The major published source of Russian proverbs and sayings is a huge list compiled by the Russian philologist Vladimir Dal’ in the 19^th century, and reprinted often during the Soviet period—showing how popular many of them remained in the 20^th century. Dal’ divided his collection into broad categories, but basically the following is just a list for browsing, not a research tool. If our list becomes too long and unwieldy, then we will probably introduce categories. The present order is random, although we begin with some of the most popular sayings.

The literal translations are included for those of you at an early stage in your study of the language. Sometimes we have felt it necessary to add [in square brackets] a comment or an explanation of the literal translation. In case you did not know this already, please note that in proverbial expressions Russians use the second person singular or 'familiar' form, meaning 'you'—that is, people in general.

We hope you find some sayings that you like, and perhaps can put to good use. If you see any mistakes, or think you have a better translation or proverb in English, please let us know. We would also be grateful for suggestions of Russian proverbs to add to the list, particularly those that you have heard or used yourself—including sayings that have become popular since Dal' composed his list. Yes, we know that some choice expressions are obscene or might offend, and we probably would have trouble putting them on an 'edu' website, so be patient if we can't use a few of your favorites.

The pen is mightier than the sword.
Что написано пером, того не вырубишь топором.
That which has been written by a pen cannot be hacked out with an ax.
[The favorite of all writers everywhere, but tyrants and censors persist.]

More haste, less speed.
Тише едешь, дальше будешь.
The calmer you go, the further along you will be.
[Good advice for a non-Russian typing in Cyrillic!]

Still waters run deep.
В тихом омуте черти водятся.
In calm deep water devils can (often) be found.

Look before you leap.
Не скажи "гоп" пока не перескочишь.
Don't say "I made it!" until you have jumped across/over (successfully).

Don't carry coals to Newcastle.
В Тулу со своим самоваром не ездят.
People don't travel to Tula with their own samovar.
[Tula was famous for the production of samovars, just as Newcastle in England was famous for its coal. So the meaning is that you don't have to tell people what they already know or give them what they already have.]

All that glitters is not gold OR Don't judge a book by its cover.
Не все то золото, что блестит.
Not everything is gold that glitters.

Be a good host; think of your guests first.
Не красна изба углами, а красна пирогами.
A hut is not beautiful because of its icons, but because of its pies.
[Similar to the previous saying: Judge a home by the family's hospitality, not by its appearance. By tradition Russian Orthodox Christians placed an icon in the corner of a room, sometimes in the corner of practically every room in the house.]

You are what you drive OR (perhaps) Clothes make the man.
Какие сани — такие сами.
Like the sleigh, so are you yourself.
[People reveal something about themselves by the choices they make.]

Too many cooks spoil the broth.
У семи нянек дитя без глазу.
With (in the care of) seven nannies a child is left unwatched.

A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
За двумя зайцами погонишься, ни одного не поймаешь.
If you chase after two hares, you'll catch neither one.

Strike while the iron is hot.
Куй железо, пока горячо.
Strike the iron while it is hot.

Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.
Брань на вороту не виснет.
Verbal abuse does not hang upon my collar.

Sticks and stones…
Зови хоть горшком, только в печку не ставь.
Call me a pot (if you like), but don't put me into the oven.

Don't blame others for your own mistakes.
Не пеняй на соседа, когда спишь до обеда.
Don’t blame your neighbor if you sleep until lunch.

God helps those who help themselves.
Кто рано встает, тому Бог дает.
God gives to the person who gets up early (in the morning).

Anyone can make a mistake.
И на старуху бывает проруха.
Even an old woman can make (suffer) a mistake.

A leopard can't change its spots.
Черного кобеля не отмоешь добела.
You can't turn a black dog white by washing it.

People only care about 'Number One'.
Своя рубашка ближе к телу.
Your own shirt is closer to your body.

People only care about their own problems [and laugh at others].
Чужая беда – смех, своя беда – грех.
Another's problem [provokes] laughter, but your own is a sin.

A drunk thinks he can walk on water.
Пьяному море по колено.
For a drunk the sea only reaches his knees.

Birds of a feather flock together.
Ворон ворону глаз не выклюет.
A crow will not peck out the eyes of another crow.
[This has a negative meaning, as in English: villains recognize each other.]

Ditto
Рыбак рыбака издалека видит.
A fisherman can see another from a great distance.
[Similar to the previous one, but without so much negative connotation.]

Way the hell and gone OR In the boonies.
У черта на рогах (на куличках).
On the horns of the devil.

He has the best of both worlds.
Пьян да умен – два угодья в нем.
He's drunk but smart – he has two advantages.

Beggars can't be choosers.
Голодному Федоту и пустые щи в ухоту.
Hungry Fedot finds even meatless soup welcome.

Ditto
Голодному волку и жук – мясо.
For a hungry wolf even a beetle counts as meat.

Take care of business; don't allow things to get worse.
Было бы болото, а черти будут.
It could be a swamp, but there will be evil spirits there.

Ditto
Были бы крошки – будут и мышки.
Even if there are only crumbs, mice will still be there.

A fool is always rushing around without rhyme or reason.
За дурной головой ногам покою нет.
Someone with a foolish mind will have tired legs.

Older and wiser is better.
Старый конь борозды не испортит.
An old horse will not spoil the furrow.

If you take on some responsibility, then don't make excuses; get the job done.
Взялся за гуж – не говори, что не дюж.
If you took hold of the tug (rein), don't say you are not tough enough.

Ditto
Назвался груздьем – полезай в кузов!
If you called yourself a [milk-agaric] mushroom, then jump into the mushroom picker's basket.

Every little bit helps.
С миру по нитке – голому рубашка.
Just one threat from each person in a mir [village] will make a shirt for a naked man.

A thief (or anyone who has done something wrong) will give himself away.
На воре шапка горит.
A [stolen] hat burns on a thief.

Russian peasants only think of God when danger threatens.
Пока гром не грянет, мужик не перекрестится.
Until it thunders, the peasant does not cross himself.

God loves a good host.
Гость в дом – Бог в дом.
[Inviting] a guest into your home is to invite God into your home.

A priest sets the tone for the whole parish.
Каков поп, таков и приход.
As is the priest, so is the parish.