When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion
Meaning: Collective effort by many can overcome even the most powerful opposition.
Origin: An Amharic proverb from Ethiopia: dir biyabir anbessa yasir — when spider webs join together, they can tie up a lion. A single thread is weak, but woven together they can hold even the strongest animal, and the saying is often quoted about unity and community action.
Equivalents in French, Spanish, Japanese, and German
- French: Quand les toiles d'araignée s'unissent, elles peuvent ligoter un lion (literally: When spiderwebs unite, they can bind a lion)
- Spanish: Cuando las telarañas se unen, pueden atar a un león (literally: When spiderwebs unite, they can tie up a lion)
- Japanese: クモの巣が束になれば、ライオンを縛ることができる (Kumo no su ga taba ni nareba, raion wo shibaru koto ga dekiru) (literally: When spiderwebs unite, they can bind a lion)
- German: Einigkeit macht stark (literally: Unity makes strong)
More proverbs about Challenge
- It is not the size of the dog in the fight, it is the size of the fight in the dog — Determination and spirit matter far more than physical size or advantage.
- The obstacle is the path — Difficulties are not barriers to our goals but the very means by which we achieve them.
- After climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are many more hills to climb — Every achievement reveals further challenges ahead; success is a continuous journey.
- Fortune favors the prepared mind — Success comes not from luck alone but from being ready to seize opportunities when they a…
- Every wall is a door — What appears to be an impassable barrier can be transformed into an opportunity.
- Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is — Anxiety and worry magnify threats beyond their actual size.
From our false friends
- Simpatichny (Симпатичный) (Simpatichnyy) — Actually means 'good-looking' or 'likeable'. For sympathetic, say сочувствующий (sochuvst…
- Aktualny (Актуальный) (Aktualnyy) — Actually means 'topical' or 'currently relevant'. For actual (real), say настоящий (nasto…
- Artist (Артист) (Artist) — Actually means 'performer' — an actor, singer or circus artiste. A painter is художник (k…