Maltese proverbs

Proverbs from all Maltese speaking parts of the world.

B

• Bidu tajjeb, nofs ix-xogħol.
  • English equivalent: Well begun, is half done.
  • "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. 

G

• Ġebel ma' ģebel ma jiltaqa', izda wiċċ jiltaqa'.
  • English equivalent: A mountain never meets a mountain, but a man meets a man.
  • "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. 

I

• Il-ħuta l-kbira tiekol iż-żghira.
  • English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.
  • "Small organizations or insignificant people tend to be swallowed up or destroyed by those that are greater and more powerful."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 1 July 2013. 
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 420. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Il-ħuta ż-żgħira qatt ma kielet il-ħuta l-kbira.
  • English equivalent: Men are like fish; the great ones devour the small.

• Iż-żmien għaziz u ma jinxtarax.
  • English equivalent: Time is precious.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 428. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

K

• Kulhadd jahbi t-travu tieghu u jara t-traba f'ghajn haddiehor.
  • English equivalent: You see the splinter in another's eye but fail to see the beam in your own.
  • Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 131. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

M

• Meta jorqod il-nantekk dik il kera, il-ġrieden joħorġu.
  • English equivalent: If the cat is away, the mice play.
  • "In the absence of the person in authority those under his control will often neglect the duties/rules imposed on them."
  • Martin H. Manser (2007). "17". The Facts on File Dictionary of Proverbs. Infobase Publishing. p. 114. ISBN 978-0-8160-6673-5. Retrieved on 8 September 2013. 

• Min jibki, jerda'.
  • "You have to be the one to fight for your rights."

• Min jorqod ma jaqbadx ħut.
  • English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.

• Min ma jaħdimx ma jikolx.
  • English equivalent: He that will not work, shall not eat.
  • "Nothing is given to you. Whatever you do, you've got to work for it and earn it."
  • Jack Charlton, British football manager. From his interview with Martyn Lewis, in his book, Reflections on Success (1997)
  • Source for proverb and meaning: Paczolay, Gyula (1997). European Proverbs in 55 languages. DeProverbio.com. p. 256. ISBN 1-875943-44-7. 

• Minn waħda dieħel u minn oħra ħiereġ.
  • English equivalent: Advice most needed are the least heeded.
  • "For various reasons 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.