Esperanto proverbs

Esperanto is the biggest constructed language in the world, introduced by a Polish ophthalmologist in 1887.

A

• Al du sinjoro semtempe oni servi ne povas.
  • Translation: Nobody can serve two masters.
  • English equivalent: Also, Nobody can serve two masters.
  • Meaning: One cannot serve two conflicting causes simultaneously. If this is attempted neither will be served properly.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 283. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Amikon montras malfeliĉo.
  • Translation: a friend shows in misfortune.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 159. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

Ĉ

• Ĉiu kreas sian forton, êiu forĝas sian sorton.
  • Translation: Every man is the architect of his own fortune.
  • English equivalent: Every man is the smith of his own fortune.
  • Meaning: In shaping one's own fortune one should not rely on the help of others, as they are also concerned mainly about their own matters.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 388. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

E

• En akvo malkara oni fiŝkaptas facile.
  • Translation: It is good fishing in streamy water.
  • English equivalent: It is good fishing in troubled waters.
  • Meaning: In taking advantage of chaotic conditions one can easily serve one's own purposes.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 391. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

F

• Fiŝo pli granda malgrandan englutas.
  • Idiomatic translation: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
  • Meaning: A weak person/group/community/country can be an easy prey to an immoral, powerful one.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

K

• Kia patrino, tia filino.
  • Translation: Such mother, such daughter.
  • English equivalent: Like mother, like daughter.
  • Meaning: Daughters may look and behave like their mothers. This is due to inheritance and the example observed closely and rarely.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 137. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

N

• Ne falas frukto malproksime de l'arbo.
  • Idiomatic translation: The apple does not fall far from the tree.
  • Meaning: Children observe daily and — in their behaviour — often follow the example of their parents.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 259. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Ne kotas besto en sia nesto.
  • Idiomatic translation: It is an ill bird that fouls its own nest; Don't wash your dirty linen in public.
  • Meaning: Don't speak ill off yourself and the groups you belong to.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 466. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• No venas mont' al monto, sed homo homon renkontas.
  • Idiomatic translation: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
  • Meaning: There are some things/events that are impossible, like an encounter of mountains, but there is always a chance for people to meet. or Once can always find a possibility for revenge.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 213. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

P

• Plej granda potenco kuŝas en la komenco.
  • Translation: The beginning is the most important.
  • English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
  • Meaning: Starting properly ensures the speedy completion of a process. A beginning is often blocked by one or more obstacles (potential barriers) the removal of which may ensure the smooth course of the process.
  • Source for meaning and proverbs: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 228. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Por sperto kaj lerno ne sufiĉas eterno.
  • Translation: For experience and learning, an eternity is not enough.
  • Idiomatic translation: We are to learn as long as we live.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 182. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

S

• Se iu ne volas labori, tiu ankaŭ ne manĝu.
  • Idiomatic translation: He that will not work, shall not eat.
  • Meaning: Without due effort one is not entitled to the fruits of the work.
  • Source for proverb and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 256. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

T

• Tra uno orelo, eniras, tra la dua eliras.
  • Translation: In at one ear and out at the other.
  • English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
  • Meaning: For various reasons a good advice or a genuine warning is often disregarded or considered of no importance.
  • Source for meaning and proverb: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 179. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

U

• Unu hako kverkon ne faligas.
  • Literal translation: One chop does not fell an oak.
  • Idiomatic translation: Little strokes fell great oaks.
  • Meaning: A difficult task, e. g. removing a person/group from a strong position, or changing established ideas cannot be done quickly. It can be achieved gradually, by small steps, a little at a time.
  • Source for proverbs and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 252. ISBN 1-875943-44-7.