User:Shlomif/Hebraic Proverbs

This page is for Hebrew proverbs, in alphabetical order, with English translations. כאן יש מספר פתגמים עבריים, על-פי סדר האלף-בית, כולל תרגומים לאנגלית.

See also the "discussion" page for the errata and todo list.

א

 * אבן נגולה מעל לבי
 * Even nagolah me'al libbi
 * Translation: a stone was removed off my heart.
 * Meaning: I was relieved from a mental burden.
 * אדם לאדם זאב
 * Adam le'adam Ze'ev
 * Translation: a human is a wolf to a human
 * Meaning: people treat each other cruelly.
 * Latin Equivalent: "Homo homini lupus est."
 * English equivalent: It's a dog-eat-dog world.
 * אותה גברת בשינוי אדרת
 * Otah Gevereth Beshinuy Adereth
 * Translation: the same madame with another coat.
 * Meaning: the same thing with a small difference.
 * אחרי מות, קדושים אמור
 * Achrey mot, q'doshim emor
 * Translation: After death, say holy.
 * Meaning: Say only good things about people after they die.
 * Origin: The Hebrew names of the Leviticus "portions" 16-18,19-20,21-24 are "After death", "Holy" and "Say" respectively, so the table of contents spells the Hebrew phrase (which is grammatical in Hebrew).
 * References: for Hebrew names of the portions, see
 * איך נפלו גיבורים
 * Ekh Naflu Giborim
 * Translation: how the mighty have fallen.
 * Meaning: how the competent (or otherwise those that were heavily anticipated to succeed) have failed.
 * Origin: the Bible - 2 Samuel 1 19
 * אין ארוחת חינם
 * Eyn Aruhath Hinam
 * Translation: there isn't a free meal.
 * Meaning: someone has to pay for a man to support himself.
 * English Equivalent: there ain't no such thing as a free lunch.
 * אין הנחתום מעיד על עיסתו
 * Eyn Hanah'tom Meid Al Eesato
 * Translation: The baker shouldn't comment on his dough.
 * Meaning: A person who makes something should not speak its praises.
 * English equivalent: He that tooteth his own horn, the same shall not be tooted. Hezekiah 4:44 (not a real Scripture, only an inference that this saying is true and ancient/respectable)
 * English equivalent: Don't blow your own horn.
 * אין חיה כזאת
 * Eyn Hayah Kazoth
 * Translation: there's no such animal.
 * Meaning: it [= the topic of the conversation] does not exist or is impossible.
 * אין משיחין בשעת הסעודה פן יקדים קנה לושט
 * En mesihin bisha'ath hase'oda pen yaqdim qaneh levesheth
 * Meaning: don't talk during the meal lest the trachea will precede the esophagus
 * אין עשן בלי אש
 * Eyn Ashan Bli Esh
 * Translation: There is no smoke without fire.
 * Meaning: a side-effect has a cause.
 * English equivalent: "No smoke without fire", or "Where there's smoke, there's fire".
 * אליה וקוץ בה
 * Aliyah Veqotz Bah
 * Translation: a fat tail (of the sheep) with a thorn in it.
 * Meaning: a mixed blessing.
 * English equivalent: there's a fly in the ointment.
 * אל יתהלל חוגר כמפתח
 * Al yithalel hoger kimfate'ah
 * Translation: he who buckles [his armor] should not boast as the one who opens it.
 * Meaning: he who goes into battle should not boast as much as the one who has won it.
 * Origin: The Bible - Kings 20, 11
 * אל תסתכל בקנקן, אלא במה שבתוכו
 * Al tistakel baqanqan, ela bemah shebetokho
 * Translation: Don't look at the jar, but at what's inside it.
 * Meaning: don't be fooled by external appearances - find the real value.
 * English equivalent: Don't judge a book by its cover.
 * אל תקנה חתול בשק
 * Al Tiqneh Hatul Basaq
 * Translation: Don't buy a cat in the sack.
 * Meaning: Don't buy an uncertain good.
 * English equivalent: Don't buy a pig in a poke.
 * אל תתן לחתול לשמור על השמנת
 * Al Titen La'hatol Lishmor Al Hashameneth
 * Translation: Don't let the cat guard the cream
 * Meaning: Don't give something to someone who is likely to take it for himself.
 * English equivalent: Don't let the fox guard the hen-house.
 * אם אין אני לי, מי לי; וכשאני לעצמי, מה אני; ואם לא עכשיו, אימתי.(פרקי אבות, פרק א, משנה יד)
 * "Im ein ani li, mi li; uchshe'ani le'atzmi, ma ani; ve'im lo achshav, eymatay?" -- Ethics of the Fathers, Chapter 1, Episode 14
 * Translation: "If I am not for myself, who is for me? And when I am [only] for myself, what am I? And if not now, when?"
 * See also the Chabad page about this sentence
 * אם בארזים נפלה שלהבת, מה יגידו אזובי הקיר?
 * "Im Ba'arazim Naflah Shalheveth, Mah Yagidu Ezovey Haqir?"
 * Translation: "If a flame has caught the firs, what will the moss on the wall say?"
 * Meaning: if the leadership has become corrupt, what can one expect of lesser folks?
 * Origin: from the Biblical Talmud.
 * See also this page about the phrase from safa-ivrit.org.
 * אם ההר לא יבוא אל מוחמד, מוחמד ילך אל ההר.
 * "Im ha'har lo yavo el Muhammad, Muhammad yelekh el hahar.
 * Translation: "If the mountain won't come to Muhammad, Muhammad will go to the mountain."
 * Meaning: if reality does not adapt itself to one's personal whims, one must adapt himself to reality.
 * אמר את המילה האחרונה
 * Amar eth hamilah ha'ahrona
 * Translation: (he) said the last word
 * Meaning: He had the last laugh, his was the final word

ב

 * בדקה התשעים (בדקה ה-90)
 * Badaqah Hatish'im
 * Translation: in the 90th minute.
 * Meaning: in the last moment; in the nick of time.
 * Origin: from Soccer games which last 90 minutes, and there can be a goal in the 90th minute.
 * בור ששתית ממנו מים אל תזרוק בו אבן
 * Bor she'shatitah mimenu mayim al tizrok bo even.
 * Translation: don't throw a stone into a well you drank from.
 * Meaning: a person must show his gratitude to all, even to an animal or an object.
 * בין הפטיש לסדן
 * Beyn hapatish lasadan
 * Translation: between the hammer and the anvil
 * Meaning: between two evils
 * English Equivalent: Between a rock and a hard place
 * בכל רמ"ח איבריו
 * Bekhol Ramah Eivarav
 * Translation: in all 248 of his bones.
 * Meaning: (said of a person) fully, completely.
 * Origin: from the Halakha, after the 248 "Do commands" in the Bible, which Hazal believed to be the number of bones in the human body.
 * במה הועילו חכמים בתקנתם?
 * Bameh ho'ilu hakhamim bethaqanatham?
 * Translation: how did the wise men help with their ruling?
 * ברומא התנהג כרומאי
 * Be'Roma hitnaheg ke'Roma'i
 * Translation: in Rome act like a Roman
 * Meaning: one has to adapt oneself to his environment
 * ברחל בתך הקטנה
 * Be'Rahel bitkha haqtanah
 * Translation: by Rachel your younger daughter
 * Meaning: spell out every detail
 * Origin: from the Bible (Genesis 29, 18).
 * בשר תותחים
 * Besar totahim
 * Translation: cannon fodder
 * Meaning: a live wall.

ג

 * גדול המצווה ועושה - משאינו מצווה ועושה
 *  Gadol Ha'Metsoo've ve'oh'se mi'mee she'ay'no me'tsoo've ve'oh'se
 * Transtaltion: Greater is he who is obligated to do it, than he who volunteers to do it.
 * Meaning: Its harder for a person to do his job, than a volunteer. Moreover the volunteer can walk away at any time, whereas the obligated one, cannot.
 * Origin: Talmud in the name of Chananiah ben Teradyon

ד

 * דומים כמו שתי טיפות מים
 * Domim Kmo Shthey Tiputh Mayim
 * Translation: similar like two drops of water.
 * דמו בראשו
 * Damo berosho
 * Translation: his blood is in his head.
 * Meaning: his problems are his own fault.

ה

 * הזורעים בדמעה - ברינה יקצרו.
 * Hazor'im bedim'a - berina yiqtsoro
 * Translation: they who seed with tears - will reap with song.
 * Meaning: those who worked hard, will reap the fruits of their labour.
 * היהפוך כושי עורו ונמר חברבורותיו?
 * Hayahafokh kushi oro venamer hhavarborotav
 * Translation: can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots?
 * Meaning: certain things cannot be changed, because it is against their nature.
 * Origin: Jeremiah 13/23 from the Hebrew Bible
 * היופי הוא בעיני המתבונן
 * Hayofi hoo be'eyney hamitbonen
 * Translation: beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
 * הבדל של שמיים וארץ
 * Hevdel shel shamayim va'arets
 * Translation: a difference of Sky and Earth.
 * Meaning: a very significant difference.
 * הפוסל במומו פוסל
 * Haposel Bemumo Posel
 * Translation: the one who disqualifies, disqualifies based on his own fault.
 * English Equivalent: Pot calling the kettle black
 * המטרה מקדשת את האמצעים
 * Hamatarah meqadesheth eth ha'emtsa'im
 * Translation: the cause makes the means holy. (i.e: in place).
 * Meaning: the ends justify the means.
 * הניח כספו על קרן הצבי
 * Henia'ch kaspo al keren ha'tsvi
 * Translation: placed his money on the gazzele's horns
 * Meaning: risked his money
 * הסנדלר הולך יחף
 * Hasandlar holekh yahef
 * Translation: the cobbler walks barefoot.
 * Meaning: a professional does not apply his profession upon himself.
 * English equivalent: the shoe-maker has no shoes.
 * השמיים הם הגבול
 * Hashamayim hem hagvul
 * Translation: the sky's the limit.
 * Meaning: said on something that if performed, there will be very vast possibilities.
 * התפוח לא נופל רחוק מהעץ
 * Hatapuakh lo nofel rahoq meha'etz
 * Translation: the apple does not fall far from the tree.
 * Meaning: children resemble their parents.
 * English Equivalent: Chip off the old block

ו

 * ובא לציון גואל
 * Uba Letziyon Go'el
 * Translation: and a savior came for Zion.
 * Meaning: and the salvation/solution for a problem will come (and everyone will be happy).

ח

 * חיים ומוות ביד הלשון
 * Hayim oo'maveth beyad halashon
 * Translation: life and death in the hands of the tongue
 * Meaning: what you say can have a large effect on your future.
 * חיפש את האתונות ומצא את המלוכה
 * Hipess eth ha'atonoth oomatsa eth hamelukha
 * Translation: looked for the female donkeys and found the kingship.
 * Meaning: looked for something minor and found something much greater.
 * Origin: from the Bible, in regards to the story about Saul that was anointed as a king after looking for his father's donkeys.

ט

 * טוב להיות זנב לאריות מאשר ראש לשועלים
 * Tov Lihiyoth Zanav La'arayoth Ma'asher Rosh Lashu'alim 
 * Translation: Better be a tail for the lions than the head of the foxes
 * Meaning: It is better to be a minor member of a good group, than a prominent leader of a bad group.
 * טובה ציפור אחת ביד משתיים על העץ
 * Tova Tzipor Ahath Bayad Mishtayim Al Ha'etz
 * Translation: "One bird in the hand is better than two on the tree".
 * טלית שכולה תכלת
 * Tallith Shekulah Tkheleth
 * Translation: a Tallit which is entirely azure.
 * Meaning: someone who is a purely benevolent person. Usually said negatively: "he isn't a Tallit which is entirely azure".

י

 * ירד לטמיון
 * Yarad letimyon
 * Translation: went to the government's treasury
 * Meaning: to get lost; to go down the drain.


 * יש גבול לכל תעלול
 * Yesh Gvul Lekhol Ta'alul
 * Translation: there's a limit to every act of mischief
 * Meaning: enough is enough.

כ

 * כורת את הענף שעליו הוא יושב
 * Koreth eth ha'anaf she'alav hu yoshev
 * Translation: He cuts the branch that he is sitting on.
 * Meaning: he is hurting something that he depends on.
 * כי בתחבולות תעשה לך מלחמה
 * Ki betah'boloth ta'aseh lekha milhama
 * Translation: because with tricks you should do a war
 * Origin: The Bible - Pslams 24, 6
 * כל הדרכים מובילות לרומא
 * Kol hadrakhim moviloth le'Roma
 * Translation: all the roads lead to Rome.
 * כל שני וחמישי
 * Kol Sheni va'Hamishi
 * Translation: every Monday and Thursday
 * Meaning: often and continuously (every few days).
 * Origin: from the days of the Torah reading, besides Saturday, which in turn originated from Market days in Judea during the Second Temple.
 * כמו כוסות רוח למת
 * Kmo Kosoth Ru'akh Lameth
 * Translation: like fire cups for the dead.
 * Meaning: like something useless.

ל

 * לא דובים ולא יער
 * Lo Dubim Velo Ya'ar
 * Translation: No bears and no forest.
 * Meaning: Never happened.
 * לא היו דברים מעולם
 * Lo hayu dvarim me'olam
 * Translation: (these) things never happened.
 * לא תמיד אתה מפספס את האוטובוס, לפעמים האוטובוס מפספס אותך
 * Lo tamid atha mefasfes eth ha'otobus, lif'amim ha'otobus mefasfes otkha.
 * Translation: You don't always miss the bus. Sometimes, it misses you.
 * להכות בברזל בעודו חם
 * Lehakoth Babarzel Be'odo Ham
 * Translation: hit the iron while it's hot.
 * Meaning: exploit the opportunity while it still exists.
 * לחפש בנרות
 * Lehapes Baneroth
 * Translation: to search using candles.
 * Meaning: to search thoroughly (in obscure places, etc.).
 * למען יראו וייראו
 * Lema'an Yir'u Va'yira'u
 * Translation: so (people) will see and fear.

מ

 * מדברים על החמור (והחמור בא)
 * Medabrim al hahamor (ve'hahamor ba)
 * Translation: speaking of the donkey (and the donkey comes)
 * Meaning: said when someone appears shortly after he has been discussed.
 * English Equivalent: Speak of the devil
 * מהר יצא עכבר
 * Mehar Yatza Akhbar
 * Translation: a mountain ended up as a mouse
 * Meaning: something that was hyped to be very significant, turned out to be much less so.
 * English Equivalent: Made a mountain of a mole hill
 * מה ששנוא עליך - אל תעשה לחברך
 * Mah Sheshano'a Aleikha Al Ta'aseh Lehaberkha
 * Translation: don't do to another what is hated by you.
 * מחט בערמת שחת
 * Mahat Be'aremath Shahath
 * Translation: a needle in a pile of hay.
 * Meaning: "a needle in a haystack", trying to find something specific in a big surrounding of no interest to the person who looks for it.
 * מי שאוכל לבד - מת לבד
 * Mi she'okhel levad - meth levad
 * Translation: he who eats by himself, dies by himself.
 * Corollaries:
 * מי שאוכל לבד - אוכל יותר
 * Mi she'okhel levad - okhel yother
 * Translation: he who eats by himself, eats more.
 * Origin: the motto of the Cheetos snack in Israel
 * מי שאוכל לבד, מת לבד, אבל מי שמשתף אחרים, מת מרעב
 * Mi she'okhel levad, meth levad, aval mi shemashatef aherim, meth mera'av
 * Translation: he who eats by himself, dies alone, but he who shares his food, dies of hunger.
 * (Therefore he who eats alone will die with his stomach full)
 * מי שטרח בערב שבת, יאכל בשבת
 * Mi shetarah be'erev Shabbath, yokhal beshabath
 * Translation: "He who labored on Shabbath' Eve, will eat on Shabbath".
 * Meaning: he who labored in preparance, will enjoy the fruit of his labor.
 * מי שלא מרים עשר אגורות, לא שווה עשר אגורות
 * Mi shelo merim eser agoroth, lo shaveh eser agoroth
 * Translation: he who doesn't pick up a dime, isn't worth a dime.
 * מי שנכווה ברותחין יזהר בפושרין
 * Mi Shenikhwah Berot'hin Yizaher Beposhrin
 * Translation: He who got burnt in boiling water, will be careful in mildly warm water.
 * מכל טוב הארץ
 * Mikol Tuv Ha'arets
 * Translation: from all the good things of the land.
 * Meaning: "from all the riches of the land" - a lot of good things.
 * מן הפח אל הפחת
 * Min hapah el hapahath
 * Translation: from the trap to the pit.
 * Meaning: from the frying pan into the fire.
 * English Equivalent: From bad to worse
 * מרבה נכסים - מרבה דאגות
 * Marbeh Nekhasim - Marbeh De'agoth
 * Translation: (he who) proliferates possessions - proliferates worries
 * English Equivealent: more money - more problems.
 * מרוב עצים לא רואים את היער
 * Merov etzim lo ro'im eth ha'ya'ar
 * Translation: Can't see the forest for the trees.
 * Meaning: the subject is obscured by the details.

נ

 * נאה דורש - נאה מקיים
 * Na'eh doresh - na'eh meqayem
 * Translation: he who demands well, should fullfill his demands well.
 * English equivalent: "You've got to practice what you preach".
 * נהרוג טורקי - ננוח
 * Na'harog Turqi - na'nuahh
 * Translation: let's kill one Turk, then rest.
 * English equivalent: "One job at a time".
 * נכנס יין - יצא סוד
 * Nikhnas Yayin - Yatza Sod
 * Translation: "Wine Entered - Secret Went Out".
 * Note: in Gematria the values of "wine" and "secret" are the same - 70.
 * נפל האסימון
 * Nafal Ha'asimon
 * Translation: the token has fallen down.
 * Meaning: something was finally understood.

ס

 * סנונית אחת אינה מבשרת את בוא האביב
 * Snonith ahath eyna mevasereth eth bo ha'aviv
 * Translation: one swallow does not herald the coming of spring.
 * Meaning: one occurrence does not indicate a general pattern.
 * Origin: Aristotle's "Nicomachean Ethics".


 * סערה בכוס מים
 * Se'arah bekos mayim
 * Translation: a storm in a glass of water.
 * Meaning: a large fuss with little effect on the outside.
 * English equivalent: "Tempest in a teacup/teapot".

ע

 * עבר זמנו - בטל קורבנו
 * Avar Zmano - Battel Qorbano
 * Translation: Its time passed - its sacrifice is cancelled
 * Meaning: it's no longer relevant to take the necessary measure, because it's long past when it would have helped.
 * עוד הזרוע נטויה
 * Od Hazro'a Netuyah
 * Translation: And the arm is still erect.
 * Meaning: It is still going strong.
 * Origin: probably from the Bible, where in a battle with the Amaleq, the Israelites were winning when Moses' arm was erect and losing when his arm was down.
 * על ראש הגנב בוער הכובע
 * "Al Rosh Haganav Bo'er Hakova"
 * Translation: The hat burns on the head of the thief.
 * Origin: reportedly from a folk tale in which a community leader found the identity of a thief by gathering the town and saying that he sees the thief's hat burning, and then observing the real thief feeling his hat with his hands.
 * עם האוכל בא התאבון
 * "Im Ha'okhel Ba' Hate'avon"
 * Translation: "the appetite comes with the food."
 * Meaning: once you start something, you feel like doing it.
 * עם יד על הלב
 * "Im Yad Al Halev"
 * Translation: with a hand on the heart.
 * Meaning: sincerely.
 * עם קצת רצון ועם קצת יכולת גם פיל יזיין תרנגולת
 * "Im Qtzath Ratson Ve'im Qtzath Yehuleth Gam Pill Yezayen Tarnegoleth"
 * Translation: With some will and some ability, even a elephant will f*ck a chicken
 * Meaning: If you want something, you can achieve it

פ

 * פה קבור הכלב
 * Po Qavur Hakelev
 * Translation: "The dog is buried here."
 * Meaning: this is the main issue.
 * פוסח על שני הסעיפים
 * Pose'ah al shney ha'se'ifim
 * Translation: "skips on two branches"
 * Meaning: "cannot decide between two options and does a little of both".
 * Origin: Bible, prophet Eliyahu's quote - "Ad matay tifsehu al shtey ha'se'ifim".
 * פעם שלישית גלידה
 * Pa'am shlishith glidah
 * Translation: third time icecream.
 * Meaning: said when two people accidentally meet twice during a short period, saying that the next time, the other person should buy some icecream to the speaker.
 * English Equivalent: Third time's the charm.
 * See this page in the Hebrew Wikipedia about it.
 * פרה פרה
 * Parah Parah
 * Translation: Literal: "Cow. cow" or "A cow, A cow". Meaning: "One cow at a time."
 * Meaning: one should accomplish two or more things by tackling them one at a time.
 * See also this resource in the MSN learn Hebrew forum

צ

 * צדק - צדק תרדוף
 * Tsedeq Tsedeq Tirdof
 * Translation: Justice, Justice you shall pursue.
 * Origin: from the Torah - Deuteronomy 16, 20
 * צוחק מי שצוחק אחרון
 * Tsoheq mi shetsoheq aharon
 * Translation: laughs he who laughs last.
 * Meaning: the winner is the one who won at the end.
 * צרות באות בצרורות
 * Tsaroth ba'oth bitsro'oth
 * Translation: troubles come in packs.
 * English equivalent: when it rains, it pours.
 * Corollaries:
 * צרה צרורה
 * Tsarah Tsrurah
 * Translation: a packed trouble.
 * צרת רבים - חצי נחמה
 * Tsarath rabim - hatzi nehamath
 * Translation: The trouble of many - half of the consolation.
 * Meaning: It is better to share your troubles with people.
 * צרת רבים - נחמת טיפשים
 * Tsarath rabim - nehamath tipshim
 * Translation: The trouble of many - the consolation of fools.

ק

 * קרח מכאן ומכאן
 * "Qere'ah Mikan Oomikan"
 * Translation: "Bald from here and from here"
 * Meaning: deprived in both senses.
 * Story behind: a man who has two wives: one young and one old. The young one removes his old hair, and the old one removes his young hair, and thus he becomes "bald from here and from here".

ר

 * רומא לא נבנתה ביום אחד
 * Roma Lo Nivnetha Beyom Ehad
 * Translation: "Rome wasn't built in a day."


 * רוקד בשתי חתונות
 * Roqed Bishtey Hatunoth
 * Translation: "Dancing in Two Weddings".
 * Meaning: "Does two different things (or is committed to two different entities) at once."


 * רחוק מהעין - רחוק מהלב
 * Rahoq Meha'ayin - Rahoq Mehalev
 * Translation: "Far from the eye - far from the heart".
 * English equivalent: "out of sight - out of mind"

ש

 * שושנה בין החוחים
 * Shoshanah Beyn Hahhohhim
 * Translation: a lily (or incorrectly a rose) between the thorns
 * Meaning: an excpetionally good woman within a bad society.
 * שניים רבים - השלישי זוכה
 * Shnayim Ravim Hashlishi Zokheh
 * Translation: two are fighting - the third wins.
 * שעיר לעזאזל
 * Se'ir La'azazel
 * Meaning: scapegoat.
 * Origin: from the bible. (Leviticus 16)
 * English Equivalent: Scape goat.
 * Corollaries:
 * הולך לעזאזל
 * Holekh La'azazel
 * Translation: goes to the Azazel.
 * Meaning: goes to hell, goes down the drain.

ת

 * תפסת מרובה - לא תפסת
 * Tafasta Merubeh - Lo Tafasta
 * Translation: (tried to) caught a lot - didn't catch.
 * Meaning: if one tries to achieve too many goals at once, he'll achieve none or few of them.

א ב ג ד ה ו ז ח ט י כ ל מ נ ס ע פ צ ק ר ש ת