Latvian proverbs

Latvian proverbs are short expressions of popular wisdom from Latvia. A Ābols no ābeles tālu nekrīt. English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree. Meaning: "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents." Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 259 527 1-875943-44-7 Aiz kokiem neredzēt mežu. Translation: Cannot see woods behind the trees Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 160 504 0415160502 C Ceļš uz elli ir bruģēts ar labiem nodomiem. English equivalent: The road to hell is paved with good intentions. Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 257 0415160502 D Dievam trīs lietas patīkamas. English equivalent: All good things come in threes. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 80 2200 0415096243 Divus zaķus reizē ķerdams nevienu nenoķersi. English equivalent: You must not run after two hares at the same time. Meaning: "Concentrate on one thing at a time or you will achieve nothing. - Trying to do two or more things at a time, when even one on its own needs full effort, means that none of them will be accomplished properly." Source for meaning of English equivalent: Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 X X Strauss Emmanuel 1994 Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1 Routledge 886 0415096243 Dumjš tas putns, kam sava ligzda nav mīļa. English equivalent: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public. Meaning: Don't speak ill off yourself and the groups you belong to. Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 466 527 1-875943-44-7 Dzirdi daudz, runā maz. English equivalent: Nature has given us two ears and one tongue. "If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere." " Zig Ziglar as quoted in The Power of Respect : Benefit from the Most Forgotten Element of Success (2009) by Deborah Norville, p. 65 Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 160 504 0415160502 I Iedosi velnam mazo pirkstiņu, paņems visu roku. English equivalent: Give him an inch and he will take a yard. Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 240 0415160502 K Kas nestrādā, tam nebūs ēst. English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat. Meaning: "Without due effort one is not entitled to the fruits of the work." Source for proverb and meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 256 527 1-875943-44-7 Kas skroderarm dos labas drēbes! English equivalent: The shoemaker goes barefoot. Meaning: "Working hard for others one may neglect one's own needs or the needs of those closest to him." Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 65 7 Kā viss dzīvē neatgadās English equivalent: Never is a long time. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 36 2200 0415096243 Kā vecie svilpo tā jaunie danco. Translation: The young ones dance as the old ones whistle. Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 138 0415160502 Kā sauc, tā atskan. English equivalent: Just as one calls into the forest, so it echoes back. Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 139 0415160502 Kāda māte, tāda meita. English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter. Meaning: "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily." Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 137 527 1-875943-44-7 Kāds tēvs, tāds dēls. English equivalent: Like father, like son. Meaning: "Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily." Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 137 527 1-875943-44-7 Kam niez, tas kasās English equivalent: If the shoe fits, wear it. "Tis great Confidence in a Friend to tell him your Faults, greater to tell him his or hers." Benjamin Franklin, Poor Richard's Almanack (1751). Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 998 2200 0415096243 Kur divi, tur trešais lieks. English equivalent: Two is company, three is a wheel. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 729 2200 0415096243 Kur tievs, tur trūkst. English equivalent: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Meaning: "A weak part or member will affect the success or effectiveness of the whole." Source for meaning of English equivalent: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA38 31 July 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 38 Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 19 504 0415160502 L Labāk godīgi mirt, nekā negodīgi dzīvot. English equivalent: Death before dishonour. Strauss Emanuel Abbreviated 1998 Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 54 504 0415160502 Laiks ir nauda. English equivalent: Time is money. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1008 2200 0415096243 Lielā zivs mazo rij. English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small. Meaning: "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful." Source for meaning: Martin H. Manser The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs http://books.google.com/books?id=fgaUQc8NbTYC&pg=PA358 1 July 2013 2007 Infobase Publishing 978-0-8160-6673-5 27 Source for proverbs: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 420 527 1-875943-44-7 N Ne viss ir zelts, kas spīd. English equivalent: All that glimmers is not gold. Meaning: "An attractive appearance may be deceptive. It may cover or hide a much less favourable content." Source for meaning of English equivalent: # Paczolay Gyula European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese http://books.google.com/books?id=JiXzAAAAMAAJ 1997 Veszprémi Nyomda 1-875943-44-7 114 X Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 77 0415160502 No tukšām runām (valodām) vēders pilnāks netiek. English equivalent: Fine words butters no parsnips. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge IOI 2200 0415096243 P Pulkā pat mirt nav grūti. Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 187 0415160502 S Sargi savu godu no jaunām dienām. English equivalent: Reckless youth makes rueful age. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 1151 2200 0415096243 Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1994 Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1 Routledge 1122 0415096243 Sargi sevi pats, tad Dievs tevi sargās. English equivalent: Heaven helps those who help themselves. Meaning: "When in trouble first of all every one himself should do his best to improve his condition." Source for meaning: Paczolay Gyula 1997 European Proverbs in 55 languages DeProverbio.com 150 527 1-875943-44-7 Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1994 Dictionary of European Proverbs, Volym 1 Routledge 733 0415096243 Sveši dūmi acis grauž. English equivalent: Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 754 2200 0415096243 V Vārna vārnai acī neknābj. Translation: A crow will not pick out the eyes of another crow. English equivalent: Dog doesn't eat dog. Source: Strauss Emmanuel 1998 Dictionary of European Proverbs Routledge 31 0415160502 Veca mīlestība nerūs. Translation: Old love does not rust. Strauss Emanuel Volume 2 1994 Dictionary of European proverbs Routledge 825 2200 0415096243 Z Zirgam četras kājas ir tad vēl klūp. English equivalent: It is a good horse that never stumbles. Strauss Emanuel Concise Dictionary of European Proverbs https://books.google.com/books?id=RzctBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA58 1994 978-1-136-78971-7 57–58 208 See also Livonian proverbs Category:Proverbs by language proverbs