The world has been passing down words of advice, guidance and warning for generations. A growing collection of sayings from around the world, offering a glimpse into the cultures and ways of thinking that shape everyday life.


Click any entry to discover its cultural note, closest English equivalent, and hear it spoken in its original language and English.

[[slug:the-past-is-nothing-more-than-just-the-past]]

South Korea

The past is nothing more than just the past.

The past is nothing more than just the past.

과거는 과거일 뿐이다 Gwa-geor-eun gwa-gwer-il ppun-i-da.

과거는 과거일 뿐이다 Gwa-geor-eun gwa-gwer-il ppun-i-da.

[[slug:accept-your-portion-in-life-with-an-open-hand]]

Indonesia

Accept your portion in life with an open hand.

Accept your portion in life with an open hand.

Nrimo ing pandum.

Nrimo ing pandum.

[[slug:measure-the-fabric-seven-times-cut-it-only-once]]

Russia

Measure the fabric seven times, cut it only once.

Measure the fabric seven times, cut it only once.

Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь Sem' raz otmer', odin raz otrez.

Семь раз отмерь, один раз отрежь Sem' raz otmer', odin raz otrez.

[[slug:the-heart-desires-to-embrace-the-mountain-but-the-arms-are-too-short]]

Indonesia

The heart desires to embrace the mountain, but the arms are too short.

The heart desires to embrace the mountain, but the arms are too short.

Maksud hati memeluk gunung, apa daya tangan tak sampai.

Maksud hati memeluk gunung, apa daya tangan tak sampai.

[[slug:the-sweetness-of-doing-absolutely-nothing]]

Italy

The sweetness of doing absolutely nothing.

The sweetness of doing absolutely nothing.

Il dolce far niente.

Il dolce far niente.

[[slug:to-peel-the-pineapple]]

Brazil

To peel the pineapple.

To peel the pineapple.

Descascar o abacaxi.

Descascar o abacaxi.

[[slug:like-this-like-that]]

France

Like this, like that.

Like this, like that.

Comme ci, comme ça.

Comme ci, comme ça.

[[slug:the-nail-that-sticks-out-gets-hammered-down]]

Japan

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

The nail that sticks out gets hammered down.

出る釘は打たれる Deru kugi wa utareru.

出る釘は打たれる Deru kugi wa utareru.

[[slug:if-jade-is-not-polished-it-cannot-become-a-beautiful-vessel]]

China

If jade is not polished, it cannot become a beautiful vessel.

If jade is not polished, it cannot become a beautiful vessel.

玉不琢,不成器 Yù bù zuó, bù chéng qì.

玉不琢,不成器 Yù bù zuó, bù chéng qì.

[[slug:the-shrimp-that-falls-asleep-gets-carried-away-by-the-river-current]]

Mexico

The shrimp that falls asleep gets carried away by the river current.

The shrimp that falls asleep gets carried away by the river current.

Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.

Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.

[[slug:one-chirp-and-it-astounds-the-world]]

China

One chirp, and it astounds the world.

One chirp, and it astounds the world.

一鸣惊人 Yī míng jīng rén

一鸣惊人 Yī míng jīng rén

[[slug:to-flip-the-omelet]]

Spain

To flip the omelet.

To flip the omelet.

Dar la vuelta a la tortilla.

Dar la vuelta a la tortilla.

[[slug:failure-is-the-mother-of-success]]

China

Failure is the mother of success.

Failure is the mother of success.

失败乃成功之母 Shībài nǎi chénggōng zhī mǔ.

失败乃成功之母 Shībài nǎi chénggōng zhī mǔ.

[[slug:not-too-little-not-too-much-just-right-is-best]]

Sweden

Not too little, not too much, just right is best.

Not too little, not too much, just right is best.

Lagom är bäst.

Lagom är bäst.

[[slug:slowly-but-surely-as-long-as-it-gets-accomplished]]

Indonesia

Slowly but surely, as long as it gets accomplished.

Slowly but surely, as long as it gets accomplished.

Alon-alon asal kelakon.

Alon-alon asal kelakon.

[[slug:the-monkey-is-a-gazelle-in-his-mother-s-eyes]]

Egypt

The monkey is a gazelle in his mother's eyes.

The monkey is a gazelle in his mother's eyes.

القرد في عين أمه غزال Al-qird fi 'ayn ummihi ghazal.

القرد في عين أمه غزال Al-qird fi 'ayn ummihi ghazal.

[[slug:you-must-crack-the-nut-open-to-eat-the-kernel-inside]]

France

You must crack the nut open to eat the kernel inside.

You must crack the nut open to eat the kernel inside.

Il faut casser la noix pour manger le noyau.

Il faut casser la noix pour manger le noyau.

[[slug:a-frog-at-the-bottom-of-a-well]]

China

A frog at the bottom of a well.

A frog at the bottom of a well.

井底之蛙 Jǐng dǐ zhī wā.

井底之蛙 Jǐng dǐ zhī wā.

[[slug:raft-upstream-first-then-swim-to-the-shore-later]]

Indonesia

Raft upstream first, then swim to the shore later.

Raft upstream first, then swim to the shore later.

Berakit-rakit ke hulu, berenang-renang ke tepian.

Berakit-rakit ke hulu, berenang-renang ke tepian.

[[slug:drop-by-drop-the-ocean-is-formed]]

India

Drop by drop, the ocean is formed.

Drop by drop, the ocean is formed.

Boond boond se saagar banta hai.

Boond boond se saagar banta hai.

[[slug:in-wine-there-is-truth]]

Italy

In wine, there is truth.

In wine, there is truth.

In vino veritas.

In vino veritas.

[[slug:can-t-dance-blames-the-crooked-courtyard]]

India

Can't dance, blames the crooked courtyard.

Can't dance, blames the crooked courtyard.

Naach na jaane, aangan tedha.

Naach na jaane, aangan tedha.

[[slug:a-man-without-a-belly-is-like-a-house-without-a-balcony]]

Turkey

A man without a belly is like a house without a balcony.

A man without a belly is like a house without a balcony.

Göbeksiz erkek, balkonsuz ev gibidir.

Göbeksiz erkek, balkonsuz ev gibidir.

[[slug:when-eating-the-fruit-remember-who-planted-the-tree]]

Vietnam

When eating the fruit, remember who planted the tree.

When eating the fruit, remember who planted the tree.

Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây.

Ăn quả nhớ kẻ trồng cây.

[[slug:to-bad-weather-a-good-face]]

Argentina

To bad weather, a good face.

To bad weather, a good face.

Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

[[slug:the-cat-is-away-the-mouse-is-cheerful]]

Thailand

The cat is away, the mouse is cheerful.

The cat is away, the mouse is cheerful.

Meow mai yoo, noo ra-reng.

Meow mai yoo, noo ra-reng.

[[slug:hati-hati]]

Indonesia

Hati-hati

Hati-hati

Heart-heart

Heart-heart

[[slug:on-the-bald-man-s-head-the-barber-learns-his-craft]]

Greece

On the bald man's head, the barber learns his craft.

On the bald man's head, the barber learns his craft.

Stou kasidi to kefali, mathainei o koureas.

Stou kasidi to kefali, mathainei o koureas.

[[slug:a-fish-s-son-knows-how-to-swim]]

Portugal

A fish's son knows how to swim.

A fish's son knows how to swim.

Filho de peixe, sabe nadar.

Filho de peixe, sabe nadar.

[[slug:as-you-sow-so-shall-you-reap]]

India

As you sow, so shall you reap.

As you sow, so shall you reap.

Jaisi karni waisi bharni.

Jaisi karni waisi bharni.

[[slug:the-donkey-called-the-rooster-big-headed]]

Greece

The donkey called the rooster big headed.

The donkey called the rooster big headed.

Eipe o gaidaros ton petino kefala.

Eipe o gaidaros ton petino kefala.

[[slug:not-my-circus-not-my-monkeys]]

Poland

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy.

Nie mój cyrk, nie moje małpy.

[[slug:among-the-blind-the-one-eyed-man-is-king]]

India

Among the blind, the one eyed man is king.

Among the blind, the one eyed man is king.

Andhon mein kaana raja.

Andhon mein kaana raja.

[[slug:light-loads-carried-together-heavy-ones-shouldered-together]]

Indonesia

Light loads carried together, heavy ones shouldered together.

Light loads carried together, heavy ones shouldered together.

Ringan sama dijinjing, berat sama dipikul.

Ringan sama dijinjing, berat sama dipikul.

[[slug:like-water-on-a-taro-leaf]]

Indonesia

Like water on a taro leaf.

Like water on a taro leaf.

Bagai air di daun talas.

Bagai air di daun talas.

[[slug:no-what-what]]

Indonesia

No what-what.

No what-what.

Tidak apa-apa.

Tidak apa-apa.

[[slug:sayang]]

Indonesia

Sayang

Sayang

Beloved or what a pity

Beloved or what a pity

[[slug:like-a-peanut-forgetting-its-shell]]

Indonesia

Like a peanut forgetting its shell.

Like a peanut forgetting its shell.

Seperti kacang lupa kulitnya.

Seperti kacang lupa kulitnya.

[[slug:far-from-the-eyes-close-to-the-heart]]

Indonesia

Far from the eyes, close to the heart.

Far from the eyes, close to the heart.

Jauh di mata, dekat di hati.

Jauh di mata, dekat di hati.

[[slug:different-field-different-grasshoppers-different-pool-different-fish]]

Indonesia

Different field, different grasshoppers, different pool, different fish.

Different field, different grasshoppers, different pool, different fish.

Lain ladang lain belalang, lain lubuk lain ikannya.

Lain ladang lain belalang, lain lubuk lain ikannya.

[[slug:your-mouth-is-your-tiger]]

Indonesia

Your mouth is your tiger.

Your mouth is your tiger.

Mulutmu harimaumu.

Mulutmu harimaumu.

[[slug:the-peg-is-bigger-than-the-pillar]]

Indonesia

The peg is bigger than the pillar.

The peg is bigger than the pillar.

Besar pasak daripada tiang.

Besar pasak daripada tiang.

[[slug:an-empty-barrel-sounds-the-loudest]]

Indonesia

An empty barrel sounds the loudest.

An empty barrel sounds the loudest.

Tong kosong nyaring bunyinya.

Tong kosong nyaring bunyinya.

[[slug:the-dogs-bark-the-caravan-moves-on]]

Indonesia

The dogs bark, the caravan moves on.

The dogs bark, the caravan moves on.

Anjing menggonggong, kafilah berlalu.

Anjing menggonggong, kafilah berlalu.

[[slug:jalan-jalan]]

Indonesia

Jalan-jalan

Jalan-jalan

Walk walk

Walk walk

[[slug:where-you-stand-on-the-earth-there-you-hold-up-the-sky]]

Indonesia

Where you stand on the earth, there you hold up the sky.

Where you stand on the earth, there you hold up the sky.

Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung.

Di mana bumi dipijak, di situ langit dijunjung.

[[slug:jam-karet]]

Indonesia

Jam karet

Jam karet

Rubber time

Rubber time

[[slug:because-of-one-drop-of-indigo-a-whole-pot-of-milk-is-ruined]]

Indonesia

Because of one drop of indigo, a whole pot of milk is ruined.

Because of one drop of indigo, a whole pot of milk is ruined.

Karena nila setitik, rusak susu sebelanga.

Karena nila setitik, rusak susu sebelanga.

[[slug:once-the-sweetness-is-gone-the-pulp-is-thrown-away]]

Indonesia

Once the sweetness is gone, the pulp is thrown away.

Once the sweetness is gone, the pulp is thrown away.

Habis manis, sepah dibuang.

Habis manis, sepah dibuang.

[[slug:masuk-angin]]

Indonesia

Masuk angin

Masuk angin

The wind enters

The wind enters

[[slug:it-can-be-arranged]]

Indonesia

It can be arranged.

It can be arranged.

Bisa diatur.

Bisa diatur.

[[slug:melali]]

Indonesia

Melali

Melali

To go out and enjoy

To go out and enjoy

[[slug:not-yet-my-fortune]]

Indonesia

Not yet my fortune.

Not yet my fortune.

Belum rezeki.

Belum rezeki.

[[slug:to-every-bird-his-own-nest-is-beautiful]]

Italy

To every bird, his own nest is beautiful.

To every bird, his own nest is beautiful.

A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.

A ogni uccello il suo nido è bello.

[[slug:he-who-leans-against-a-good-tree-is-sheltered-by-good-shade]]

Nicaragua

He who leans against a good tree is sheltered by good shade.

He who leans against a good tree is sheltered by good shade.

El que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija.

El que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija.

[[slug:like-an-owl-longing-for-the-moon]]

Indonesia

Like an owl longing for the moon.

Like an owl longing for the moon.

Bagaikan pungguk merindukan bulan.

Bagaikan pungguk merindukan bulan.

[[slug:it-s-not-as-if-you-have-to-drink-the-sea]]

France

It's not as if you have to drink the sea.

It's not as if you have to drink the sea.

Ce n'est pas la mer à boire.

Ce n'est pas la mer à boire.

[[slug:however-skilled-the-squirrel-jumps-eventually-it-falls-once]]

Indonesia

However skilled the squirrel jumps, eventually it falls once.

However skilled the squirrel jumps, eventually it falls once.

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, sekali gawal jatuh juga.

Sepandai-pandai tupai melompat, sekali gawal jatuh juga.

[[slug:one-nail-drives-out-another]]

France

One nail drives out another.

One nail drives out another.

Un clou chasse l'autre.

Un clou chasse l'autre.

[[slug:mercy-is-with-god-but-the-doing-is-with-man]]

Philippines

Mercy is with God, but the doing is with man.

Mercy is with God, but the doing is with man.

Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.

Nasa Diyos ang awa, nasa tao ang gawa.

[[slug:the-night-carries-advice]]

France

The night carries advice.

The night carries advice.

La nuit porte conseil.

La nuit porte conseil.

[[slug:rising-early-doesn-t-make-the-dawn-come-any-sooner]]

Spain

Rising early doesn't make the dawn come any sooner.

Rising early doesn't make the dawn come any sooner.

No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.

No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.

[[slug:too-shy-to-ask-lost-on-the-road]]

Indonesia

Too shy to ask, lost on the road.

Too shy to ask, lost on the road.

Malu bertanya, sesat di jalan.

Malu bertanya, sesat di jalan.

[[slug:the-rice-has-already-become-porridge]]

Indonesia

The rice has already become porridge.

The rice has already become porridge.

Nasi sudah menjadi bubur.

Nasi sudah menjadi bubur.

[[slug:appetite-comes-while-eating]]

Italy

Appetite comes while eating.

Appetite comes while eating.

L'appetito vien mangiando.

L'appetito vien mangiando.

[[slug:like-a-frog-inside-a-coconut-shell]]

Indonesia

Like a frog inside a coconut shell.

Like a frog inside a coconut shell.

Bagai katak dalam tempurung.

Bagai katak dalam tempurung.

[[slug:flies-don-t-enter-a-closed-mouth]]

Spain

Flies don't enter a closed mouth.

Flies don't enter a closed mouth.

En boca cerrada no entran moscas.

En boca cerrada no entran moscas.

[[slug:where-there-s-sugar-there-are-ants]]

Indonesia

Where there's sugar, there are ants.

Where there's sugar, there are ants.

Ada gula ada semut.

Ada gula ada semut.