ProverbWisdom
Italian origin
Italian originIl diavolo non è così brutto come lo si dipinge
Meaning: Things, or people, are usually less bad than their reputation.
Literally: The devil isn't as ugly as he's painted
Example: “Temevo l'esame di guida, ma il diavolo non è così brutto come lo si dipinge.” — I dreaded the driving test, but it wasn't as bad as it was made out to be.
Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, Japanese, German, and 2 more languages
English: There are more threatened than struck.
French: Il y a plus de peur que de mal (literally: There is more fear than harm)
Spanish: Más son los amenazados que los heridos (literally: The threatened outnumber the wounded)
Japanese: 案ずるより産むが易し (Anzuru yori umu ga yasushi) (literally: Giving birth is easier than worrying about it)
German: Es wird nicht so heiß gegessen, wie es gekocht wird (literally: Things are not eaten as hot as they are cooked)
Russian: Не так страшен чёрт, как его малюют (Ne tak strashen chyort, kak ego malyuyut) (literally: The devil isn't as scary as he's painted)
Polish: Nie taki diabeł straszny, jak go malują (literally: The devil isn't as scary as he's painted)
Origin: Church painters made the devil as hideous as they could; the real thing, the proverb suggests, is less frightening.
Explore another collection: Compliments & Insults
Compliments and insults from around the world, from the sweet to the savage.
- Sei un tesoro You're a darling — precious to have around.
- Testa di rapa A blockhead who isn't thinking.
- Sei una forza della natura You're unstoppable — your energy and drive are bigger than any obstacle.
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