Monday, April 26, 2010

Russian Proverbs

I was really interested in finding some typical Russian sayings and on Wikiquote, I found a few that seemed really interesting.

Бе́шеной соба́ке семь вёрст не крюк.
Translation: For a mad dog, seven versts (Russian mile) is not a long detour.
Moral: If you are passionate (or unreasonably driven) about something you will do all the extra work without noticing it.

Близо́к локото́к, да не уку́сишь.
Translation: [Your] elbow is close, yet [you] can't bite it.
Moral: It only seems to be easy.

Болту́н — нахо́дка для шпио́на.
Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy.
English version: Loose lips sink big ships.

Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.
Translation: Wolf in sheep's pelt.
English version: Wolf in sheep's clothing.
Compare: В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.

Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
Translation: Every vegetable has its time.
Moral: Unlike English version, it means: It's ok if it isn't in good shape right now. Things need time to ripen.

And more a lot like this one at: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Russian_proverbs
Enjoy :)
And remember: До́брое сло́во и ко́шке прия́тно.

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