Spanish Proverbs

Every proverb in our collection, translated into Spanish. Each entry pairs the original saying with its Spanish translation, a literal rendering, and where it comes from.

Explore all Proverbs →

La pluma es más poderosa que la espada — Writing and ideas have more influence than violence. Literally: The pen is more powerful than the sword.
Querer es poder — Determination will help you find a solution. Literally: To want is to be able.
La sangre es más espesa que el agua — Family bonds are stronger than other relationships. Literally: Blood is thicker than water.
Dos cabezas piensan mejor que una — Collaboration and diverse perspectives lead to better solutions. Literally: Two heads think better than one.
No hay ganancia sin dolor — You must work hard to achieve results. Literally: There is no gain without pain.
Lo que siembras, cosechas — Your actions will eventually return to affect you. Literally: What you sow, you harvest.
El silencio es oro — Sometimes it's better to say nothing. Literally: Silence is gold.
La hierba siempre es más verde al otro lado — What others have always seems better than what you have. Literally: The grass is always greener on the other side.
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando — It's better to have something certain now than to risk it for something uncertain in the future. Literally: A bird in hand is worth more than a hundred flying.
La práctica hace al maestro — Repeated practice leads to mastery. Literally: Practice makes the master.
Dios los cría y ellos se juntan — People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other. Literally: God raises them and they come together.
Cuando las cosas se ponen difíciles, los duros se ponen en marcha — Strong people don't give up when faced with challenges. Literally: When things get tough, the tough get going.
Caer siete veces, levantarse ocho — Perseverance is the key to mastery and resilience. Literally: Fall seven times, rise eight.
Al mal tiempo, buena cara — Make the best of a bad situation. Literally: To bad weather, good face.
No pongas todos los huevos en la misma canasta — Don't risk everything on one venture. Literally: Don't put all eggs in the same basket.
Dos males no hacen un bien — Responding to wrongdoing with more wrongdoing is never justified. Literally: Two evils don't make a good.
Los hechos hablan más que las palabras — What you do matters more than what you say. Literally: Deeds speak more than words.
Roma no se construyó en un día — Great things take time and patience. Literally: Rome was not built in a day.
No hay mal que por bien no venga — There is always something positive in every difficult situation. Literally: There is no evil that doesn't come for good.
La honestidad es la mejor política — Being truthful is always the right approach. Literally: Honesty is the best policy.
Antes de actuar, piensa — Think carefully before acting. Literally: Before acting, think.
Las apariencias engañan — Appearances can be deceiving. Literally: Appearances deceive.
Más vale prevenir que lamentar — Fixing a problem early prevents bigger issues later. Literally: Better to prevent than to regret.
No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo — Don't assume success before it happens. Literally: Don't sell the bear's skin before hunting it.
Muchas manos en un plato hacen mucho garabato — Too many people involved can ruin a project. Literally: Many hands on a plate make a mess.
Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda — Those who act first gain advantage. Literally: God helps those who rise early.
Más vale tarde que nunca — Doing something late is better than not doing it at all. Literally: Better late than never.
La curiosidad mató al gato — Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble. Literally: Curiosity killed the cat.
La necesidad es la madre de la invención — Difficult situations inspire creative solutions. Literally: Necessity is the mother of invention.
De tal palo, tal astilla — Children often resemble their parents. Literally: From such a stick, such a splinter.
El saber es poder — Education and learning give you strength and advantage. Literally: Knowledge is power.
El tiempo todo lo cura — Emotional pain fades with the passage of time. Literally: Time cures everything.
Quien siembra vientos, recoge tempestades — Your actions determine your outcomes. Literally: Who sows winds, reaps storms.
La risa es la mejor medicina — Humor and joy can help overcome difficulties. Literally: Laughter is the best medicine.
Donde hay humo, hay fuego — Rumors or signs usually indicate some truth. Literally: Where there is smoke, there is fire.
Lento pero seguro — Consistency and patience lead to success. Literally: Slow but sure.
Dale un pez a un hombre y comerá un día — Teaching someone is more valuable than doing things for them. Literally: Give a fish to a man and he eats one day.
Ojo por ojo deja al mundo ciego — Revenge only creates more suffering. Literally: Eye for eye leaves the world blind.
No todo lo que brilla es oro — Appearances can be misleading. Literally: Not everything that shines is gold.
Trata a los demás como quieras que te traten — Treat people the way you want to be treated. Literally: Treat others as you want to be treated.
Quien espera, desespera — Time seems to pass slowly when you are waiting. Literally: He who waits, despairs.
La fortuna favorece a los audaces — Taking risks often leads to rewards. Literally: Fortune favors the bold.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente — When you need help, you accept what's offered. Literally: Don't look at the teeth of a gifted horse.
Mucho ruido y pocas nueces — Those who know the least often talk the most. Literally: Much noise and few nuts.
Lo mejor de la vida es gratis — The most valuable experiences don't cost money. Literally: The best in life is free.
Del agua mansa líbreme Dios — Quiet people often have great depth of character. Literally: God save me from still water.
Se necesita un pueblo entero para criar a un niño — Community support is essential for child development. Literally: It takes a whole town to raise a child.
Si funciona, no lo toques — Don't change something that's working well. Literally: If it works, don't touch it.
Perro que ladra no muerde — People who make threats rarely carry them out. Literally: A dog that barks doesn't bite.
No muerdas la mano que te da de comer — Don't harm those who help you. Literally: Don't bite the hand that feeds you.
Lo que para uno es basura, para otro es un tesoro — What one person discards, another may value. Literally: What is trash for one is treasure for another.
El dinero no crece en los árboles — Money is hard to earn and should be spent wisely. Literally: Money doesn't grow on trees.
Donde fueres, haz lo que vieres — Adapt to local customs when visiting a new place. Literally: Where you go, do what you see.
El que tiene tejado de vidrio no tire piedras al del vecino — Don't criticize others if you have the same faults. Literally: He who has a glass roof should not throw stones at the neighbor's.
La paciencia es la madre de la ciencia — Patience is rewarded. Literally: Patience is the mother of science.
Mantén a tus amigos cerca y a tus enemigos más cerca — It's wise to monitor those who might harm you. Literally: Keep your friends close and your enemies closer.
Una imagen vale más que mil palabras — Visual information communicates more effectively than text. Literally: An image is worth more than a thousand words.
La ausencia aviva el cariño — Being apart makes you appreciate someone more. Literally: Absence enlivens affection.
Aprendiz de todo, maestro de nada — Versatility can come at the cost of expertise. Literally: Apprentice of all, master of none.
Hogar, dulce hogar — Home is where you feel most comfortable. Literally: Home, sweet home.
Las prisas son malas consejeras — Rushing leads to mistakes and wasted effort. Literally: Haste is a bad advisor.
A lo hecho, pecho — Don't worry about things that have already happened. Literally: To what is done, chest.
A hierro caliente, batir de repente — Act quickly when the opportunity presents itself. Literally: To hot iron, strike suddenly.
Puedes llevar un caballo al agua, pero no obligarlo a beber — You can offer help, but you can't force someone to accept it. Literally: You can take a horse to water, but not force it to drink.
Mal de muchos, consuelo de tontos — Unhappy people seek others who are also suffering. Literally: The ill of many is the consolation of fools.
El que no llora, no mama — Those who complain the most get attention. Literally: He who doesn't cry, doesn't get fed.
Si no puedes con tu enemigo, únete a él — If you can't win against something, align with it. Literally: If you can't beat your enemy, join them.
Un centavo ahorrado es un centavo ganado — Saving money is just as valuable as earning it. Literally: A cent saved is a cent earned.
El camino al infierno está empedrado de buenas intenciones — Good plans are worthless without follow-through. Literally: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Lo que fácil viene, fácil se va — Things obtained without effort are easily lost. Literally: What comes easily, goes easily.
No se puede hacer tortilla sin romper huevos — Progress requires sacrifice. Literally: You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs.
Lo que no te mata te hace más fuerte — Adversity builds resilience and character. Literally: What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.
Se necesitan dos para bailar tango — Both parties are responsible in a conflict. Literally: It takes two to dance tango.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente — We tend to forget things or people we don't see. Literally: Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel.
Al freír será el reír — Results speak louder than promises. Literally: When frying will come the laughing.
La verdad os hará libres — Honesty and truth lead to liberation. Literally: The truth will make you free.
Quien no arriesga, no gana — You must take risks to achieve rewards. Literally: Who doesn't risk, doesn't win.
La unión hace la fuerza — Strength comes from unity. Literally: Union makes strength.
Los que no aprenden de la historia están condenados a repetirla — Ignoring past mistakes leads to repeating them. Literally: Those who don't learn from history are condemned to repeat it.
Errar es humano, perdonar es divino — Making mistakes is natural; forgiving them is noble. Literally: To err is human, to forgive is divine.
Vivir y dejar vivir — Be tolerant of others' choices and lifestyles. Literally: Live and let live.
De perdidos, al río — Once committed to something, go all the way with it. Literally: From lost, to the river.
El gato tiene siete vidas — Cats (or resilient people) survive many dangerous situations. Literally: The cat has seven lives.
No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano — Being first isn't always advantageous — sometimes it's risky. Literally: Getting up early doesn't make dawn come sooner.
No tires el grano con la paja — Don't discard something valuable while getting rid of unwanted things. Literally: Don't throw out the grain with the chaff.
Desnudar a un santo para vestir a otro — Solve one problem by creating another. Literally: Undress one saint to dress another.
En la guerra y el amor todo vale — Normal rules don't apply in romance or conflict. Literally: In war and love, everything goes.
No se puede estar en misa y repicando — You can't enjoy two mutually exclusive things simultaneously. Literally: You can't be at mass and ringing the bells.
Más vale prevenir que lamentar — It's wiser to be cautious than to take unnecessary risks. Literally: Better to prevent than to regret.
Hasta el fin del mundo — Going to any length for something or someone. Literally: To the end of the world.
Salir de Guatemala para entrar en Guatepeor — Escaping one bad situation only to end up in a worse one. Literally: Leaving Guate-bad to enter Guate-worse.
La marea alta levanta todos los barcos — General improvements benefit everyone. Literally: The high tide lifts all boats.
Una rosa con otro nombre olería igual de dulce — The essence of something doesn't depend on what it's called. Literally: A rose with another name would smell just as sweet.
Matar dos pájaros de un tiro — Accomplish two tasks with a single action. Literally: Kill two birds with one shot.
Le dijo la sartén al cazo — Criticizing someone for a flaw you yourself possess. Literally: The pan said to the pot.
Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta — Don't take on more than you can handle. Literally: He who grasps much, holds little.
A cada cerdo le llega su San Martín — Everyone will have their moment of success or good fortune. Literally: Every pig gets its Saint Martin's day.
No hay rosa sin espinas — Even the best things have their drawbacks. Literally: There is no rose without thorns.
El camino al éxito está pavimentado con fracasos — Success requires learning from mistakes. Literally: The road to success is paved with failures.
En la necesidad se conoce al amigo — True friends show their worth during difficult times. Literally: In need, the friend is known.
Al que mucho chilla, le callan — Constant complainers may be removed rather than accommodated. Literally: The one who screams a lot gets silenced.
Bien está lo que bien acaba — A good outcome justifies the difficulties along the way. Literally: What ends well is well.
Piedra movediza no cría moho — Those who keep moving avoid stagnation (or commitments). Literally: A moving stone doesn't grow moss.
Dar a cada uno lo suyo — Acknowledge others' contributions fairly. Literally: Give each one what is theirs.
La belleza está en los ojos del que mira — Perception of beauty is subjective and personal. Literally: Beauty is in the eyes of the one who looks.
Una cadena es tan fuerte como su eslabón más débil — A group's effectiveness is limited by its weakest member. Literally: A chain is as strong as its weakest link.
Un viaje de mil millas comienza con un solo paso — Great accomplishments start with small beginnings. Literally: A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.
Cuanto más alto, más dura la caída — Powerful people suffer greater consequences when they fail. Literally: The higher, the harder the fall.
Habla suave y lleva un gran garrote — Act gently but maintain the power to enforce if needed. Literally: Speak softly and carry a big club.
La belleza es solo piel — Physical appearance is superficial; character matters more. Literally: Beauty is only skin.
No quemes los puentes — Don't destroy relationships you might need later. Literally: Don't burn the bridges.
En todas partes cuecen habas, pero en mi casa a calderadas — No matter where you go, home remains the best place. Literally: They cook beans everywhere, but at home by the cauldron.
El silencio habla más que las palabras — What is not said can be more meaningful than what is. Literally: Silence speaks more than words.
Echar margaritas a los cerdos — Giving something valuable to those who can't appreciate it. Literally: To throw daisies to pigs.
No hay publicidad mala — Any attention, even negative, can be beneficial. Literally: There is no bad publicity.
Predica con el ejemplo — Live according to the principles you advocate. Literally: Preach with the example.
Del dicho al hecho, hay mucho trecho — Past decisions are always clearer in retrospect. Literally: From saying to doing, there's a long stretch.
La limpieza es casi la santidad — Being clean is a virtue akin to being pious. Literally: Cleanliness is almost holiness.
Mejor no menear el avispero — Don't stir up trouble that has settled down. Literally: Better not to stir the wasp's nest.
La oportunidad llama solo una vez — Chances don't come twice; seize them when they appear. Literally: Opportunity knocks only once.
La soberbia precede a la caída — Arrogance often precedes failure. Literally: Pride precedes the fall.
Una manzana al día mantiene al médico en la lejanía — Regular healthy habits prevent illness. Literally: An apple a day keeps the doctor distant.
Hay un método en la locura — Apparent chaos may have an underlying purpose. Literally: There is a method in the madness.
La justicia tarda pero llega — Justice takes time but eventually arrives. Literally: Justice is slow but it arrives.
El diablo está en los detalles — Small details can cause major problems. Literally: The devil is in the details.
Agarrar el toro por los cuernos — Face an unpleasant situation with courage. Literally: Grab the bull by the horns.
En la variedad está el gusto — Diversity makes life interesting. Literally: In variety lies pleasure.
Todo lo bueno llega a su fin — Nothing pleasant lasts forever. Literally: All good things come to their end.
Hablando del rey de Roma, por la puerta asoma — Said when someone appears just as they're being discussed. Literally: Speaking of the king of Rome, through the door he appears.
No se puede complacer a todos — It's impossible to satisfy every person all the time. Literally: You can't please everyone.
A falta de pan, buenas son tortas — Something is better than nothing. Literally: Lacking bread, cakes are good.
No hay que inventar la rueda — Don't waste effort on solved problems. Literally: You don't need to invent the wheel.
No empieces la casa por el tejado — Do things in the correct order. Literally: Don't start the house from the roof.
A veces el camino más largo es el mejor — Sometimes unconventional paths lead to correct outcomes. Literally: Sometimes the longest road is the best.
Si a la primera no lo logras, intenta de nuevo — Persistence is essential to success. Literally: If at first you don't succeed, try again.
El fin justifica los medios — A good outcome excuses questionable methods. Literally: The end justifies the means.
Las grandes mentes piensan igual — Intelligent people often reach the same conclusions. Literally: Great minds think the same.
Muchas manos hacen el trabajo ligero — Tasks are easier when shared among many people. Literally: Many hands make work light.
No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy — Avoid procrastination. Literally: Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.
Genio y figura hasta la sepultura — People can't fundamentally change their nature. Literally: Character and form until the grave.
Cuando el gato no está, los ratones bailan — People behave freely when authority is absent. Literally: When the cat's not there, the mice dance.
El leopardo no olvida — Certain offenses are never truly forgiven. Literally: The leopard doesn't forget.
Un rayo no cae dos veces en el mismo lugar — Rare events are unlikely to happen to the same person twice. Literally: A lightning bolt doesn't strike twice in the same place.
Sangre, sudor y lágrimas — Great achievement requires immense effort and sacrifice. Literally: Blood, sweat, and tears.
No te preocupes hasta que llegue el momento — Deal with problems only when they arise. Literally: Don't worry until the moment arrives.
A mayor riesgo, mayor recompensa — Greater rewards require greater risks. Literally: The greater the risk, the greater the reward.
La caridad bien entendida empieza por uno mismo — Take care of your own family before helping others. Literally: Well-understood charity begins with oneself.
Divide y vencerás — Achieve dominance by breaking opposition into smaller parts. Literally: Divide and you will conquer.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente — Don't question the value of a gift. Literally: Don't look at the tooth of a gifted horse.
Las desgracias nunca vienen solas — Troubles often come all at once. Literally: Misfortunes never come alone.
Todos los caminos llevan a Roma — There are many ways to reach the same goal. Literally: All roads lead to Rome.
Nunca es tarde para aprender — Learning is a lifelong process. Literally: It's never late to learn.
Si no aguantas el calor, sal de la cocina — If you can't handle pressure, leave the situation. Literally: If you can't stand the heat, leave the kitchen.
Cada loco con su tema — Everyone has their own preferences and choices. Literally: Each madman with his theme.
Loro viejo no aprende a hablar — It's difficult to change established habits. Literally: An old parrot doesn't learn to speak.
El camino menos transitado hace toda la diferencia — Unconventional choices often lead to the most meaningful outcomes. Literally: The less traveled road makes all the difference.
Nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas — Everything has a hidden cost. Literally: Nobody gives duros for four pesetas.
El primer paso es el más difícil — Starting something new requires the most courage. Literally: The first step is the hardest.
La bella y la bestia — Opposites can coexist or attract. Literally: The beauty and the beast.
El tiempo se detiene cuando lo miras — Time seems slower when you're focused on it. Literally: Time stops when you watch it.
Espera lo mejor, prepárate para lo peor — Optimism should be balanced with practical preparation. Literally: Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.
No hagas una montaña de un grano de arena — Don't exaggerate small problems. Literally: Don't make a mountain from a grain of sand.
La paciencia es una virtud — The ability to wait calmly is a valuable quality. Literally: Patience is a virtue.
Lo que ves es lo que hay — There's nothing hidden or disguised. Literally: What you see is what there is.
La hierba se seca y la flor se marchita — All worldly things are temporary. Literally: The grass dries and the flower withers.
El que primero llega, primero come — Opportunities go to those who arrive early. Literally: The first to arrive eats first.
A buen hambre, no hay mal pan — Food tastes better when you're truly hungry. Literally: With good hunger, there's no bad bread.
La mano que mece la cuna gobierna el mundo — Mothers have profound influence on society. Literally: The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world.
La falta de noticias es buena noticia — The absence of bad news is itself good news. Literally: The lack of news is good news.
Cada uno para sí y Dios para todos — In crisis, everyone must look after their own interests. Literally: Each one for himself and God for all.
Ningún hombre es una isla — Humans need connection with others. Literally: No man is an island.
Al que le quede el guante, que se lo ponga — Accept criticism that accurately applies to you. Literally: Whoever the glove fits, put it on.
Quien vacila, pierde — Indecision leads to missed opportunities. Literally: He who hesitates, loses.
Poner a un mendigo a caballo, y cabalgará al infierno — Those given power abuse it worst. Literally: Put a beggar on horseback, he'll ride to hell.
La confianza da asco — Being too close to something can reduce appreciation for it. Literally: Familiarity breeds disgust.
A tonto nacido, dinero prestado — Foolish people quickly lose their wealth. Literally: To a born fool, borrowed money.
El cliente siempre tiene la razón — In business, the customer's satisfaction takes priority. Literally: The customer is always right.
Un mar en calma nunca hizo un marinero experto — Hardship and challenges are what build true expertise and resilience. Literally: A calm sea never made an expert sailor.
El mejor momento para plantar un árbol fue hace veinte años; el segundo mejor momento es ahora — The right time to act is always now, no matter how late it feels. Literally: The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the second best time is now.
Para conocer el camino por delante, pregunta a quienes regresan — Learn from people with experience before embarking on an unfamiliar path. Literally: To know the road ahead, ask those who return.
Una joya no puede ser pulida sin fricción — Excellence and greatness are only achieved through struggle and hardship. Literally: A gem cannot be polished without friction.
La gota de agua horada la piedra — Persistent small efforts accomplish what force alone cannot. Literally: The drop of water bores through stone.
La hora más oscura es justo antes del amanecer — Situations often worsen right before they improve dramatically. Literally: The darkest hour is just before dawn.
El bambú que se dobla es más fuerte que el roble que resiste — Flexibility and adaptability are greater strengths than rigid resistance. Literally: The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists.
Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres — The company you keep reflects and shapes your own character. Literally: Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.
Una palabra amable abre puertas de hierro — Kindness and diplomacy can overcome even the most resistant obstacles. Literally: A kind word opens iron doors.
Cuando el estudiante está listo, el maestro aparece — Learning happens when one is truly open and prepared to receive knowledge. Literally: When the student is ready, the teacher appears.
Una palabra amable puede calentar tres meses de invierno — A single act of kindness has an impact far greater and longer-lasting than the moment it was given. Literally: One kind word can warm three winter months.
Incluso un necio parece sabio si guarda silencio — Saying nothing is often wiser than speaking without knowledge. Literally: Even a fool seems wise if he keeps silent.
Es mejor encender una vela que maldecir la oscuridad — Taking constructive action is more effective than complaining about a problem. Literally: It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.
Quien hace una pregunta es tonto por cinco minutos; quien no la hace lo es para siempre — Admitting ignorance and seeking knowledge is always wiser than pretending to understand. Literally: He who asks a question is a fool for five minutes; he who doesn't remains a fool forever.
El pez se pudre por la cabeza — Problems in an organization or society start at the top, with its leaders. Literally: The fish rots from the head.
Solo quien calza el zapato sabe dónde aprieta — Only the person experiencing a difficulty truly understands its depth. Literally: Only the one who wears the shoe knows where it pinches.
No mires donde caíste, sino donde resbalaste — Focus on the root cause of a problem rather than just its consequence. Literally: Don't look where you fell, but where you slipped.
El hacha olvida, pero el árbol recuerda — Those who cause harm often forget quickly, while those who suffer carry the wound far longer. Literally: The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.
Hasta el sol tiene manchas — Nothing and nobody is perfect; even the greatest things have their flaws. Literally: Even the sun has its spots.
La lengua no tiene huesos, pero es suficientemente fuerte para romper un corazón — Words, though intangible, can inflict deep and lasting wounds. Literally: The tongue has no bones, but it is strong enough to break a heart.
Quien tiene salud tiene esperanza, y quien tiene esperanza lo tiene todo — Good health is the foundation upon which all other good things in life are built. Literally: He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything.
Un problema compartido es un problema reducido a la mitad — Talking about difficulties with others makes them easier to bear and to solve. Literally: A problem shared is a problem halved.
El agua siempre encuentra su nivel — People and things naturally settle into their proper place over time. Literally: Water always finds its level.
Cuando las telarañas se unen, pueden atar a un león — Collective effort by many can overcome even the most powerful opposition. Literally: When spiderwebs unite, they can tie up a lion.
El bosque estaría en silencio si solo cantara el pájaro que mejor canta — Everyone has a unique contribution; holding back out of self-doubt robs the world. Literally: The forest would be silent if only the best-singing bird sang.
Como se dobla la ramita, así crece el árbol — Early experiences and upbringing shape a person's lifelong character and habits. Literally: As the twig is bent, so the tree grows.
Una casa dividida contra sí misma no puede mantenerse en pie — Internal conflict destroys an organization from within; unity is essential for survival. Literally: A house divided against itself cannot stand.
El buey es lento, pero la tierra es paciente — Steady, unhurried work in harmony with natural rhythms eventually yields abundance. Literally: The ox is slow, but the earth is patient.
La luna no se avergüenza del ladrido de los perros — Those with true integrity remain unaffected by baseless criticism or petty noise. Literally: The moon is not shamed by the barking of dogs.
Cuanto más sabes, más te das cuenta de lo que no sabes — True knowledge reveals the vastness of what remains to be learned. Literally: The more you know, the more you realize what you don't know.
Si quieres ir rápido, ve solo; si quieres llegar lejos, ve acompañado — Short-term speed comes from solitude; long-term achievement comes from collaboration. Literally: If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go with company.
La mayor riqueza es la salud — Good health is more valuable than any material possession or social status. Literally: The greatest wealth is health.
No juzgues, para que no seas juzgado — We should refrain from judging others because we ourselves are imperfect. Literally: Do not judge, so that you are not judged.
Si enciendes una lámpara para alguien, también iluminará tu propio camino — Helping others ultimately benefits yourself as well. Literally: If you light a lamp for someone, it will also brighten your own path.
Un mal trabajador siempre culpa a sus herramientas — Incompetent people blame external factors for their failures instead of taking responsibility. Literally: A bad worker always blames his tools.
No hay almohada tan suave como una conciencia tranquila — Peace of mind and restful sleep come only from living and acting honorably. Literally: There is no pillow as soft as a clear conscience.
El águila no caza moscas — People of high purpose and ambition don't concern themselves with petty matters. Literally: The eagle doesn't hunt flies.
Cuantas más leyes, menos justicia — Excessive rules and regulations can undermine rather than promote fairness. Literally: The more laws, the less justice.
Nunca te bañas dos veces en el mismo río — Everything is constantly in flux; no experience can ever truly be repeated. Literally: You never bathe twice in the same river.
Las paredes tienen oídos — Be careful what you say — you may be overheard in unexpected places. Literally: Walls have ears.
El que cuenta las historias domina el mundo — Whoever controls the narratives shapes beliefs, cultures, and civilizations. Literally: The one who tells the stories rules the world.
Un poco de conocimiento es algo peligroso — Partial knowledge breeds overconfidence and can be more harmful than honest ignorance. Literally: A little knowledge is a dangerous thing.
Mejor hecho que bien dicho — Actions and results are far more valuable than promises and fine words. Literally: Better done than well said.
El gato que siempre maúlla no atrapa ratones — Complaining and making noise accomplishes nothing; quiet, focused effort gets results. Literally: The cat that always meows doesn't catch mice.
El hombre que mueve una montaña empieza llevando pequeñas piedras — Great accomplishments are only possible through gradual, persistent small efforts. Literally: The man who moves a mountain begins by carrying small stones.
La rana en el pozo no conoce el gran océano — Those with limited experience cannot comprehend the vastness of the wider world. Literally: The frog in the well doesn't know the great ocean.
La alegría compartida es doble alegría; la pena compartida es media pena — Happiness multiplies and burdens lighten when shared with others. Literally: Shared joy is double joy; shared sorrow is half sorrow.
El estómago hambriento no tiene oídos — People cannot focus on anything else when their most basic needs are unmet. Literally: A hungry stomach has no ears.
No es el tamaño del perro en la pelea, sino el tamaño de la pelea en el perro — Determination and spirit matter far more than physical size or advantage. Literally: It's not the size of the dog in the fight, but the size of the fight in the dog.
Un buen comienzo hace un buen final — How you start something largely determines how it will finish; preparation and intention matter. Literally: A good beginning makes a good ending.
Lo dicho, dicho está — Choose your words carefully, for once said they cannot be unsaid. Literally: What is said is said.
La bondad es un idioma que los sordos pueden oír y los ciegos pueden ver — Acts of kindness transcend words and communicate beyond all physical limitations. Literally: Kindness is a language the deaf can hear and the blind can see.
Quien mucho habla, mucho yerra — The more you speak, the more likely you are to make mistakes or say the wrong thing. Literally: He who talks much errs much.
La lengua es la enemiga del cuello — Careless speech can bring serious consequences upon the speaker. Literally: The tongue is the enemy of the neck.
La respuesta suave calma el enojo — Responding calmly to anger defuses conflict; harsh replies only escalate it. Literally: A gentle answer calms anger.
Mejor guardar silencio y que te crean tonto, que hablar y confirmarlo — Staying quiet is often wiser than speaking and confirming your ignorance. Literally: Better to keep quiet and be thought a fool than to speak and confirm it.
Habla poco, haz mucho — Let your actions speak louder than your words; promise less and deliver more. Literally: Speak little, do much.
Mucho trueno, poco aguacero — The most dramatic announcements often yield the least substance. Literally: Much thunder, little downpour.
No importa lo lento que avances, siempre que no te detengas — Progress at any pace is still progress; what matters is persisting, not speed. Literally: It doesn't matter how slow you go, as long as you don't stop.
Las grandes obras no se realizan con fuerza, sino con perseverancia — Long-term persistence is more powerful than raw ability or brute force. Literally: Great works are not accomplished by strength but by perseverance.
No tienes que ser grande para empezar, pero tienes que empezar para ser grande — Greatness is not a prerequisite for beginning; beginning is the path to greatness. Literally: You don't have to be great to start, but you must start to be great.
El que cojea, todavía camina — Even imperfect progress is still progress; do not let imperfection stop you. Literally: He who limps still walks.
Las estrellas no pueden brillar sin la oscuridad — Hardship and struggle are what allow our greatest qualities to become visible. Literally: Stars cannot shine without darkness.
Incluso la torre más alta comenzó con un solo ladrillo — Every great achievement starts with one humble first step. Literally: Even the tallest tower began with a single brick.
Vence quien persevera — Persistence and endurance are the ultimate keys to victory. Literally: He conquers who perseveres.
Perder la paciencia es perder la batalla — Losing your composure under pressure ensures defeat; staying calm is essential to success. Literally: To lose patience is to lose the battle.
El pez ve el cebo pero no el anzuelo — People are often tempted by apparent benefits while ignoring the hidden dangers. Literally: The fish sees the bait but not the hook.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente — We only suffer from what we know about; ignorance can sometimes bring a measure of peace. Literally: Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel.
Somos lo que hacemos repetidamente — Character and identity are shaped not by occasional acts but by consistent daily habits. Literally: We are what we do repeatedly.
La lluvia no cae sobre un solo techo — Hardship and misfortune are universal; no single person suffers alone. Literally: The rain doesn't fall on just one roof.
Los árboles no dejan ver el bosque — Being too focused on small details can prevent you from seeing the overall picture. Literally: The trees don't let you see the forest.
El lobo cambia el pelo, pero no las mañas — Surface appearances can change, but a person's fundamental nature remains the same. Literally: The wolf changes its fur but not its tricks.
No todo el que vaga está perdido — Those who explore unconventional paths may have a deeper sense of direction than it appears. Literally: Not all who wander are lost.
Cada persona es un espejo para otra — We see our own nature reflected in how we treat others and how others respond to us. Literally: Every person is a mirror to another.
El que conoce a los demás es sabio; el que se conoce a sí mismo está iluminado — Understanding others requires wisdom, but self-knowledge is the highest form of understanding. Literally: He who knows others is wise; he who knows himself is enlightened.
Mide dos veces y corta una — Take time to plan carefully before acting, to avoid costly and irreversible mistakes. Literally: Measure twice and cut once.
El mejor espejo es un viejo amigo — True friends who have known us for a long time see us most clearly and honestly. Literally: The best mirror is an old friend.
Quien lucha contra monstruos debe cuidar no convertirse en uno — In struggling against evil, we risk adopting the very characteristics we oppose. Literally: He who fights monsters should see that he doesn't become one.
La sabiduría comienza con la admiración — Curiosity and a sense of amazement at the world are the foundations of all knowledge. Literally: Wisdom begins in admiration.
El que está en todas partes no está en ninguna — Trying to do too many things at once means accomplishing nothing properly. Literally: He who is everywhere is nowhere.
No vayas donde el camino lleva; ve donde no hay camino y deja una huella — True innovation and leadership mean forging your own way rather than following the crowd. Literally: Don't go where the path leads; go where there is no path and leave a trail.
Un clavo saca otro clavo — New habits, relationships, or ideas can effectively replace and eliminate old ones. Literally: One nail pulls out another nail.
Empezar es la mitad de cada acción — Starting something difficult is the hardest part; once begun, completion comes more naturally. Literally: Beginning is half of every action.
El obstáculo es el camino — Difficulties are not barriers to our goals but the very means by which we achieve them. Literally: The obstacle is the path.
Después de escalar una gran colina, uno solo encuentra que hay muchas más colinas por escalar — Every achievement reveals further challenges ahead; success is a continuous journey. Literally: After climbing a great hill, one only finds there are many more hills to climb.
La suerte favorece a la mente preparada — Success comes not from luck alone but from being ready to seize opportunities when they arise. Literally: Luck favors the prepared mind.
Toda pared es una puerta — What appears to be an impassable barrier can be transformed into an opportunity. Literally: Every wall is a door.
El miedo hace al lobo más grande de lo que es — Anxiety and worry magnify threats beyond their actual size. Literally: Fear makes the wolf bigger than he is.
Siempre parece imposible hasta que se hace — Before any achievement, it appears beyond reach; only completion reveals it was always possible. Literally: It always seems impossible until it's done.
Convierte tus heridas en sabiduría — Our deepest pains and failures can become our greatest teachers and sources of strength. Literally: Turn your wounds into wisdom.
Quien se atreve, vence — Bold action and courage are rewarded; timidity leads to missed opportunities. Literally: He who dares, wins.
Conócete a ti mismo — Self-knowledge and self-awareness are the foundation of all wisdom and right living. Literally: Know yourself.
No desperdicies, no pasarás necesidad — Using things carefully and avoiding waste prevents future need and scarcity. Literally: Don't waste, you won't be in need.
Que el castigo sea proporcional al delito — Penalties should be proportional and appropriate to the offense committed. Literally: Let the punishment be proportional to the crime.
Quien permite la maldad la ordena — Silently allowing wrongdoing makes you as responsible as the wrongdoer. Literally: He who permits wickedness commands it.
La verdad raramente es pura y nunca es simple — Reality is complex and nuanced; anyone claiming simple certainty should be viewed with skepticism. Literally: The truth is rarely pure and never simple.
El carácter es lo que haces cuando nadie te mira — True virtue is shown not in public performances but in private actions when there are no witnesses. Literally: Character is what you do when no one is watching.
La respuesta más corta es hacer la cosa misma — Action is more effective than deliberation; the most direct response to a challenge is to confront it. Literally: The shortest answer is doing the thing itself.
Para el corazón dispuesto, nada es imposible — With true determination and commitment, any obstacle can be overcome. Literally: For a willing heart, nothing is impossible.
El arte de ser sabio es saber qué ignorar — True wisdom includes knowing which details and offenses are not worth your attention or energy. Literally: The art of being wise is knowing what to ignore.
De noche los gatos todos son pardos — Traditional English proverb. Literally: At night all cats are grey.
El huesped y el pez á tres dias huele — Traditional English proverb. Literally: A guest and a fish stink in three days.
El hijo sabe que conoce á su padre — A version, “it is a wise father that knows his own child” (spelling modernized), is used in William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, and the modern version, in a translation of the Odyssey by Samuel Butler (see quotations), which likely popularized the proverb. Literally: It is a wise son that knows his own father.
calumnia, que algo queda — Regarding this "mud" term in particular, it may possibly reference a technique of building wattle and daub walls by throwing daub (mud mixed with straw) at the wattle, throwing hard enough that some obtained a good key and remained in place; compare slapdash, a pebbledash effect produced by throwing pebbles at a rendered wall.
Mas vale solo que mal acompañado — Solitude preserves your integrity better than compromising yourself through associations with those who corrupt or harm you. Literally: Better be alone than in bad company.
Quien mala cama hace, en ella se yace — Your choices about how you arrange your life will directly determine the comfort or discomfort you experience living it. Literally: As you make your bed so you must lie in it.
En buen dia buenas obras — Good fortune amplifies moral responsibility—prosperity demands virtue, not vice. Literally: The better day the better deed.
Los niños y los locos dicen la verdad — Unguarded honesty emerges from those lacking social filters or awareness of consequences. Literally: Children and fools speak the truth.
Cada gallo canta en su muladar — A person commands confidence and authority only within their familiar domain, losing that assurance elsewhere. Literally: Every cock crows on his own dunghill.
Dime con quien andas, diréte quien eres — Your character reflects your chosen associates; select companions who embody your aspirations. Literally: Tell me what company you keep, and I will tell you who you are.
El ojo limpiale con el codo — Attempting the impossible wastes effort; some problems lack practical solutions. Literally: Wipe your eye with your elbow.
Cada uno por sí, y Dios por todos — Self-interest and communal welfare coexist; individual responsibility doesn't negate collective obligation to others. Literally: Every one for himself, and God for us all.
No se hacen las bodas de hongos á solas — Variety and balance are essential; no single element, however good, sustains a complete whole. Literally: The wedding feast is not made with mushrooms only.
A rio revuelto, ganancia de pescadores — Exploiting chaos and confusion allows cunning people to gain unfair advantages over others. Literally: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
Quien da presto, da dos veces — Quick generosity prevents the recipient's anxiety and disappointment, making one gift feel like two. Literally: He gives twice who gives in a trice.
A cabo de cien años todos seremos calvos — Mortality makes present troubles insignificant; time erases all distinctions between important and trivial matters. Literally: A hundred years hence we shall all be bald.
Aquella ave es mala, que en su nido caga — Betraying your family or community harms the very foundation of your own security and belonging. Literally: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest.
Buen abogado, mal vecino — Good legal advocates thrive when disputes arise, making them prosperous through others' conflicts and grievances. Literally: A good lawyer, a bad neighbour.
Quien escucha, su mal oye — Eavesdroppers discover harsh truths because people speak candidly when unobserved, unlike flattery offered face-to-face. Literally: Listeners hear no good of themselves.
Si no va el otero á Mahoma, vaya Mahoma al otero — When obstacles won't move, adapt your approach rather than exhaust yourself demanding change. Literally: If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.
La necesidad hace á la viega trotar — Urgent necessity compels even the most sluggish or elderly to move quickly and act. Literally: Need makes the old woman trot.
Un solo golpe no derriba á un roble — Great strength and resilience require persistent effort; single attempts cannot overcome deeply rooted obstacles. Literally: An oak is not felled at one blow.
De potro sarnoso buen caballo hermoso — Unpromising beginnings don't determine a creature's potential; proper care and time can transform rough youth into valuable maturity. Literally: A scabby colt may make a good horse.
Gato escaldado del agua fria ha miedo — Past trauma causes excessive caution even toward harmless situations resembling the original threat. Literally: The scalded cat dreads cold water.
Pereza, llave de pobreza — Idleness breeds want because accumulated inaction prevents accumulation of resources or opportunity. Literally: Sloth is the key of poverty.
Así dijó la zorra á las uvas, no pudiendolas alcazar, que no estarvan maduras — Dismissing something as worthless once you've failed to obtain it masks disappointment through false disdain. Literally: The grapes are sour, said the fox when he could not reach them.
Una golondrina no hace verano — A single favorable occurrence cannot establish a lasting pattern; sustained evidence requires repetition. Literally: One swallow does not make a summer.
Una cosa piensa el vayo, y otra el que lo ensilla — Intentions diverge between those who control and those controlled; agreement cannot be assumed despite outward cooperation. Literally: The horse thinks one thing, and his rider another.
Mas son los amenazados que los heridos — More people fear danger than actually experience it; anxiety often exceeds real harm. Literally: There are more threatened than hurt.
Por un punto se pierde un zapato — Small negligences compound catastrophically; ignoring minor problems cascades into complete failure. Literally: For want of a nail the shoe is lost.
Desque nací lloré, y cada dia nace porqué — Life's inevitable sufferings validate the infant's instinctive tears at entering existence. Literally: When I was born I wept, and every day brings a reason why.
Ir por lana, y volver trasquilado — Pursuing gain from others often results in losing what you already possess through their cunning. Literally: To go for wool and come back shorn.
Sanan llagas, y no malas palabras — Physical injuries fade while harsh speech leaves permanent emotional scars impossible to fully repair. Literally: Wounds heal, but not ill words.
A quien dan, no escoge — Those lacking resources must accept what's offered rather than demanding preferences. Literally: Beggars must not be choosers.
Buen principio, la mitad es hecho — Starting with proper preparation and intention dramatically increases your likelihood of completing any task successfully. Literally: Well begun is half done.
La gotera dando hace señal en la piedra — Persistent, gentle effort accomplishes what sudden force cannot, through repetition's cumulative power over time. Literally: The gutter by dropping wears the stone.
La costumbre es otra naturaleza — Habits ingrained through repetition become as automatic and instinctive as inborn traits. Literally: Custom is second nature.
Quien bien quiere á Beltran, bien quiere á su can — Accept someone's flaws and attachments if you truly value them as a person. Literally: He who loves Bertrand loves his dog. (Love me, love my dog).
Quien canta, sus males espanta — Singing actively displaces worry by occupying the mind with melody rather than anxious thoughts. Literally: Who sings, drives away care.
Tomar la ocasion por los cabellos — Seizing opportunities requires swift action before they slip away or pass beyond your grasp. Literally: To take opportunity by the forelock.
Vino que es bueno no ha menester pregonero — Excellent quality requires no advertisement; genuine merit speaks for itself without promotional effort. Literally: Good wine needs no crier.

Loading the full interactive collection…