Russian Proverbs (3)

This is a collection of Russian proverbs and sayings supplied from the bookA Book of English and Russian Proverbs and Sayings by author M. Dubrovin, Moscow, "Prosvesheniye", 1993.

A man is judged by his deeds, not by his words.

(People can say many things,because talking is easy,but it is more important what person does than what he says he will do)

The sun will shine into our yard too.

(Neither the weather nor people can remain disturbed for long;the calm(sun) must follow)

One does not sharpen the axes after the right time; after the time they are needed.

(It is useless to have something when there is no use for it)

After a storm (comes) fair weather, after sorrow (comes) joy.

(There must be something better after every piece of unpleasantness)

All are not cooks that walk with long knives.

(Good looks do not always go to with virtue, and ugliness does not always go with sin)

All cats are grey at night.

(All shapes,all colors are alike in the dark. The night obscure all distinguishing features)

Every seed knows its time == All in good time.

(One should not be impatient and hasten events; everything will work out after some time,but not immediately)

Any fish is good if it is on the hook.

(The fisherman can make use of every kind of fish that he catches,large and small.One should make use of every opportunity that comes one's way)

The one who draws (a cart) is urged on.

(A man willing to work is always given more work to do than a lazy one,because the work which given to willing man will be done well and quickly)

All roads lead toRome.

(A number of persons arrive at one common objective by different means.All ways or methods of fulfilling a certain intention end in the same results.)

As is well that ends well.

(If the final result is good,previous failures are forgotten and there is no need to complain, since the end result is the most importance thing)

All is not gold that glitters.

(A person or thing may not be as good,valuable,etc., as he or it first appears; appearances can be deceptive)

(One does not regret giving) one's own ear-ring to one's dear friend.

(One does not regret giving the best to one's friend)

The appetite comes during a meal.

(Desire or facility increases as an activity proceeds)

Onion treats seven ailments.

(If person eats an onion every day,he will remain healthy and not need a doctor)

As you cooked the porridge, so must you eat it.

(Every must take consequences of his own actions)

As you make your bed,so you will sleep.

(A person must take the responsibility for the results of his own unwise actions; just as a man who makes his bed badly will certainly sleep uncomfortably.)

You will reap what you will sow.

(You will be rewarded or punished in accordance with what you have done to deserve it)

It is a bad workman that has a bad saw.

(A careless or unskilled person blames his tools to excuse himself for bad work, while it is his own carelessness or lack of skill which is really to blame)

One may make up a soft bed (for somebody), but still it will be hard to sleep in.

(One should beware of an attractive offer, for there is very likely)