I really love proverbs. They can motivate you and have a lot of meaning. Since my grandparents were Czech and I spent a lot of time with them, I remember some Czech sayings, especially when things weren’t going well.
Here are 7 famous Czech proverbs you may not have heard before, along with what they mean:
Trpělivost přináší růže
Translation: “Patience brings roses.”
If you are patient and let things happen in their own sweet time, it’ll all work out for the best. Just like how a rose doesn’t bloom overnight, sometimes you have to let nature take its course to get something really nice.
Basically, this saying is telling you that good things often come around for those who can hold out and see it through to the end. It’s encouraging you to just relax and go with the flow instead of trying to force things. Even if it takes longer than you hoped, it’ll be worth it in the end.
Just like faith can move mountains, being patient will bring you roses.
Bez práce nejsou koláče
Translation: “No work, no kolache.”
You have to go through some tough moments in life if you want to really accomplish something worthwhile. If you’ve got some big goal you’re trying to reach, you can’t just sit back and expect it to happen on its own. You have to be willing to put in the work and deal with some challenges along the road.
It’s like kolache pastries – literally. They are delicious, but it takes time and money to make them. It’s the same with anything good in life – if you want to afford it, you have to be ready to grind. Nothing great ever came easy!
Bez peněz do hospody nelez
Translation: “Don’t go to the pub without money.”
“Bez peněz do hospody nelez” is an old Czech saying that means you shouldn’t go to the bar if you don’t have any money. The idea is that you shouldn’t do things that require spending cash if your funds are running low.
More generally, it’s telling people to watch their spending and not take on more than they can handle money-wise. You have to live within your means. Don’t take on debt or obligations that you might struggle with down the road. If you’re broke and can’t afford a beer on your own dime, maybe just hang out at home instead of hitting up the pub!
Kdo lže, ten krade
Translation: “He who lies steals.”
“He who lies steals” aka “Kdo lže, ten krade,” means that lying is like stealing. When you think about it, they’re quite similar. Just like stealing takes something from someone that’s rightfully theirs, lying takes away the truth and fools people by acting like something false is actually true.
The old Czechs really believed that if someone could lie, they could also steal. Because, in their eyes, lying and stealing were pretty much the same thing. Both involve taking something or deceiving someone in some way. So they saw a liar as someone who couldn’t be trusted not to steal either.
Ranní ptáče dál doskáče
Translation: “The early bird catches the worm.”
My grandfather was always an early riser. He’d get up at 4am every morning to get as much done as possible. He used to tell me, “Ranní ptáče dál doskáče.” He said if I woke up early, I’d make the most of my day and be really productive. And you know, he was right.
That saying he used is actually a Czech proverb that means if you start your day or task early, you’ll have an advantage over others who sleep in. Basically, it means if you jump on opportunities as soon as they come up, you’ll be more likely to succeed than if you wait around.
Whether it’s getting a head start on your to-do list or capitalizing on chances when you see them, this proverb is saying the sooner you get moving, the better your chances of getting it all done.
Co nejde silou, jde rozumem
Translation: “What can’t be done by force can be done by wisdom.”
One of my favorite sayings is, “What cannot be achieved through strength can be achieved through wisdom.” It means that there are some things in life you just can’t force with physical power alone. But if you use your smarts, you can figure things out in a clever way.
Sometimes, using your brain is a better strategy than just muscle. With words, talking things through, or getting creative with ideas, you can solve problems more than if you just get aggressive and use force. That’s how I see the meaning behind that old proverb.
Častá krůpěj kameny proráží
Translation: “Frequent hail breaks through the stone.”
Occasional rain or showers just clean the stones outside, but if it hails a lot, those stones might actually get moved or even break over time.
This proverb makes a good point – even the biggest challenges can be overcome with consistent, determined effort. As long as you stick with it and don’t give up, you can achieve goals that seem impossible at first.
It really stresses the value of persistence. As long as you keep at it, slow progress today means success tomorrow. Even when things are tough, keeping your head down and powering through will get you to the finish line in the end.
Dd you enjoy these Czech proverbs? Which one is your favorite? Share your thoughts with us on Twitter.
Read Also:
Dreaming of Poop Means Money And Success. Here’s Why
4 Spiritual Meanings of Smelling Perfume Out of Nowhere (And My Experience)
