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Proverbs

Ega vana koer valet ei haugu.
Literal Translation:
An old dog barks not in vain.
Õun ei kuku iial puust kaugele.
Literal Translation:
The apple never falls far form the tree.
(American) English Equivalent:
The apple does not fall far from the tree.
Meaning:
Children tend to be like their parents.
Magaja kassi suhu hiir ei jookse.
Literal Translation:
No dreaming cat catches mice.
(American) English Equivalent:
Birds fly not into our mouth ready roasted.
Meaning:
One cannot (or should not) expect to benefit without making some effort.
Kuidas ema, nõnda tütar.
Literal Translation:
Such mother, such daughter.
(American) 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.
Vana hobune, varsa mõtted.
Literal Translation:
Old horse, foal thinking.
(American) English Equivalent:
Wisdom goes not always by years.
Meaning:
Age will not refrain all people from acting foolish and unprudent.
Kõik ei ole kuld, mis hiilgab.
Literal Translation:
All that glimmers is not gold.
(American) 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.
Vana arm ei kustu.
Literal Translation:
Old love does not rust.
Pisuke kala on suurema söömaeg.
Literal Translation:
A little fish is supper for a large fish.
(American) 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.
Ära enne solgivett maha viska, kui puhas käes on.
(American) English Equivalent:
Cast no dirt into the well that gives you water.
Meaning:
People who can put themselves in the place of other people – who can understand the workings of their minds, need never worry about what the future has in store for them.
Hunt murrab ka loetud lambad.
Meaning:
The wolf breaks the counted sheep.
Kui kassid kodus ie ole, siis hiired tantssivad.
(American) English Equivalent:
If the cat is away, the mice play.
Meaning:
n the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them.
Valel on lühikesed jalad.
Literal Translation:
A lie has short legs.
Oras ei kasva külvamata.
Meaning:
What you reap is what you sow.
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