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Proverbs from all Spanish-speaking parts of the whole world.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente/colmillo/dentado/pelo or A caballo regalado no le mires los dientes.
English equivalent: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
"Do not search for faults in a gift, as in don't try to guess the horse's age by looking at its teeth since it is free."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997).European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p.54. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Luna, Cari(2004).The Everything Spanish Phrase Book: A Quick Reference for Any Situation publisher=Everything Books. p.5. ISBN 275 1593370490InvalidISBN.
A cabo de cien años los reyes son villanos, A cabo de ciento-diez los villanos son reyes.
English equivalent: Desperate diseases must have desperate remedies.
"Drastic action is called for – and justified – when you find yourself in a particularly difficult situation."
"The sick in soul insist that it is humanity that is sick, and they are the surgeons to operate on it. They want to turn the world into a sickroom. And once they get humanity strapped to the operating table, they operate on it with an ax."
Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State Of Mind, and Other Aphorisms (1955)
Emanuel Strauss(11 January 2013)."812".Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.552. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6.Retrieved on 10 August 2013.
A la burla dexarla quando mas agrada.
English equivalent: Leave a jest when it pleases you best.
von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto(1875)."122, aufhören"(in German).Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p.59-60.
A la ocasión la pintan calva.
English equivalent: Opportunity knocks only once.
"Never say ‘no’ to adventures. Always say ‘yes’, otherwise you’ll lead a very dull life."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.400. ISBN 0415096243.
A la tercera va la vencida.
English equivalent: Third time's the charm.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.80. ISBN 0415096243.
A lo hecho, pecho.
English equivalent: What's done is done. Trim your sails and face the music. Don't cry over spilled milk.
A mal nudo, mal cuño.
English equivalent: You must meet roughness with roughness.
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.12. ISBN 0415160502.
‘’A quien dan, no escoge.’’
English equivalent: Beggars can’t be choosers.
“We must accept with gratitude and without complaint what we are given when we do not have the means or opportunity to provide ourselves with something better.”
Source: Luna, Cari(2004).The Everything Spanish Phrase Book: A Quick Reference for Any Situation. Everything Books. p.5. ISBN 275 1593370490InvalidISBN.
A quien no pide consejo, darlo es de necios.
English equivalent: Give neither salt nor counsel till you are asked for it.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994)."274".Dictionary of European Proverbs. I. Routledge. p.257. ISBN 978-1-134-86460-7.Retrieved on 24 November 2013.
Al ratón de un sólo agujero presto le pilla el gato.
English equivalent: It is a poor mouse that has only one hole.
"Why don’t we just call plans what they really are: guesses."
Jason Fried and David Heinemeier, Rework (2009)
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.715. ISBN 0415096243.
Al que mucho se le confía, mucho se le exige.
English equivalent: Everybody to whom much is given, much is expected.
Meaning: "More is expected of those who have received more - that is, those who had good fortune, are naturally gifted, or have been shown special favour."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1160. ISBN 0415096243.
Antes que te cases, mira lo que haces.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1069. ISBN 0415096243.
Árbol que nace torcido, jamás su tronco endereza
Alt: "Árbol que nace torcido, aunque le pongan cien piedras, nunca se endereza."
A tree that is born twisted never grows straight.
Alt: A tree that is born twisted, though a hundred stones are placed (around it), never can be straightened.
Source: Glazer, Mark(1987).A Dictionary of Mexican American Proverbs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.275. ISBN 0313253854.
A lo bueno, dejarlo estar.'
English equivalent: If it isn't broken, don't fix it.
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.166. ISBN 0415160502.
A papaya puesta, papaya partida. (Colombian saying)
Alt: No hay que dar papaya...y a papaya puesta, papaya partida
Papaya that is served, papaya that is eaten
English equivalent: If you turn yourself into a doormat, others will walk over you.
Interpretation: If you leave yourself open to abuse, people will abuse you.
Source: Munévar, Gonzalo(2006).El amo del destino. Universidad del Valle. p.208. ISBN 9584400207.
A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.
Alt: A falta de pan, galletas
Alt: A falta de pan, tortillas (Mexico, Guatemala)
Alt: A falta de pan, casabe (República Dominicana)
Translations:
If there's no bread, cakes will do.
In place of bread, cakes are good.
Alt. Trans.: If there's no bread, have crackers
Interpretations:
Settle for the next best thing.
Beggars can't be choosers.
In times of need, kindness is especially sweet.
Equivalent English proverb: Any port in a storm.
Source: Klipper, Maya(2006).A falta de pan, buenas son tortas. La Stampa. ISBN 987051362X.
A donde fueres, haz lo que vieres
Alt: Allá donde fueres, haz lo que vieres
English proverb: When among wolves we must howl.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1994).Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p.673. ISBN 0415096243.
Antes con locos, que cuerdo a solas.
English equivalent: Better foolish by all than wise by yourself.
Emanuel Strauss."70".Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs.
Agua blanda en piedra dura, tanto cavadura continua gotera cava la piedra.
English equivalent: Constant dropping wears the stone.
"A steady effort can achieve, little by little, a great effect, as many drops do by gradually dissolving and eroding the stone."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997)."71".European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p.349. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.187. ISBN 0415160502.
Apretados pero contentos.
English equivalent: The more the merrier.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1094. ISBN 0415096243.
Aprovecha el día presente.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.765. ISBN 0415096243.
Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.
English equivalent: A golden bit does not make the horse any better.
"To those who are given to virtue, the boast of titles is wholly alien and distasteful."
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.52. ISBN 0415160502.
Al que Dios quiere castigar le quita la razón.
English equivalent: Whom God will destroy, he first make mad.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.841. ISBN 0415096243.
Alcalda del mes de enero.
New is of the month of January
English equivalent: New brooms sweep clean.
"We often apply it to exchanges among servants, clerks, or any persons employed, whose service, at first, in any new place, is very good, both efficient and faithful; but very soon, when all the new circumstances have lost their novelty, and all their curiosity has ceased, they naturally fall into their former and habitual slackness."
Cuando el villano está en el mulo, no conoce a Dios, ni al mundo.
English equivalent: Set a beggar on horseback, and he'll ride to the Devil.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."171".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p.32. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
Cuando la cabeza duele todos los miembros duelen.
English equivalent: When the head is sick, the whole body is sick.
"Sickness is the first warning that we have made a wrongjudgement. A healthy person is never unhappy."
George Ohsawa, in Essential Ohsawa: From Food to Health, Happiness to Freedom: Understanding the Basics of Macrobiotics (1994), p. 77
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1117. ISBN 0415096243.
Cuando las barbas de tu vecino veas cortar, pon las tuyas a remojar.
Translation: When you see your neighbour's beard being cut, put yours in water.
Meaning: Be cautious when you see disgraces to people near you.
Cuando todos dicen que eres asno, rebuzna y ponte rabo.
English equivalent: When all men say you are an ass, it is time to bray.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1221. ISBN 0415096243.
Cuando te dieren un condado, agárrale.
English equivalent: When the pig is proffered, hold up the poke.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1226. ISBN 0415096243.
Cuando una puerta se cierra, ciento se abren.
English equivalent: When one door closes another opens.
Meaning: "When baffled in one direction a man of energy will not despair, but will find another way to his object."
Source for meaning: Proverbs of All Nations. W. Kent & Company (late D. Bogue). 1859. p.67.Retrieved on 26 August 2013.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.845. ISBN 0415096243.
Cuanto menos se diga, mejor.
English equivalent: Least said, soonest mended.
Meaning: "In private animosities and verbal contentions, where angry passions are apt to rise, and irritating, if not profane expressions are often made use of, as we sometimes see to be the case, not only among neighbors, but in families, between husbands and wives, or parents and children, or the children themselves and other members of the household, - the least said, the better in general. By multiplying words, cases often grow worse instead of better."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.862. ISBN 0415096243.
De buenas intenciones esta empedrado el camino al infierno.
English equivalent: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.257. ISBN 0415160502.
De grandes cenas están las sepulteras llenas.
English equivalent: Gluttony kills more than the sword.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.864. ISBN 0415096243.
De la abundancia del corazón habla la boca.
English equivalent: Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."6 E".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. pp.7–. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
De malas costumbres nacen buenas leyes.
English equivalent: Good laws have sprung from bad customs.
"Socialism, like the ancient ideas from which it springs, confuses the distinction between government and society. As a result of this, every time we object to a thing being done by government, the socialists conclude that we object to its being done at all. We disapprove of state education. Then the socialists say that we are opposed to any education. We object to a state religion. Then the socialists say that we want no religion at all. We object to a state-enforced equality. Then they say that we are against equality. And so on, and so on. It is as if the socialists were to accuse us of not wanting persons to eat because we do not want the state to raise grain."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.879. ISBN 0415096243.
Del mal el menos.
English equivalent: Of two evils choose the least.
"If you are forced to choose between two options, both of which are undesirable, all you can do is choose the one that is less undesirable than the other."
English equivalent: If life gives you lemons, make lemonade.
Meaning: Make something good out of bad things that has happened to you.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.838. ISBN 0415096243.
Del hombre necio a veces buen consejo.
English equivalent: A fool may give a wise man counsel.
"Even as the fingers of the two hands are equal, so are human beings equal to one another. No one has any right, nor any preference to claim over another. You are brothers."
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.40. ISBN 0415160502.
Dichoso el varón que escarmienta en cabeça agena y en la suya non.
von Düringsfeld, Ida; Freiherr von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto(1875)."288, Schaden"(in German).Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen sprachen vergleichend, zusammengestellt. II. p.163.
Dime con quién andas, y te diré quién eres.
English equivalent: A man is known by the company he keeps.
"Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so."
English equivalent: Punishment is lame but it comes.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.779. ISBN 0415096243.
Dividar para reinar.
Translation: Divide to rule.
English equivalent: Divide and conquer.
Meaning: "The best way to conquer or control a group of people is by encouraging them to fight among themselves rather than allowing them to unite in opposition to the ruling authority."
English equivalents: Choose a wife rather by your ear than your eye.
"Use great prudence and circumspection, in choosing thy wife, for from thence will spring all thy future good or evil; and it is an action of life like unto a stratagem of war, wherein a man can err but once."
William Cecil, 1st Baron Burghley, Certain Precepts Or Directions for the Well-Ordering and Carriage of a Man's Life (c. 1584, first published 1617)
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.65. ISBN 0415096243.
El favo es dulce, mas pica la abeja.
English equivalent: He that will not endure the bitter will not live to see the sweet.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.837. ISBN 0415096243.
El fruto no cae lejos del árbol.
English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
"Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997).European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p.259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
El hijo de la gata ratones mata.
English equivalent: Like father, like son.
"Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997).European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p.137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.985. ISBN 0415096243.
El hilo siempre se rompe por lo más delgado.
English equivalent: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
"A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997)."106".European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p.466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Kelly, Walter Keating(1859).Proverbs of all nations(W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p.45.
El que se ahoga, se agarra a un perlo
English equivalent: A drowning man plucks at a straw.
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.33. ISBN 0415160502.
El que súbito se determina, súbito se arrepiente.
English equivalent: Hasty judgment leads to repentance.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.196. ISBN 0415096243.
El tiempo perdido los santos lo lloran.
English equivalent: Time is precious.
"Days are of the least pretension, and of the greatest capacity of anything that exists. They come and go like muffled and veiled figures sent from a distant friendly party; but they say nothing, and if we do not use the gifts they bring, they carry them as silently away."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994)."858".Dictionary of European proverbs. II. Taylor & Francis. p.723. ISBN 978-0-415-10381-7.
El tiempo y la marea no esperan al rey.
English equivalent: Time and tide wait for no man.
"The negligent and unreflecting man resolves to accomplish a certain important object at some future period; but in the intervening time, some preparatory, though in itself comparatively trifling business, is indispensable. At length the period for accomplishing the ultimate object arrives: but, alas! the prerequisite, so absolutely connected and essential, is neglected, and then, vain man!"
English equivalent: A bad workman blames his tools.
Pérez Martínez, Herón(1993).Refrán viejo nunca miente: refranero mexicano Colección Tradiciones. Colegio de Michoacán. p.113. ISBN 9686959068.
El saber es fuerza.
English equivalent: Learning is the eye of the mind.
"An education isn't how much you have committed to memory, or even how much you know. It's being able to differentiate between what you do know and what you don't."
William Feather As quoted in Telephony, Vol. 150 (1956), p. 23; the first two sentences of this statement began to be attributed to Anatole France in the 1990s, but without any citations of sources.
Strauss, Emanuel(1998).Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs(Abbreviated ed.). Routledge. p.149. ISBN 0415160502.
El que no oye consejo no llega a viejo.
English equivalent: Advice most needed is the least heeded.
Source: Glazer, Mark(1987).A Dictionary of Mexican American Proverbs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.112. ISBN 0313253854.
El que tiene frio sopla el fuego.
English equivalent: Let him that is cold blow the coals.
"My definition of success is doing what you love. I feel many people do things because they feel they have to, and are hesitant to risk following their passion."
Tony Hawk, American businessman, entrepreneur, skateboard pro. Interviewed by Gary Cohn for Entrepreneur Magazine (October 2009)
English equivalent: He is my friend that grinds at my mill.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."1135".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p.173. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
Es cosa de dos.
English equivalent: It takes two to tango.
Författare Cambridge University Press(2008).Titel Diccionario Bilingue Cambridge Spanish-English Paperback Compact edition. Cambridge University Press. p.576. ISBN 8483234823.
Es el tono que hace la música.
Emanuel Strauss(11 January 2013)."1341".Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.802. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6.
Es mejor tostón asegurado que dime apostado.
English equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
"Something you have for certain now is of more value than something better you may get, especially if you risk losing what you have in order to get it."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994)."243".Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.227. ISBN 978-1-136-78978-6.
Fray Modesto nunca llegó a ser prior del convento.
English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.
Flonta, Teodor(2001),"98",A Dictionary of English and Italian Equivalent Proverbs, p.19, ISBN 978-1-4660-0793-2
Fue por lana y salió trasquilado.
(He/She) went looking for wool and came back shorn.
Interpretations:
If you go for something it might end up biting you
you woo someone but end up heartbroken.
you try to cheat someone but get cheated yourself.
Chasing glamour will get you fleeced.
All that glitters isn't gold.
Muñoz Borrero, Eduardo(1981).En el Palacio de Carondelet: gobernantes ecuatorianos del Presidente Flores al Presidente Hurtado. Artes Gráficas Señal. p.507. ISBN 0415160502.
Gato escaldato del aqua fria há miedo.
English equivalent: A burnt child dreads the fire.
English equivalent: An ounce of preventions is better than a pound of cure.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.332. ISBN 0415160502.
Guarda mozo, y hallarás viejo.
English equivalent: Diligent youth makes easy age.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.701. ISBN 0415096243.
Hay gato encerrado.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1070. ISBN 0415096243.
Haz lo que dice el fraile, y no lo que hace.
English equivalent: Preachers say: do as I say, not as i do.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.706. ISBN 0415096243.
Hacer de una pulga un elefante.
English equivalent: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.
Kelly, Walter Keating(1859).Proverbs of all nations(W. Kent & co. (late D. Bogue) ed.). p.58.
Hechos dan testimonio, que no las palabras.
English equivalent: No need of words, trust deeds.
"Actions may be, and indeed sometimes are deceptive in a measure though not as much so as words; and accordingly are received in general as more full and satisfactory proofs of the real disposition and character of persons than verbal expressions."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.91. ISBN 0415096243.
Hijo de gato, caza ratón
English equivalent: Like father, like son.
Howard, Christopher.Official Guide to Cuban Spanish. Costa Rica Books. p.113. ISBN 1881233901.
Hombre prevenido vale por dos.
English equivalent: Forewarned is forearmed.
Source: Glazer, Mark(1987).A Dictionary of Mexican American Proverbs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.162. ISBN 0313253854.
Hoy por mí y mañana por tí.
English equivalent: Today me, tomorrow thee.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1038. ISBN 0415096243.
Quien con el diablo haya de comer, larga cuchara ha menester.
English equivalent: He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.
"I do not think life will change for the better without an assault on the establishment, which goes on exploiting the wretched of the earth. This belief lies at the heart of the concept of revolutionary suicide. Thus it is better to oppose the forces that would drive me to self-murder than to endure them. Although I risk the likelihood of death, there is at least the possibility, if not the probability, of changing intolerable conditions."
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.920. ISBN 0415160502.
Jugar con fuego es peligroso.
English equivalent: Do not play with edged tools.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.716. ISBN 0415096243.
La barba no hace el filósofo.
English equivalent: It is not the beard that makes the philosopher.
Flonta, Teodor(2001),"146",A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs, DeProverbio.com, p.29, ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3
La buena madre no dice quieres.
English equivalentː The good mother saith notː will you? but gives.
von Düringsfeld, Ida; von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Otto(1875)."115, Mutter"(in German).Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. p.66.
La carne más sabrosa es la que está junta al hueso.
English equivalent: The sweetest flesh is near the bones.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994)."1666".Dictionary of European proverbs. II. Routledge. p.1176. ISBN 0415096243.
La dicha de la fea, la linda de la desea .
English equivalent: Handsome is that handsome does.
"People should be valued for their good deeds, not their good looks, also occasionally used of things, or as a warning not to be misled by an attractive appearance."
English equivalent: It's an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.702. ISBN 0415096243.
La rueda de la fortuna nunca es una.
English equivalent: The wheel of fortune is forever in motion.
von Düringsfield, Ida; von Düringsfield, Otto(1875)."611, Glücksrad"(in German).Sprichwörter der germanishcen und romanischen Sprachen Vergleichend. I. p.318.
La salud ante todo.
English equivalent: Good health is above wealth.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.879. ISBN 0415096243.
(*) La salud no es conocida hasta que es perdida.
English equivalent: Health is not valued till sickness comes.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."1373 H".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p.209. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
La sangre es más espesa que el océano.
English equivalent: Blood is thicker than water.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."257".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. DeProverbio.com. p.44. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
La serpiente se oculta en la hierba.
English equivalent: Look before you leap, for snakes among sweet flowers do creep.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1070. ISBN 0415096243.
La voz del pueblo es voz de Dios.
English equivalent: The voice of the people is the voice of god.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1164. ISBN 0415096243.
La segunda idea suele ser mejor.
English equivalent: Second thoughts are the best.
"It is often said that second thoughts are best. So they are in matters of judgment, but not in matters of conscience. In matters of duty, first thoughts are commonly best. They have more in them of the voice of God."
John Henry Newman, Parochial and Plain Sermons: Volume IV (1838), Sermon 2
English equivalent: Eggs and oaths are soon broken.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.765. ISBN 0415096243.
La unión hace la fuerza.
English equivalent: United we stand, divided we fall; Union is strength.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.79. ISBN 0415096243.
Las ratas abandonan el barco que se hunde.
English equivalent: Rats desert a sinking ship.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1150. ISBN 0415096243.
Ladroncillo de agujeta, después sube a barjuleta.
English equivalent: He that steals an egg will steal an ox.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.962. ISBN 0415096243.
Lavandera mala no encuentra jamás buena piedra.
Translation: A bad washer doesn't ever find a good rock.
English equivalent: A bad craftsman blames his tools.
Source: Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.4. ISBN 0415160502.
Las aguas quietas calan hondo.
Translation: Still waters run deep.
English equivalent: Still waters run deep.
Source for proverb: Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.598. ISBN 0415096243.
Las aparencias engañan.
English equivalent: Appearances deceive.
Source: Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.124. ISBN 0415160502.
En la variedad está el gusto.
English equivalent: Variety is the spice of life.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.225. ISBN 0415160502.
Lo barato cuesta caro.
English equivalent: If you buy cheaply, you pay dearly.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.53. ISBN 0415160502.
Lo que mal empieza, mal termina.
English equivalent: A bad beginning makes a bad ending.
"It is as impossible that a system radically erroneous, once commenced, should end well, as it is that a mathematical problem, commenced wrong, should come out right."
Translation: The devil knows more because he's old, than because he is devil.
Interpretations:
With age comes wisdom.
Source: Glazer, Mark(1987).A Dictionary of Mexican American Proverbs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.78. ISBN 0313253854.
¡Médico, cúrate a ti mismo!
English equivalent: Physician, heal yourself!
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1142. ISBN 0415096243.
Mejor es doblar que quebrar.
English equivalent: Better bow than break.
"It is better to make some confession, or pay a little deference to others, our neighbors, friends, acquaintances, and especially our superiors, rather than lose our credit or break friendship."
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.710. ISBN 0415096243.
Meted las manos en vuestro seno, veréis vuestro mal y no el ajeno.
English equivalent: Forget other faults remembering your own; Forgive and forget.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.838. ISBN 0415096243.
Mientras la hierba crece el caballo muere.
English equivalent: While the grass grows the steed starves.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1228. ISBN 0415096243.
Mirar antes de saltar.
English equivalent: Look before you leap.
"The man who thinks before he acts, is most likely to act with discretion, and have no future cause to repent of his conduct; but he who acts blindly, without any foresight, will probably suffer for his rashness."
English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.
"A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997).European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p.252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Nada hay nuevo debajo del sol.
English equivalent: Nothing is new.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1114. ISBN 0415096243.
Nadie da palos de balde.
English equivalent: You don't get nothing for nothing; The only free cheese is in the mouse trap.
"Everything has to be paid for, directly or indirectly, in money or in kind."
English equivalent: You cannot get blood from a stone.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1040. ISBN 0415096243.
No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo.
English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.708. ISBN 0415160502.
Non hay libro tan malo, que no tenga algo bueno.
English equivalent: No book was so bad, but some good might be got out of it.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1104. ISBN 0415096243.
Obra de comun, obra de ningun.
English equivalent: Everyone's business is no ones business.
"Matters that are of general concern, but are the responsibility of nobody in particular, tend to get neglected because everybody thinks that somebody else should deal with them."
English equivalent: A stick is easily found to beat a dog.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.104. ISBN 0415160502.
Por conservar amistad pared en medio.
English equivalentː A hedge between keeps friends green.
Reinsberg-Düringsfeld, Ida; von Düringsfeld, Otto(1875)."128, Nachbarn"(in German).Sprichwörter der germanischen und romanischen Sprachen vergleichend zusammengestellt von I. von Düringsfeld und O. Freiherrn von Reinsberg-Düringsfeld. p.74.
Por preguntar, nada se pierde.
English equivalent: Lose nothing for want of asking.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.1158. ISBN 0415096243.
Quien no adoba gotera, hace casa entera.
English equivalent: A stitch in time saves nine.
"No one needs to be told that a vast deal of labor is expended unnecessarily. This is occasioned, to a great extent, by the neglect of seasonable repairs."
English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
"One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort."
Paczolay, Gyula(1997).European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p.455. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1998).Dictionary of European Proverbs. Routledge. p.18. ISBN 0415160502.
Quien quiere celeste, que le cueste
Translation: He who wants the heavens must pay.
"Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter! Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!"
Source: Glazer, Mark(1987).A Dictionary of Mexican American Proverbs. Greenwood Publishing Group. p.116. ISBN 0313253854.
Quien saltar quiere lejos, debe medir la distancia.
English equivalent: One must step back to take a good leap.
"The superficiality of the American is the result of his hustling. It needs leisure to think things out; it needs leisure to mature. People in a hurry cannot think, cannot grow, nor can they decay. They are preserved in a state of perpetual puerility."
Eric Hoffer, The Passionate State of Mind (New York: 1954), #172
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.654. ISBN 0415096243.
Quien cuando puede no quiere, cuando quiere no puede.
English equivalent: He that will not when he may, when he will he may have nay.
"Take advantage of an opportunity when it presents itself, even if you do not want or need it at the time, because it may no longer be available when you do."
a similar meaning: "… when we do not upbraid circumstances or indulge in self reproach, the mind is the mind and nothing untoward can occur. Chersterton rightly says 'An adventure is only an inconvenience rightly understood. An inconvenience is only an adventure wrongly considered'"
Blyth, R.H.(1976).Games Zen Masters Play. Mentor. p.43.
Si adelante no vas, altrasarás.
English equivalent: He who does not advance goes backwards.
Strauss, Emanuel(1994).Dictionary of European proverbs(Volume 2 ed.). Routledge. p.445. ISBN 0415096243.
Si cazares, no te alabes; si no cazares, no te enfades.
English equivalent: If fortune favours, beware of being exalted; if fortune thunders, beware of being overwhelmed.
English equivalent: A swallow doesn't make summer.
Strauss, Emmanuel(1994).Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1. Routledge. p.1030. ISBN 0415096243.
Una manzana diaria aleja al médico de casa.
English equivalent: An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
Flonta, Teodor(2001)."66 E".A Dictionary of English and Romance Languages Equivalent Proverbs. p.17. ISBN 978-1-4660-4673-3.
Vale más huir, que morir.
English equivalent: He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.
"It is wiser to withdraw from a situation that you cannot win than to go on fighting and lose – by a strategic retreat you can return to the battle or argument with renewed energy at a later date."