Latvian proverbs

Latvian proverbs are short expressions of popular wisdom from Latvia.

A

 * Ābols no ābeles tālu nekrīt.
 * English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
 * Meaning: "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:


 * Aiz kokiem neredzēt mežu.
 * Translation: Cannot see woods behind the trees

C

 * Ceļš uz elli ir bruģēts ar labiem nodomiem.
 * English equivalent: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.

D

 * Dievam trīs lietas patīkamas.
 * English equivalent: All good things come in threes.


 * Divus zaķus reizē ķerdams nevienu nenoķersi.
 * English equivalent: You must not run after two hares at the same time.
 * Meaning: "Concentrate on one thing at a time or you will achieve nothing. - Trying to do two or more things at a time, when even one on its own needs full effort, means that none of them will be accomplished properly."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * Dumjš tas putns, kam sava ligzda nav mīļa.
 * English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
 * Meaning: Don't speak ill off yourself and the groups you belong to.
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Dzirdi daudz, runā maz.
 * English equivalent: Nature has given us two ears and one tongue.
 * "If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere."
 * " Zig Ziglar as quoted in The Power of Respect : Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success (2009) by Deborah Norville, p. 65

I

 * Iedosi velnam mazo pirkstiņu, paņems visu roku.
 * English equivalent: Give him an inch and he will take a yard.
 * Source:

K

 * Kas nestrādā, tam nebūs ēst.
 * English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
 * Meaning: "Without due effort one is not entitled to the fruits of the work."
 * Source for proverb and meaning:


 * Kas skroderarm dos labas drēbes!
 * English equivalent: The shoemaker goes barefoot.
 * Meaning: "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him."
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:


 * Kā viss dzīvē neatgadās
 * English equivalent: Never is a long time.


 * Kā vecie svilpo tā jaunie danco.
 * Translation: The young ones dance as the old ones whistle.
 * Source:


 * Kā sauc, tā atskan.
 * English equivalent: Just as one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.


 * Kāda māte, tāda meita.
 * English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
 * Meaning: "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
 * Source for meaning and proverb:


 * Kāds tēvs, tāds dēls.
 * English equivalent: Like father, like son.
 * Meaning: "Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
 * Source for meaning and proverb:


 * Kam niez, tas kasās
 * English equivalent: If the shoe fits, wear it.
 * "Tis great Confidence in a Friend to tell him your Faults, greater to tell him his or hers."
 * Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1751).


 * Kur divi, tur trešais lieks.
 * English equivalent: Two is company, three is a wheel.


 * Kur tievs, tur trūkst.
 * English equivalent: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
 * Meaning: "A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:

L

 * Labāk godīgi mirt, nekā negodīgi dzīvot.
 * English equivalent: Death before dishonour.


 * Laiks ir nauda.
 * English equivalent: Time is money.


 * Lielā zivs mazo rij.
 * English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
 * Meaning: "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
 * Source for meaning:
 * Source for proverbs:

N

 * Ne viss ir zelts, kas spīd.
 * English equivalent: All that glimmers is not gold.
 * Meaning: "An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent: #
 * Source:


 * No tukšām runām (valodām) vēders pilnāks netiek.
 * English equivalent: Fine words butters no parsnips.

P

 * Pulkā pat mirt nav grūti.

S

 * Sargi savu godu no jaunām dienām.
 * English equivalent: Reckless youth makes rueful age.
 * Source:
 * Source:


 * Sargi sevi pats, tad Dievs tevi sargās.
 * English equivalent: Heaven helps those who help themselves.
 * Meaning: "When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition."
 * Source for meaning:
 * Source:


 * Sveši dūmi acis grauž.
 * English equivalent: Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.

V

 * Vārna vārnai acī neknābj.
 * Translation: A crow will not pick out the eyes of another crow.
 * English equivalent: Dog doesn't eat dog.
 * Source:


 * Veca mīlestība nerūs.
 * Translation: Old love does not rust.

Z

 * Zirgam četras kājas ir tad vēl klūp.
 * English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles.