Russian proverbs

Russian proverbs

Confirmed through Russian Proverbs and Sayings
The following phrases, sourced from the previous, unsourced version of the page, have been verified through the following book:

Mertvago, P. (1996). The comparative Russian-English dictionary of Russian proverbs & sayings. New York, NY: Hippocrene Books.

s ISBN: 0-7818-9424-8

While there is a differentiation in Russian between Sayings and Proverbs, this is a largely academic point, and is included only for cultural reference.

"Поговорка - цветок, пословица - ягодка.

A saying is a flower, a proverb is a berry.

Thus a saying may be any widely used metaphor, simile or the like which aptly describes a specific occurrence or concept and which is admired for its charm, while a proverb is something that can, as it were, be eaten and digested"

-Peter Mertvago

А - Б - В - Г - Д - Е - Ж - З - И - К - Л - М - Н - О - П - Р - С - Т - У - Ф - Х - Ц - Ч - Ш - Щ- Э- Ю - Я

А

 * Алты́нного во́ра ве́шают, а полти́нного че́ствуют.
 * Transliteration: Altynnogo vora veshayut, a poltinnogo chestvuyut.
 * Translation: He who stole (six coins) is hanged. He who stole (fifty coins) is praised.
 * English equivalent: Laws catch flies but let hornets go free.


 * Аппети́т прихо́дит во вре́мя еды́.
 * Transliteration: Appetit prikhodit vo vremya yedy.
 * English equivalent: The appetite comes with eating.


 * Арте́льный горшо́к гу́ще кипи́т.
 * Transliteration: Artelnyi gorshok gusche kipit.
 * Translation: Artisanal pots boil (things) more thickly
 * English Equivalent: Many hands make light work.
 * See also: Бери́сь дру́жно, не бу́дет гру́зно.


 * Ахал бы дядя, на себя глядя.
 * Transliteration: Ahal by dyadya, na sebya glyadya.
 * Translation: The man would gasp if looked at himself.
 * English Equivalent: The cat shuts its eyes when stealing cream.
 * See also: Чья бы корова мычала, а твоя бы молчала.

Б

 * Ба́ба с во́зу &mdash; кобы́ле ле́гче.
 * Transliteration: Baba s vozu &mdash; kobyle legche.
 * Translation: When the woman gets off the cart, the mare has it easier.
 * Meaning: If you want to sneak away from doing this hard part of the job, go ahead, you will only make it simpler for me. &mdash; Also: Good riddance! &mdash;
 * Modern mockery: Ба́ба с во́зу &mdash; кобы́ла в ку́рсе. (When a woman gets off the cart, the horse will notice.)


 * Ба́бушка (гада́ла, да) на́двое сказа́ла ( &mdash; то ли до́ждик, то ли снег, то ли бу́дет, то ли нет).
 * Transliteraion: Babushka (gadala, da) nadvoye skazala ( &mdash; to li dozhdik, to li sneg, to li budet, to li net).
 * Translation: Granny (told fortunes and) said two things (&mdash; it will either rain or snow; it either will or will not).
 * English equivalent: We'll see what we'll see; maybe rain or maybe snow, maybe yes or maybe no.
 * Meaning: The outcome is still unknown (despite all that's been said.) &mdash; Also: You seem uncertain.
 * Compare: Ви́лами на воде́ пи́сано.


 * Беда́ (никогда́) не прихо́дит одна́.
 * Transliteration: Beda (nikogda) ne prikhodit odna.
 * Translation: Trouble never comes alone.
 * English equivalent: Misery loves company.


 * Без кота́ мыша́м раздо́лье.
 * Transliteration: Bez kota mysham razdol'ye.
 * Translation: Without a cat, mice feel free.
 * English equivalent: When the cat is away, the mice will play.


 * Без труда́ не вы́тащишь и ры́бку из пруда́.
 * Transliteration: Bez truda ne vytaschish y rybku iz pruda.
 * Translation: Without effort, you can't [even] pull a fish out of the pond.
 * "What you would seem to be, be really."
 * Benjamin Franklin, Poor Rickard's Almanack (1744)


 * Береги́ пла́тье сно́ву, а честь смо́лоду.
 * Transliteration: Beregi plat'ye snovu, a chest' smolodu.
 * Translation: Take care of clothes from new, take care of [your] honor from when [you are] young.
 * English equivalent: Those who would be young when they are old must be old when they are young.


 * Бережёного Бог бережёт.
 * Transliteration: Berezhonogo bog berezhot.
 * Translation: God keeps those safe who keep themselves safe.
 * Closest English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves. Pray to God but keep the powder dry.
 * Modern mockery: Бережёного Бог бережёт, а небережёного конвой стережёт. (God watches over those who are careful, and the jail wardens watch over those who were not.)
 * Meaning: Blessings/luck come most to those who do not recklessly rely on them, but work for them.


 * Бери́сь дру́жно, не бу́дет гру́зно.
 * Transliteration: Beris' druzhno, ne budet gruzno.
 * Translation: [If all of us] take hold of [it] together, it won't feel heavy.
 * English equivalent: Many hands make light work
 * See also: Арте́льный горшо́к гу́ще кипи́т.
 * Note: Mertvago translates this as "Good will and welcome are the best cheer," but the literal definition is closer to the original translation.


 * Бли́зок локото́к, да не уку́сишь.
 * Transliteration: Blizok lokotok, da ne ukusish.
 * Translation: [Your] elbow is close, yet [you] can't bite it.
 * Meaning: It's harder than it looks.


 * Бог дал, Бог и взял.
 * Transliteration: Bog dal, bog i vzyal.
 * Translation: God gave, God took back.
 * English equivalent: The Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away.


 * Бог тро́ицу лю́бит.
 * Transliteration: Bog troitsu lyubit.
 * Translation: God likes trinity.
 * English equivalent: All good comes in threes.


 * Бодливой корове Бог рог не даёт.
 * Transliteration: Bodlivoy korove bog rog ne dayot.
 * Translation: God gives no horns to a butting cow.
 * Meaning: Someone had malicious intentions, but was not able to carry them out.


 * Болту́н &mdash; нахо́дка для шпио́на.
 * Transliteration: Boltun &mdash; nakhodka dlya shpiona.
 * Translation: A chatterbox is a treasure for a spy.
 * English equivalent: Loose lips sink ships.


 * Большо́му кораблю́ &mdash; большо́е пла́вание.
 * Transliteration: Bol'shomu korablyu &mdash; bol'shoye plavaniye.
 * Translation: For a big ship, a big voyage.
 * Modern mockery: Большо́му кораблю́ &mdash; больша́я торпе́да. (For a big ship, a big torpedo)
 * Meaning: Remarkable people make a big impact in the world.


 * Бу́дет и на на́шей у́лице пра́здник.
 * Transliteration: Budet i na nashey ulitse prazdnik.
 * Translation: There'll be a holiday in our street too.
 * Meaning: One day we will get lucky too.
 * Бума́га всё сте́рпит.
 * Transliteration: Bumaga vsyo sterpit.
 * Translation: Paper will endure anything.
 * Alt: Бумага без души - что угодно пиши.
 * Translation: Paper has no soul - you can put anything on it."
 * English equivalent: Paper is forbearing.
 * Latin version: Epistula non erubescit - A letter doesn't blush (Cicero)
 * Contrast: Что напи́сано перо́м — не вы́рубить топоро́м.


 * Была́ не была́.
 * Transliteration: Byla ne byla.
 * Translation: There was &mdash; there wasn't.
 * Meaning: Whatever the consequences can be &mdash; I'll try it!
 * Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть, одно́й не минова́ть.

В

 * Вали́ на се́рого, се́рый всё свезёт.
 * Transliteration: Vali na serogo, seryy vsyo svezyot.
 * Translation: Blame it on the Grey (folk name of wolf), it'll bear anything.


 * Вашими бы устами да мед пить.
 * Transliteration: Vashymi by ustami da myod pit'.
 * Translation: With your mouth, it would be good to drink mead (sweet alcoholic beverage made out of fermented honey).
 * Meaning: It would be good if everything would turn out as you say (said in response to favorable predictions, assumptions, comforting words, etc.); may your words come true.
 * English equivalent: From your mouth to God's ears.


 * В гостя́х хорошо́, а до́ма лу́чше.
 * Transliteration: V gostyakh khorosho, a doma luchshe.
 * Translation: Visiting is good, but home is better.
 * English equivalent: East or West - home is best.


 * В дождь избы́ не кро́ют, а в вёдро и сама́ не ка́плет.
 * Transliteration: V dozhd' izby ne kroyut, a v vyodro i sama ne kaplet
 * Translation: When it's raining one won't [fix the] roof [of] the cottage, and when it's clear and sunny the roof isn't leaking.
 * Meaning: Lazy people always find excuses to delay their job.


 * В до́ме пове́шенного не говоря́т о верёвке.
 * Transliteration: V dome poveshennovo ne govoryat o veryovke.
 * English equivalent: In the house of the hanged man, [they] mention not the rope.


 * Век живи́ &mdash; век учи́сь.
 * Transliteration: Vek zhivi &mdash; vek uchis'.
 * Translation: Live for a century &mdash; learn for a century.
 * English equivalent: We are to learn as long as we live.
 * "Virtus sui gloria. Think that day lost whose (low) descending sun Views from thy hand no noble action done."
 * Jacob Bobart, in David Krieg's Album in British Museum (December 8, 1697); see also Staniford, Art of Reading, 3d Ed, p. 27. [1803].


 * Вели́к те́лом, да мал де́лом.
 * Transliteration: Velik telom, da mal delom
 * Translation: Big in body, but small in deeds.


 * Видна́ пти́ца по полёту.
 * Transliteration: Vidna ptitsa po polyotu.
 * Translation: The bird is known by its flight.
 * English equivalent: A tree is known by its fruit.
 * Meaning: You can judge someone based on his surroundings. For instance, a person living in a messy house is messy.
 * Modern mockery: Видна́ пти́ца по помёту. (The bird is known by its droppings.)


 * Ви́дит о́ко, да зуб неймёт.
 * Transliteration: Vidit oko, da zub neymyot.
 * Translation: The eye can see it, but the tooth can't bite it.
 * English equivalent: One's reach exceeds one's grasp.


 * Вино́ вину́ твори́т.
 * Transliteration: Vino vinu tvorit.
 * Translation: Wine causes guilt.


 * В нога́х правды не́т.
 * Transliteration: V nogakh pravdy net.
 * Translation: There is no truth in feet.
 * Meaning: Take a seat, please.


 * В убо́гой го́рдости дья́волу уте́ха.
 * Transliteration: V ubogoi gordosti dyavolu uteha.
 * Translation: In measly pride, devil finds satisfaction.
 * English equivalent: Riding the high horse.
 * Meaning: It's dangerous to overestimate your deeds.


 * Во́лка но́ги ко́рмят.
 * Transliteration: Volka nogi kormyat.
 * Translation: Wolf feeds on his feet.
 * Meaning: A hard time of scarce resources.


 * Волк в ове́чьей шку́ре.
 * Transliteration: Volk v ovech'yey shkurye.
 * Translation: Wolf in sheep's pelt.
 * English equivalent: Wolf in sheep's clothing.
 * Meaning: "An innocent demeanor may hide much guilt."
 * Compare: В ти́хом о́муте че́рти во́дятся.


 * Волко́в боя́ться &mdash; в лес не ходи́ть.
 * Transliteration: Volkov boyat'sa &mdash; v les ne khodit.
 * Literally: To fear the wolves &mdash; not to go into the woods.
 * Translation: [Just] because one fears wolves, is one not to go into the woods?
 * Translation note: Although the original proverb has the structure of a declarative sentence it is commonly understood and used in context as a rhetorical question.
 * Meaning: "Fear is no excuse from [possibly risky but] necessary undertakings."
 * English equivalent: (You need to) face your fears.


 * Во́р у вора́ дуби́нку укра́л.
 * Transliteration: Vor u vora dubinku ukral.
 * Translation: A thief stole another thief's cudgel.
 * English equivalent: No honor among thieves.
 * Meaning: Don't expect honesty from outlaws, even in their own circles.


 * Во́рон во́рону глаз не вы́клюет.
 * Transliteration: Voron voronu glaz ne vyklyuyet.
 * Translation: The raven won't peck out the eye of [another] raven.
 * English equivalent: Hawks will not pick out hawk's eyes.
 * Compare: Рука́ ру́ку мо́ет.


 * Вот где соба́ка зары́та.
 * Transliteration: Vot gde sobaka zaryta.
 * Translation: That's where the dog is buried.
 * English equivalent: That’s where the shoe pinches; That’s the crux (the rub).
 * See also: Вот в чём загво́здка.


 * Вре́мя &mdash; лу́чший до́ктор
 * Transliteration: Vremya &mdash; luchshiy doktor.
 * Translation: Time [makes the] best healer.
 * English equivalent: Time heals all wounds.
 * Modern mockery: Время &mdash; лучший доктор, но ужасный косметолог. (Time is the best healer, but a terrible cosmetologist.)


 * В семье́ не без уро́да.
 * Transliteration: V sem'ye ne bez uroda.
 * Translation: No family has no ugly member.
 * English equivalent: There is a black sheep in every flock.


 * Всё хорошо́, что хорошо́ конча́ется.
 * Transliteration: Vsyo khorosho, chto khorosho konchayetsa.
 * Translation: All is well that ends well.
 * English equivalent: All's well that ends well.


 * Всяк кули́к своё боло́то хва́лит.
 * Transliteration: Vsyak kulik svoyo boloto khvalit.
 * Translation: Every sandpiper praises his own swamp.
 * Meaning: Everyone praises their own work (or possession), no matter how inferior it is.
 * English equivalent: Every cook praises his own broth.


 * Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
 * Transliteration: Vsyakomu ovoshchu svoyo vremya.
 * Translation: Every vegetable has its time.
 * English equivalent: Everything is good in its season.
 * "Plans are insulted destinies. I don't have plans, I only have goals."
 * Ash Chandler, Freudian Slip, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, April (2006).
 * Compare: Пе́рвый блин (всегда́) ко́мом.


 * Всяк сверчо́к знай свой шесто́к.
 * Transliteration: Vsyak sverchok znai svoy shestok.
 * Translation: Every cricket must know its hearth.
 * English equivalent: A blind man should not judge of colours.
 * "An uneducated man cannot judge of the attainments of the learned."


 * В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.
 * Transliteration: V tesnote da ne v obide.
 * Translation: In a crush, yet without resentment.
 * Meaning: Though the place is crowded, nobody will mind if you join as well. &mdash; Also: Come on in!
 * Compare: Вме́сте те́сно, а врозь ску́чно.


 * В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (не е́здят)
 * Transliteration: V Tulu so svoim samovarom (ne yezdyat).
 * Translation: (Do not come) to Tula with your own samovar.
 * English equivalent: Carry coals to Newcastle.
 * Swedish equivalent: Do not cross the brook for water.
 * Modern mockery: В Тулу со своим пулемётом (To Tula with your own machine gun; Tula is center of firearms design and production).
 * Meaning: Don't do things in a needlessly laborious way.


 * В чужо́й монасты́рь со свои́м уста́вом не хо́дят.
 * Transliteration: V chuzhoy monastyr' so svoim ustavom ne khodyat.
 * Translation: No one goes to another monastery with their own charter.
 * English equivalent: When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
 * Compare: В Ту́лу со свои́м самова́ром (не е́здят).


 * В чужо́м глазу́ сори́нку заме́тно, а в своём — бревна́ не вида́ть.
 * Transliteration: V chuzhom glazu sorinku zametno, a v svoyom &mdash; brevna ne vidat.
 * Translation: In another person's eye one can notice [even] a mote, but in one's own, cannot see [even] a log.
 * English equivalent: Luke : And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
 * See also: Чья́ бы коро́ва мыча́ла, а твоя́ бы молча́ла; На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́.

Г

 * Где то́нко &mdash; там и рвётся.
 * Transliteration: Gde tonko &mdash; tam i rvyotsya.
 * Translation: It will snap where it is thinnest.
 * English equivalent: The chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
 * Meaning: "A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги (, а по ним шага́ть).
 * Transliteration: Gladko bylo na bumage, da zabyli pro ovragi (, a po nim shagat').
 * Translation: It worked on paper, but [we've] forgotten about ravines (and we'll have to march [them]).
 * Meaning: Obstacles that were overlooked/ignored during planning, turned out to be a major showstopper when executing the plan.


 * Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают.
 * Transliteration: Glaza boyatsya, a ruki delayut.
 * Translation: The eyes are (might be) afraid, but the hands are doing [the job]].
 * English equivalent: The dog gnaws the bone because he cannot swallow it; You never know what you can do till you try
 * Meaning: If you're afraid of doing something, relax and and let your reflexes do the job; &mdash; Also: Don't be afraid if the amount of work seems large; it can be handled step-by-step.
 * Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к; У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.


 * Говоря́т, что кур доя́т.
 * Transliteration: Govoryat, shto kur doyat.
 * Translation: They say they milk chickens.
 * Meaning: Don't believe all the rumors.


 * Го́лод не тётка (, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
 * Transliteration: Golod ne tyotka (, pirozhka nye podnesyot).
 * Translation: Hunger is not [your] aunt (, [it] will not bring you a pie).
 * Meaning: If you are in need, help yourself and don't count on the situation improving by itself. &mdash; Also: If you're in need, take what they give you, it's not time to decline offers.
 * English equivalent: Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted; God helps those who help themselves; No pain, no gain
 * Meaning: One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort.
 * Compare: Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смотря́т; На безры́бье и рак &mdash; ры́ба.
 * Source for meaning:


 * Го́лой овцы́ не стригу́т.
 * Transliteration: Goloy ovtsy ne strigut.
 * Translation: One doesn't shear naked sheep.
 * English equivalent: A beggar can never be bankrupt.


 * Голь на вы́думку хитра́.
 * Transliteration: Gol' na vydumku khitra.
 * Translation: Poor people are crafty.
 * English equivalent: Necessity is the mother of invention.


 * Горба́того моги́ла испра́вит.
 * Transliteration: Gorbatovo mogila ispravit.
 * Translation: [Only] grave will cure the hunchback.
 * English equivalent: The leopard cannot change his spots.
 * Meaning: A person can never change his character.
 * Compare: Зарека́лася лиса́ кур не ворова́ть.


 * Гром не гря́нет, мужи́к не перекре́стится.
 * Transliteration: Grom ne gryanet, muzhik ne perekrestitsya.
 * Translation: Unless thunder strikes, a man won't cross himself.
 * Cultural background: Since lightning strikes were considered acts of punishment by God, it was believed that crossing oneself would prevent one from being hit by a lightning.
 * Swedish equivalent: You don't miss the cow until the barn is empty.
 * Meaning: People tend to not take precautionary measures until trouble actually happens.


 * Гусь свинье́ не това́рищ.
 * Transliteration: Gus' svin'ye ne tovarisch.
 * Translation: A goose is not a pig's friend.
 * Meaning: Opposite of Birds of a feather flock together; &mdash; Also: I despise you.
 * Answer: Ну, тогда я полетел.(Well, I'm flying away.)
 * Compare: Тамбо́вский волк тебе́ това́рищ.

Д

 * Дай с ногото́к - попро́сит с локото́к.
 * Transliteration: Day s nogotok - poprosit s lokotok.
 * Translation: Give [him] a fingernail, [he] will ask for the forearm.
 * English equivalent: Give him an inch and he'll take a yard/mile.


 * Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят.
 * Transliteration: Daryonomu konyu v zuby ne smotryat.
 * Translation: Don't look at the teeth of a horse you've been given.
 * Note: Looking at a horse's teeth is a way to determine its age, and thus its value (a practice that also gives us the English expression “long in the tooth,” meaning old.)
 * English equivalent: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
 * Meaning: Don’t question a gift's value; be thankful, rather than judging something you received as a gift.
 * Source for meaning:
 * Compare: Го́лод не тётка(, пирожка́ не поднесёт).
 * Modern mockery: Дарёному коню́ под хвост не смо́трят. (Don't check a gift horse under the tail)


 * Даю́т - бери́, а бьют - беги́.
 * Transliteration: Dayut - beri, a b'yut - begi
 * Translation: If given - take it; if beaten - run away.


 * Дву́м смертя́м не быва́ть, одно́й не минова́ть.
 * Transliteration:  Dvum smertyam ne byvat, odnoy ne minovat' 
 * Translation: Two deaths will not happen, [but] one is inevitable.
 * Meaning: It's worthwhile to take a risk.
 * Compare: И́ли грудь в креста́х, и́ли голова́ в куста́х.; Была́ не была́.


 * Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.
 * Transliteration: Delit' shkuru neubitovo medvedya.
 * Translation: To divide the pelt of a bear not yet killed.
 * English equivalent: Sell not the bear's skin before you have caught him.
 * Compare: Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь (перепры́гнешь).


 * Де́ло ма́стера бои́тся.
 * Transliteration: Delo mastera boitsya.
 * Translation: Work is afraid of a skilled worker.
 * Meaning: Work goes well when you know what you are doing.


 * До́брое бра́тство &mdash; лу́чшее бога́тство.
 * Transliteration: Dobroye bratstvo &mdash; luchsheye bogatstvo.
 * Translation: Good brotherhood is the best wealth.
 * Compare: Не име́й сто рубле́й, а име́й сто друзе́й.


 * До́брое сло́во и ко́шке прия́тно.
 * Transliteration: Dobroye slovo i koshke priyatno.
 * Translation: Even a cat appreciates kind word[s].


 * Долг платежо́м кра́сен.
 * Transliteration: Dolg platezhom krasen.
 * Translation: Debt is beautiful [only] after [it is] repaid.
 * Meaning: Debt is a shame until it is repaid; – Also used as a hint: It's time for you to pay me back.
 * English equivalent: One good turn deserves another.


 * До́ма и сте́ны помога́ют.
 * Transliteration: Doma i steny pomogayut.
 * Translation: [When you are] at home, even the walls help [you].


 * Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.
 * Transliteration: Doroga lozhka k obyedu.
 * Transalation: A spoon is valuable at dinner.
 * Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. &mdash; Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand.
 * Compare: До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.
 * See also: Вся́кому о́вощу своё вре́мя.
 * English equivalent: A stitch in time saves nine.


 * До́рого яи́чко ко Христо́ву дню.
 * Transliteration: Dorogo yaichko k Khristovu dnyu.
 * Translation: A spring egg is dear at the Easter day.
 * Meaning: Things are best in their respective time.; Proper timing is everything. &mdash; Also: Things are most expensive when in high demand.
 * Compare: Дорога́ ло́жка к обе́ду.


 * Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.
 * Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a sluzhba sluzhboy.
 * Translation: Friendship is friendship but service is service.
 * Meaning: Friendship is one thing, business another; Nothing personal; just business.
 * Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.


 * Дру́жба дру́жбой, а табачо́к (де́нежки) - врозь.
 * Transliteration: Druzhba druzhboy, a tabachok (denezhki) &mdash; vroz'.
 * Translation: Friendship is friendship, but [keep our] tobacco (money) apart.
 * Meaning: You might be my friend, but it doesn't entitle you to using my assets (or not repaying my debts).
 * Compare: Дру́жба дру́жбой, а слу́жба слу́жбой.


 * Друг познаётся в беде́.
 * Transliteration: Drug poznayotsa v bede.
 * Translation: [You get to really] know [your] friend when trouble [comes].
 * English equivalent: A friend in need's a friend indeed.


 * Дурака́м зако́н не пи́сан (, е́сли пи́сан, то не чи́тан, е́сли чи́тан, то не по́нят, е́сли по́нят, то не так).
 * Transliteration: Durakam zakon ne pisan (, yesli pisan, to ne chitan, yesli chitan, to ne ponyat, yesly ponyat, to ne tak).
 * Translation: There is no law written for fools ( if it is written it's not read, if it is read it's not understood, if it is understood, in the wrong way).
 * English equivalent: There is no law for fools.


 * Дура́к завя́жет &mdash; и у́мный не развя́жет.
 * Transliteration: Durak zavyazhet &mdash; u umnyy ne razvyazhet.
 * Translation: [If] the fool ties [a knot], even a clever person can't untie it.
 * English equivalent: A fool may throw a stone into a well which a hundred wise men cannot pull out.


 * Дурако́в не се́ют, не жнут, са́ми родя́тся.
 * Transliteration: Durakov ne seyut, ne zhnut, sami rodyatsya.
 * Translation: Fools are not sown or reaped, they appear by themselves.
 * English equivalent: There's a sucker born every minute.

Е

 * Е́дешь на́ день, хле́ба бери́ на неде́лю.
 * Transliteration: Yedesh na den', khleba beri na nedelyu.
 * Translation: If you take a day trip, take a week's supply of bread.
 * English equivalent: Always be prepared (or "always bring more than you need"); Better to have and not need than to need and not have.
 * Compare: Запа́с карма́н не тя́нет


 * Ели—пили, веселились. Подсчитали — прослезились
 * Transliteration: Yeli-pili, veselilis'. Podschitali – proslezilis' 
 * Translation: [Theу/we] Ate and drank and make merry. Then [they/we] counted and shed tears.
 * Meaning: For all you have to pay, sooner or later.


 * Е́сли бы да кабы́ да во рту росли́ грибы́ (бобы́)(, это был бы не рот, а огоро́д).
 * Transliteration: Yesli by da kaby da vo rtu rosli griby (boby) (, eto byl by nye rot a ogorod)
 * Translation: If and when mushrooms (beans) grew in the mouth(, that would have been not mouth but kitchen garden).
 * English equivalent: If ifs and buts were candy and nuts; If wishes were horses, beggars might ride.; If ifs and ands were pots and pans, then we would need no tinkers.; If wishes were fishes, there'd be no room in the river for water.; If wishes were horses, we'd all be eating steak.
 * Modern mockery: Если бы у бабушки были яйца, то она была бы дедушкой (If only Grandma had balls, she would have been Grandpa)


 * Если бы молодость знала, если бы старость могла.
 * Transliteration: Yesli by molodost' znala, yesli by starost' mogla.
 * Translation: If only youth would know, if only old age were able.
 * Meaning: If only youth had the wisdom, and old age had the strength everything would have been much better.
 * English equivalent: Youth is wasted on the young


 * Если бы не закон, не было бы и преступника.
 * English equivalent: The more laws, the more offenders.

Ж

 * Жизнь прожи́ть &mdash; не по́ле перейти́.
 * Transliteration: Zhizn' prozhit' &mdash; ne pole pereyti.
 * Translation: Living [your] life is not like crossing a meadow.
 * English equivalent: Life was never meant to be easy; life's no walk in the park.
 * Source note: this proverb originated as a line in Boris Pasternak's poem "Hamlet."

З

 * Запретный плод сладок
 * Translation: Forbidden fruit is sweet.
 * English equivalent: Forbidden fruit is sweetest.
 * Meaning: "Things that you must not have or do are always the most desirable."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:




 * Зако́н что ды́шло, куда́ повернёшь - туда́ и вы́шло.
 * Transliteration: Zakon chto dyshlo, kuda povernyosh - tuda i vyshlo.
 * Translation: Law is like the shaft of a cart, it points wherever you turn it.
 * Alt. Translation: The law is like a shaft, no matter the way you turn it, you're shafted.
 * Meaning: Powerful, rich or smart people can make the law work for them.


 * Заста́вь дурака́ Бо́гу моли́ться - он (себе́) лоб расшибёт (и други́м но́ги поотшиба́ет).
 * Transliteration: Zastav' duraka Bogu molitsya - on (sebe) lob rasshibyot (i drugim nogi pootshibayet).
 * Translation: [If you] make a fool pray to God, he will hurt (both his) forehead (and other people's toes).
 * Meaning: When eagerness is coupled with lack of understanding of the task, one's efforts will be more of a hindrance than a help; Better not to follow instructions literally but understand their purpose.
 * Compare: Что ни сде́лает дура́к &mdash; все он сде́лает не так; Медве́жья услу́га.


 * За чем пойдёшь, то и найдёшь.
 * Transliteration: Za chem poydyosh, to i naydyosh.
 * Translation: What [you] go looking for, [you] will find.


 * Compare: Пошёл за ше́рстью, а верну́лся стри́женым; Не рой друго́му я́му, сам в неё попадёшь.


 * За что боро́лись, на то и напоро́лись.
 * Transliteration: Za chto borolis', na to i naporolis'.
 * Translation: Whatever [we, they] fought for is what [we, they] impaled [ourselves, themselves] upon.
 * English equivalents: To be hoisted by one's own petard; to shoot oneself in the foot; to slit one's own throat.
 * Meaning: One can suffer for his/her activity or initiative; result is sometimes an oposite of expected.


 * За что купи́л, за то и продаю́ (, не лю́бо - не слу́шай, а врать не меша́й).
 * Transliteration: Za chto kupil, za to i prodayu (, ne lyubo - ne slushay, a vrat' ne meshay).
 * Translation: I sell it for what I bought it (, if you don't like it, don't listen, but don't hamper [my] lying/telling).
 * Meaning: I don't endorse this message, I'm just telling you what I was told.
 * English equivalent: Don't shoot the messenger.


 * Зна́ет ко́шка, чьё мя́со съе́ла.
 * Compare: На во́ре и ша́пка гори́т.
 * Transliteration: Znayet koshka, ch'yo myaso s'yela.
 * Translation: The cat knows whose meat it has eaten.
 * English equivalent: A guilty conscience needs no accuser.
 * Meaning: "People who know they have done wrong reveal their guilt by the things they say or the way they interpret what other people say."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent

И

 * И волки сыты, и овцы целы.
 * Transliteration: I volki syty, i ovtsy tsely.
 * Translation: The wolves are sated, and the sheep are intact.
 * Meaning: Sometimes it is impossible to get two desired things at the same time.
 * English equivalent: You can't have your cake and eat it too.
 * Compare: За двумя зайцами погонишься (, ни одного не поймаешь). Двух зайцев одной пулей.


 * И много — мало, и мало — хватит.
 * Transliteration: I mnogo — malo, i malo — khvatit.
 * Translation: And a lot is a little, and a little is enough.
 * Meaning: Don't strive for excess, learn to be content with what you have.


 * Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее.
 * Transliteration: Iz dvukh zol vybirayut men'sheye.
 * Translation: [They] choose lesser of two evils.
 * Meaning: If all the options are bad, choose the one that hurts the least.
 * English equivalent: Lesser of two evils


 * Из огня́ да в полымя́.
 * Transliteration: Iz ognya da v polymya.
 * Translation: From fire to flame.
 * English equivalent: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
 * Compare: Ме́жду мо́лотом и накова́льней.


 * Из пе́сни сло́ва не вы́кинешь.
 * Transliteration: Iz pesni slova ne vykinesh.
 * Translation: [You] cannot throw a word out of a song.
 * Meaning: You cannot alter the information that many people know by heart. &mdash; Also: The following may contain obscene, rude or otherwise questionable content, yet it content cannot be omitted as it's an integral part of the story.
 * Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Что напи́сано перо́м – не вы́рубить топоро́м.
 * English equivalent: A word dropped from a song makes it all wrong.


 * Искру́ туши́ до пожа́ра, беду́ отводи́ до уда́ра.
 * Transliteration: Iskru tushi do pozhara, bedu otvodi do udara.
 * Translation: Extinguish the spark before the [the house is on] fire, deflect the trouble before [its] strike.
 * English equivalent: Prevention is better than cure.; An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.


 * Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
 * Transliteration: Ispodvol' i ol'khu sognyosh.
 * Translation: You can bend an alder-tree, if you do it gradually.
 * English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.; Time conquers all.


 * Ищи́ ве́тра в по́ле.
 * Transliteration: Ishchi vetra v pole.
 * Translation: Look for wind in a field.
 * Meaning: What's lost cannot be found.
 * English equivalent: You can't catch the wind in a net.


 * И один в поле воин.
 * Translation: Even one matters in the battlefield.

К

 * Как ау́кнется &mdash; так и откли́кнется.
 * Transliteration: Kak auknetsya &mdash; tak i otkliknetsya.
 * Translation: How [echo] is prompted, it will bounce back.
 * Meaning: Others will treat you the way you treat them.
 * English equivalent: As one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.
 * Compare: Что посе́ешь, то пожнёшь.
 * Ка́шу ма́слом не испо́ртишь.
 * Transliteration: Kashu maslom ne isportish.
 * Translation: One can't spoil porridge with butter.
 * Meaning: You can’t spoil a good thing with another good thing.
 * English equivalent: Plenty is no plague.
 * Compare: Мно́го &mdash; не ма́ло.


 * Клин кли́ном вышиба́ют.
 * Transliteration: Klin klinom vyshibayut.
 * Translation: They use a wedge to knock out a wedge.
 * Meaning: Pay back with the same medicine.
 * English equivalents: Fight fire with fire; Like cures like; One nail drives out another.


 * Когото́к увя́з - всей пти́чке пропа́сть.
 * Transliteration: Kogotok uvyaz &mdash; vsey ptichke propast.
 * Translation: If the claw is stuck, the whole bird is lost.
 * Meaning: Trouble begins with small mistakes.
 * Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.


 * Козла́ бо́йся спе́реди, коня́ &mdash; сза́ди, а лихо́го челове́ка &mdash; со всех сторо́н.
 * Transliteration: Kozla boysya speredi, konya &mdash; szadi, a likhogo cheloveka &mdash; so vsekh storon.
 * Translation: Beware of the goat from its front side, of the horse - from its back side, and the evil man - from any side.
 * English equivalent: Take heed of an oxe before, an ass behind and a monk on all sides.


 * Конь о четырёх нога́х, да (и тот) спотыка́ется.
 * Transliteration: Kon' o chetyryokh nogakh, da (i tot) spotykaetsya.
 * Translation: A horse has four leg, but still stumbles.
 * English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles.
 * Meaning: Even most experienced (or most capable) people make mistakes sometimes.
 * Compare: Не ошиба́ется тот, кто ничего́ не де́лает.


 * Коней на переправе не меняют
 * Translation: Don't swap horses when crossing the stream.
 * Note: When in water it is arduous to mount and dismount.
 * English equivalent: Don't change horses in the midstream.


 * Копе́йка рубль бережёт (, а рубль го́лову стережёт).
 * Transliteration: Kopeyka rubl' berezhot (, a rubl' golovu sterezhot).
 * Translation: A kopeck saves the rouble (, and the rouble guards your head).
 * English equivalent: Take care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves.


 * Куда́ конь с копы́том, туда и рак с клешнёй.
 * Transliteration: Kuda kon' s kopytom, tuda i rak c kleshnyoy.
 * Translation: Where [goes] a horse with [its] hoof, there [goes] a crayfish with [its] pincer.
 * Meaning: Don't take on something you don't understand, don’t pretend to be an expert.
 * Compare: Не в свои сани не садись. Не зная броду, не суйся в воду.


 * Кто с чёртом обедать хочет, должен запастись длинной ложкой.
 * English equivalentː He who sups with the devil must use a long spoon.


 * Куда́ ни кинь, везде́ (всё, всю́ду) клин.
 * Transliteration: Kuda ni kin', vezde (vsyo,vsyudu) klin.
 * English equivalent: Damned if you do, damned if you don't
 * Compare: Что в лоб, что по́ лбу; Что пнём об сову, что сово́й об пень.
 * Куй желе́зо, пока горячо́.
 * Transliteration: Kuy zhelezo, poka goryacho.
 * Translation: Strike while the iron is hot.
 * Meaning: Do things while it's the best time to to them.
 * English equivalent: Strike while the iron is hot; Make hay while the sun shines.
 * Mockery in The Diamond Arm movie: Куй железо, не отходя от кассы (Strike iron without leaving the cash register)
 * Modern mockery: Куй желе́зо, пока Горбачёв (Strike iron while Gorbachyov [is at power] &mdash; encouraging people to use the opportunities opened by

Л

 * Ла́сковый телёнок двух ма́ток сосёт.
 * Transliteration: Laskovyy telyonok dvukh matok sosyot.
 * Translation: The affectionate calf sucks [udders of] two cows.
 * Meaning: One can take advantage of both sides (in a dispute). Such behavior is often seen with disapproval.


 * Лбом сте́нку не расшибёшь.
 * Transliteration: Lbom stenku ne rasshibyosh.
 * Translation: You cannot break a wall with your forehead.
 * Meaning: Use the correct tool for the job. – Also: Don't deal with stubborn people.
 * English equivalent: Don't kick against the pricks, meaning don't try to remove a thorn by pushing it in deeper -- don't injure yourself in an attempt to use brute force to go through/past an obstacle which requires finesse in order to pass.


 * Лежа́чего не бьют.
 * Transliteration: Lezhachevo ne b'yut.
 * Translation: One shouldn't beat the one who fell.
 * English equivalent: Don't kick a man when he's down.


 * Лес ру́бят &mdash; ще́пки летя́т.
 * Transliteration: Les rubyat &mdash; schepki letyat.
 * Translation: When wood is chopped, woodchips will fly.
 * English equivalent: You can’t make an omelette without breaking an egg.


 * Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.
 * Transliteration: Likha beda nachalo.
 * Translation: Beginning is the big trouble.
 * Meaning: Starting something is the hardest part of business.
 * English equivalent: A good beginning makes a good ending.
 * Compare: Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают.


 * Ло́жка дегтю по́ртит бо́чку мёда.
 * Transliteration: Lozhka dyogtya portit bochku myoda.
 * Translation: A spoonful of tar spoils a barrel of honey.
 * English equivalent: A fly in the ointment; The rotten apple spoils the barrel.


 * Лу́чшее &mdash; враг хоро́шего.
 * Transliteration: Luchsheye &mdash; vrag khoroshego.
 * English equivalent: The good is the enemy of the best.


 * Лу́чше оди́н раз уви́деть, чем сто раз услы́шать.
 * Transliteration:  Luchshe odin raz uvidet', chem sto raz uslyshat' 
 * Translation: It's better to see once than hear a hundred times.
 * English equivalent: Seeing is believing; One look is worth a thousand words.


 * Лу́чше по́здно, чем никогда́.
 * Transliteration: Luchshe pozdno, chem nikogda.
 * Translation: Better late than never.
 * English equivalent: Better late than never.


 * Любо́вь зла́, полю́бишь и козла́.
 * Transliteration: Lyubov' zla, polyubish i kozla.
 * Translation: love's evil, you'll love even a goat.
 * English equivalent: Love is blind.

М

 * Муж в Тверь - жена в дверь
 * Transliteration: Muzh v Tver - zhena v dver.
 * Translation: Husband [travels to the city of] Tver - wife goes out the door


 * Молоде́ц про́тив ове́ц, а про́тив молодца́ &mdash; и сам овца́.
 * Transliteration: Molodets protiv ovets, a protiv moldtsa &mdash; i sam ovtsa.
 * Translation: [He is] brave [when fighting] against sheep, and [when fighting] against a brave man [he's] a sheep himself.


 * Мя́гко сте́лет, да жёстко спать.
 * Transliteration: Myaghko stelet, da zhostko spat.
 * Translation: [He] makes the bed soft, yet [it's] hard to sleep [on].
 * Meaning: Iron fist in a velvet glove. &mdash; Also: Things built without effort are hard to use.
 * English equivalent: Iron fist in a velvet glove; Velvet paws hide sharp claws.

Н

 * Напрямик — ближе, кругом — скорее.
 * Translation: Straight way is shorter, detour is faster.
 * English equivalent: He that leaves the highway to cut short, commonly goes about.


 * незваный гость даже страшнее турка.
 * Translation: An uninvited guest is even scarier than the Turk.
 * Не ищи беды – беда сама тебя найдет
 * Translation: Don't look for trouble - trouble will find you by itself.
 * English equivalent: Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.
 * English equivalent: Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you.


 * Не делай из мухи слона
 * Translation: Don't make an elephant out of a fly.
 * English equivalent: Don't make a mountain out of a molehill.


 * На безры́бье и рак &mdash; ры́ба [, на безлю́дье и си́день &mdash; челове́к].
 * Transliteration: Na bezryb'ye i rak &mdash; ryba [, na bezlyud'ye i siden' chelovek].
 * Translation: On a fishing lull, even a crayfish is fish [, at the lack of people even a lazybones is a man].
 * Meaning: Maybe this is not the best choice, but it's our only option.
 * English equivalent: Something is better than nothing.
 * See also: Из двух зол выбира́ют ме́ньшее, Го́лод не тётка (, пирожка́ не поднесёт)
 * Modern Mockery: "На безрыбье и сам раком станешь" (On a fishing lull, you'll even (wordplay): 1) become a crayfish yourself; 2) assume kneeling position.)


 * На Бо́га наде́йся, а сам не плоша́й.
 * Transliteration: Na boga nadeysya, a sam ne ploshay.
 * Translation: Hope for God, but do not be reliant.
 * English equivalent: Trust in God, but lock your car.
 * Compare: Бо́гу моли́сь, а добра́-ума́ держи́сь; Бережёного Бог бережёт.


 * На брю́хе шёлк, а в брю́хе щёлк.
 * Transliteration: Na bryukhe sholk, a v bryukhe scholk.
 * Translation: On the belly there is silk, but in the belly - just a click.
 * English equivalent: All hat and no cattle.


 * На вкус и цвет това́рищей нет.
 * Transliteration: Na vkus i tsvet tovarischey net.
 * Translation: There are no friends in tastes and colours.
 * English equivalent: There is no accounting for taste.
 * Compare: У вся́кого Па́вла своя́ пра́вда; О вку́сах не спо́рят.


 * На во́ре ша́пка гори́т.
 * Transliteration: Na vore shapka gorit.
 * Translation: A thief's hat burns.
 * English equivalent: A guilty mind betrays itself.


 * На всех не угоди́шь
 * Transliteration: Na vsekh ne ugodish.
 * Translation: You cannot please everybody.
 * English equivalent: He who pleased everybody died before he was born.
 * Compare: О вку́сах не спо́рят.


 * На вся́кого мудреца́ дово́льно простоты́.
 * Transliteration: Na vsyakogo mudretsa dovol'no prostoty.
 * Translation: Any wise man has enough of simplicity.
 * Meaning: Any experience person can be fooled.
 * Compare: И на старуху бывает проруха. Конь о четырёх ногах, а спотыкается.


 * Назва́лся гру́здем &mdash; полеза́й в ку́зов.
 * Transliteration: Nazvalsya gruzdem &mdash; polezay v kuzov.
 * Translation: If you called yourself a milk-mushroom &mdash; get into the basket!
 * Meaning: If you make a claim, be ready to prove it; If you made a promise, do not take it back
 * English equivalent: In for a penny, in for a pound [?], If you undertook some thing, do it (see it through); If the shoe fits, ...; If you pledge, don't hedge.
 * Compare: Взя́лся за гуж &mdash; не говори́, что не дюж.
 * See also: Лю́бишь ката́ться, люби́ и са́ночки вози́ть.
 * Modern mockery: Назва́лся ку́зовом &mdash; принима́й гру́зди. (If you called yourself a basket &mdash; get ready to take in the milk-mushrooms). Назва́лся гру́здем - лечи́сь да́льше. (If you called yourself a milk-mushroom &mdash; keep on your treatment.)


 * На кривой суд образца нет.
 * Translation: There is no example for an unjust court.


 * На ловца́ и зверь бежи́т.
 * Transliteartion: Na lovtsa i zver' bezhit.
 * Translation: Prey runs into a trapper.
 * English equivalent: Speak of the devil, and he appears.
 * Compare: Про се́рого речь, а се́рый &mdash; навстре́чь.


 * На миру́ и смерть красна́.
 * Transliteration: Na miru i smert' krasna.
 * Translation: With company, even death loses its sting.


 * На то и щу́ка [в мо́ре], что́бы кара́сь не дрема́л.
 * Transliteration: Na to i schuka v more, shtoby karas' ne dremal.
 * Translations: The pike in the sea is there to make the crucian to stay alert.
 * Meaning: There are dangers, but don't complain about them, stay alert.


 * На чужо́й карава́й рот не разева́й.
 * Transliteration: Na chuzhoy karavay rot ne razevay.
 * Translation: Don't open your mouth [to eat] other people's bread.
 * Modern Mockery (vulgar): "На чужое бухло не разевай ебло."


 * Нашла́ коса́ на ка́мень.
 * Transliteration: Nashla kosa na kamen'.
 * Translation: The scythe has hit a stone.
 * English equivalent: Diamond cut diamond, You have met your match.


 * На языке́ мёд, а на се́рдце &mdash; лёд.
 * Transliteration: Na yazyke myod, a na serdtse &mdash; lyod.
 * Translation: On the tongue [there's] honey, and on the heart [there's] ice.
 * English equivalent: A honey tongue and a heart of gall.


 * Не бо́ги горшки́ обжига́ют.
 * Transliteration: Ne bogi gorshki obzhigayut.
 * Translation: [It's] not gods [who] make pots.
 * Meaning: Anyone can master any job if someone else has already done it before.
 * Compare: Глаза боятся, а руки делают.


 * Не бо́йся соба́ки, что ла́ет, а бо́йся той, что молчи́т и хвосто́м виля́ет.
 * Transliteration: Ne boysya sobaki, shto layet, a bosya toy, shto molchit, da khvostom vilyayet.
 * Translation: Don't be afraid of the dog who barks, but be afraid of the one, who is silent and wags its tail.
 * English equivalent: It's the quiet ones you gotta watch.
 * English equivalent: Barking dogs seldom bite.


 * Не́ было бы сча́стья, да несча́стье помогло́.
 * Transliteration: Ne bylo by schast'ya, da neschast'ye pomoglo
 * Translation: [I] would have had no luck, if not for misfortune.
 * Meaning: This particular misfortune in the end has led me to more gain than it made harm.
 * Compare: Нет ху́да без добра́.


 * Не́ было у ба́бы хлопо́т, так купи́ла порося́.
 * Transliteration: Ne bylo u baby khlopot, tak kupila porosya.
 * Translation: The woman had no trouble, so she bought a piglet.
 * English equivalent: You've asked for trouble.


 * Не всё коту́ ма́сленица, (бу́дет и вели́кий пост).
 * Transliteration: Ne vsyo kotu maslenitsa, (budet i velikiy post).
 * Translation: Not every day is a Shrovetide, (in time it will be a Lent).
 * English equivalent: Life's not all beer and skittles; Life's not all wine and roses; I never promised you a bed of roses


 * Не всё то зо́лото, что блести́т.
 * Transliteration: Ne vsyo to zoloto, chto blestit.
 * Translation: Not every glittering thing is gold.
 * English equivalent: Not all that glitters is gold.
 * Modern mockery: Не всё то долото́, что блести́т.
 * English equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.
 * Meaning: An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content.
 * Source for meaning:


 * Не говори́ гоп, пока́ не переско́чишь (перепры́гнешь).
 * Transliteration: Ne govori gop, poka ne pereskochish (pereprygnesh).
 * Translation: Don't say "hop", until you jumped over
 * English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatch;
 * Compare: Дели́ть шку́ру неуби́того медве́дя.


 * Не да́вши сло́ва &mdash; крепи́сь, а да́вши &mdash; держи́сь.
 * Transliteration: Ne davshi slova &mdash; krepis', a davshi &mdash; derzhis'.
 * Meaning: Don't give promises you can't fulfil; once given, the word must be kept.
 * English equivalent: Don't make a promise you can't keep.
 * Compare: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.


 * Не за то во́лка бьют, что сер, а за то, что овцу́ съел.
 * Transliteration: Ne za to volka b'yut, shto ser, a za to, shto ovtsy s'yel.
 * Translation: The wolf is beaten not for being grey, but for having eaten a sheep.


 * Не зна́я бро́ду, не су́йся в во́ду.
 * Transliteration: Ne znaya brodu, ne suysya v vodu.
 * Translation: Don't wade into a river without knowing a ford.
 * Meaning: Don't rush into something without throughly studying the matter first.
 * English equivalent: Wait for the cat to jump.


 * Не име́й дру́га пота́тчика, а име́й дру́га попере́чника.
 * Transliteration: Ne imey druga potatchika, a imey druga poperechnika.
 * Translation: Don't have a friend who always agrees with you, but have a friend who argues with you.


 * Не ме́сто кра́сит челове́ка, а челове́к &mdash; ме́сто.
 * Transliteration: Ne mesto krasit cheloveka, a chelovek &mdash; mesto.
 * Translations: Not the place adorns the man, but a man adorns the place.


 * Не мечи́те би́сер пе́ред сви́ньями.
 * Transliteration: Ne mechite biser pered svin'yami
 * Translation: Don't cast beads before(in front of) pigs.
 * English equivalent: Cast not your pearls before swine.
 * "Jesus’ instruction to His apostles on how to handle rejection was to simply go elsewhere. There are other people who need to hear the gospel, and they are ready to hear it."
 * What did Jesus mean when He said to not cast your pearls before swine (Matthew 7:6)? Retrieved 2017-04-21


 * Не ошиба́ется тот, кто ничего́ не де́лает.
 * Transliteration: Ne oshibayetsa tot, kto nichego ne delayet.
 * Translation: Only he who does nothing makes no mistakes.
 * English equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained; He that never climbed, never fell.


 * Не плюй в коло́дец &mdash; пригоди́тся [воды] напи́ться.
 * Transliteration: Ne plyuy v kolodets &mdash; prigoditsya [vody] napit'sya.
 * Translation: Do not spit into a well&mdash;it may be useful to drink water.
 * English equivalent: Actions can boomerang; Never cast dirt into that fountain of which you have sometime drunk; Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
 * Vulgar: Don't sh*t where you eat.
 * Modern mockery: Не плюй в коло́дец: вы́летит &mdash; не пойма́ешь. (See: Слово не воробей, вылетит &mdash; не поймаешь)


 * Не по́йман &mdash; не во́р.
 * Transliteration: Ne poyman &mdash; ne vor.
 * Translation: Unless caught [stealing], [one is] not a thief.
 * English equivalent: Steal, but do not get caught.


 * Не рой друго́му я́му, сам в неё попадёшь.
 * Transliteration: Ne roy drugomu yamu, sam v neyo popadyosh.
 * Translation: Don't dig a pit for somebody [to fall into], [or] you will end up in it yourself.
 * English equivalent: Curses like chickens come home to roost.
 * Modern mockery: Не рой друго́му я́му, пусть сам ро́ет (Don't dig a pit for somebody, let him dig [it] himself)


 * Не спра́шивай ста́рого, спра́шивай быва́лого.
 * Transliteration: Ne sprashivay starovo, sprashivy byvalogo.
 * Translation: Don't ask the old one, ask the experienced one.


 * Нет ды́ма без огня́.
 * Transliteration: Net dyma bez ognya.
 * Translation: There is no smoke without fire.
 * English equivalent: There is no smoke without fire.


 * Нет ху́да без добра́.
 * Transliteration: Net khuda bez dobra.
 * Translation: There's no bad without the good.
 * English equivalent: Every cloud has a silver lining.
 * Compare: Не́ было бы сча́стья, да несча́стье помогло́.


 * Ни к селу́, ни к го́роду.
 * Transliteration: Ni k selu, ni k gorodu.
 * Translation: Not for village, not for town.
 * Meaning: Not useful for anything.
 * English equivalent: Neither here nor there


 * Ни ры́ба, ни мя́со [ни кафтан, ни ряса].
 * Transliteration: Ni ryba, ni myaso.
 * Translation: Neither fish nor meat.
 * Usage: A person without a strong character.
 * English equivalent: Neither fish nor flesh.


 * Но́вая метла по-но́вому метёт.
 * Transliteration: Novaya metla po-novomu metyot.
 * Translation: A new broom sweeps in a new way.
 * Meaning: Newcomers are the most ambitious.
 * English equivalent: A new broom sweeps clean.; In with the new and out with the old.

О

 * Обе́щанного три го́да ждут.
 * Transliteration: Obeschannovo tri goda zhdut.
 * Translation: [They] wait three years for [what was] promised.
 * Meaning: Promises aren't usually carried out immediately.


 * Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
 * Transliteration:
 * Translation: He who got burned by hot milk, blows on water.
 * English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.
 * Mockery: На молоке обжёгся, а водку дует (He got burned by hot milk, but drinks vodka)


 * Овчи́нка вы́делки не сто́ит.
 * Transliteration: Ovchinka vydelki ne stoit.
 * Translation: Lambskin is not worth currying.
 * English equivalent: The game isn’t worth the candle.


 * Оди́н в по́ле [&mdash;] не во́ин.
 * Transliteration: Odin v pole ne voin.
 * Translation: A single [man] in a field is not a warrior.
 * English equivalent: One man, no man


 * Оди́н с со́шкой &mdash; се́меро с ло́жкой.
 * Transliteration: Odin s soshkoy &mdash; semero s lozhkoy.
 * Translation: [For every] one with a plow &mdash; [there's] seven with a spoon.
 * Meaning: There's a lot of slackers for each productive worker.


 * Оди́н сын – не сын, два сы́на – по́лсына, три сы́на – сын.
 * Transliteration: Odin syn - ne syn, dva syna - polsyna, tri syna - syn.
 * Translation: One son is not a son, two sons are half a son, three sons are a son.


 * Одна́ речь — не посло́вица.
 * Transliteration: Odna rech - nie poslovitsa.
 * Translation: One speech is not a proverb.
 * Meaning: Not everything that is said is true or wise.


 * Одна́ ча́рка - на здоро́вье, друга́я - на весе́лье, тре́тья – на вздор.
 * Transliteration: Odna charka na zdorov'e, drugaya na vesel'e, tret'a na vzdor.
 * Translation: One cup (of liquor) is for health, second one is for merry, third one is for nothing.


 * От во́лка бежа́л, да на медве́дя попа́л.
 * Transliteration: Ot volka bezhal, da na medvedya popal.
 * Translation: I ran from the wolf but ran into a bear.
 * English equivalent: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.'
 * See also: Из огня́ да в полымя́.


 * От добра́ добра́ не и́щут.
 * Transliteration: Ot dobra dobra ne ishchut.
 * Translation: Do not look for [further] good from good.
 * English equivalent: Leave well enough alone.
 * Meaning: "Do not try to change or improve something that is satisfactory as it stands."
 * Source for meaning of English equivalent:


 * От трудо́в пра́ведных не наживёшь пала́т ка́менных.
 * Transliteration: Ot trudov pravednykh ne nazhivyosh palat kamennykh.
 * Translation: Honest work won't let you live in a stone palace.
 * Meaning: Great wealth stems from illegal activities more often than not.


 * Охо́та пу́ще нево́ли.
 * Transliteration: Okhota pusche nevoli.
 * Translation: Desire is stronger than compulsion.
 * English equivalent: A burden of one's own choice is not felt.
 * Meaning: Work you enjoy never feels too hard.

П

 * Пей, да де́ло разуме́й.
 * Transliteration: Pey, da delo razumey.
 * Translation: Drink (alcohol), but be an expert in your business


 * Пе́рвый блин (всегда́) ко́мом.
 * Transliteration: Pervyy blin (vsegda) komom.
 * Translation: The first pancake is (always) a blob.
 * English equivalent: You have to learn to crawl before you can learn to walk.
 * Swedish equivalent: We are children in the beginning.
 * Compare: Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.


 * Пло́х тот солда́т, кото́рый не мечта́ет стать генера́лом.
 * Translation: A soldier who doesn't dream of becoming a general is a bad one.


 * Пова́дился кувши́н по́ воду ходи́ть, (тут ему́ и го́лову сломи́ть).
 * Transliteration: Povadilsya kuvshin po vodu kxodit', (tut yemu i golovu slomit').
 * English equivalent: The pitcher goes often to the well but is broken eventually.


 * Пови́нную го́лову и меч не сечёт.
 * Transliteration: Povinnuyu golovu i mech ne sechot.
 * Translation: Even the sword doesn't cut the head of the one who confesses.
 * English equivalent: A fault confessed is half redressed.

and sluttering is the father).
 * Повторе́нье - мать уче́нья.
 * Transliteration: Povtoren'ye &mdash; mat' uchen'ya.
 * Translation: Repetition is the mother of learning.
 * English equivalent: Practice makes perfect.
 * Meaning: The more often you repeat your lesson, the more likely you are to memorize it.
 * Mockery: Повторе́нье - мать пита́нья (Repetition is a mother of feeding); Повторенье — мать ученья, а заикание — отец (Repetition is the mother of learning


 * Пожале́л волк кобы́лу, оста́вил хвост да гри́ву.
 * Transliteration: Pozhalel volk kobylu, ostavil khvost da grivu
 * Translation: The wolf spared the mare, left a tail and mane.


 * Поживём - увидим.
 * Transliteration: Pozhivom - uvidim.
 * Translation: Wait and see.


 * По одёжке встреча́ют, по уму́ провожа́ют.
 * Transliteration: Po odyozhke vstrechayut, po umu provozhayut.
 * Translation: One meets/greets [people] by their clothes, and says farewell by their mind.
 * English equivalent: Beauty may open the door, but only virtue enters.


 * Посади́ свинью́ за стол &mdash; она́ и но́ги на сто́л
 * Transliteration: Posadi svin'yu za stol &mdash; ona i nogi na stol.
 * Translation: Seat the pig at the table &mdash; she'll put [her] legs on the table.
 * English equivalent: Give one an inch, and he will take a mile.
 * See also: [Ему́] па́льца(па́лец) в рот не клади́( &mdash; (всю) ру́ку отку́сит).


 * По́сле дра́ки кулака́ми не ма́шут.
 * Transliteration: Posle draki kulakami ne mashut.
 * Translation: They don't swing fists when the fight is over.
 * English equivalent: What’s done is done; Don't lock the stable door after the horse has bolted.


 * Поспеши́шь – люде́й насмеши́шь.
 * Transliteration: Pospeshish' – lyudey nasmeshish'.
 * Translation: If you rush things, you'll only make others laugh.
 * English equivalent: Haste makes waste.


 * Привычка – вторая натура
 * Translation: Habit is second nature.
 * English equivalent: Old habits die hard.


 * Простота́ ху́же воровства́.
 * Transliteration: Prostota khuzhe vorovstva.
 * Translation: Simplicity is worse than thievery (crime).
 * Meaning: A fool can do more damage than an enemy/a criminal.


 * Пу́ганая воро́на куста́ (теле́жного скри́па/со́бственной те́ни) бои́тся.
 * Transliteration: Puganaya vorona kusta (telezhnogo skripa/sobstvennoj teni) boitsya.
 * Translation: A spooked crow is afraid of a bush (a carriage [wheel's] squeak/its own shadow).
 * English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy
 * Compare: Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.


 * Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа &mdash; по́ уши).
 * Transliteration: P'yanomu more po koleno (, a luzha - po ushi).
 * Translation: For a drunk, the sea is knee-deep (, and a puddle ear-deep).
 * Meaning: Drunk people brag a lot, yet are capable of very little.

Р

 * Работа не волк - в лес не убежит.
 * Transliteration: Rabota ne volk - v les ne ubezhit.
 * Translation: Work is not a wolf, it's not going away to the forest.
 * English equivalent: You can do any job later.


 * Раз на раз не прихо́дится.
 * Transliteration: Raz na raz ne prikhoditsya.
 * Translation: Each time it's different.
 * English equivalent: You can’t expect perfection every time.


 * Рука́ ру́ку мо́ет [, вор во́ра кр́оет].
 * Transliteration: Ruka ruku moyet[, vor vora kroyet].
 * Translation: Hands wash each other[, a thief covers another thief].
 * English equivalent: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours. ; One hand washes the other.


 * Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к &mdash; где лу́чше.
 * Transliteration: Ryba ischet gde glubzhe, a chelovek &mdash; gde luchshe.
 * Translation: Fish seek a deep place, men seek a better place.
 * Modern mockery: Ры́ба и́щет, где глу́бже, а челове́к &mdash; где ры́ба. (Fish seek for a deep place, men seek for a fishing place.)


 * Рыба́к рыбака́ ви́дит издалека́.
 * Transliteration: Rybak rybaka vidit izdaleka.
 * Translation: A fisherman can tell another fisherman from afar.
 * English equivalent: It takes one to know one.
 * Mockery: Дурак дурака видит издалека. (A fool can tell another fool from afar.)

С

 * С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.
 * Transliteration: S volkami zhit', po-volch'i vyt'.
 * Translation: To live with wolves, you have to howl like a wolf.
 * English equivalent: Who keeps company with the wolves, will learn to howl; You are like the company you keep; When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
 * Compare: С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.


 * Своя́ но́ша не тя́нет.
 * Transliteration: Svoya nosha ne tyanet.
 * Translation: [One's] own burden doesn't encumber.
 * English equivalent: A burden of one's own choice is not felt


 * Своя́ руба́шка бли́же к те́лу.
 * Transliteration: Svoya rubashka blizhe k telu.
 * Translation: [One's] own shirt [is] closer to the body.
 * Meaning: One is much more likely to protect one's own property than anybody else's.
 * See also: Всяк кули`к своё боло`то хва`лит.


 * Свя́то ме́сто пу́сто не быва́ет.
 * Transliteration: Svyato mesto pusto ne byvayet.
 * Translation: A holy place is never empty.
 * English equivalent: Nature abhors a vacuum; The throne is never vacant


 * С глаз доло́й &mdash; из се́рдца вон.
 * Transliteration: S glaz doloy &mdash; iz serdtsa von.
 * Translation: Out of sight, out of heart.
 * English equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.
 * Contrast: Да́льше с глаз - бли́же к се́рдцу.


 * Седина́ в бо́роду, бес в ребро́.
 * Transliteration: Sedina v borodu, bes v rebro.
 * Translation: Grey hair into beard, devil into rib.
 * Meaning: When a man gets elderly, he often becomes a womanizer.


 * Се́меро одного́ не ждут.
 * Transliteration: Semero odnogo ne zhdut.
 * Translation: Seven [people] don't wait for one.
 * English equivalent: For one that is missing there's no spoiling a wedding.
 * Meaning: If you severely hinder others, don't be surprised when you get left behind.


 * Семь бед &mdash; оди́н отве́т.
 * Transliteration: Sem' bed &mdash; odin otvet.
 * Translation: Seven troubles - one responce.
 * English equivalent: As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb.


 * Семь вёрст до небе́с и всё ле́сом.
 * Transliteration: Sem' vyorst do nebes, i vcyo lesom.
 * Translation: Seven miles to heaven, and all the way through the forest.
 * Meaning: A lot of fables or promises.


 * Семь раз отме́рь, оди́н отре́жь.
 * Transliteration: Sem' raz otmer', odin otrezh.
 * Translation: Measure seven times, cut once.
 * English equivalent: Measure thrice, cut once.


 * Семь топоро́в вме́сте лежа́т, а две пря́лки врозь.
 * Transliteration: Sem toporov vmeste lezhat, a dve pryalki vroz.
 * Translation: Seven axes lie together, two distaffs apart
 * Meaning: Men tend to co-operate, but women - to compete.


 * С кем поведёшься, от того́ и наберёшься.
 * Transliteration: S kem povedyoshsya, ot togo i naberyoshsya.
 * Translation: [You'll] learn [(in a bad way)] from those [you] hang out with.
 * English equivalent: Those who sleep with dogs will rise with fleas; You are what your friends are.
 * Modern mockery: С кем поведёшься, с тем и наберёшься. (You'll get drunk with those you hang out with.)
 * Compare: С волка́ми жить, по-во́лчьи выть.


 * Ско́лько во́лка ни корми́, он всё в лес смо́трит.
 * Transliteration: Skol'ko volka ne kormi, on vsyo v les smotrit.
 * Translation: However [much/ well] you feed the wolf, he still looks at the woods.
 * English equivalent: A leopard can't change his spots.
 * Compare: Горбатого могила исправит.
 * Mockery: Ско́лько во́лка ни корми́, он всё жрёт и жрёт (However much you feed the wolf, he still eats and eats.)


 * Ско́ро ска́зка ска́зывается, да не ско́ро де́ло де́лается.
 * Transliteration: Skoro skazka skazyvayetsya, da ne skoro delo delaetsya.
 * Translations: A tale is told quickly, but the job is done slowly.
 * English equivalent: Talk is cheap.


 * Сла́вны бу́бны за гора́ми (а к нам приду́т, как луко́шко).
 * Transliteration: Slavny bubny za gorami, (a k nam pridut, kak lukoshko).
 * Translations: Tambourines are good when they are behind mountains (, and when they come to us, they become just like a basket)
 * Meaning: Don't believe in any story or promise.


 * Сло́во не воробей, вылетит &mdash; не поймаешь.
 * Transliteration: Slovo ne vorobey, vyletit &mdash; ne poymayesh.
 * Translation: The word is not a sparrow: if it flies out, you won't catch it
 * Mockery: The word is not a sparrow, if they'll catch it - you'll fly out (i.e. you will be fired), Russian: Слово не воробей, поймают &mdash; и вылетишь.


 * Сло́во &mdash; се́ребро, молча́ние &mdash; зо́лото.
 * Transliteration: Slovo &mdash; serebro, molchaniye &mdash; zoloto.
 * Translation: Words are silver, silence is gold.
 * English equivalent: Talk is cheap, silence is golden.


 * Слу́хом земля́ по́лнится.
 * Transliteration: Slukhom zemlya polnitsya.
 * Translation: A rumour fills the Earth.
 * English equivalent: News spreads like wildfire; News flies fast.
 * See also: Дурна́я молва́ на кры́льях лети́т; Худы́е ве́сти не сидя́т на ме́сте.


 * С ми́ру по ни́тке &mdash; го́лому руба́ха.
 * Transliteration: S miru po nitke &mdash; golomu rubakha.
 * Translation: One thread from [everyone in] the world &mdash; [makes a] shirt for [the] naked.
 * English equivalent: Little things make a big difference.
 * Meaning: If many people will donate even a little bit each, it will make a huge difference for the recipient.
 * World War II mockery: С миру по нитке &mdash; Гитлеру верёвка (One thread from everyone in the world makes a noose for Hitler). Source: За край свой насмерть стой. Сборник пословиц и поговорок. Составители Жигулев А. М., Кузнецов Н. П. — М.: Воениздат, 1974
 * See also: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.


 * Соловья́ ба́снями не ко́рмят.
 * Transliteration: Solov'ya basnyami ne kormyat.
 * Translation: The nightingale can't be fed by fables.
 * English equivalent: Fine words butter no parsnips.


 * Сня́вши го́лову, по волоса́м не пла́чут.
 * Transliteration: Snyavshi golovu, po volosam ne plachut.
 * Translation: After taking off the head one doesn't (shouldn't) grieve over the hair.
 * English equivalent: What's done is done.


 * Соба́ка на се́не: и сама́ не ест, и други́м не даёт.
 * Transliteration: Sobaka na sene: i sama ne yest i drugim ne dayot.
 * Translation: A dog on hay will neither eat it himself, nor let others eat it.
 * English equivalent: A dog in the manger.


 * Соро́ка на хвосте́ принесла́.
 * Transliteraton: Soroka na khvoste prinesla.
 * Translation: A magpie brought it on its tail.
 * English equivalent: A little bird told me.


 * Ста́рость - не ра́дость.
 * Transliteration: Starost' - ne radost'.
 * Translation: Old age is no fun.
 * Modern mockery: Старость не радость, маразм не оргазм (Old age is no fun, marasmus is not orgasm)
 * English equivalent: An old ape has an old eye; Old age, boy, is no joy.


 * Ста́рый друг лу́чше но́вых двух.
 * Transliteration: Staryy drug luchshe novykh dvukh.
 * Translation: An old friend is better than two new ones.
 * Compare: За одного́ би́того двух неби́тых даю́т.


 * Суженого конем не объедешь
 * Transliteration: Suzhenogo konyom ne ob"edyesh.
 * Translation: You can't escape your fate [even] with a horse.
 * Meaning: You can't change your fate.


 * Сы́тый голо́дного не разуме́ет: одному́ суп жи́дкий, друго́му - же́мчуг ме́лкий.
 * Transliteration: Sytyy golodnogo ne razumeyet: odnomy sup zhidkiy, drugomu - zhemchug melkiy.
 * Translation: The sated one doesn't understand the hungry one: for one the soup is too thin, for the other - the pearls are too small.
 * English equivalent: He that is warm thinks all so.

Т

 * Там хорошо́, где нас нет.
 * Transliteration: Tam khorosho, gde nas net.
 * Translation: It's good there, where we are not.
 * English equivalent: On the other side grass is greener.


 * Твои́ми бы уста́ми да мёд пить.
 * Transliteration: Tvoimi by ustami da myod pit'.
 * Translation: [I'd like to] drink honey with your lips.
 * Meaning: The way you describe it, this story/plan/thing sounds too good to be true.
 * Compare: Гла́дко бы́ло на бума́ге, да забы́ли про овра́ги(, а по ним шага́ть).


 * Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
 * Transliteration: Terpeniye i trud vsyo peretrut.
 * Translation: Patience and work will fray through anything.
 * Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
 * English equivalent: Time works wonders; He that can have patience can have what he wants.
 * See also: Ти́ше е́дешь &mdash; да́льше бу́дешь.


 * Терпи́, каза́к, атама́ном бу́дешь.
 * Transliteration: Terpi kazak, atamanom budesh.
 * Translation: Put up with it cossack, and you'll be an ataman.
 * English equivalent: No pain, no gain; Nothing ventured, nothing gained.


 * Тише едешь, дальше будешь
 * English equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.


 * Ти́ше е́дешь &mdash; да́льше бу́дешь.
 * Transliteration: Tishe yedesh &mdash; dal'she budesh.
 * Translation: Ride slower &mdash; [you'll] get further.
 * Meaning: You will accomplish more if you do things methodically. &mdash; Also: Don't rush things.
 * Compare: Я́годка по я́годке - бу́дет кузово́к.; Исподво́ль и ольху́ согнёшь.
 * See also: Терпе́ние и труд всё перетру́т.
 * English equivalent: Slow and steady wins the race.


 * Тону́л – топо́р сули́л, а как вы́тащили – и топори́ща жаль (ста́ло).
 * Transliteration: Tonul - topor sulil, a kak vytschili - i toporoscha zhal' (stalo).
 * Translation: While [he] was sinking, [he] promised [me] an axe [if I save him], but when pulled [ashore], [he] begrudged even an axe handle.
 * Meaning: People often don't keep their promises.
 * See also: Угово́р доро́же де́нег.


 * Труд челове́ка ко́рмит, а лень &mdash; по́ртит.
 * Transliteration: Trud cheloveka kormit, a len' &mdash; portit.
 * Translation: A job feeds a man, laziness spoils him.


 * Ты бли́же к де́лу, а он про козу́ бе́лу.
 * Transliteration: Ty blizhe k delu, a on pro kozu belu.
 * Translation: You get on with business, though he [keeps telling you] about a white goat.
 * Meaning: Stop beating around the bush.

У

 * Убы́ток &mdash; уму́ прибы́ток.
 * Translitertion: Ubytok &mdash; umu pribytok.
 * Translation: A loss is a gain for the mind.
 * Meaning: Experience is worth it.
 * English equivalent: Winning is earning, losing is learning., Sadder but wiser


 * У ба́бы во́лос до́лог, да ум ко́роток.
 * Translitertion: U baby volos dolog, da um korotok.
 * Translation: A woman's hair is long, and her mind short.


 * У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
 * Translation: Fear has big eyes.


 * Угово́р доро́же де́нег.
 * Translitertion: Ugovor dorozhe deneg.
 * Translation: The agreement(contract) costs more than money.
 * Meaning: You must keep your word, even if doing so costs you money.
 * Compare: Не да́вши сло́ва — крепи́сь, а да́вши — держи́сь.
 * English equivalent: A bargain is a bargain.


 * Уката́ли Си́вку круты́е го́рки.
 * Transliteration: Ukatali Sivku krutyye gorki.
 * Translation: Steep hills exhausted Sivka (ash-grey horse).


 * Укоро́тишь – не воро́тишь.
 * Transliteration: Ukorotish - ne vorotish.
 * Translations: If you cut [it], you won't get it back.


 * Ули́та е́дет, когда́-то бу́дет.
 * Translitertion: Ulita yedet, kogda-to budet.
 * Translation: The snail is coming, who knows when it arrives.
 * Compare: Когда рак на горе свистнет. Обещанного три года ждут.


 * У́мная голова́, да дураку́ доста́лась.
 * Transliteration: Umnaya golova, da duraku dostalas'.
 * Translation: A clever head, but given to foolishness.


 * У́мные ре́чи прия́тно и слу́шать.
 * Transliteration: Umnyye rechi priyatno i slushat'.
 * Translation: A clever speech (speaker) is pleasant to listen to.


 * У семи́ ня́нек дитя́ без гла́зу.
 * Transliteration: U semi nyanek ditya bez glazu.
 * Translation: Seven nannies make a kid not looked after.
 * Meaning: If too many people are working on the same project, everybody will expect that another one will do the actual job.
 * English equivalent: Everybody's business is nobody's business.


 * Ус в честь, а борода́ и у козла́ есть.
 * Transliteration: Us v chest' a boroda i u kozla yest'
 * Translation: Moustaches are respected, and beards worn even by goats.
 * English equivalent: If the beard were all, the goat might preach.


 * Услу́жливый дура́к опа́снее врага́.
 * Transliteration: Usluzhlivyy durak opasnee vraga.
 * Translation: Complacent fool harms worse than enemy.
 * English equivalent: A foolish friend is like an open enemy.
 * Somali equivalent: Doqoni sokeeye ma aha.
 * Translation: A fool is not a kinsman.


 * Уста́ми младе́нца глаго́лет и́стина.
 * Transliteration: Ustami mladentsa glagolet istina.
 * Translation: Truth is spoken from the toddler's mouth; From the mouth of babes
 * English equivalent: Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings come great truth.
 * "Even the youngest of us may be wrong sometimes."
 * George Bernard Shaw, Love Among the Artists (1900)


 * У стра́ха глаза́ велики́.
 * Transliteration: U strakha glaza veliki.
 * Translation: Fear has large eyes.
 * Meaning: People tend to overestimate the danger when scared.
 * Compare: Не так стра́шен чёрт, как его́ малю́ют; Глаза́ боя́тся, а ру́ки де́лают


 * Утопа́ющий за соло́минку хвата́ется.
 * Transliteration: Utopayuschiy i za solominku khvatayetsya.
 * Translation: A drowning man grabs even a straw.
 * English equivalent: A drowning man will cling to a straw.


 * У́тро ве́чера мудрене́е.
 * Transliteration: Utro vechera mudreneye.
 * Translation: Morning is wiser than the evening.
 * Meaning: One should make important decisions in the morning (i.e. after getting some sleep/rest) rather than in the evening.
 * English equivalent: I need to sleep on it.
 * Very common in fairy tales, such as The Frog-Tzarevna and Vasilisa the Fair.


 * Уче́нье свет, а неуче́нье тьма.
 * Transliteration: Uchen'ye cvet, a neuchen'ye t'ma.
 * Translation: Studying is light; not studying is darkness.
 * English equivalent: Knowledge is power.
 * Variations: "Ученье свет, а неученых тьма." (Studying is light; there are many people who don't study. It's a play on the word тьма which can mean "many" or "darkness.")

Х

 * Хвали́лась сини́ца мо́ре заже́чь.
 * Transliteration: Khvalilas' sinitsa more zazhech.
 * Translation: The titmouse boasted of putting the sea on the fire..
 * Meaning: Your plan doesn't hold water.
 * See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа — по́ уши).


 * Хвали́лся чёрт всем ми́ром владе́ть, а Бог ему́ и над свиньёй не дал вла́сти.
 * Transliteration: Khvalilsya chort vsem mirom vladet, a Bog yemu i nad svin'yoy ne dal vlasti.
 * Translation: The devil boasted of ruling the whole world, but God didn't give him power over even the pig.
 * "The significant point is that people unfit for freedom — who cannot do much with it — are hungry for power. The desire for freedom is an attribute of a "have" type of self. It says: leave me alone and I shall grow, learn, and realize my capacities. The desire for power is basically an attribute of a "have-not" type of self. If Hitler had had the talents and the temperament of a genuine artist, if Stalin had had the capacity to become a first-rate theoretician, if Napoleon had had the makings of a great poet or philosopher they would hardly have developed the all-consuming lust for absolute power. Freedom gives us a chance to realize our human and individual uniqueness. Absolute power can also bestow uniqueness: to have absolute power is to have the power to reduce all the people around us to puppets, robots, toys, or animals, and be the only man in sight. Absolute power achieves uniqueness by dehumanizing others. To sum up: Those who lack the capacity to achieve much in an atmosphere of freedom will clamor for power."
 * Eric Hoffer, Working and Thinking on the Waterfront (1969), Journal entry (28 March 1959)
 * See also: Пья́ному мо́ре по коле́но (, а лу́жа — по́ уши).


 * Хва́стать – не коси́ть, спина́ не боли́т.
 * Transliteration: Khvastat' - ne kosit', spina ne bolit.
 * Translation: Bragging is unlike mowing; it won't make your back ache.
 * Meaning: Bragging is one thing; doing the job is another.
 * Slang, rude (may be offensive): Пиздеть — не мешки ворочать (Pizdet' - nye meshki vorochat'). To talk bullshit it's not to roll over the bagful).


 * Хлеб всему́ голова́.
 * Transliteration: Khleb vsemu golova.
 * Translation: Bread is the head of everything.
 * English equivalent: Bread is the staff of life.


 * Хлеб за брю́хом не хо́дит (, а брю́хо за хле́бом).
 * Transliteration: Khleb za bryukhom ne khodit (, a bryukho za khlebom).
 * Translation: Bread doesn't go for the belly (, but the belly goes for bread)..
 * See also: Го́лод не тётка (, пирожка́ не поднесёт).


 * Хлеб-соль ешь, а правду-матку режь.
 * Transliteration: Khleb-sol' yesh, a pravdu-matku rezh.
 * Translations: Eat bread and salt, cut the mother truth
 * Meaning: Tell truth in any circumstances


 * Хоро́ший това́р сам себя́ хва́лит.
 * Translitertion: Khoroshiy tovar sam sebya khvalit.
 * Translation: Quality goods advertise themselves.


 * Хорошо тому жить, кому бабушка ворожит.
 * Transliteration: Khorosho tomu zhit', komu babushka vorozhit.
 * Translation: The person whose Grandma tells fortunes is happy.


 * Хоть гол, да прав.
 * Transliteration: Khot' gol, da prav.
 * Translation: Naked, but right


 * Хоть есть не́чего, да жить ве́село.
 * Transliteration: Khot' yest' nechego, da zhit' veselo.
 * Translation: Although there's nothing to eat, life is fun.


 * Хоть кол (ему́) на голове́ теши́.
 * Transliteration: Khot' kol (yemu) na golove teshi.
 * Translation: [You could] even chop sticks on (his) head.
 * English equivalent: He is so pig-headed; Stubborn as a mule.


 * Хре́н ре́дьки не сла́ще.
 * Transliteration: Khren red'ki ne slasche.
 * Translation: Horseradish is no sweeter than radish.
 * Meaning: The proposed alternative is no better.
 * See also: Что в лоб, что по́ лбу; Что пнём об сову́, что сово́й об пень ( — всё одно́ сове́ несла́дко).


 * Худо́й мир лу́чше до́брой ссоры.
 * Transliteration: Khudoi mir luchshe dobroy ssory.
 * Translation: A bad peace is better than a good quarrel.
 * English equivalent: A bad compromise is better than a good lawsuit.
 * See also: Кому́ война́, а кому́ мать родна́.


 * Худы́е ве́сти не лежа́т на ме́сте.
 * Transliteration: Khudyye vesti ne lezhat na meste.
 * Translation: Bad news doesn't rest peacefully.
 * Compare: Плоха́я молва́ на кры́льях лети́т.

Ц

 * Цыпля́т по о́сени счита́ют.
 * Transliteration: Tsiplyat po oseni schitayut.
 * Translation: One [should] count chicks in autumn.
 * English equivalent: Don't count your chickens before they hatched.

Ч

 * Челове́к предполага́ет, а Бог располага́ет.
 * Transliteration: Chelovek predpolagayet, a Bog raspolagayet.
 * English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.


 * Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, ли́шь бы не пла́кало.
 * Transliteration: Chem by ditya ni teshilos', lish by ne plakalo.
 * Translation: It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't cry.
 * Modern mockery: Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не вешалось (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as [he] doesn't hang himself.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы в рот не брало (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as it's not with oral sex.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы по обоюдному согласию (It doesn't matter what (whom) the kid plays with as long as it's upon mutual agreement.); Чем бы дит́я ни те́шилось, лишь бы не руками. (It doesn't matter what the kid plays with as long as it's not with [his] hand.).


 * Чем да́льше в лес, тем бо́льше дров.
 * Transliteration: Chem dal'she v les, tem bol'she drov.
 * Translation: The further into the woods, the more firewood [you'll encounter].
 * Meaning: The further you get into something, the greater gain you might expect (or the more obstacles you will encounter).
 * Modern mockery: Чем да́льше в лес, тем толще партизаны; Чем да́льше в лес, тем бли́же вы́лез (wordplay on similarly sounding "в лес"/"влез").


 * Чему́ быть, того́ не минова́ть.
 * Transliteration: Chemu byt', tomu ne minovat'.
 * Translation: Fate can't be avoided.
 * English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.
 * "Plans are insulted destinies. I don't have plans, I only have goals."
 * Ash Chandler, Freudian Slip, Mumbai Mirror Buzz, April 2006.


 * Что бы́ло, то прошло́ (и быльём поросло́).
 * Transliteration: Chto bylo, to proshlo (i byl'yom poroslo).
 * Translation: What used to be - is [now] gone (and overgrown with grass).
 * See also: Кто ста́рое помя́нет, тому́ глаз вон; Э́то бы́ло давно́, и непра́вда.


 * Что в лоб, что по́ лбу.
 * Transliteration: Chto v lob, chto po lbu.
 * Meaning: It doesn't make a difference. &mdash; Also: You're dumb.
 * Compare: Что пнем об сову, что совой об пень ( &mdash; все одно сове несладко).
 * English equivalent: Six of one, half a dozen the other.


 * Что (ни) го́род, то но́ров.
 * Transliteration: Chto (ni) gorod, to norov.
 * Translation: Another city (town) - another temper.
 * Meaming: People are different.


 * Что име́ем &mdash; не храни́м, потеря́вши &mdash; пла́чем.
 * Transliteration: Chto imeyem &mdash; ne khranim, poteryabshi &mdash; plachem.
 * Translation: What we own, we don't [safe]keep [properly]; when [we] lose [it], [we] cry.
 * English equivalent: You never miss the water till the well runs dry.


 * Что напи́сано перо́м &mdash; не вы́рубить топоро́м.
 * Transliteration: Chto napisano perom &mdash; ne vyrubit' toporom.
 * Translation: What was written by a pen can't be erased by an axe.
 * Meaning: What has been documented, cannot be changed [easily].
 * Compare: Сло́во – не воробе́й: вы́летит – не пойма́ешь.; Из пе́сни сло́ва не вы́кинешь.
 * Contrast: Бумага всё стерпит.
 * Modern mockery: Что написано топором - не вырубить пером. (Written by axe cannot be taken out with pen) &mdash; said by editors about poorly written articles.


 * Что посе́ешь, то и пожнёшь.
 * Transliteration: Chto posyeyesh', to i pozhnyosh'.
 * Translation: What [you] plant, [you] will harvest.
 * English: You reap what you sow.
 * Compare: Как ау́кнется – так и откли́кнется; Пошёл за ше́рстью, а верну́лся стри́женым; За чем пойдёшь, то и найдёшь; Не рой друго́му я́му - сам в неё попадёшь.


 * Что с во́зу упа́ло, то пропа́ло.
 * Transliteration: Chto s vozu upalo, to propalo.
 * Translation: What fell off the cart is [as good as] gone.
 * Meaning: If you have lost (left behind/forgotten) something, expect to never see it again.


 * Что у тре́звого на уме́, то у пья́ного на языке́.
 * Transliteration: Chto u trezvogo na ume, u p'yanogo na yazyke.
 * Translation: What's on sober's mind, is on drunk's tongue.
 * Meaning: Drunk people have poor self-control, often saying things they shouldn't have said.
 * See also: Язы́к мой – враг мой (, пре́жде ума́ глаго́лет).


 * Чужа́я душа́ – потёмки.
 * Transliteration: Chuzhaya dusha - potyomki.
 * Translation: Another person's soul is [in] darkness.
 * Meaning: You can't know for sure what people think.


 * Чужу́ю беду́ рука́ми разведу́, (а к свое́й ума́ не приложу́).
 * Transliteration: Chuzhuyu bedu rukami razvedyu, (a k svoyey uma ne prilozhu).
 * Translation: [I can] push others' problem away with my hands, (but can't put my [own] mind to my own problem).
 * Meaning: All problems seem to be easy to solve, unless they're your own.


 * Чья́ бы коро́ва мыча́ла, а твоя́ бы молча́ла.
 * Transliteration: Ch'ya by korova mychala, a tvoya by molchala.
 * Translation: Another's cow can moo, yours had best stay silent.
 * English equivalent: The pot calls the kettle black.
 * "I always pass on good advice. It is never of any use to oneself."
 * Oscar Wilde, An Ideal Husband (1895), Act I.
 * See also: На зе́ркало не́ча пеня́ть, ко́ли ро́жа крива́; В чужо́м глазу́ сори́нку заме́тно, а в своём — бревна́ не вида́ть.

Ш

 * Ши́ла в мешке́ не утаи́шь.
 * Transliteration: Shila v meske ne utaish.
 * Translation: [You] cannot hide an awl in a sack.
 * Meaning: Truth will always be discovered, sooner or later.
 * Latin equivalent: Time discloses the truth
 * See also: Ско́лько верёвочке не ви́ться &mdash; коне́ц буде́т.

Э

 * Это ещё цвето́чки, а я́годки впереди́.
 * Transliteration: Eto escho tsvetochki, a yagodki vperedi.
 * Translation: These are just flowers; berries will come soon.
 * Meaning: This is not all folks; things will get much worse/better soon.
 * Compare: Пришла́ беда́ - отворя́й ворота́, Лиха́ беда́ нача́ло.


 * вот где собака зарыта.
 * English equivalent: To smell a rat.

Я

 * Я́блоко от я́блони недалеко́ па́дает.
 * Transliteration: Yabloko ot yabloni nedaleko padayet.
 * Translation: The apple falls not so far away from the apple-tree.
 * Meaning: A person is in many regards like his parents.
 * English equivalent: Like father like son; The apple doesn't 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:


 * Язы́к до Кие́ва доведёт.
 * Transliteration: Yazyk do Kieva dovedjot.
 * Translation: Your tongue will take you as far as Kiev.
 * Closest English equivalent: The only stupid question is the one not asked.
 * Meaning: If you want to know something, ask the people for it.


 * Язы́к мой – враг мой (, пре́жде ума́ глаго́лет).
 * Transliteration: Yazyk moy - vrag moy (, prezhde uma glagolet).
 * Translation: My tongue is my enemy (, speaks ahead of mind).
 * Meaning: I shouldn't have said that.
 * See also: Что у тре́звого на уме́, то у пья́ного на языке́; И у стен быва́ют у́ши.


 * Я́йца ку́рицу не у́чат.
 * Transliteration: Yaytsa kuritsu ne uchat.
 * Literally: Eggs don't teach a hen.
 * Meaning: Do not give advice to somebody more experienced than you.
 * English equivalent: Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs.
 * Modern mockery: Не учи папу трахаться. (Don't teach your own Dad how to make sex.)


 * Я не я, и ло́шадь не моя́ (, и я не изво́зчик).
 * Transliteration: Ya ne ya, i loshad' ne moya (, i ya ne izvozchik) .
 * Translation: I'm not me, and [this] horse isn't mine (, and I'm not a cabman)
 * Meaning: I'm denying your accusations. &mdash; Also (used in "O RLY" fashion): What you're telling me, contradicts obvious facts; You must be lying.
 * Compare: Мели́, Еме́ля — твоя́ неде́ля.
 * Modern mockery: Я — не я, и жопа не моя ('Ya ne ya, i jhopa ne moya. I'm not me, and [this] arse isn't mine). Мопед не мой (The moped isn't mine).

Cold War

 * Доверя́й, но проверя́й.
 * Transliteration: Doveryay, no proveryay.
 * Translation: 'Trust, but verify.'
 * See also: Обже́гшись на молоке́, ду́ют на́ воду.
 * Attested by Ronald Reagan


 * Дурная голова ногам покоя не даёт, а хитрая жопа не даёт покоя ни ногам, ни рукам, ни голове.
 * Transliteration: Durnaya golova nogam pokoya ne dayot, a khitraya zhopa ne dayot pokoya ni nogam, ni rukam, ni golove
 * Translation: 'The bad head does not give rest to the legs, and the cunning ass does not give rest to the legs, arms, or head.'
 * Variant: 'The sly head gives no rest to the arms.'
 * As quoted in Love Letter to America (1984), by Tomas D. Schumann, Los Angeles: Almanac Panorama, ISBN 0-935090-13-4, pp. 35–36


 * [W]hat one person has in mind, the other will pronounce.
 * As quoted in "Pessimism Sweeps Russia: Neither the lower social strata nor the elites have any vision of the future." (15 January 2019), by Vladislav Inozemtsev, The Moscow Times, Russia