ProverbPerseveranceRussian origin

Счёт дружбы не портит (Schyot druzhby ne portit)

Meaning: Settling money matters clearly keeps a friendship healthy.

Literally: Keeping accounts doesn't spoil friendship

Example: “Давай я верну тебе деньги за билеты. Счёт дружбы не портит.” — Let me pay you back for the tickets: short reckonings make long friends.

Equivalents in English, French, Spanish, German, Italian, and 2 more languages

  • English: Short reckonings make long friends.
  • French: Les bons comptes font les bons amis (literally: Short reckonings make long friends)
  • Spanish: Cuentas claras, amistades largas. (literally: Clear accounts, long friendships.)
  • German: Kurze Rechnung, lange Freundschaft (literally: Short reckoning, long friendship)
  • Italian: Patti chiari, amicizia lunga (literally: Clear deals, long friendship)
  • Portuguese: As boas contas fazem os bons amigos (literally: Good accounts make good friends)
  • Dutch: Effen rekeningen maken goede vrienden (literally: Settled accounts make good friends)

Origin: Keeping accounts doesn't spoil friendship: repaying exactly avoids resentment later.

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