Stolen wealth disappears like ice melts. Someone else's goods are of no use. Someone else’s money is not good for future use: as it comes, so it goes
In every beginning think of the end	Think about the end from the very beginning. When starting a business, think about the end. No wonder to start, no wonder to end
It is easy to be wise after the event	Wise after the event. After a fight they don’t wave their fists
t is never too late to mend	Know how to make a mistake - know how to get better
It is not work that kills men, it is worry	It's not work that kills people, it's care
It is too late to lock the stable-door when the horse is stolen	After a fight they don’t wave their fists. The train left
It's a poor heart that never rejoices	He who knows how to have fun is not afraid of grief
It’s not a gay coat that makes the gentleman	Clothes don't make a man
L
Least said, soonest mended	To speak in good times, and in bad times to remain silent. Talk less, sin less. The less said, the faster it is fixed.
Let's go well alone	They don’t seek good from goodness
Life is not all beer and skittles	To live life is not to cross a field (not to weave bast shoes)
Like a bull in Chinashop	Like a bull in a china shop
Like father, like son	The apple never falls far from the tree
Little wit in the mind makes much work for the feet	A bad head gives no rest to your legs
Lost time is never found again	You can't get back lost time
M
Make hay while the sun shines	Strike while the iron is hot. Mow your hair while there is dew
Man does not live by bread alone	Man does not live by bread alone
Man proposes, God disposes	Man proposes, but God disposes
Many a true word is spoken in jest	Every joke has a bit of truth. There is often truth in jokes
Marriages are made in heaven	Who is destined to
Marry in haste and repent at leisure	You marry quickly and for a long time torment
Misfortunes never come alone	Trouble has come - open the gate
Money makes the mare go	For money and a nag will gallop
Money spent on the brain, is never spent in vain	Money spent to develop the mind is never wasted.
N
Never swap horses crossing a stream	They don’t change horses midway
No bees no honey, no work no money	Who does not work shall not eat
No fool like an old fool	Gray hair in the beard, devil in the rib
No man is a hero to his valet	No man is a hero in the eyes of his servant
No news is good news	No news is good news
No two minds think alike	How many heads - so many minds
None but the brave deserve the fair	Cheek brings success
O
Of two evils choose the least	Of two evils choose the less
Once bitten, twice shy	If you burn yourself on milk, you will blow on water. Scared crow is afraid of a bush
One cannot put back the clock	You can't bring back the past
One cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds	Both ours and yours - we will all dance. Dance at two weddings
One man’s meat is another man’s poison	What is good for a Russian is death for a German
P
Patience is a plaster for all sores	Patience is the best salvation. Patience will gradually take its toll. You can overcome anything with patience
Patience is power; with time and patience the mulberry leaf becomes silk	Patience is strength. Time and patience turn mulberry leaves into silk.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones	Pot calls the kettle black
Practice makes perfect	The master's work is afraid
Pride goes before a fall	The devil was proud and fell from the sky. He who flies too high falls low
Promise little, but do much	Promise little and deliver a lot
S
Skeptics are never deceived	You can't fool a skeptic
Seeing is believing	Seeing is believing
Since we cannot get what we like, let us like what we can get	Since we can't have what we want, let's want what we can get.
Spare the rod and spoil the child	If you spare the rod, you will spoil the child
Strike while the iron is hot	Strike while the iron is hot
T
The absent are always in the wrong	Absentees are always wrong
The appetite comes with eating	Appetite comes with eating
The chain is no stronger than its weakest link	Where it's thin, that's where it breaks
The course of true love never did run smooth	The path of true love is never smooth
The exception proves the rule	Exception proves the rule
The face is the index of the mind	The face is a mirror of thoughts. What is brewing in the heart cannot be hidden on the face
The girl looks fine but she isn’t mine	Masha is good, but not ours
The leopard cannot change his spots	You can't wash a black dog white
The man who lives only by hope will die with despair	He who lives only in hopes will die in despair
The only real equality is in the cemetery	The only place where everyone is truly equal is the cemetery
The proof of the pudding is in the eating	Dinner is known by eating, and intelligence by listening.
The shoemaker makes a good shoe because he makes nothing else	A shoemaker makes good shoes because he doesn't do anything else.
The way to a man’s heart is through his stomach	The way to a man's heart is through his stomach
The weakest goes to the wall	The lively one jumps, and the meek one cries. I humble the dog and kokhet will beat you. The weak are beaten
The woman who tells her age is either too young to have anything to lose, or too old to have anything to gain	A woman who does not hide her age is either too young and has nothing to lose, or too old and has nothing to seek.
There are two sides to every question	Every coin has a reverse side
Time heals all wounds	Time heals all wounds
To know everything is to know nothing	To know everything is to know nothing
To be on one's guard	Keep your eyes open. Be careful
To be back at the bottom of the ladder	Stay with nothing
Train hard fight easy	Hard to learn, easy to fight
Trust but verify	Trust but check
Truth lies at the bottom of a well	Look for the wind in the field, and the truth at the bottom of the sea
V
Velvet paws hide sharp claws	The fur is smooth, but the claw is sharp. A fox's tail and a wolf's mouth. Sweet in the mouth, but bitter in the mouth. Smooth in appearance, but not sweet to the tooth
Virtue is its own reward	Virtue needs no reward
W
We must learn to forgive and forget	We must learn to forgive and forget
Well begun is half done	A good start is half the battle gone
What cannot be cured must be endured	What cannot be healed must be endured
What is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh.	The wolf molts every year, but the custom does not change
What is worth doing at all is worth doing well	If you're going to do it, do it well
What the eye does not see the heart does not grieve over	Out of sight, out of mind
What the fool does in the end, the wise man does in the beginning	What a fool does in the end, a wise man does in the beginning
When poverty comes in at the door, love flies out at the window.	Hood Roman, when your pocket is empty, Martyn is good, when there is altyn
When the cat is away, the mice will play	The cat is out of the house - the mice dance
Where there's a will, there is a way	Where there is will, there is ability. If there was a hunt, any job would work out
Whom Gods would destroy, they first make mad	Those whom the gods want to destroy, they first deprive of their minds
Worry gives a small thing a big shadow	Anxious thoughts create large shadows for small objects.
Y
You can take the horse to the water, but you cannot make him drink	You can't take everything by force
You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.	You can't cook porridge with an ax
You never know what you can do till you try	Trying is not torture
Z
Zeal is fit for wise men but is mostly found in fools	Diligence is needed only by the smart, but it is found mainly in fools

Hi all! Proverbs are the oldest genre of folklore. Every people has them, even the most ancient ones - the Romans, Greeks, Egyptians. They contain the wisdom of ancestors, practical philosophy, rules of life and morality, and historical memory. Russian proverbs and their English equivalents reflect the experience of the Slavic and English peoples, respectively, in various areas of life.

Proverbs

Due to their emotionality and imagery, proverbs are very often used in various types of conversations and texts in English. At the same time, when translating English proverbs found in authentic texts into Russian, difficulties often arise, since their meaning is not always clear to us, and bilingual dictionaries do not often provide their interpretation. How to overcome translation difficulties?

For example, the proverb “ and fool and his money are soon parted » is not understandable to Russian speakers. Even after learning her translation " a fool and his money are often divided “its meaning and cases of use remain a mystery to us. And it means something like this: a foolish person who spends money thoughtlessly or too quickly. Then everything falls into place. But it is better to find equivalents in both languages, the meaning of which you will not have any doubts about.

Since our native language is Russian, it is easier for us to apply the statement that we have known since childhood. However, as we have found out, literal translation sometimes distorts not only the form, but also the meaning of what is said. Therefore, if you want to figuratively express your thoughts in English, I recommend that you use the equivalents of Russian proverbs in English, which you can find in this article.

I compared a large number of Russian and English proverbs in terms of meaning and lexical composition. Thus, I have identified two groups:

Equivalent in use, lexical composition and meaning- these are proverbs that, when translated accurately, do not lose their meaning; they are used in both languages ​​in the same case:

Easier said than done
Be easier said than done

One head it's good, but two better
Two heads are better than one

Better late than never
Better late than never

He who laughs last laughs best
Not who laughs last laughs longest

The spirit is strong but the flesh is weak
The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak

Strike while the iron is hot
Strike while the iron is hot

However, most English folk sayings are radically different in their lexical composition.

Equivalent in meaning and application only- these are proverbs with a completely different translation, which is natural for a different lexical composition, but the general meaning of the phrase is similar in meaning and the situation in which these expressions are used. This group is of greater interest to us:

What goes around comes around
A bad beginning makes a bad ending
(A bad start leads to a bad end)

A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit
A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit
(A bad compromise is better than a good fight)

Who gets up early, God gives him
Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise
(Get up early and go to bed early - you will be healthy, rich and smart)

He who does not plan his own victory is planning someone else's
Failing to plan is planning to fail
(Not planning is planning to fail)

Trust in God, but don’t make a mistake yourself
Good fences make good neighbors
(Behind a good fence are good neighbors)

Read more Analogues of Russian proverbs in English

Abbreviations of English proverbs

Very often, long proverbs are shortened in oral speech. This figure is called the default technique. For example, we do not fully pronounce the expression when we want to say that we will have to do something to get what we want: “Without difficulty...” or “Under a lying stone...”, and then it’s clear what the interlocutor wants to say, and not need to finish a sentence.

In English, the entire expression is also not pronounced if it is too long. Using the figure of default, proverbs such as:

• And rolling stone...
• Well, here’s a silver lining…
• Well, a bird in the hand, you know…
• when the cat's away...
• Birds of a feather…

By the way, the expression “Silence is golden” is also a shortened form. In its full version in English, this phrase looks like this: “ Speech is silver; silence is golden ».

However, this option is only good if both interlocutors have a good command of the language and know the folklore of the people in whose language they communicate. That is, to understand the abbreviated version, you need to know this expression in full. Therefore, when using an abbreviation, make sure that the interlocutor understands you correctly and does not invent anything to himself.

Thank you for your attention. I wish you a cool mood and a successful day! Bye!