Russian Proverbs (5)

This is a collection of Russian proverbs and sayings supplied from the bookA Book of English and Russian Proverbs and Sayings by author M. Dubrovin, Moscow, "Prosvesheniye", 1993.

There will be trouble if the cobbler starts making pies.

A person should concern himself with his own trade or occupation and should not engage in, or give advice about, other trades or occupations.

Any sandpiper is great in his own swamp.

It is easy to brag of your deeds in familiar surroundings where you are safe from danger and not likely to be put to proof.

A drop hollows out a stone.

Persistence will achieve a difficult objective.

We do not care of what we have, but we cry when it is lost.

We do not appreciate the value of a thing until we have lost it.

Not everyone who has a cowl on is a monk.

Do not judge people by what they appear to be.

Curious Varvara"s nose was torn off.

A person who tries to find out too much about other people"s affairs is likely to suffer injury or harm; a warning to mind one"s own business.

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

Mistakes, misdeeds, etc., come back as an unpleasant effect on the person who originally made the mistakes, did the misdeeds, etc.

God does not give to cow that butts.

Example: Angry men cannot do the mischief they wish.

Stretch your legs according to your clothes.

One should remain within the limits of what one has or what one can afford.

Stormy weather cannot stay all the time; the red sun will come out, too.

Things are at their worst just before they get better, or the worst stage is often the prelude to an improvement.

You need a sharp axe for a tough bough.

Serious evils need drastic remedies.

The devil is not so frightful as he is painted.

Any person of bad character is not so bad as people say he is.

The scythe ran into a stone.

Said of meeting of two persons who are a match for each other in cunning or power.

God takes care of the one who takes care of himself.

What appears to be cowardice may be wise caution, and what appears to be valor may be foolish rashness; so unnecessary risks should not be run.

A wolf won"t eat wolf.

People of the same group, occupation, interests live, or should live, together in amity.

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

Do not rejoice till you are sure that your difficulties are at an end.

You do not need a whip to urge on an obedient horse.

A keep worker who is doing his best should be left alone and not urged to work harder.

Do not carry rubbish out of your hut.

Do not discuss your fault, mistakes, private, and especially family, grievances, troubles, quarrels, scandals, etc., in public.

Cut down the tree that you are able to.

Do not undertake more than you are able to perform or something that is too difficult.

One does not go to Tula with one"s own samovar. (Tula-Russia city)

Do not do anything that is completely unnecessary; do not take supplies, articles, etc., to a place where are plenty of them already.