C1 · Unit 2
Proverbs and their limits
Match a proverb to a situation and assess the limits of its lesson.
New words
Haste makes waste.
A blunt folk image warning against haste. Recognise it, but choose gentler advice with strangers.
You never stop learning.
Unity is strength.
Appearance first, intellect later.
Results take work, not wishes.
All that glitters is not gold.
Measure twice, cut once.
Every cloud has a silver lining.
A friend in need is a friend indeed.
Words do no harm .
The apple doesn’t fall far.
One swallow doesn’t make a summer.
He who laughs last laughs best.
proverb
folk wisdom
hasty generalisation
proverb
There's also the word "пословица"
— almost the same.
Every little helps
"Вир" is a deep pool in a river. Literally: "drop by drop, a pool forms".
Haste makes waste.
Literally: "quick work is shameful work".
moral
Grammar
A proverb expresses a complete lesson, not proof. "Една птичка пролет не прави"
encourages caution but cannot replace evidence. Choose the tone too. The blunt image in "Бързата кучка слепи ги ражда"
may offend your listener.
«Бързата кучка слепи ги ражда» предупреждава с груб образ срещу прибързването.
The blunt image in this proverb warns against rushing.
Кажи «Два пъти мери, един път режи», ако искаш по-неутрален съвет.
Say "Measure twice, cut once" if you want more neutral advice.
Examples
«Лозето не ще молитва, а мотика» подчертава нуждата от действие.
The proverb about a vineyard needing a hoe rather than prayer stresses the need for action.
След един успешен ден не прави прибързано обобщение: една птичка пролет не прави.
Don’t generalise hastily from one successful day: one swallow doesn’t make a summer.
Сговорна дружина планина повдига, но пак ни трябва ясен план.
Unity is strength, but we still need a clear plan.
Не всяка пословица е уместна във всяка ситуация.
Not every proverb suits every situation.
«Всяко зло за добро» може да звучи безчувствено, когато човекът още е разстроен.
"Every cloud has a silver lining" can sound insensitive while someone is still upset.
Не съм съгласна с «Дума дупка не прави»: обидата също оставя следа.
I disagree with the saying that words do no harm: an insult leaves a mark too.
Човек се учи, докато е жив — дори от собствените си несполучливи шеги.
You never stop learning, even from your own unsuccessful jokes.
Коя поука от тези пословици би оспорил и защо?
Which lesson from these proverbs would you challenge, and why?