The most popular Spanish proverbs
The top 3 according to 3 votes from people: A bird in the hand is worth a hundred flying · A good listener needs few words · The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil. (Updated Dec 1, 2023.)
The proverbs that appear most often in collections of popular Spanish sayings and in the Instituto Cervantes' multilingual proverb collection, with what they mean (and an English equivalent where there is one).
Automatically translated (original in Español). See the original
Top 30
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1
A bird in the hand is worth a hundred flying
Better something certain, however small, than a lot that is uncertain. English: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
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2
A good listener needs few words
Those who understand don't need long explanations. English: a word to the wise is enough.
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3
The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil
Experience teaches more than talent.
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4
God helps those who get up early
Effort and diligence are rewarded. English: the early bird catches the worm.
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5
Getting up very early doesn't make the sun rise sooner
Some things take their time and can't be rushed; the counterpoint to the previous one.
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6
In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife
Something is often missing precisely where you'd most expect it. English: the cobbler's children have no shoes.
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7
Don't look a gift horse in the tooth
Accept gifts gratefully without finding fault. English: don't look a gift horse in the mouth.
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8
Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are
People are known by the company they keep; Sancho already quotes it in Don Quixote.
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9
The shrimp that falls asleep is carried away by the current
Whoever lets their guard down misses the chance.
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10
Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel
What you don't know can't hurt you. English: out of sight, out of mind.
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11
A barking dog bites little
Those who threaten a lot rarely act. English: his bark is worse than his bite.
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12
Better late than never
Better to do something late than not at all.
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13
Raise crows and they'll peck your eyes out
Help the undeserving and you may end up paying for it.
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14
Who grasps at much holds little
Try to do too many things at once and you'll do none well.
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15
There's no bad that doesn't bring some good
Something good can come out of misfortune. English: every cloud has a silver lining.
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16
Water you won't drink, let it flow
Don't meddle in what doesn't concern you.
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17
Who sows winds reaps storms
Stir up trouble and you'll suffer worse. English: sow the wind and reap the whirlwind.
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18
Like stick, like splinter
Children take after their parents. English: a chip off the old block.
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19
No flies get into a closed mouth
Keeping quiet keeps you out of trouble.
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20
If there's no bread, cakes will do
When you can't have what you want, make do with what you have.
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21
When the river sounds, it carries water
If people are talking about it, there's probably something to it. English: where there's smoke, there's fire.
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22
Cobbler, to your shoes
Stick to what you know. English: cobbler, stick to your last.
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23
Wherever you go, do what you see
Adapt to local customs. English: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
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24
Whoever loves you well will make you cry
Those who truly love you will correct you even if it hurts.
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25
Not all that glitters is gold
Appearances can be deceptive.
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26
Even if the monkey dresses in silk, it's still a monkey
However you dress something up, it stays what it is. English: you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
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27
Bad weather, good face
Face hardship with optimism.
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28
Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today
Get things done as soon as you can.
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29
Today for you, tomorrow for me
Help others, because tomorrow you may need them.
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30
Better alone than in bad company
Solitude is better than bad company.
Candidates
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31
God squeezes, but doesn't strangle
However bad things get, there's always a way out.
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32
By asking, you get to Rome
Don't be ashamed to ask.
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33
Many people's misfortune is fools' consolation
Others suffering the same doesn't fix your problem.
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34
Speaking of the king of Rome, he appears at the door
Said when the person you were talking about shows up. English: speak of the devil.
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35
Who keeps at it gets it
Perseverance pays off.
How is this ranking ordered? By people's votes: each ▲ adds a point and each ▼ takes one away. Anyone can vote and add what is missing.
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Comments (4)
«En boca cerrada no entran moscas», lo que me decía mi abuela cada vez que hablaba de más 😂
«Quien bien te quiere te hará llorar», el de mi abuela.
«Hablando del rey de Roma...» lo usamos todos los días en la oficina 😂
Mi abuela decía «Dios aprieta pero no ahoga» cada dos por tres, qué recuerdos.