Livonian proverbs

Livonian is a language spoken in the Baltics.

I

 * Ī'dst kūorast si'zzol, tuoizost ulzo.
 * Translation: In at one ear and out at the other.
 * English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
 * "People often claim to hunger for truth, but seldom like the taste when it's served up."
 * George R.R. Martin, A Clash of Kings (1998)


 * Iks äb või kõ'd izānd pālkali.
 * Translation: Nobody can serve two masters.
 * English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters.
 * Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly.
 * Source for meaning and proverbs:

J

 * Jegā ikš eņtš voņ kaļāj.
 * English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.

K

 * Kis äb tō' ti'edō tīedō, se äb sō ka sīedõ.
 * Translation: He who does not want to work, that cannot eat either.
 * Idiomatic translation: 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:

L

 * Liegīz vie'd sizāl kivāmstiz.
 * Translation: It is good fishing in streamy water.
 * English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
 * Meaning: In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes.
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:

M

 * Mingi izā, seļļi pūoga.
 * Translation: Such father, such son.
 * 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 proverbs:

O

 * Op koņtš, kalmõ lä'd.
 * Translation: Learn until the grave comes.
 * Idiomatic translation: We are to learn as long as we live.

P

 * Pū äb sadā e'zmis napsɑks.
 * Idiomatic translation: Little strokes fell great oaks.
 * Meaning: 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.
 * Source for proverbs and meaning:

U

 * Umārz umārzpūst kōgaz äb dadā.
 * Idiomatic translation: 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:


 * Ūz lūdō pū'stōb ṗu'dōks pḭrand.
 * Translation: New brooms clean the floor. (Livonian)
 * English equivalent: A new broome sweepeth cleane.
 * Meaning: "We should never use an old tool when the extra labor in consequence costs more than a new one. Thousands wear out their lives and waste their time merely by the use of dull and unsuitable instruments."
 * Alternate meaning: "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."
 * Source for meaning: