Proverbs and Sayings

Every tree casts shadow on its own bottom — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Everybody takes care of their own, a tree casts shadow only on those who are close, the rest are on their own. (Translated from an Azerbaijani proverb)

Piercing one’s shield with one’s spear. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Self-contradiction. The story about this is that a man was selling shields and spears at a marketplace. He raised up one of his spears and shouted, “This spear can pierce through any wall!” Then, he raised up one of [...]

One who chases after two hares won’t catch even one. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… Trying to do two things at once will make you fail in both. (This is a Japanese proverb, saying, or idiom)

If you had been calm, you wouldn’t have seen a miracle. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… If you you had been careful you would not have gotten into trouble. (A rough translation of a Bulgarian proverb)

In twelve months, thirteen festivals. — One of the meanings of this proverb could be… A superabundance of occasions for celebrations. (Translated from a Bengali proverb)