17 Profound Portuguese Proverbs
Learn with proverbs and quotes from Portugal and Brazil.
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Portugal Proverbs--
Mais vale prevenir do que remediar.
It's best to prevent than to have to remedy.
English Equivalent: Better safe than sorry; An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
Não fies, nem porfies, nem filho doutro cries.
Diffidence is the right eye of prudence.
Meaning: Diffidently pondering something will often lead to a sensible solution.
Mais vale andar só que mal acompanhado.
It is better to be alone than to be in bad company.
Não chore sobre o leite derramado.
Don't cry over spilt milk.
English equivalent: There is no use crying over spilt milk.
Mais vale um pássaro na mão do que dois a voar.
Translation: A bird in the hand has more worth than two flying.
English Equivalent: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Quem está no convento é que sabe o que lhe vai dentro.
[Only] she who is in the convent knows what goes on inside.
English Equivalent: No one knows where the Shoe pinches, but he who wears it.
Meaning: Only people going through a problem know how it is.
Quem o pássaro quer tomar, não o há-de enxotar.
Idiomatic translation: Deal gently with the bird you mean to catch.
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Brazilian Proverbs
Digas com quem andas e eu te direi quem és
a man is judged by the company he keeps
Perfect for a quick toast when out with friends –
Alegria de uns, tristeza de outros
One man’s happiness is another man’s sadness.
Antes só do que mal acompanhado
Better alone than in bad company. -
Cavalo dado não se olha os dentes
Do not look a gift horse in the mouth
Faça como eu digo e não como eu faço.
Do as I say, not as I do.
Quem ri por último, ri melhor.
He who laughs last, laughs best.
Quem dá recebe.
Give and you shall receive.
Quem ama o feio, bonito lhe parece.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
O amor é cego.
Love is blind.