Serbian n Other Proverbs

7/27/2019 Serbian n Other Proverbs

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Table of Contents:

Serbian Proverbs and Sayings

Some Other Favorite Proverbs at almost the very end

References

SERBIAN PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

Ako ini obro, ne uaraj u veliko zvono. If you o goo, ont bang into big bells.

Ako je ko lud ne budi mu drug. Whoever is crazy, ont be their frien.

Ako kantar ne valja, ti budi ispravan. Even though the scale is wrong, you be right.

Ako komijska kuda gori, gleaj u svoju. If the neighbors house is on fire, check your own.

Ako ne pone nede ni zavriti. If you ont start, you wont finish.

Ako zlo nede na tebe, a ti bei o njega. If evil wont be after you, you run away from it.

Ako eli jezgro, slomi ljusku. If you want the core, break the shell.

Ako sredu ne sretne, nede je ni stidi. If you ont meet luck, you wont catch her.

Ako zima ustima ne ujee, ona repom oine. Ifwinter oesnt bite, it swooshes with its tail.

Bolje je jedanput zaplakati nego sto puta uzdahnuti. It is better to once cry than to sigh hundred times.

Bolje je ne obedadti nego re ne orati. It is better not to promise than to break your word.

Bolje je pokliznuti nogom nego jezikom. It is better to slip with foot than with tongue.

Baci obro niz vou, voa de opet tebi a onese. Throw away good downstream, the water will still bring

to you.

Baava je obro seme kaa je ravo oranje. Good seed is wasted when the plowing is bad.

Batina ima dva kraja. A beating stick has two ends.

Biser ne valja pred svinje bacati. ont cast pearls in front of swine.

Boj se Boga, ali i onoga koji se Boga ne boji. Be afraid of God and of those who are not afraid of God.

Bolest i planinu obori, a kamoli oveka. Illness can take down a mountain, and certainly a man.

Bolje je biti malo lud, nego malo pametan. It is better to be a little crazy than a little smart.

Bolje je svoje jaje, nego tua kokoka. Better to have your own egg than someone elses hen.


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Bolje svata jesti, nego svata govoriti. Better to eat whatever than to speak whatever.

Bolje potena smrt, nego sramotan ivot. Better honest death than shameful life.

Bualu ne rui, ved mu savet prui. ont bamouth a fool, but give him avice.

Bez zdravlja nema bogatstva. No health, no wealth.

Bez muke nama nauke. No knowledge without effort.

Bolje vrabac u ruci, nego soko na grani. Better a sparrow in your hand than an eagle on the tree.

Dete mnogo milovano nikad dobro vaspitano. A child too much catered to is never well raised.

ri se novog puta i starog prijatelja. Hang onto a new road and an old friend.

rvo se na rvo naslanja a ovek na oveka. A tree leans on a tree, and a man leans on a man.

ok ne iskopa nov bunar, ne pljuj u stari. Until you ig a new well, ont spit into the ol one.

a je madeha obra u bati bi se sejala. If a step mother was a good thing, she would have been

grown in garden.

a nema vetra pauci bi nebo pomreili. If it werent for the win, the spiers woul net the

whole sky.

a se rei kupuju, manje bi se govorile. If words had to be paid for, they would be spoken less.

obro je teko vieti, a lako se pozna. Good is hard to see, and easy to recognize.

ok srce ne zaboli, ne moe oko zaplakati. Until the heart is in pain, the eye cannot cry.

aleko o oiju, aleko o srca. Far from sight, far from heart.

obar glas aleko ie, a lo jo alje. Good reputation goes far, and bad one even further.

Dva puta meri, a jednom seci. Measure twice and cut once.

Dok jednom ne smrkne drugome ne svane. Until one gets it bad, the other oneoesnt get it goo.

Davljenik se i za slamku hvata. A drowning man tries to reach for a straw.

Dobra devojka sama se udaje. Loosely: Good product sells itself.

In this case, prouct is a young lay trying to get

married.

obra ena praznu kudu ini da je puna. A good woman makes an empty house seem full.

ravi ne uguj, sa anarima ne ruguj, a eni tajne ne kazuj. ont owe to the government, ont fraternize

with police, an ont tell secrets to your wife.


3/49

ravu uvaj oneprijatelja, a enu o prijatelja. Protect the country from enemies, and wife from

friends.

Gledaj napred, al se osvrni i nazad. Look forward, but glance back too.

Ge nevolja rua, tu i tuga veera. Where the trouble has lunch, grief has dinner.

Gde se stariji ne uju, tu Bog ne pomae. Where the Elers are not hear, Go oesnt help.

Ge velika zvona zvone tu se mala ne uju. Where big bells ring, the little ones are not heard.

Gvoe se kuje ok je vrude. Iron is cast while hot.

ovek se naaok go je ue u njemu. Man hopes as long as he is alive.

uvaj se oveka koji nije kaar suzu a pusti. Be aware of the man who cannot shed a tear.

ovek eli o svakog a je bolji, a o sina a je gori. A man wants to be better than anyone and worse than

his own son.

ovek sve aje za obraz, a obraz ni za ta. Man gives everything for his reputation, and reputation

for nothing.

ovek bez sloboe kao riba bez voe. A man without freedom is like a fish without water.

uturom se pregrabi i najvede bure. With a cup you can empty the biggest barrel.

ovek pokae pravo lice u tri sluaja: u besu, u bogatstvu i u pijanstvu. Man shows his true face in three cases:

in anger, in wealth, and in drunkness.

Ka oi govore, usta dute. When eyes speak, mouth is silent.

Konju, eni i puci ne treba verovati. ont trust your horse, gun, an women.

Kaalj, uga i ljubav ne mogu se sakriti. Cough, skin disease and love cannot be hidden.

Ka ovek nema svoga obra, tue zlo premede. When a man has no good fortune of his own, he gets

busy with others misfortune.

Kad srce gori, iz usta dim izlazi. When the heart is on fire, there is some smoke coming

out of the mouth.

Ko staro ne krpi, ni novo ne nosi. Who oesnt patch the ol, oesnt wear the neweither.

Koju vou mora piti, nemoj je mutiti. Whatever water you must rink, ont muy it.

Krpi rupu dok je manja. Patch the hole while still small.

Ko o vaeset ne zna, o trieset nema, teko kudi koja ga ima.


4/49

Who oesnt know until age of 20, oesnt have until

the age of 30, is a burden for his household.

Ko se ljudi ne stidi, ljudi se ne boji. Who is not ashamed of people, has no fear of people.

Koji se pas silom u lov vodi, taj zeca ne hvata. The dog who is taken by force to hunt will not catch any

rabbits.

Ko lae za tebe, lagade i protiv tebe. Whoever lies for you, will also lie against you.

Ko ne plati rukom, taj de uom. Who oesnt pay with their hans, will pay with their

soul.

Ko visoko leti, nisko pada. Whoever flies high, falls down low.

Ko ne plati na mostu, platide na dupriji. Whoever oesnt pay on the bridge, will pay on the

bridgeworks.

Lako je ljubav stedi, ali je teko zarati. It is easy to find love, but hard to keep it.

Ljubav je puna i meda i jeda. Love is full of honey and grief.

Lako je iza est volova plug rati. It is easy to hold the plow behind six oxen.

Lako je tuim rukama vrelo gvoe hvatati. It is easy to grab hot iron with someone elses hans.

Ludi boj biju, a mudri vino piju.

Lepa re gvozena vrata otvara.

Ne ceni vola po rogovima ni oveka po brkovima.

Ne boj se smrti, nego zla ivota. ont be afrai of eath, but of ba life.

Ne valja pljuvati pa lizati. Its ba to spit then lick.

Ne zamahuj ako ne sme a uari. ont raise your hans up if you cannot strike.

Ne moe se lanom sunce zakloniti.

Nema zime ok ne pane inje, ni proleda ok sunce ne sine, ni raosti ok ne eli s kime.

Nije sramota pasti, sramota je ne idi se. its not a shame to fall own, its a shame not to get up.

Novac sitno zvei, al se aleko uje.

Nemoj da te pita starost gde ti je bila mladost. ont make your ol ask age ask you where your young

age went.


5/49

Ne kai sve to zna, ne ini sve to moe, ne veruj sve to uje. ont tell everything you know, ont

do everything you can, ont believe everything you

hear.

Nije siromah ko malo ima, ved ko mnogo eli.

Nije zlato sve to sija.

Zao glas i ptice nose.

Zlato se u vatri probira, ovek u nevolji. Gold is tested in fire, man in trouble.

ena de samo onutajnu uvati koju ne zna. A woman will keep only the secret she oesnt know.

enu mnogo ne mazi nego je pripazi. ont cater too much to your wife but watch over her.

ena mua nosi na licu, a mu enu na koulji. Wife carries her husband on her face, and husband

carries his wife on his shirt.

ean konj voe ne probira. A thirsty horse is not choosey about which water to

drink.

O ljubavi se ne ivi al se za nju gine. It is not possible to live from love but people die for it.

Obraz ide s glavom.

Obedanje, luom raovanje. Promises are foolsjoy.

Pored suha drveta i sirovo izgori. Near the dry wood, the green wood burns too.

Prazna vreda ne moe uspravno a stoji.

S polja gladac a unutra jadac. Flawless outside, and faulty inside.

Sitna maka mieve ne lovi. A small cat cannot catch mice.

Svaka je kvoka na svom gnezu jaka. Every hen is strong on her own nest.

Svaka muka za vremena, a sramota zavijeka. Any trouble runs its course, but shame always stays.

Starog sluaj al ne ii za njim. Listen to the ol one, but ont follow him.

Siroto dete samo sebi pupak vezuje. A poor child has to tie its own umbilical cord.

Teko vuku za kojim psi ne laju. Poor is the wolf after which ogs ont bark.

Torba je najtea kaa je prazna. A bag is most heavy when empty.

Teko onoj kudi ge ima nema. Too bad for a house without smoke.

(they are either too poor to keep a stove going,

or sick, or .)


6/49

to pree preko zuba oe preko bra. Whetever goes over the teeth, goes over the hills.

U sredu se uza lu, a pametan u svoj tru. Fools have faith in good luck, smart ones have faith in

their effort.

U kojoj kudi mu enu bije, tu srede nije. There is no happiness in a house where the hunsband

beats his wife.

U zdravom telu, zdrav duh. In healthy body, healthy spirit.

Jedno krivo drvo, ceo tovar raspe. One crooked stick, ruins the whole slew.

Jezik je vie glava posekao nego sablja. Tongue cut more heads than sword.

Iz krivog oaka im pravo izlazi. From the crooked chimney, smoke still comes out

straight.

(A marriage party came to look at a girl, who had cross-

eyes. They said: nice house, but the chimney is crooked.She said: from the crooked chimney, the smoke still

comes out straight.)

Iz prazne kude i mievi bee. From an empty house even mice ran away.

Drvo se savija dok je mlado. A tree is bent while young.

Voda sve opere osim crna obraza. Water can wash everything except a bad reputation.

Vrana vrani oi ne vai. A crow oesnt peck the eyes of another crow.

Vo se vezuje za rogove a ovek za re. A bull is tied by his horns and a man by his word.

Ko prvi devojci, njegova devojka. Whoever gets to the girl first, gets the girl.

Ko rano rani, dve srece grabi. Getting up early is double luck.

Early bird catches two worms.

Ko se dima ne nadimi, taj se vatre ne ogreje. Without being smoked out, cannot get warm by the

fire.

ok sa nekim ne pojee ak soli ne zna kakav je. Until you eat a sack of salt with a man, you ont know

what he is like

I koljke iz dosade bisere prave Even shells make pearls out of boredom

Zasviraj ali i za pojas zadeni. Play your flute but put it back too.


7/49

Prava gmie ali stie. Justice crawls but arrives.

ala baba banku a ue u kolo, ala bi i ve samo a izae... Old woman gave one dollar to get into the

dance, she would give two to be able to get out.

Tudja ruka svrab ne cese. A strangers han cannot scratch the itch.

Pita se od govana ne pravi Cannot make a pie out of shit

Ne ui svinju a svira klavir. Svinja de se samo iznervirati, a ti de samo izgubiti vreme.

ont teach a swine to play piano. Swine will just lose its

temper, and you will just lose your time.

Sta mozes danas, ne ostavljaj za sutra. Whatever you can o toay, ont leave for tomorrow.

Cija sila, toga i pravda.

Bolje je nemati, nego otimati. It is better not to have, than to grab by force.

Bolje je neznalica no tvrdoglavica. It is better not to know then to be stubborn.

Bolje je pokliznuti nogom nego jezikom.

Bolje je s mudrim pakati nego s ludim pevati. It is better to cry with the wise than to sing with the

crazy.

Bolje je svoje jaje nego tudja kokos.

Bez alata nema ni zanata! Without tools there is no craft.

Bez muke nema nauke!

Bivsi prijatelj je gori nego neprijatelj. A former friend is worse than enemy.

Brak bez dece je dan bez sunca. Marriage without children is like a day without

sunschine.

Bolestan se pita, a zdravom se daje. Ask the sick, and give to the healthy.

Bolje je dobroga sluziti, nego rdjavu zapovijedati. It is better to serve a good person than to command a

bad person.


8/49

Vremenu se valja pokoravati it is prudent to comply with the times.

Um caruje, snaga klade valja Mind is the king, force is the laborer.

Vie vrei to ena utei nego to mu zarai. It is worth more whan wife saves than what husband

earns.

Ko vaput slae, tredi put mu se ne veruje. Who lies twice, third time is not taken seriously.

Nije siromah ko malo ima, ved ko mnogo eli. It is not poor who has little, but who wants too much.

Prava je spora, ali ostina. Justice is slow, but arrives.

Ako je go, ali je soko. Maybe he is naked, but he is an eagle.

Ako je i koliba, naa je. Maybe it is a hut, but it is ours.

Ako je ko lud, ne budi mu drug.

Ako mi ne moe pomodi, nemoj mi omagati. If you cannot help me, ont eter me.

Ako nede zlo o tebe, bei ti o zla. If evil wont run away from you, you run away from it.

Ako ti mogu kupiti kapu, pamet ne mogu. I can buy you a hat, but not the brains.

Ako zna ta ti je bilo, ne zna ta de ti biti. If you know what happene, you ont know what will

happen.

Ako enu tue, svoju sredu tue. If you beat your wife, you beat your good fortune.

Bei ku ti je volja, o sebene utee. You can run anywhere you want, you wont run away

from yourself.

Blago onome ko zna a ne zna, a hode a zna. Blesse is the one who knows that he oesnt know,

and wants to know.

Bogat je ko nije uan, a mla ko je zrav. Rich is the one who is not in debt, and young the one

who is healthy.

Bolan se pita, a zdravom se daje. (when serving people food etc, you just give it to them

without asking.)

Bolje je obroga sluiti, nego ravom zapoveati.

Bolje je i malo s blagoslovom, negoli i dosta s prokletstvom. Better a little with a blessing then a lot with a

curse.


9/49

Bolje je imati ravu goinu, nego ravog susea. Better to have a bad harvest than a bad neighbor.

Bolje je ne poeti, nego ne oeti. Better not start then not to finish.

Bolje je nemati, nego otimati.

Bolje je neznalica no tvrdoglavica. Better unlearned than stubborn.

Bolje je pokliznuti nogom nego jezikom.

Bolje je s mudrim plakati nego s ludim pevati.

Bolje je svoje jaje nego tua koko.

Bolje je u kolibi pevati nego u dvoru plakati. Better sing in a hut then cry in a palace.

Bolje mrav mir nego ebela parnica. Better a skinny peace than a fat lawsuit.

Bolje se s junakom biti, nego s rom ljubiti.

Bolje slep oima, nego slep pamedu. Better blind in eyes then blind in mind.

Bolji je dobar glas nego zlatan pas. Better a good reputation but a golden belt.

Bolji je i crn kola nego prazna torba. Better a burnt cake than an empty bag.

Brat brata na jamu voi, ali u jamu ne mede. Brother takes his brother to a hole but oesnt put him

in there.

Bro se s brom ne moe sastati, a ivi se ljui sastanu. A hill cannot meet another hil, but live people meet

each other.

Bui vie ko manje razloga ima. The less reason, the louder the person.

ija sila, toga i pravda. Whoever wins, makes the law.

ovek je tvri o kamena, a slabiji o jajeta. Man is harder than stone and weaker than eggshell.

ovek eli a je o svakoga bolji, a o sina a je gori.

ovek se ui ok je iv, pa opet lu umre. Man learns as long as he lives, and yet dies a fool.

uvaj bele novce za crne ane. Keep white monies for black days.

uvaj se onoga ko stavlja obraz po opanak. Be aware of the one who puts his cheek under his shoe.

(this is har to translate, because cheek also means

reputation.)

a je stedi ko to redi, svi bi bogati bili. If it were as easy to get rich as it is to talk, everyone

would be rich.

a ga zemlja ne vue sebi, poleteo bi. If the earth int hol him own, he fly.


10/49

a pane na lea, razbio bi nos. If he fell on his back, he would break his nose.

Dobra ovca mnogo ne bleji, ali mnogo vune daje. Goo sheep oesnt baa a lot, but gives a lot of wool.

Dobro je lasno zaboraviti, a zlo nikada.

Dobro se ne pozna dok se ne izgubi. Good is not known until lost.

ok je lea, bide i samara. As long as there are backs, there will be saddles.

ok je iba tanka, treba je ispravljati. While the branch is young, it should be straightened.

rvo bez grane i ovek bez mane - ne mogu biti. A tree without a branch and a man without a fault

cannot be.

rvo se na rvo oslanja, a ovek na oveka.

Duboka voda je bistra, a plitka mutna. Deep water is clear, shallow is murky.

Ge brat brata ne voli, tu nema srede. Where a brother oesnt love his brother, there is no

happiness.

Gdeje sreda, tu je i nesreda. Where there is happiness, there is also unhappiness.

Ge nije ene, tu nije ni kude. Where there is no woman, there is no home.

Gde se god sastanu ljudi, ocjenjuju druge, a sebe ne. Wherever there are people meeting, they always judge

others, and not themselves.

Ge velika zvona zvone, tu se mala ne uju.

Ge je ija kuda tu je i sreina sveta. Where is someones house, there is the center of the

universe.

Ge je stia, tu je i potenja. Where there is shame, there is honesty.

Ge zlato gospouje, razlog se ne uje. Where gold rules, reason cannot be heard.

Ge zlato govori, usta dute. Where gold speaks, mouth is silent.

Gospodskom smehu i vedru nebu ne valja verovati, jer se zaas promene.

Rich persons laughter an clear sky are not to betrusted, because they can change instantly.

Gvoe ree i rvo i kamen, ali i njega ra jee. Iron cuts both wood and stone, but is eaten by rust.

Hode li a te svi mrze, reci svakome ko je ko. If you want everyone to hate you, tell them exactly

what they are like.


11/49

I ljue posluaj, i svoje pameti imaj. Listen to other people, and also have your own wits.

I najmuriji a proa sve to ima, ne moe a kupi sve to nema. Even if the wisest sold everything he

ha, he coulnt buy everything he int have.

I sunce prolazi kroz kaljava mesta ali se ne okalja. Sun passes through muddy places and never gets

muddy itself.

I zi ima ui, i plot ima oi. Walls have ears, fences have eyes.

Ide vreme, nosi breme. Time flies, brings burdens.

I loncem o kamen ili kamenom o lonac, teko loncu svakojako. The pot bangs on the stone, or the stone bangs

on the pot, it is difficult for the pot no matter what

Izvan oiju, izvan srca. Far from sight, far from heart.

Jezik kosti nema, ali kosti lomi. Tongue has no bones, but breaks bones.

Ka bi se sve pameti iznele na vaar, svak bi se svoje maio.

If you put all brains out on a fair, everyone would grab

for his own.

Ka ovek tone i za vrelo gvoe se hvata. When a man drowns, he grabs even for hot iron.

Kad je volje i zlo ide na bolje. Where there is good will, even bad trouble gets better.

Ka najvie grmi, najmanje kie paa. When it thunders the most, it rains the least.

Kad sultan nazebe, raja kija. When the king catches a cold, the people sneeze.

Kako olo onako i prolo. As it came, it went.

Ko ljue ne slua, ni ovek nije. Who oesnt listen to people, is not a man.

Ko mnogo zbori - ili mnogo zna ili mnogo lae. Who speaks a lot either knows a lot or lies a lot.

Ko nede brata za brata, on de tuina za gospoara. Who oesnt want a brother for his brother, takes a

stranger for the rules.

Ko nema sokola i kukavici se veseli. Who oesnt have a hawk, gets happy even with a

cookoo bird. (pun with gender also means female vs male children)

Ko nosi, ne prosi. He who caries, oesnt have to beg.

Ko prati tu posao, svoj zaboravlja. Who follows others business, forgets his own.


12/49

Ko se seli, taj se ne veseli. He who is moving is not cheerful.

Ko u nebo pljuje na obraz mu pada. Who spits at the sky, it falls on his cheak.

Ko u krmu ie, tuu ecu hrani. Who goes to the tavern, fees other peoples chilren.

Koja se ne rekne, ona se ne uje. Word never spoken is word never heard.

Kupuj prvo susea, pa posle kudu. Buy the neighbor first, then the house.

Ludi boj biju, a mudri vino piju.

Ljudi se po odelu sretaju, a po pameti prate. People meet based on clothes, but follow each other

based on brains.

Ljui su gusto posejani, ali retko niu. People are densely planted, but seldom grow.

Mnogo aova treba ok se istina sahrani. Many showels are needed to bury the truth.

Ne boj se onoga kome nisi obro uinio. ont be afrai ofthe person that you werent nice to.

Ne zna a besjei, a ne ume a duti. He oesnt know how to speak, but he cannot be silent.

Nemogoe pojeoe, a nekdee sve popie. Coulnts ate it all, nothanks runk it all.

Nesta blaga, nesta prijatelja. When the wealth is gone, friends are gone.

Nije siromah ko malo ima, ved ko mnogo eli.

Nov bunar kopaj, u star ne pljuj. ig a new well, an ont spit into the ol one.

Novci sitno zvee, al' se aleko uju. Money has a quiet sound but is heard far.

Oteto - prokleto. Grabbed by force is cursed.

Otkud sam se nadao da me sunce ogreje, otuda me led bije.

Where I was hoping for some warmth from the sun,

there is icy cold blowing at me.

Poto se kola slome, mnogi put kazuju. When the car breaks, many show the way. ?

Potuj, ako hode a si potovan. Respect, if you want to be respected.

Prav se smeje, a kriv se krije. Honest laughs, guilty hides.

Ra jee gvoe, a tuga srce. Rust eat the iron, sadness eats the heart.

Starost je bolest od koje svako umire. Old age is disease from which everyone dies.

Svu je prodi, al' je oma odi. Its nice to go everywhere, even nicer to come back

home.


13/49

to anas ne potroi, to si stekao. Whatever you ont spen toay, you earne.

to jesvaije, to je niije. Whatever is everyboys, is noboys.

to je vie bro, to je ublja olja. The taller the hill, the deeper the valley.

to vie sile, vie i zla. More force means more evil.

Tko nije sluio, ne ume ni zapoveati. Who int serve, cannot comman.

Tue je sve lepo, ali je svoje najlepe. Others stuff is all nice, but own is the nicest.

Uini oveku sto puta obro, a jeanput ne uini - sve je zaboravljeno. Make good to a person for hudred

times, and miss once everything is forgotten.

Vie vrei to ena ustei nego to mu zarai.

Voa svata opere o crna obraza.

Zaludu mi je biser kad mi grlo davi. Wasted is this pearl when it strangles me around neck.

Zid rui vlaga, a oveka briga. Wall breaks down with moisture, and man with worry.

Zver zvera, ptica pticu - ovek oveka jee. Animal animal, bird bird man man eats.

Bogata je teko arovati, sita gosta jo tee astiti. It is hard to gift a rich man, even harder to host a visitor

arriving with a full stomach.

Bolje a te smrt preka igne, nego suza siromaka stigne. Better to die early then to live to poverty tears.

a je srce tvre o kamena, opet bi ga rastopilo zlato. If the heart were harder than stone, still gold would

melt it.

Dobro mi je i boljem se naam; u em hoim, u tome i spavam. I am fine and hoping for better; whatever I wear

by day is what I wear to sleep. (meaning: I am poor,

have only one suit.)

Ko jean put slae, rugi put zalui kae.

Koji zravo ie nos, taj de skoro idi bos.

Nema zime ok ne pane inje; ni proleda ok sunce ne sine; ni raosti ok ne eli s kime.

There is no winter until there is snow; no spring until

there is sunshine; and no joy until it is shared with

someone.

Ne pada sneg da pokrije breg, nego da svaka zver svoj trag pokaze.

Nika zao na gorega nede, vrana vrani oi ne vai. Evil person never attacks worse than him, crow oesnt

peck eyes of another crow.


14/49

Uini obro, ne kaj se; uini zlo, naaj se. Do good, and have no remorse; do bad, and hope.

Batina ima dva kraja.

Biser ne valja pred svinje prosipati.

obrom oveku sve obro stoji.

ri se novog puta i starog prijatelja.

Inat je nesredan zanat. Spite is a unhappy craft.

Jeftina raba kasu prazni. Cheap goods empty the piggy bank.

Krivac se i senke boji. Guilty one is afraid even of shadows.

Lasno je zdravome bolesnoga savetovati. It is easy for the healthy one to advise the sick.

Najpre ispre svoje kude poisti. First sweep in front of your own house.

O samode nita gore nema. Nothing worse than loneliness.

Vesela mlaost najveda je raost. Cheerful youth is a big joy.

Zbog sirotog sunce greje. Sun schines for the poor.

Zlato je isto i u prljavoj kesi. Gold is clean in a dirty bag.

Pas laje vetar nosi. Dog barks wind blows.

Moze samo da mi pljune pod prozor. He can just spit under my window. (meaning: he cannot

do anything to me.)

Nije ljubav paradichkom csorba. Love is not a simple potato soup.

(paradichkom csorba= supa od paradjza,vrlo jednostavno jelo, jednostavna stvar)

Lako je tuim srcem po trnju mlatiti It is easy to beat the thorny bushes with anothers heart

Ili ne pokuavaj, ili ovri.

-Rugale se ruge... pa postae ruge! Making fun of others became the same.

- Nemoj babu na konja! (ka se na silu neto rai) ont put an ol woman on a war horse.

Stoji mu ko zabi gace.

Probira naje otira

Ko se jenom opee i u hlano uva Who gets burned once, blows into cold (to cool it down)


15/49

Koga zmija ujee taj se i gutera boji. Who gets bit by a snake is afraid of a lizard.

Ko rano rani, dve srece grabi.

Ko drugome jamu kopa, sam u nju upada. Who digs a hole for others, falls into it himself.

Vuk dlaku menja, ali cud nikako. Wolf changes coats, but not his nature.

Biser ne valja pred svinje bacati

Prazna vreca ne moze uspravno da stoji Empty bag cannot stand up straight.

Gde nevolja ruca tu i tuga vecera

Da je maceha dobra u basti bi se sejala

Dok jednom ne smrkne, drugom ne svane

iz krivog odzaka, dim pravo izlazi

Lako je iza sest volova plug drzati It is easy to hold the plow behind six oxen

Ludi boj biju, a mudri vino piju Fools fight, wise get together and party

Koji se pas silom u lov vodi, taj zeca ne hvata

Sto se grbo rodi, vreme ne ispravi If born crooked, time cannot straighten it

Ako cinis dobro ne udaraj u veliko zvono

Sto prodje preko devet zuba ode preko devet brda whatever passes over nine teeth goes over nine hills

Spolja gladac a unutra jadac

Svaka je kvocka na svom gnezdu jaka

Ne moze se dlanom sunce zakloniti Cannot cover the sun with the palm

Ne ceni vola po rogovima ni coveka po brkovima ont juge the bull by his horns an man by his

moustache

Bez starog vola nema duboke brazde Without old bull, there is no deep plowing


16/49

Ko umije, njemu dvije Whoever is handy, scores double

Jak vetar prvo najvise drvece obara. Strong wind topples the tall trees first.

neke od Baba Micinih:

Preko prece naokolo blize Shortcut is short and roundabout is closer

Sto je babi milo, to joj se i snilo What she wants, she sees

Ne pada sneg dapokrije breg, nego da svaka zverka trag svoj otkrije

Nema hleba bez motike. No bread without

Lepa rec i gvozdena vrata otvara.

S kim si, taki si. Who you are with, thats what you are like.

Niko se nije naucen rodio. Nobody was born knowing.

Cega se pametan stidi, lud se hvali. What the wise is ashamed of, fools are proud of.

Pusti pevca na prag, ode na pajantu. Let the rooster to the doorstep, he will go to town.

Na muci se poznaju junaci. Trouble reveals heros.

Ko se cuva, i Bog ga cuva. God takes care of those who take care of

themselves.

Pricam ti pricu, a ti se smesi. Take my story with a smile.

Od ljubavi se ne zivi. It is impossible to live on love alone.

Ides ko grlom u jagode. Going to pick strawberries just by letting them fall

in your mouth?

Ako koza laze, rog ne laze. If the goat is lieing, her horn isnt.

Ko hoce vece, izgubi iz vrece. Who wants more, loses what is already in the sack.

Niko se nije naucen rodio. Nobody was born learned.

Dok se mlada obuce, i svadba se provuce. By the time the bride got dressed, the wedding was

over.

Nikad nije kasno da se ljubi strasno. Its never too late for a true love.


17/49

Some are duplicates, keeping them in cyrilic, which gives it the right flavor.

. From a small stick grows a big tree.

. There is little use from early cherry tree and

beautiful woman.

. There is no harder fort than a word.

, . From evil there is no worse, and from good there is nobetter.

. There is nothing worse than a moody mean person.

, ., . .

, .

, . Sheep baa when they are thirsty, and people when theyhave drunk.

. Words can tie and untie.

. It is a ba man who fin joy in others misfortune.

, . Smart man gives, a onkey oesnt.

. .

. Impossible to hold two watermelons under onearmpit.

. Honest man is easily swindled.

, . , .

- , - .If we drink like cattle, there will be enough. If we drink

like people there will be too little.

, . , . , . , . , .


18/49

, .If you want to be mean to a man, wish that his wife

dies.

, .

, .If someone int get it with mothers milk, he wontmake it up with cows milk.

. . .

, .

.

. Mother in law oesnt remember that she useto be a daughter in law.

, . .

. Full cat oesnt hunt mice.

, .

, . Apples that ripen late, stay fresh long.

, . Habit is one trouble, and unlearning is twotroubles.

, . . , , . . .

, .

Its a ba iea to be lid on every pot and spice in everysoup.

, .

, . ont o goo, so that the unseen oesnt fin you.

, . ont o evil, so that you ont get it even worse.


19/49

. .

, . Its not evil looking for man, but man looking for evil.

. ont rinse your mouth with everyone.

, . Big trees grow for a long time, but fall down quickly.

. There is no burden without a child.

, , . . , . . . .

. .

. Tongue stabs into heart.

. Tongue cut more heads than sword.

- , - .No more wine no more talking, no more wealth nomore friends.

, .

. Woman is an evil necessary for life.

.

. . Woman relies on her crying, and criminal on lieing.

, . , . .

, .Nobody can shame anyone else until he shames

himself.

. , . , .

. No evil goes unnoticed.


20/49

. .

, . Wealthy eats when he wants, and poor when he can.

, .

, . Water can wash all kinds of things, except a dirtytongue.

. , .

. Better to drip than to flow.

.

.Better to break up a monastery than two young people.

, . . , .

, .Better to have a smart enemy than a crazy friend.

, .

. , . . , .

, .Judge ox by thickness of its neck, and girl by her

mother.

, . . , .

. .

, . If marriage was good, the devil would be married too.

, . . - . , .


21/49

. . - . .

. Poor is the one who has nobody of his own in troubledtimes.

. . , . , . , , .

. Hold your word like a sieve holds water.

.

- , - . When you have you are everyones. When you onthavenoboys.

. , . , . , . . . , .

. Speak so that I can see you.

.

. Womens tongue is worse than Turkish swor.

, . . . , .

, . Misfortune comes fast and leaves slow.

.

. Spite eats the soul like rust eats iron.

. . , . .


22/49

. , . .

, . Lioness gives birth to only one, but a lion.

. , .

. Much is gaine by the one who oesnt buy trinkets.

. Much time is needed to grow a man out of a child.

, . , . , .

. When feathers get strewn, it is difficult to recollect

them.

, . When old dog barks, it is prudent to check what it is.

, . When eyes speak, mouth is silent.

, .

. Remorse is the medicine for every wrongdoing.

.

- ; - . , . , .

, . Who breaks faith, the faith will him.

, .

, , . , . .

. Who is not ashamed of people is also not afraid of God.

, .

. Who ries in anothers car, wont get far.

, .


23/49

How much is from the earth to the sky, thats how muchis from a man to a no-man.

, . ont trust your horse, gun an woman.

, kurcu . ont trust your horse, gun an penis.

.

I kad kune, majka blagosilja. Even when she curses, mother blesses.

Vrana vrani oci ne vadi.

Zlatan lanac slobodu ne pruza. Golen chain oesnt provie freeom.

Zlo nista ne radi u pola. Evil doesnt o anything half way.

GROUP ILexical and Semantic Congruence

Examples:Alls well that ends wellSve je dobro to se dobro svriNo smoke without fireGdje ima dima ima i vatreAttack is the best form of defenseNapad je najbolja odbrana

Barking dogs never bitePas koji laje ne ujedaBirds of a feather flock togetherSvaka ptica svome jatu letiSilence is goldencutanje je zlatoAn eye for an eye, a tooth for a toothOko za oko, zub za zubA fault confessed is half redressedKo priznaje pola mu se prataA friend in need is a friend indeedU nevolji se prijatelj poznajeThe end justifies the meansCilj opravdava sredstvaPrevention is better than cureBolje sprijeciti nego lije(itiOne swallow does not make a summerJedna lasta ne cini proljeceNever look a gift horse in the mouthPoklonjenom konju se ne gleda u zube

GROUP II - Lexical Incongruence, Semantic Similarity

Examples:

Fight fire with fireKlin se klinom izbijaTalk of the devilMi o vuku, a vuk na vrataThe apple doesn't fall far from the treeIverje ne pada daleko od kladeYou can't eat your cake and have it tooNe moe imati i jare i pareThe cat is out of the bagDolo djelo na vidjelo


24/49

The game is not worth the candleSkuplja pita od tepsijeA great tree attracts the windZa dobrim konjem praina se die

Might makes rightSila boga ne moliLong absent, soon forgottenDaleko od ociju, daleko od srcaGive him an inch and he will take a mile Da mu prst a on hoce rukuPusti pevca na prag, ode na pajantu.

Let the rooster to the doorstep, he will go to town.Bird once snared fears all bushesKoga su zmije ujedale taj se i gutera plai; Ko se omlijeko opekao duva i u jogurt; Ko se opekao i u hladno duva

The early bird catches the wormKo rano rani dvije srece grabi; Ko prvi djevojci njegovaDjevojka

It's the last straw that broke the camel's backTo je kap koja je prelila cauMake hay while the sun shinesGvodje se kuje dok je vruce

GROUP III - American English Phraseologisms without Equivalents in Serbian

These need to be interpreted less metaphorically

Examples:Put your money where your mouth isStart doing as you sayCuriosity killed the catCuriosity can be dangerousA rising tide will lift all boatsAn overall improvement will affect all individual segmentsDon't cry over spilled milkRegrets are not productive and bring no availDon't judge a book by its coverEssence and real quality lies withinDon't throw out the baby with the bath waterDo not be overly critical and neglectpositives things

Scratch my back and Ill scratch yoursMutual help results in synergyKeep a low profileDo not attract much attentionKeep your powder dryBe ready and alertMarching to a different drummerTo disobey authority and pursue own principlesClose but no cigarAlmost right, but still insufficiently soEverything is coming up rosesPositive developments and the feeling of joy relatedtherewith

The fat is in the fire; The genie is out of the bottleEvents have started and their coursecannot be reversed

To have a bigger fish to fryTo have a more important matter to attend toA shot in the armAn influx of energy, financial or another kind of assistanceIt's all smoke and mirrorsIt is a fallacious and deliberate illusion


25/49

SERBIAN SAYINGS AND IDIOMS

Sarena laza

Doterati cara do duvara push the king to the wall

... kosta ko svetog Petra Kajgana costs as much as St. Peter paid for the

scrambled eggs

Mlatiti praznu slamu beat empty hay

Lupa kao Maksim po diviziji

Plakati kao godina

Trapav kao slon u staklarskoj radnji

Raspampridu te ko maemukatlu i will tear you up like a kitten would tear up a geranium

plant

Ko luda Nasta

Popu pop,bobu bob

Nezgodan ko kratko cebe Testy like blanket too short

Isece ga ko biciklo balegu

Glup kao tocilo dumb like grinding stone

Bistar ko ministar smarter like minister

Pade u sevdah ko sljiva u balegu

Tera mak na konac insisting to string poppy seeds

Leglo mu je ko budali samar

Stoji mu ko zabi gace fits him like panty on a frog

----similar:

To pour oil on fireDolijevati ulje na vatruHave something up the sleeveImati neto u rukavu


26/49

Black sheepCrna ovcaIt makes my hair stand (up) on the end Die mi se kosa na glaviIt's the tip of the icebergTo je vrh ledenog brijega

Looking for a needle in a haystackTraiti iglu u plastu sijenaTo go through the millPro&i sito i reeto

Over my dead bodySamo preko mene mrtvogHe who laughs last, laughs bestKo se zadnji smije najsla)e se smijeLet the dust settleNek' se slegne prainaThe last drop that makes the cup run overKap koja je prelila (auRead between the lines,itati izme)u redova

Get up on the wrong side of the bed Ustati na lijevu noguOut of the blueKao grom iz vedra nebaComparing apples and orangesPorediti babe i abeHave a screw looseFali mu daska u glaviTo reinvent the wheelIzumiti toplu vodu

Kick against the pricksI&i uz dlaku; Bosti se s rogatima

In his shoesNa njegovom mjestuIt's a piece of cakeTo je ma(iji kaalj

Radoznao kao koza Curious like a goat

Ruzan kao lopov Ugly like a thief

Pokondirena tikva Uppity pumpkin

Sta tu izvodis besne gliste. Stop acting out like rabid earthworms.

Sta gledas u mene, jel mi rastu rogovi? Why are you staring at me, am I growing horns?

Drzi se ko pijan plota. Hanging onto it like a drunk for the fence.

Papucic


27/49

MACHOISM, BRAVADO, MALE CHAUVINIST PIGS, AND ABUSE OF

CHILDREN:

The following two are from books , not from people. But those books marred people. Serbia started both World

Wars.

Rani sina pa salji na vojsku Srbija se umiriti ne moze. ,

!

Grow your son and send him to fight, Serbia cannot

be subdued.

!

We should serve our honor and name let it be

unceasing fight.

Batina iz raja izasla. Beating stick came out of heavens. (to beatchildren)

Zene su da zbore a ljudi da tvore. Women speak, men do.Ko nema sokola i kukavici se veseli. Who oesnt have a hawk, is happy to have a coockoo

bird (pun with words: hawk is symbol for a male child,

coockoo bird for a crying female. Male kids are the only

valuable kids. So people MUST have a male child.)

Gaji cerku gaji drugom sluzavku. To raise a daughter is to raise a servant to someone

else. (because she will live with in-laws).

There should be more proverbs about drinking that there are here. Serbs tend to drink a little too much, and

they drink hard liquor called sljivovica, plum brandy, and also heavy Turkish coffee. And they smoke like

chimneys. And they usually frown, smiles are rare. The net result: most people age very quickly, their faces are

gray. Plus, the food for most people is heavy and greasy, with a lot of meat and bread and few veggies and fruit,

so most adults are overweight. Young people are usually good looking and slim, because they are active and

they very much DO pay attention to how they are dressed. Until they marry and have kids (about age of 30).

Then the smoking, food, no exercise, etc. gets them.


28/49

SOME SAYINGS FROM SOME FAMOUS PEOPLE (writers, religious

leaders, etc. both in the past and current)

Branislav Nui misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Brak je pismo koje je interesantno samo dok je zatvoreno.

Marriage is a letter that is interesting only while it is closed.

Mrnja onih koji su zli nije toliko opasna kao njihovo prijateljstvo.

Hatred of the mean ones is not as dangerous as their friendship.

Brak je jena o retkih istorijskih pojava ko koje se osvaja potinjava osvojenome.

Marriage is one of rare historical phenomena in which the conqerer

submits to the conquered.

Prava je ljuima, esto, tea o neprave.

Justice is often heavier than injustice.

Beskimenjak je u poetku samo gmizao. Uspevi se, poeo je a sikde.

Invertebrate was only crawling at first. When he rose up, he started

hissing.

Brak ini troje: ljubav, poverenje i strpljenje.

Marriage is composed of three: love, trust, and patience.

ir na elucu je zarazna bolest. Oni koji ved imaju ireve stvaraju ih rugima.

Ulcers are infections disease. Those who have ulcers make sure to make

others have them too.

Karijeristi ne ostavljaju nikakav trag za sobom, osim bivih prijatelja.

Carrier oriented do not leave any tracks behind them, except former

friends.

Znanje ima granice, dok neznanje ih nema.

Knowlege has bouns, but no knowlege oesnt.

Moe se rai suknje preskakati plot, ali se to, ni u kom sluaju, ne moe initi u suknji.

Prvi poljubac oe mu kao neka mala matura, posle koje se prelazi u vie razree, ge se ui via matematika

ljubavi sa svim poznatim i nepoznatim koliinama.


29/49

Nije to paraoksalna tvrnja ako se ree: a se trageija jae ispoljava u okviru smenoga, onakokao to je mrka

fotografija plastinija u svetlom ramu.

Duan Radovi misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Ko prvi evojci njegova evojka. Ko poslenji evojci, njegova ena.

Who gets first to girl, it is his girlfriend. Who gets last, it is his wife. (Who

gets last, it is his child.)

Hrabri mukarci treskaju vratima ka olaze u kudu, a kukavice samo ka olaze.

Brave men slam the door when they enter the house, and cowards only

when they leave.

Mukarci itaju novine a ene romane. Mukarcima mnogo vie ogovara mnogo kratkih uzbuenja, a ene vole

jedno, ali da traje dugo.

Mukarci ne mrze ene onoliko koliko viu na njih, niti ene vole mukarce onoliko koliko ih sliaju i trpe.

Men ont hate women as much as they yell at them, an women ont

love men as much as they listen to them and tolerate them.

Niko ne veruje lepim enama, suvie su lepe a bi bile verne. Takav je sluaj i sa pametnim mukarcima.

Nobody trusts beautiful women, they are too pretty to be faithful. The

same case goes for smart men.

Vara se svaki mukarac ka veruje a je pouzan u enu samo zato to ga ona voli.

Voite rauna. a bi svi mukarci mogli varati svoje ene, u tome moraju uestvovati i sve ene.

Do some math. In order for all those men to cheat on their women, all

women must participate in that.

Ima vie nevernih mueva nego nego nevernih ena. To znai a na jenu nevernu enu paa nekoliko nevernih

mueva.

There are more unfaithful husbands than unfaithful wives. That means

that each unfaithful wife gets several unfaithful husbands.

ene su kao velike, a muevi kao male kazaljke na satu. ok ene lako i ivahno optre ceo krug, muevi se lako

pomere o sleede numere.

ene vole a vole, a manje im je vano koga de voleti.Mukarci vole a su voljeni, ali bi hteli a biraju ko de ih

voleti.

Nemojte se eniti zbog nodi. Nodu moete i spavati. Traite enu koja de vam reiti probleme anju.


30/49

ont marry because of the night. You can sleep at night. Look for a

woman who will solve your problems during the day.

Ako reite sve probleme svoje ece, ona nede imati rugih problema sem vas.

If you solve all problems of your chilren, they wont have any other

problem but you.

im oevi ponu a priaju kako je bilo, eca znaju kako de biti.

As soon as fathers start talking about how it was, children know how it

will be.

Lake bismo vaspitavali ecu kaa bi ona imala samo ui, a ne i oi.

It would be easier to raise children if they had only ears, not eyes.

Roditelji se zaprepaste kaa uju a im se eca rogiraju. Ne mogu a veruju. Ka su ih poslenji put vieli, nise

se drogirala.

Parents get schocked when they hear that their children do drugs.

When they saw them the last time, they int o any rugs.

Samo eca koja ne sluaju mogu biti bolja o svojih roitelja.

Only chilren who ont listen can be better than their parents.

Ima nepomitivih ljui, to su oni o kojih nita ne zavisi.

There are unbribable people, those that nothing depends on.

Ne trite za enama, a se ne suarite sa onima koji o njih bee.

ont run after women, else you might crash into those who are running

away from them.

Plaimo se nekih ljui. Oni mnogo vie mogu nego to znaju. Ne okazujte im a malo znaju, jer de vam pokazati

koliko mogu.

We are afraid of some people. They can a lot more than they know.

ont prove to them that they know little, because they will show you

how much they can.

Pre nego to krenete a traite sredu, proverite - moa ste ved sredni. Sreda je mala, obina i neupaljiva i

mnogi ne umeju da je vide.

Before you start looking for happiness, check maybe you are already

happy. Happiness is small, orinary an inconspicuous an many ont

know how to see it.


31/49

Pre nego to popravite svet, popravite esmu u svom stanu.

Before you fix the world, fix the fawcett in your home.

Svet bi bio mnogo sredniji i lepi ka bi svako samo popravio esmu ili makar zube.

The world would be a lot happier and nicer if everyone just would fix

their fawcett or even only their teeth.

Volite se kad niste zajedno. To je prava ljubav. Ko ume da voli samo kad je zajedno, taj ne pravi pitanje s kim je.

Love each other when you are not together. That is true love. Those

who can love only when they are together, ont care with whom they

are.

Ako postoje i neke ruge, razvijenije civilizacije, na rugim planetama, moa je zemlja njihov pakao.

If there are more advanced civilizations on other planets, perhaps Earthis their hell.

Ako ste nekoga zavoleli bez razloga, kasnije de vam ti razlozi sve vie neostajati.

If you fell in love with someone without any reasons, later you will

increasingly miss those reasons.

Bio je niko i nita, sa je niko i neto.

He was nobody and nothing, now he is nobody and something.

Istine su sve glasnije, jer su oni koji treba a ih uvaju sve stariji.

Ka je neko glup, ne moete mu to ni okazati.

When someone is dumb, you cannot prove them even that.

Karovske liste prave se tajno, u najuem krugu najpoverljivijih. Mora tako, skriveno i tajno, jer i kriterijumi nisu

za javnost.

Mlai moraju a ive nodu - bee iz ana koji su okupirali njihovi oevi i eovi.

Youth has to live at night they run away from the day time occupied

by their fathers and grandfathers.

Niko vam ne zavidi na sposobnosti, ved na uspesima.

Nobody is jelous of your abilities, but your successes.

Dok radite, smatraju vas luim, a ka neto postignete, srednim.


32/49

While you toil, they consider you crazy, and when you achieve

something, lucky.

O svakome se moe govoriti loe, samo je potreban povo.

It is possible to speak badly about anyone, it is just inducement that is

necessary.

Nije teko biti toliko nesredan a bi ovek poeo a pije. Ljue treba ovikavati o nesrede, a ne o alkohola.

Nesreda je vedi porok.

It is not difficult to be so unhappy to start drinking. People should be

unlearned from unhappiness, not of alcohol. Unhappiness is the bigger

vice.

Poteni su poteni samo zato to ne umeju ili ne smeju a buu nepoteni.

Honest people are honest because they ont know how or ont are

be dishonest.

Skromnost nije za svakoga. Ona lepo stoji samo onima koji bi imali zbog ega biti neskromni.

Modesty is not for anyone. It looks good only on those who have

something to be immodest about.

to je manje ono to bi ste hteli ukrasti, sve je vedi rizik.

The smaller it is what you want to steal, the higher the risk.

Teko je biti sam, o toga je jeino tee ka su voje sami.

It is difficult to be alone, the only thing more difficult is when two are

alone.

Trebalo bi do daljnjeg zabraniti sve govore. Neka svako urai ono to je hteo a kae.

It would be good to forbid all speeches until further notice. First,

everyone should do whatever he wanted to say.

Zravi su samo oni koji jo ne znaju a su bolesni.

Siromah je onaj koji ima para, a bogat je samo onaj koji ih troi.

Poor man is he who has money, and rich is the one who spends it.

Nije vano a li neko rai ili ne, vaan je samo rezultat.

It oesnt matter if someone works or not, what matters is the results.

Nae malo moe biti mnogo za one koji nemaju ni malo.


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Our little can be a lot for those who ont have even a little.

Za ivot je najvanije strpljenje. a bi ste ugo iveli potrebno je mnogo strpljenja.

The most important thing for life is patience. In order to live long, a lot

of patience is needed.

Iz malog tela i velike ue, bre izrastu krila, nego ka je obrnuto.

From little body and big soul, wings grow faster, much faster than from

the opposite.

Za razliku od doktora nauka, seljaci imaju vie znanja nego strune spreme.

Differently than doctors of science, farmers have more knowledge than

diplomas.

Vi vredite samo onoliko koliko ste drugima potrebni.

Your are as worth as others need you.

Samo siromani znaju a ima i siromanijih od njih, bogati vide samo bogatije od sebe.

Only poor know that there are more poor than them. Rich people see

only richer than themselves.

Ne morate biti bolji o rugih, buite samo najbolji to moete.

You ont have to be better than others, just be the best you can be.

Petar Petrovi Njego misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

U dobru je lako dobar biti, na muci s poznaju junaci!

It is easy to be good while it is good, the trouble reveals the heros.

Du je enska smijena rabota! Ne zna ena koje kakve vjere, stotinu de promijenit vjerah a uini to joj srce

ui.

Womens personality is very funny. Woman oesnt know who is of

what faith, she will change hundred faiths to do what her heart wants.

Ko na brdo ak i malo stoji, vie vii no onaj pod brdom.

Whoever stands on the hill even a little bit, sees a lot more than a

person on the bottom of the hill.

Bez muke se pjesma ne ispoja, bez muke se sablja ne sakova!


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Junatvo je car zla svakojega, a i pide najslae uevno, kojijem se pjane pokoljenja.

Bravado with vanity and pride is the king od a lot of evil, and the

sweetest soul drink with which the generations are intoxicated.

Blago tome ko ovijek ivi, imao se rata i roiti!

Congrats to the one who lives forever, he was born for a lot!

Vjena zublja, vjene pomrine nit ogori niti svjetlost gubi.

Strah ivotu kalja obraz esto. Fear ruins the integrity of life all too often.

Oi zbore to im srce veli. Eyes speak what they are told by the heart.

Teko zemlji kua proe vojska! Poor is the land where soldiers pass through!

Tvr je orah vodka unovata, ne slomi ga al zube polomi!

Walnut in a shell is a curious fruit: you wont break it but will break yourteeth.

Svak je roen a po jenom umre, ast i bruka ive ovijeka.

Everyone is born to die once. Honor and shame live forever.

Iz grmena velikoga lafu izad truno nije, u velikim naroima geniju se gnijezo vije.

It is not difficult for a lion to live behind a large bush. In large nations,

genius have their bed made for them.

to ljui hode, to i vrijeme trpi.

Buale su s oima slepe, koje vie, a zaluu vie.

Fools are blind in their eyes, which see, but see nothing.

Iza tue verije je nebo, iza tuge bistrija je ua, iza plaa velje pojaa.

After a rain, the sky is more clear, after a sadness, the soul is more clear,

after a cry, we are more happy.

Kome zakon lei u topuzu, tragovi mu smre neovjetvom.

Whoever has their law in the violence, his tracks stink of inhumanity.

Casu meda niko ne popi da je casom zuci ne zagorci.

No one ever drunk a cup of honey without bittering it with a cup of bile.

Pucina je stoka jedna grdna. Common people are like cattle.


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Ivo Andri misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Najvea budala nije onaj koji ne umije da ita, nego onaj koji misli daje sve ono to proita istina.

The biggest fool is not the one who doesnt know how to read, butthe one who thinks that everything he reads is the truth.

Ljudi koji sami ne rade i ne preduzimaju nita u ivotu lako gube strpljenje i padaju u pogreke kad sudeo tuem radu.

People who dont work themselves and dont take any initiatives inlife easily lose their patience and make mistakes when judge

someone elses work.

Mi, to se zna, ne ivimo i ne delamo zbog ljudi, nego mimo ljudi, a sve za ljude.

We, that is known, do not live and act because of people, but in

spite of people and everything for people.

Ovaj svet u kom ivimo tako je sazdan da je onaj koji se plai ve izgubljen.

This world in which we live is built in such a way that whoever is

scared is already lost.

Vrlo rano sam saznao da svaki minut ivota moe biti teak koliko i ivot ceo.

Very early I found out that every minute of life can be as difficult

as the entire life.

Ljudi male pameti retko se trude da ne budu dosadni.

People with little brains seldom put effort to not be pesky.

Mir i spokojstvo, jedina su dobra i najvee dostojanstvo skromnih sudbina i bezimenihljudi.Sladostrasnici, kad ivot ula protutnji i sagori, ostaju mrani, gorki i teki sebi i drugima.

Peace and tranquility are the only and the biggest dignity humble

lives and nameless people. Senses lovers, when the life of senses

thunder through and burn down, stay dark, bitter, and heavy tothemselves and others.

Neizvesnost je imanje onih koji nemaju nita i velika nada onih koji nisu navikli na dobro u ivotu.

Uncertainty is the property of those who own nothing and hope of

those who are not used to good in life.

Nita ljude ne vee tako kao zajedniki i sreno preivljena nesrea.


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Nothing binds people as much as together and happily overcame

misfortune.

Oduvek je i svuda tako, da se sitni i bezimeni ljudi penju na leeve onih koji su oboreni u meusobnojborbi velikih.

It has always been so, that small nameless people climb on thedead bodies of those who fell in the mutal fight of the great

Sreni i zadovoljni ljudi ne piu nikako, ili jako kratko.

Happy and satisfied people dont write at all, or very succinctly.

Ko je duga veka, taj nadivi sve, pa i svoje zasluge.

Who lives long, he lives longer than everything, including his own

merits.

Na ovek ne ume da se pravovremeno zaustavi ni pri usponu ni pri padu.

Our people dont know how to stop on time while rising or falling.

Ima ljudi iji je ivot tako dobro ispunjen da ni svojom smru ne mogu da nas obeshrabre.

There are some people whose life is so well fulfilled that even their

death cannot discourage us.

Toliko je bilo stvari u ivotu kojih smo se bojali. A nije trebelo. Trebalo je iveti.

There are so many things in life that we were afraid of. No need.We should have lived.

ivot nikada ne daje ono to obeava, nego uvek vie ili manje od toga.

Life never gives you what it promises, always more or less than

that.

ene, ja ne znam kome ste vi bile blaga kia jutarnja, ali u na ivot ulazite kao pljusci noeni vihorima.

Bezbrina ravnodunost je veliki dar i mono oruje mladosti.

udno je kako je malo potrebo da budemo sreni, a jo je udnijekako nam ba to malo nedostaje

It is weird how little we need to be happy, and even more weird

how exactly that little bit is exactly what we miss.

Da je utanje snaga, a govorenje slabost, vidi se i po tome to starci i deca vole da priaju.

That silence is strength and talking is weakness is obvious from the

fact that elderly and kids love to talk.


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Dou tako ponekad vremena, kada pamet zauti, budala progovori, a fukara se obogati.

Ocassionally there come times when brains keep silent, fools start

talking, and crooked get rich.

Lepa dua dublje jeca. More beautiful soul can cry deeper.

Mnogi postignu ono to su hteli, a izgube sve.

Many achieve everything they wanted, and lose everything.

Sumnja i briga vide ono to srea i pouzdanje nikada ne mogu.

Doubt and worry see what happiness and confidence never can.

Rakija mora da progovori kad bilo, kao i nevaljala ena, sveti se onom koji hoe da u njoj uiva tajno atrajno i obilno.

Bolest je sirotinjska sudbina i bogataka kazna.

Svi pravi ivoti su lepi i teki.

Svi ljudski pokreti proizlaze iz potrebe za napadom ili odbranom.

Beskorisno je u starosti produavati ivot. Treba produavati mladost.

Zato to mogu, i to se usuujuda o svaemu svata kau, oni misle da sve znaju.

Moglo bi se, sa malo preterivanja, kazati da svaka ena ima svoju unapred odreenu dozu suza kojumora u toku svog ivota da isplae...

Nita nije tee ni stranije nego gledati svet oko sebe oima bive lepotice.

There is nothing harder nor more terrifying than seeing the world

around with the eyes of the former beauty queen.

Dobra je stvar krotka i zdrava ena. ivi i radi kao da ne postoji, a ipak osea da ti pomae.

Niko ne moe da proveri i predvidi udi i nastupe nemirne i puste ene.

Beznaajne rei, dugi pogledi i nesvesni osmejci poveu se u siguran most koji se sam gradi.

Ljubav, kada je iskrena i duboka, lako prata i zaboravlja.

Love, when it is true and deep, easily forgives and forgets.

Celog veka se leimo od nesrenog detinjstva.

Our whole life we heal from our unhappy childhood.


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Kad god mi mislimo da su nam se otvorile oi, to obino znai da smo ih za stotinu drugih stvarizatvorili.

When we think that our eyes have opened, it usually means they

closed for hundred other things.

I vrline jednog oveka mi primamo i cenimo potpuno samo ako nam se ukazuju u obliku koji odgovaranaim shvatanjima i sklonostima.

Even the character virtues of another man we can appreciate only

if they are shown to us in the form that suits our understandings

and inclinations.

Od svog porekla i detinjstva ne moe se pobei lako.

From ones roots and childhoot it is not easy to run away.

Svi smo mi mrtvi, samo se redom sahranjujemo...

We are all dead, we just burry ourselves in order.

Veliki praznici i sveani dani mogu da pokau koliko su nam daleki i oni koje smatramo najbliima.

Big holidays and celebration days can show us how distant are

even those who we consider most close.

Ko prijatelja tumai i analizira, taj ga ne voli.

Who interprets and analyzes his friend, doesnt love him.

Kako korisno i dobro govore ljudi koji umeju da ute!

How wonderfully useful and well speak those who know how to

keep silent!

Kod ljudi koji edno ive ruke su mirne, bele i veito mlade.

Dugi su i zamreni rauni izmeu onih koji imaju i nedaju i onihkoji nemaju nita do svojih potreba.

Long and complicated are the affairs between those who have and

dont give and those who dont have anything of their needs met.

Jovan Dui misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

U braku ena trai sve to joj se opaa i uzme sve to moe oteti.

ena se ne slui laju a napane, nego a se obrani.


39/49

Lepa je svaka ena osim one koja misli a to nije, i one koja misli a jeste.

Every woman is beautiful except one who thinks she is not, and one

who thinks she is.

ene ne znaju a potuju, nego a vole. Stoga one ne trae ni a vi njih potujete, nego a ih volite.

Mukarci su hrabri pre smrdu, a ene pre ivotom.

Mukarci su hrabri pre rugim mukarcem, a ene pre celom subinom.

ena iskreno veruje a je mukarac voli samo onda kad zbog nje pati i kad u nju stalno sumnja.

eni nije ovoljno a obije najvie o mukareve srede, nego a to vie otme o njegove sloboe.

Kao gla, ni ljubav nema oiju, ali ljubomora nema pameti.

Ljubav je ak i herojstvo, jer trai rtve.

Love is even heroism, because it demands victims.

Mlaost i ljubav, to je sve to ivot ima.

Postoji ludilo ljubavi, ali ne i mudrost ljubavi.

There is the craziness of love, but not the wisdom of love.

Samo se u ljubavi i u snrti ljudi mogu da izjenae, i a poslenji stigne prvog.

Only love and death can equalize people, where the last one overtakes

the first.

ve su prave i najvede ovekove nesrede, nemati zravlja i nemati prijatelja.

Two are real and largest human misfortunes: not having health and not

having friends.

Ljudi koji mrze, to su najpre glupaci, a zatim i kukavice, ali nikad heroji.

People who hate, those are first fools and then cowards, never heroes.

Svi ljudi imaju iste mane, ali nemaju iste vrline.

All people have the same faults, but not the same virtues.

Prva osobina primitivnog oveka ja a se boji svega to ne razume, a na prvom mestu se boji pameti.

The first feature of a primitive man is that he is afraid of everything he

oesnt unerstan, an in the first place he is afraid of intellect.

Velika je nesreda ka ovek ne zna ta hode, a prava katastrofa ka ne zna ta moe.


40/49

It is a big misfortune when a man oesnt know what he wants, an a

real catastrophy when he oesnt know what he can.

Veliki ovek sui oveka po njegovim vrlinama, mali sudi po manama.

A big man judges another by his virtues, a little man judges another by

his faults.

Ko smisao ivota nije traio, taj nije iveo, ali ako ga je traio, nika nije bio ovoljno sredan.

Treba se uvati vie sebe nego svojih zlotvora.

It is pruent to protect oneself from oneself more then from ones

enemies.

Glupak se naslanja na glupaka, kao slepac na slepca.

Fool relies on another fool, like a blind man on another blind man.

Neko ostari kao zlato i mermer, a neko kao cipele.

Some people age like gold and marble, and some like shoes.

Pola sata govorite o nekom obro, i vi postanete mirni i blaeni, ak i ponosni na lepotu svojih osedanja.

Just for hr speak highly about someone, and you will become peaceful

and blissful, even proud about the beauty of your feelings.

Za samodu treba biti sposoban, ak i spreman.

Aloneness requires ability, even readiness.

Retko je ovekov cilj zao, a esto su zla srestva kojima ostvaruje cilj.

It is selom that mens goals are evil, an very often that the means to

the goal are evil.

Ima ljui koji su hrabriji pre smrdu, nego pre ivotom.

There are people who are more brave in front of death than in front of

life.

Ako murac izbegava glupaka, jo vie glupak izbegava muraca.

A wise man avoids the fool, but the fool avoids the wise man even

more.

to pametan uspe, to esto pokvari du.

What a smart one succeeds to accomplish, often is spoiled by moods.


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Ko veruje a je sredan, on je zaista sredan.

He who believes he is happy, is truly happy.

Nema ni jenog ostarelog kralja koji ne bi pristao a bue mla porunik.

There is no age king who woulnt agree to become a young lutenant.

Svet podnosi starca samo ako je duhovit ili bogat.

The world tolerates old man only if he is witty or rich.

Nika ovek prema oveku nije pravean, ni ka voli ni kaa mrzi.

A man is never just towards another man, neither when he loves nor when he

hates.

Zavist je uroena u svakom oveku, makar to neki krili a neki u sebi suzbijali.

Jelousy is ingrained in every man, even though some hide it and some suppress.

Jeino onaj pisac koji enu ne bi "napao" u umi nade je "napasti" ni u knjizi.

Zlo je ko ne ne zna, a uiti se ne a.

It is evil who oesnt know yet oesnt want to learn.

Jeino to mukarci ne oprataju rugom mukarcu, je ka ima lepu enu nego to je njihova.

The only thing a man cannot forgive another man is if he has a more beautiful

wife.

Ono to u ljuima postoji zversko ne moe se ukrotiti nikakvim poklonom, koliko se to moe ukrotiti lepom reju.

That which is animal in humans cannot be tamed with any gifts like it can be

tamed with kind words.

Ka bi mlaost imala filozofiju starca, ne bi bilo na svetu ni ijenog sunanog ana.

If youth had philosophy of an old man, there would be no single sunny day.

Makar nesrede bile stare koliko i srede, ipak se svetu ini kao a neko zlo nije ni postojalo.

Even if misfortunes were as old as good fortunes, still the world perceives it as

if some misfortune never happened.

Za svaku nau nesredu kriva je ili naa lakoumnost, ili naa gorost, ili naa glupost, ili na porok.

Each of our misfortunes is to be blamed on our comformity, or pride, or

foolishness, or vice.


42/49

Matija Bekovi misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

anas meicina o ovjeka moe napraviti sve osim ovjeka.

Nigje ovjek nije mali kao pre alterom i nigje mali ljui nisu vedi nego iza njega.

Mene ne zanima istina.Ja znam ko je u pravu.

Glupost je starija o pameti.a prvi ovek nije bio glup,rugi se nebi ni stvorio.

Budala ima mnogo.Konkurencija je ogromna.

There are many fools. Competition is huge.

Bruka nika ne ie na ivotinje ,nego na ovjeka.

emokratija o koju se moe ogreiti - nije demokratija.

Krasti malo je glupo.Zato male lopove i kanjavaju.Ne zbog kraje ved zbog gluposti,naivnost,prostakluka.

Stealing little is stupi. Thats why small thieves are punishe. Not

because of theft but because of foolishness, naivete, rudeness.

Ka bi se spalio u ime glanih,prvo bi ti glani rekli a si iiot: zato si se spaljivao kad si bio sit?

Nase Sveto pismo je Gorski vijenac.elo koje ne stari i ije rei ne trule.Znati ga napamet i znati svako slovo,

jeini je nain a ne izgubimo sebe.

Izglea a smo na Balkan oli iuci za stokom.More nas je sprijeilo a oemo u Afriku u koju smo se bili

zaputili.

Mea Selimovi misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Prijateljstvo se na bira, ono biva, ko zna zbog ega, kao ljubav.

ovek, sa goinama, sve manje voli ono to je blizu.

Nema ni jene religije koja nije bezbono ruila.

There is no single religion which int unfaithfully estroy.

Snivam katka a sam nezavisan. Ala su to lepi snovi! Ala je to rajsko uivanje.

Neki su gluvi na tue rei, oni su nesreda i sebi i rugima. Ali uvek treba pokuati. Pitade: zato? Nizato. a

bude manje gluvo i pusto.

Mlaost nalazi snage i vremena za sve: mla ovek ne vii kraja ni svojoj snazi ni svom vremenu.

Ljuska linost, najveda svetinja. Human ego, the biggest idol.


43/49

Razuman se hrani a ivi, a lu ivi samo a se hrani i goji.

Wise one eats to live, and a fool to eat and get fat.

ivi nita ne znaju. Pouite me mrtvi kako se moe umreti bez straha, ili bar bez uasa. Jer, smrt je besmisao, kao

i ivot.

O pamtiveka sinovi su nerazumniji o oeva, ali sredom, sinovi postaju razumniji im postanu oevi.

Ka bi Bog kanjavao za svako uinjeno zlo, ne bi na zemlji ostalo ni jeno ivo bide.

If Go punishe for every single wrongoing, there woulnt be a single

live being left on the planet.

Vladeta Jeroti misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Mod vlaanja na rugim neooljiva je slast tamne strane ovekovog bida.

to je nauio Jovica, ne ispravi vie Jovan.

What Johhny learns, John cannot rectify anymore.

Velika je vetina znati razgovarati sa ovekom.

It is a great skill to know how to talk with someone.

Voleti rugog oveka znai i razumeti ga, a svakako i opratati mu. Nije, oue, lako voleti oveka onakav kakav

jeste, ali samo ako buemo u stanju a ga ne samo prihvatimo ved a ga i zavolimo upravo onakav kakav jeste,

postadi demo ga a postane upravo onakav kakav moe a bue.

U samodi oveku se otvara put u sopstvenu ubinu, i ako on uspe a sie u nju bez straha i zaziranja, vratide se

obogaden na povrinu, i tek taa, kaa je otkrio svoje Ja, imace otvoren i pravi put prema blinjem, prema Ti.

Sva ostignuda moerne tehnike, kao i moerne meicine, uinila su ivot, a sigurno i smrt, teijim i munijim.

Samo -Volja za smisao- moe a nas uini ogovornim i taa tek spremnim a pomognemeo i sebi i rutvu.

Vladika Nikolaj Velimirovi misli, izreke, poslovice, mudrosti:

Ljudi koji ne mogu vladati svojim srcem, jo manje mogu vladati svojim jezikom.

People who cannot govern their heart, can even less govern their

tongue.

Ljudi koji ne mogu videti svet u sebi, jo manje mogu videti sebe u svetu.


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Bezbonik se boji skoropostine smrti, lopov se boji obijaa, ubica se boji maa, gordljivac se bojisramote, klevetnik se boji suda istine.

Veliko bogatstvo otkriva siromatinu.

Telesni brak je samo simbol duhovnog braka. U telesnom braku prvo pristupaju radosti pa onda gorine,

dok u duhovnom prvo gorine pa radosti.

Civil marriage is only a symbol for soul marriage. In the civil

marriage first are joys then bitterness, and in the soul one, first bitterness then joys.

Vlast je veliko iskuenje i malo je onih koji mogu tom iskuenju odoleti.

Rulership is a great temptation and very few can resist it.

Od pamtiveka vuci kolju jaganjce, a nikada nijedno jagnje nije zaklalao vuka. Pa ipak je u svetu vise

jaganjaca nego vukova.

From time immemorial, wolves kill lambs and no lamb ever killed

a wolf. Yet there are more lambs than wolves in the world.

esto jednog dana kad uini jedan greh, uinie i drugi, i kad pokae jednu vrlinu pokazae i drugu.

Ko ima veliko ima i malo. Who has big, has the little too.

Gospodar due, gospodar je i tela.

Kao to se svea od svee pali, tako i dobro delo od dobrog dela.

Uini dobro i zakopaj pod kamen, ono e od kamena nainiti sebi jezik i objaviti se.

Ko daleko ode sa avolom u etnju, teko se vraa na pravi put.

Who goes far for a walk with the devil, finds it hard to get back on

the right path.

to vie slasti to je manje slatko, to vie gorine to je manje gorko.

The more sweetness makes it less sweet, the more bitterness makes

it less bitter.

Vladanje zastraivanjem je oajno i poslednje sredstvo u rukama nemonih upravitelja jedne zemlje.

Ruling by fear is a desperate and last resort in the hands of

incapable rulers of any country.

Neprolazne vrednosti su dragocenije od prolaznih kao to je venost dragocenija od vremena. Aneprolazne vrednosti ulaze u okvir zdravlja duevnog.

Istina ne zavisi od vremena i nije ni nova ni stara, nego upravo Istina, jue, danas, sutra.


45/49

Ako se knjige budu mnoile dananjom brzinom, bie vie uitelja nego uenika i razbie se pamet odknjige oveku kao ogledalo kad se razbije na stotinu pareta.

If books keep on multiplying at the speed they are currently

multiplying, there will be more teachers than students and mensbrain will break from the books like a mirror breaks into hundred

pieces.

Biranje kraljica lepote moderni je obiaj starih latinskih naroda. U stvari, to je samo jedna vetoprikrivena trgovina belim robljem.

Choosing the beauty queen is a modern custom of ancient latin

people. Actually, it is just a skillfully covered up trade of white

slaves.

Kad ovek misli da je na vrhuncu svog uspeha, tada, u stvari, stoji na granici svoje propasti.

When a man thinks that he is a the summit of his success, he isactually on the border or his fall.

Lenjost je jedan od smrtnih grehova jer umrtvljuje duu u oveku. Lenjo telo je gnezdo poroka, lenjadua naseobina avola.

Laziness is one of the cardinal sins because it deadens the soul in

man. Lazy body is a nest for vices, and lazy soul a host for the

devil.

Kad radi, ne gledaj samo korist, i dobit, i uspeh.

When you work, dont just take into account gain, profit, andsuccess.

Lepota i naslada koju jedan stolar osea pri tesanju, struganju, glaanju i sklapanju drveta ne da se niimisplatiti.

Beauty and satisfaction that a carpenter feels when cutting,

shaving, polishing and nailing wood cannot be paid by anything.

Moralna lepota, lepota due, srca i karaktera svetli i kroz najrunije lice oveije.

Moral beauty, beauty of soul, heart and character schines even

through the ugliest human face.

Kakvu ljubav prema prijateljima nudi takve e i prijatelje nai.

Whatever love you offer to your friends, thats the kind of friendsyou will find.


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Ljudi koji ne mogu videti svet u sebi jo manje mogu videti sebe u svetu.

People who cannot see the world in themselves cannot even

phantom themselves in the world.

Ljudi koji ne mogu uestvovati u tuem bolu, jo manje mogu uestvovati u tuoj radosti.

People who cannot participate in someone elses pain can even lessparticipate in someone elses joy.

Zalud je bure od najskupljeg drveta kad s u njemu dri ukislo vino.

Wasted is the barrel made of the most precious wood when it keeps

the soured wine.

O tri stvari ne uri dok govori: O Bogu, dok ne utvrdi veru u njega. O tuem grehu dok se ne setisvoga i o sutranjem danu, dok ne svane.

Dont rush to talk about 3 things: about God, until you confirmFaith in Him; about someone elses wrongdoings, until youremember you own; and about tomorrow, until it arrives.

Ne prljaj onoga koji se poeo prati nego mu pomozi da se opere.

Dont dirty the one who started washing himself, but help himwash himself.

Ko nije stradao od poara u sebi, taj e zajaukati kad mu prst opre.

Whoever didnt suffer from burning inside himself, will cry whenhis finger gets burned.

Voda se moe upotrebiti za elektrinu vodenicu, ali i za potop sveta.

Water can be used for the mills, but also to flood the world.

Kao to suze teku od velike alosti, ali i od velike radosti, tako strah obuzima oveka od velikog zloina,ali i od velike rtve.

Ako sam pozvan da se branim ja u utati, ako sam pozvan da branim istinu ja u govoriti.


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FROM CULTURES OTHER THAN SERBIAN:

God, make my words sweet, because one day I might have to eat them.Indonesian proverb

Some people drum about their accomplishments with both hands; some people are quiet and work with

both hands; and some are smart and work with one hand and drum with another.Pakistani proverb

Everything worth doing is worth doing well.

If you want to see the world, you must leave the shade of family tree.Osage proverb

The land has eyes, the land has teeth, the land watches, the land knows the truth.Rotuman proverb(small islands in the Pacific, near Fiji) from movie The land has eyes

The pot leaks whatever is in it.

When a pickpocket meets a saint, he sees only the pockets.

When cow went to Bagdad, she saw only the hay on the streets.

Fall seven times, stand up eight.Japanese proverb

Pray like everything depends on God, and work like everything depends on you.ParamahansaYogananda

Pray to Alah to protect your property, but tie your camels.Bedhuin proverb

For those who are awake, life is roses, roses. For those who are asleep, life is roses, roses. For those

trying to wake up, life is thorns, thorns. Gurdjieff


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REFERENCES FOR SERBIAN PROVERBS

The main guy who collected most of this is Vuk Stefanovic Karadzic, who lived in 1800s and was the main person

who worked on the literacy amongst Serbs. He also collected all folk songs, epics, sayings, etc.

He was a learned man so when Serbia was under Otoman Turks, he had to live abroad. When Serbia achieved

independence, he came back and by order of the ruler worked on literacy issues. He took the letters from old

church Slavic language (spoken only in church) and simplified it, and made the language spoken amongst the

people the official language. He published his collected folk stories, proverbs, etc. back then and that was the

start of Serbia entering the worl of civilize literate Europe. Until then, most people were illiterate. After

than, most people became literate.

He designed the cyrilic alphabet that you see in the proverbs, with 30 letters representing 30 sounds. It was a

brand new bold idea, to have ONE LETTER STAND FOR ONE SOUND, no matter what. So, every A is pronounced

like A in baobab, every O is pronounce like O in orange, every E is pronounce like E in Emily, etc. No

tricks! Well, there is a little bit, some of those souns are longer or shorter, but its subtle an very small. Very

easy to become literate and read and write Serbian. You can read it or write it in literally 1 minute. To

understand what you are reading is more demanding, since Serbian has 7 cases, and nouns are genderized. That

makes understanding Serbian rather complicated but any speaker of any latin or Slavic language should be ok.

The stressing when pronouncing is often at the end of the word, which makes it a completely different melody

than English. What makes it more difficult is the tendency of Serbian speakers to joke, use slang, use double

meaning, use puns, refer to history, etc. so speaking Serbian fluently requires quite a bit of learning and a certain

attitude of allowing for play of words.

SO, to cut it short: if you want to see a huge collections of Serbian folk proverbs, with

EXPLANATIONS as to what the saying means, check out Vuks books (these are two

different books):

http://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepo01karagoogonly sayings

http://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepr00karagoogthis one has stories and

riddles too

http://ia341213.us.archive.org/1/items/srpskenarodnepr00karagoog/srpskenarodnep

r00karagoog.pdf
http://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepo01karagooghttp://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepo01karagooghttp://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepr00karagooghttp://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepr00karagooghttp://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepr00karagooghttp://www.archive.org/stream/srpskenarodnepo01karagoog


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Documents

Serbian n Other Proverbs