Karelian proverbs

Karelian is a language spoken in Karelia.

E

 * Omas silmäs ei nävy ni parzi, a toizen silmäs nägyy toppu.
 * English equivalent: To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
 * "I always made one prayer to God, a very short one. Here it is: 'O Lord, make our enemies quite ridiculous!' God granted it."
 * Voltaire, Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville (1767)

H

 * Hyvä zavoduš — puoli dielua.
 * English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
 * "Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A – beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process."
 * Source for meaning:

I

 * Igä elä, igä opastu.
 * English equivalent: We are to learn as long as we live.

K

 * Ken ei työdy tie, sil ei syvvägi pie.
 * English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
 * "Nothing is given to you. Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it."
 * Jack Charlton, British football manager. From his interview with Martyn Lewis, in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)"
 * Source for meaning:


 * Korval kuule, toizel työnnä.
 * English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
 * "For various reasons a good advice or a genuine warning is often disregarded or considered of no importance."
 * Source for meaning and proverb:


 * Kun kissa kois ei olega, hiiril on välja.
 * English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play.
 * "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Kiäppü kuwzes päi ei лoitakse kirbou.
 * 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."
 * Source for meaning:

M

 * Millane muamo, moine i tytär.
 * English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
 * "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
 * Source for meaning:


 * Millane tuatto, moine i poigu.
 * 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."
 * Source for meaning:


 * Mägi mägenke ei yhty yhtei, a ŕištšikanz ŕištšikanzanke yhtyu'.
 * English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
 * "There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or Once can always find a possibility for revenge."

V

 * Vierevä kivi ei jäkälly.
 * English equivalent: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
 * "The unsettled person does not prosper."