# Karelian proverbs

Karelian is a language spoken in Karelia.

## E

* Omas silmäs ei nävy ni parzi, a toizen silmäs nägyy toppu.
** English equivalent: To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel.
** "I always made one prayer to God, a very short one. Here it is: 'O Lord, make our enemies quite ridiculous!' God granted it."
** Voltaire, Letter to Étienne Noël Damilaville (1767)
** Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "20". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 131. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## H

* Hyvä zavoduš — puoli dielua.
** English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
** "Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A – beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process."
** Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "40". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 228. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## I

* Igä elä, igä opastu.
** English equivalent: We are to learn as long as we live.
** Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "31". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 182. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## K

* Ken ei työdy tie, sil ei syvvägi pie.
** English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
** "Nothing is given to you. Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it."
** Jack Charlton, British football manager. From his interview with Martyn Lewis, in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)"
** Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "47". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 256. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
* Korval kuule, toizel työnnä.
** English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
** "For various reasons a good advice or a genuine warning is often disregarded or considered of no importance."
** Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "30". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
* Kun kissa kois ei olega, hiiril on välja.
** English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play.
** "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
** Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "17". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 114. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
* Kiäppü kuwzes päi ei лoitakse kirbou.
** English equivalent: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
** "Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents."
** Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "48". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## M

* Millane muamo, moine i tytär.
** English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
** "Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
** Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "21". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
* Millane tuatto, moine i poigu.
** English equivalent: Like father, like son.
** "Sons may look and behave like their fathers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and daily."
** Source for meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "28". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 170. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.
* Mägi mägenke ei yhty yhtei, a ŕištšikanz ŕištšikanzanke yhtyu'.
** English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
** "There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or Once can always find a possibility for revenge."
** Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "37". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 213. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## V

* Vierevä kivi ei jäkälly.
** English equivalent: A rolling stone gathers no moss.
** "The unsettled person does not prosper."
** Paczolay, Gyula (1997). "14". European proverbs: in 55 languages, with equivalents in Arabic, Persian, Sanskrit, Chinese and Japanese. Veszprémi Nyomda. p. 100. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.

## See also

* Cheremis proverbs
* Mordvin proverbs
* Russian proverbs
* Veps proverbs
* Votian proverbs