Refranes en espaol y en ingls

Original Spanish Saying:A buen hambre no hay pan duro Literal Translation: To good hunger there's no hard bread. English Equivalent: Beggars cant be choosers. Original Spanish Saying:Ser un gallito. Literal Translation: To be a little rooster. English Equivalent: To be cocky. Original Spanish Saying:A falta de pan,las tortas son buenas. Literal Translation: For lack of bread, the cakes are good. English Equivalent: We'll just have to make do. Original Spanish Saying:El tiempo lo cura todo. Literal Translation: Time cures everything. English Equivalent: Time heals all wounds. Original Spanish Saying:En las malas se conocen a los amigos. Literal Translation: In the bad ones, friends are met. English Equivalent: A friend in need is a friend indeed. Original Spanish Saying:Hacer de tripas corazn. Literal Translation: To make heart from guts English Equivalent: To pluck up your courage :. . . Original Spanish Saying:No hay dos sin tres. Literal Translation: There is no two without three. English Equivalent: Misfortunes always come in threes. Original Spanish Saying:Ms sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo. Literal Translation: The devil knows more for being old than for being the devil. English Equivalent: There's no substitute for experience. Original Spanish Saying:Dime con quien andas, y te dire quin eres. Literal Translation: Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are. English Equivalent: You can judge a man by the company he keeps. Original Spanish Saying:El que la hace, la paga. Literal Translation: The one that does, pays. English Equivalent: You've made your bed and now you have to lie in it.
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En boca cerrada no entran moscas. Flies dont enter a closed mouth. No es lo mismo hablar de toros que estar en el redondel. Talking about bulls is not the same as facing them in the ring. Al mal msico hasta las uas le estorban. Even fingernails get in the way of a bad musician. El que ansioso escoge lo mejor suele quedarse con lo peor. He who is anxious to secure the best tends to get stuck with the worst of the rest. Al nopal lo van a ver slo cuando tiene tunas. The prickly pear has company only when it bears fruit. Hay ms tiempo que vida. There is more time than life. El que parte y comparte, se queda con la mejor parte. He who divides and shares is left with the best share. Guarda tu ayuda para quien te la pida. Keep your counsel arrested until its requested. Anda tu camino sin ayuda de vecino. Walk your own road and bear your own load. La conversacin es el pasto del alma. Conversation is food for the soul. La verdad padece pero no perece. Truth suffers but never perishes. Con paciencia y salivita un elefante se coge a una hormiguita. With patience and a bit of spittle the elephant picks up the ant so little. No hay que andarse por las ramas estando tan grueso el tronco. Theres no reason to walk on the branches when the trunk is so thick. La rana ms aplastada es la que ms recio grita. The frog squashed the hardest, croaks the loudest. No hay vida ms cansada que el eterno no hacer nada. Theres no life as tiring as one always retiring. l que mucho abarca, poco aprieta. He who grabs much grasps little. La necedad cierra las puertas de la bondad. Stupidity closes the doors of kindness. Ms vale burro que arrear que no carga que cargar. Better a donkey that tarries than one that wont carry its load.

Ms vale gotita permanente que aguacero de repente. Better a steady drip than a sudden deluge. Ms hace una hormiga andando que un buey echado. An ant on the move does more than a dozing ox. Mientras dura, vida y dulzura. While life yet lasts, laughter and molasses. No da l que puede, sino el que quiere. Its not the able that give, but the desirous. Una onza de alegra vale ms que una onza de oro. An ounce of gladness is worth more than an ounce of gold. Ganar un pleito es adquirir un pollo y perder una vaca. To win a dispute is to gain a chicken and lose a cow. Alabanza en boca propia es vituperio. Self-praise amounts to self-condemnation. Mata ms una esperanza que un desengao. False hope destroys more readily than bitter truth. Cada quien tiene su forma de matar a pulgas. Everyone has their own way of killing fleas. No la chifles que es cantada. Dont whistle what should be sung. Todo el rato que est enojado, pierde de estar contento. All time spent angry is time lost being happy. l que es buen pato hasta en el aire nada. A good duck can swim even in the air. Ms vale paso que dure y no trote que canse. Better a stride that will last than a trot that tires fast. La malicia va ms all de la realidad. Malice leaves reality behind. Qu bonito es ver llover y no mojarse. How beauiful to watch the rain and not get wet. Querer es poder. Where theres a will theres a way. El muchacho malcriado dondequiera encuentra padre. The ill-mannered child finds a father wherever he goes.

SPANISH

ENGLISH

A buen(a) hambre, no hay mal pan / pan duro, (ni falta salsa a ninguno) /no hace falta condimento. A mucha hambre, no hay pan duro. Al hambre de siete das, no hay pan duro. A cada puerco le llega su sbado / San Martin. A diario una manzana es cosa sana. A donde el corazn se inclina, el pie camina. A donde te quieren mucho no vengas a menudo. A falta de pan, buenas son (las) tortas / las tortas son buenas.

Beggars can't be choosers. For a good appetite there is no hard bread.

Everyone gets his comeuppance in the end / just deserts sooner or later. An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Home is where the heart is. A constant guest is never welcome. We'll just have to make do. You have to make the most of the chances that come your way. You have to strike while the iron is hot.

A la ocasin la pintan calva.

A los tontos no les dura el dinero. A mas honor, mas dolor. A palabras necias, odos sordos.

A fool and his money are soon parted. The more danger, the more honor. Take no notice of the stupid things people say. Beggars can't be choosers. For a good appetite there is no hard bread. Hunger is good kitchen.

A pan de quince das, hambre de tres semanas. Hunger is the best sauce. Hunger never saw bad bread / food. When one is hungry everything tastes good. A quien cuida la peseta nunca le falta un duro. A quien Dios ama, le llama. Look after the pennies, and the pounds will look after themselves. Whom the gods love die young.

A quien no le sobra pan, no guarda lo que sobra. A quien Dios quiere para s, poco tiempo lo tiene aqu. A rey muerto, rey puesto. A todos les llega su momento de gloria. Abundancia y soberbia andan en pareja. Al buen pagador no le duelen prendas. Al desdichado hace consuelo tener compaa en su suerte y duelo. Al frer ser el rer (y al pagar ser el llorar). Al que no quiera(e) caldo / taza, (se le dan) taza y media / dos / tres / siete tazas. Al vivo la hogaza y al muerto, la mortaja. Algo es algo; menos es nada. Amar es tiempo perdido, si no se es correspondido. Amar y no ser amado es tiempo mal empleado. Amar, horas perdidas, sino son correspondidas. Amor no correspondido, tiempo perdido. Amigo y vino, el ms antiguo. Amor con amor se paga; y lo dems con dinero. Amor no respeta ley, ni obedece a rey.

Never spend your money before you have it. Whom the gods love die young. As soon as one goes out the window, another comes in the door. Every dog has its day. Plenty breed pride. A good payer will not object to leaving a deposit. Two in distress makes sorrow less. At the game's end we shall see who gains. It never rains, but it pours. We must live by the living, not by the dead. Half a loaf is better than no bread.

Of all pains, the greatest pain, is to love, but love in vain.

Old friends and old wine and old gold are best. Love does much, money does everything. Love laughs at locksmiths. The chickens have come home to roost.

Aquellos polvos traen estos lodos. You're suffering the consequences now. Ausencia al ms amigo presto le pone en olvido. Long absent, soon forgotten. Ausencias causan olvido. Borra con el codo lo que escribe con la mano. Her left hand doesn't know what her right hand is

doing. Borrn y cuenta nueva. Cada uno en su casa, y Dios en la de todos. Cada uno es / era de su padre y de su madre. Cada uno habla de la feria segn le va en ella. Cada uno sabe (a) donde le aprieta el zapato. Chancho limpio nunca engorda. Comer hasta enfermar y ayunar hasta sanar. Comida hecha, compaa deshecha. Comiendo entra la gana. Como (que) dos y dos son cuatro. Como quien oye llover. Con el tiempo y la paciencia se adquiere la ciencia. Let bygones be bygones. Each to his own and God watching over everyone. They are / were all different. Everyone sees things from his / her own point of view. Each person knows where problems lie. A few germs never hurt anyone. He that eats till he is sick must fast till he is well. When good cheer is lacking, our friends will be packing. Appetite comes with eating. As sure as eggs is eggs / (God made) little green apples / night follows day / the day is long. It's like water off a duck's back. Patience, time, and money accommodate all things. Honor buys no meat in the market. Con esperanza no se come. Hope is a good breakfast but a bad supper. Con la honra no se pone la olla. Con paciencia y con mana, un elefante se comi una araa. Little strokes fell great oaks. Con paciencia y saliva, un elefante se tir a una hormiga. Con su pan se lo coma. Con un cambio de actividad se renuevan las energas. Consejo es de sabios perdonar injurias y olvidar agravios. Consejo no pedido, consejo mal odo. It's his / her own lookout / tough luck. A change is as good as a rest. To err is human, to forgive divine. Never give advice unasked. Honor buys no meat in the market.

Cortesa de boca gana mucho a poca costa / mucho consigue y nada cuesta.. Cra fama y chate a dormir. Cuando de vista te pierdo, si te vi ya no me acuerdo.

A soft answer turneth away wrath. Give a dog a bad name (and hang it). Long absent, soon forgotten. Any port in a storm. Beggars can't be choosers. For a good appetite there is no hard bread.

Cuando hay hambre, no hay mal pan / pan duro.

Hunger is good kitchen. Hunger is the best sauce. Hunger never saw bad bread / food. When one is hungry everything tastes good.

Cuando la fuerza manda, la ley calla.

When drums beat, laws are silent. Things often happen when you least expect them to. Where we least think, there goes the hare away.

Cuando menos piensa el galgo, salta la liebre.

Cuanto menos se diga, mejor / menos hay que rectificar. Cumpla yo y tiren ellos. Da lo mismo (una cosa que otra). Dame pan y dime tonto. De casi no se muere nadie. De acuerdo y loco todos tenemos un poco. De lo perdido saca lo que puedas. De msico, poeta, y loco, todos tenemos un poco. De noche, (todos) los gatos son pardos. De (sabio) poeta y loco, todos tenemos un poco.

Least said, soonest mended. Do what is right, come what may. (It's) Six of one (and half a dozen of the other). I don't care what people say as long as I get what want. A miss is as good as a mile. We're all a little crazy in one way or another. Make the best of a bad bargain / bad job / bad situation / it. We have been fools once in our lives. No one will notice (in the dark). We have been fools once in our lives.

De todo hay en la vina del Seor. De un castigo, cien escarmentados. Desgracia compartida, menos sentida. Dime con quien andas, y te dir quien eres. Dime no con quien naces, sino con quien paces. Dios que da la llaga, da la medicina.

There's nothing so strange as folk. He that chastens one chastens twenty. Two in distress makes sorrow less. You can judge a man by the company he keeps. Birth is much, but breeding is more. God sends cold after clothes. Any port in a storm.

Donde hay hambre, no hay pan duro.

Beggars can't be choosers. For a good appetite there is no hard bread. There's no smoke without fire.

Donde hay humo, hay calor. Where there's smoke, there's fire. Donde hay patrn, no manda marinero. What the boss says goes. Things often happen when you least expect them to. Where we least think, there goes the hare away. Donde no hay harina, todo es mohna. El amor todo lo puede. El casado casa quiere. Married people need a home of their own. El casado quiere casa, y costal para la plaza. El dinero llama (al) dinero. El errar es humano, (el) perdonar, divino. El xito llama al xito. Money goes where money is. To err is human, to forgive divine. Nothing succeeds like success. Any port in a storm. El hambre no encuentra peros al condimento. Beggars can't be choosers. Poverty breeds discontent. Love will find a way.

Donde menos piensa el galgo, salta la liebre.

For a good appetite there is no hard bread. Hunger is good kitchen. Hunger is the best sauce. Hunger never saw bad bread / food. When one is hungry everything tastes good. El ladrn que roba a otro ladrn tiene cien aos de perdn. El mal entra a brazadas y sale a pulgaradas. El mayor aborrecimiento, en el amor tiene su cimiento. El mejor halago es que lo imiten a uno. El movimiento se demuestra andando. El muerto al hoyo y le vivo al bollo. El mundo es de los audaces. El mundo es un pauelo. El necio es atrevido y el sabio comedido. El pecado se paga con la muerte. El que algo quiere, algo le cuesta. El que hace la paga. El que hurta / roba al / a un / otro ladrn tiene cien aos de perdn. El que la sigue la consigue. El que madruga coge la oruga. El que nace para medio nunca llega a real. It's no crime to steal from a thief. Mischief comes by the pound and goes away by the ounce. The greatest hate springs from the greatest love. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Actions speak louder than words / voice. Dead men have no friends. Faint heart never won fair lady. (It's a) Small world! Fools rush / walk in where angels fear to tread. The wages of sin is death. He that would have the fruit must climb the tree. You've made bed, (and) now you'll have to / you must lie in it. It's no crime to steal from a thief. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again. The early bird catches the worm. If you don't have what it takes you won't get on in the world.

El que no mira, no suspira.

Long absent, soon forgotten. No bees, no honey; no work, no money.

El que no trabaje, que no coma. No mill, no meal. El que se fue a / para la villa perdi su silla y el que se fue a Torren su silln. El que se fue a Sevilla, perdi su silla / para Quito perdi su banquito. El remedio puede ser peor que la enfermedad. El saber no ocupa lugar. El sol brilla para todos. If you go away, you can't expect people to keep your place for you. If you leave your place, you lose it. Sometimes the remedy is worse than the disease. One can never know too much. We are all equal in the eyes of the Lord. Time heals all wounds. El tiempo lo cura todo. Time is a great healer. El tiempo pasa inexorablemente. Time and tide wait for no man. Time heals all wounds. El tiempo restaura las heridas. Time is a great healer. El trabajo compartido es ms llevadero. El verdadero hogar es donde uno tiene a los suyos. El viejo que se cura, cien aos dura. En casa de carpintero, puerta de cuero. The shoemaker's son always goes barefoot. En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo. En el amor y la guerra, todo hueco es trinchera. En el trmino medio est la virtud. Any port in a storm. More than enough is too much. No bees, no honey; no work, no money. En esta vida caduca el que no trabaja no manduca. No mill, no meal. En las malas se conocen a los amigos. A friend in need is a friend indeed. Many hands make light work. Home is where the heart is. A creaking door hangs longest.

Things have changed. En los nidos de antano, no hay pjaros hogano. Time doesn't stand still. En tiempos de guerra, cualquier hoyo es trinchera. Ensucindose las manos, se puede hacer uno rico. Entre bueyes no hay cornadas. Entre ruin ganado poco hay que escoger. Es como hablar a la pared. Any port in a storm. Where there's muck, there's brass / money. There's honor among thieves. Small choice in rotten apples. It's like talking to a brick wall. It's the same people under a different name. Es el mismo perro con diferente collar. Nothing has really changed. Es igual uno que otro. Es peor el remedio que la enfermedad. Espaldas vueltas, memorias muertas. Excusa no pedida, la culpa manifiesta. Fue peor el remedio que la enfermedad. Gusta lo ajeno, mas por ajeno que por bueno. Hacer de tripas corazn. (It's) Six of one (and half a dozen of the other). It just makes things worse. Long absent, soon forgotten. He who excuses himself accuses himself. It just makes things worse. The grass looks greener on the other side of the fence. What can't be cured must be endured. Live and let live. Hay de todo en la via del Seor. There's nothing so queer as folk. Hay mas felicidad en dar que en recibir. Hay mucho mas donde elegir. Hay que dejar tiempo para el esparcimiento. Hay ropa tendida. Haz el bien sin mirar a quien / y no acates / mires a quien. It's more blessed to give than to receive. There are plenty more fish in the sea. All work and no play make Jack a dull boy. Walls have ears. Do what is right, come what may.

Hierba mala nunca muere. Hombre de muchos oficios, pobre seguro. Hombre precavido, vale por dos. La abundancia mata la gana. La ausencia es al amor lo que al fuego el aire: que apaga el pequeo y aviva el grande. La comida, a reposar; y la cena a pasear. La compaa en la miseria hace a esta ms llevadera. La distancia es el olvido. La ira es locura, el tiempo que dura. La mejor felicidad es la conformidad. La mujer honrada, la pierna quebrada y en casa. La necesidad hace maestros. La perdiz por el pico se pierde. La plata llama la plata. La posesin es lo que cuenta.

The devil looks after himself / his own. A rolling stone gathers no moss. One good forewit is worth two afterwits. Abundance of things engenders disdainfulness. Absence makes the heart grow fonder. After dinner rest a while, after supper walk a mile. Two in distress makes sorrow less. Long absent, soon forgotten. Anger is a short madeness. Bear and forbear. A woman's place is in the home. Necessity is the mother of invention. If you talk too much you're likely to give yourself away. Money goes where money is. Possession is nine parts / points / tenths of the law. Spring is in the air.

La primavera la sangre altera. The sap rises in the spring. La prudencia es la madre de la ciencia. La risa es el mejor remedio. La salud es la mayor riqueza. La suerte est echada. La verdad a medias es mentira verdadera. Ladrn que roba a otro ladrn tiene cien aos de perdn. Discretion is the better part of courage / valor. Laughter is the best medicine. Health is better than wealth. The die is cast. Half the truth is often a whole lie. It's no crime to steal from a thief.

Larga ausencia causa olvido. Las cosas no se arreglan con palabras elocuentes. Las cosas suelen empeorar antes de mejorar. Las cuentas claras hacen los buenos amigos. Las mentiras tienen las patas cortas. Las palabras se las lleva el viento. Las penas con pan son menos. Lejos de ojos, lejos del corazn. Ley pareja no es dura / rigurosa. Lo mejor es ser franco. Lo mismo Chana que Sebas-tiana. Lo pasado, pasado est. Lo poco agrada y lo mucho enfada. Lo que es moda no incomoda. Lo que no se ve, pronto se olvida. Lo que pienses en comprar, no lo has de alabar. Lo que se mama de nio dura toda la vida.

Long absent, soon forgotten. Fine words butter no parsnips. The darkest hour comes / is past / is that before the dawn. Let's get things clear. (The) Truth will out. Actions speak louder than words / voice. All griefs with bread are less. Long absent, soon forgotten. A rule isn't unfair if it applies to everyone. Honesty is the best policy. (It's) Six of one (and half a dozen of the other). Let bygones be bygones. A constant guest is never welcome. You have to suffer in the name of fashion / to be fashionable. Long absent, soon forgotten. He that blames would buy. The child is the father of the man. It's a question of swings and roundabouts.

Lo que se pierde en una casa se gana en otra.

What you lose in / on the swings, you gain in the roundabouts. Great minds think alike. If you want to watch, you'd better keep quiet. Mischief comes by the pound and goes away by the ounce.

Los genios pensamos igual. Los mirones son de piedra. Los trabajos vienen al trote y se van al paso.

Mal de muchos, consuelo de todos / tontos. Mal que no tiene cura, quererlo curar es locura. Mala hierba nunca muere. Ms apaga la buena palabra que caldera de agua. Ms discurre un hambriento que cien letrados. Ms puede la pluma que la espada. Ms sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.

Two in distress makes sorrow less. What can't be cured must be endured. The devil looks after himself / his own. A soft answer turneth away wrath. Hunger drives the wol out of the woods. The pen is mightier than the sword. There's no substitute for experience. It's not the end of the world.

Ms se perdi en Cuba. Worse things happened at sea. Ms vale antes que despues. Ms vale dar que recibir. Ms vale estar solo que (estar) mal acompanado. Ms vale la salud que el dinero / la riqueza. Ms vale mana que fuerza. Ms vale tarde que nunca. Mayor dicha es dar que recibir. Mejor es no menearlo. Let sleeping dogs lie. Mejor no revolver el asunto. Merced recibida, libertad vendida. Who receives a gift, sells his liberty. All mouth and no trousers. Mucho ruido y pocas nueces. All talk and no action. Muerto el perro, se acabo la rabia. Murmurador a la oreja, antes place que molesta. The best way to solve a problem is to attack the cause / root of it. Where there's whispering, there's lying. One good forewit is worth two afterwits. It's more blessed to give than to receive. It's better to be on your own than with people you don't like. Health is better than wealth. Brain is better than brawn. Better late than never It's more blessed to give than to receive.

Nada mejor que un ladrn para atrapar a otro ladrn. Nada que valga la pena se logra sin crear conflictos. Nadie est contento con su suerte. Ni tanto que queme al santo, ni tanto que no lo alumbre. No dan a quien no acude.

Set a thief to catch a thief. You can't make an omelet without breaking eggs. The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Try to strike a happy medium. He that would have the fruit must climb the tree. A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.

No dejes camino por vereda / camino viejo por camino nuevo.

Better keep now than seek anon. We would be better off to have than to have coming. Misfortunes always come in threes.

No hay dos sin tres. These things always come in threes. No hay mal (ni bien) que cien aos dure / dure cien aos, (ni cristiano / cuerpo / enfermo que lo aguante / resista). No hay ms cera que la que arde. No hay ms de temer que una mujer despechada. No hay mejor maestra que la necesidad. Nothing goes on for ever. What you see is what you get. Hell has / hath no fury like a woman scorned. Necessity is the mother of invention. No bees, no honey; no work, no money. No hay miel sin hiel. No mill, no meal. There's always a catch. No hay peor cuna que la de la misma madera / del mismo palo. No hay tempestad que mucho dure. No se hizo la miel para la boca del asno. Servants make the worst masters. Lightning never strikes twice in the same place. You're casting pearls before swine. There wasn't a sound to be heard. No se oa ni (el vuelo de) una mosca. You could have heard a pin drop.

No se puede servir a dos seores. No se puede tener todo. No se puede trabajar sin materia prima. No se sabe si algo es bueno hasta que se lo pone a prueba. No solo de pan vive el hombre. No tiene races en ningn sitio.

You can't serve God and Mammon. You can't have your cake and eat it too. You can't make bricks without straw. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Man cannot live by bread alone. Home is where he hangs his hat. A little thing in hand is worth more than a great thing in prospect.

Nunca dejes camino por vereda / camino viejo por camino nuevo.

Better keep now than seek anon. We would be better off to have than to have coming. Better late / later than never.

Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena. Never too late to do well. One man's meat is another man's poison / another's poison. You can't please everybody. Obra de comn, obra de ningn. Ojos que no ven, corazn que no llora / siente. Paga lo que debes, sanaras del mal que tienes. Palabras no sacan sangre. Palos porque bogas, palos porque no bogas. Para amigos, todos; para enemigos, uno solo. Peor es nada. Perdiendo aprend: ms vale lo que aprend que lo que perd. Persevera y triunfars. Too many cooks spoil the broth. Long absent, soon forgotten. Out of debt, out of danger. No offense taken when none is meant. You can't win them all. One enemy is too many; and a hundred friends too few. Half a loaf is better than no bread. Learning is better than house and land. If at first you don't succeed, try, try again.

Nunca llueve a gusto de todos.

Never say die. . Pesadumbres no pagan deudas. Piensa el ladrn que todos son de condicin. Piensa mal y acertaras, (aunque alguna vez te equivocaras). Por el hilo se saca el ovillo. Por un perro que mate, mata-perros me llamaron. Primero es la salud que el dinero. Procura lo mejor, espera lo peor y toma lo que viniere. Puedes darle un consejo a alguien, pero no puedes obligarlo a que lo siga. Que cada palo aguante su vela. I. Que pequeo es el mundo! . A pound of care will not pay a pound of debt. Evildoers always think the worst of others. If you think the worst, you won't be far wrong. It's just a question of putting two and two together. Give a dog a bad name (and hang it). Health is better than wealth. Hope for the best and prepare for the worst. You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink. Each of us must face our own responsibilities. (It's a) Small world!. Like breeds like. He that chastens one chastens twenty. Problems don't seem so bad if you keep cheerful. Where there's gossiping, there's lying. The buyer needs a hundred eyes, the seller but one. If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas. If you lie down with dogs, you'll get up with fleas. He that fights and runs away, lives to fight another day. Hope deferred makes the heart sick. Every law has a / its loophole.

Quien a los suyos se parece en nada los desmerece / honra merece. Quien a uno castiga a ciento hostiga. Quien canta sus males espanta. Quien comenta, inventa. Quien compra ha de tener cien ojos; a quien vende le basta uno solo. Quien con nios se acuesta, cagado amanece / se levanta. Quien con perros se echa, con pulgas se levanta. Quien en tiempo huye, en tiempo acude. Quien espera, desespera. Quien hace la ley hace la trampa.

Quien hurta / roba al / a un ladrn tiene cien aos de perdn. Quien lengua ha, a Roma va. Quien mal anda, mal acaba. Quien paga elige. Quien poco tiene pronto lo gasta. Quien por su gusto padece, (que) vaya al infierno a quejarse. Quien quiera saber, que compre un viejo. Quien quita lo que da al infierno va. Quien roba una vez roba diez. Quien teme la muerte no goza la vida. Rien a menudo los amantes, por el gusto de hacer las paces. Santa Rita, Santa Rita, lo que se da ya no se quita. Se pilla al mentiroso antes que al cojo. Si con desear bastar ... Si te he visto / vi / vide, (ya) no me acuerdo. Si vale la pena hacerlo, vale la pena hacerlo bien. Si, qutate de en medio. Siempre llueve sobre mojado. Sobre gustos y colores no discuten los doctores / no han escrito los autores. Sobre gustos, no hay nada escrito .

It's no crime to steal from a thief. Better to ask the way than to go astray. If you live like that, you're bound to come to a bad end. He who pays the piper calls the tune. A moneyless man goes fast through the market. You must face the consequences of your actions. If you wish good advice, consult an old man. Give a thing and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring. Once a thief, always / ever a thief. Cowards die many times. Lovers quarrels are soon mended. Give a thing and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring. (The) Truth will out. If wishes were horses (, then beggars would ride). Long absent, soon forgotten. If a job is worth doing, it's worth doing well. If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen. When it rains, it pours. Different strokes for different folks. Each to his own. There's no accounting / disputing for taste. As sure as eggs is eggs / (God made) little green apples / night follows day / the day is long.

Tan cierto como dos y dos son cuatro / que yo me llamo X.

It makes no difference. Tanto monta, monta tanto, (Isabel como Fernando). It's as broad as it is long . Tanto tienes, tanto vales; nada tienes, nada vales. Tarea que agrada presto se acaba. Tenga yo salud, y dineros quien los quisiere. Tetas de mujer tienen mucho poder. Todos los das se aprende algo. Tomar las cosas a pechos, da fin a los hechos. Vida sin amigos, muerte sin testigos. Visita cada da, a la semana hasta. A constant guest is never welcome. Visita rara, convidado amable. Ya que estamos en el baile, bailemos. In for a penny, in for a pound. You are what you own. All things are easy that are done willingly. Health is better than wealth. Beauty draws more than oxen. A man may learn wit every day. Anger and hate hinder good counsel. Friendless in life, friendless in death.

Alejandro Tapia y Rivera Puerto Rico, 1827 (Translated by Jos Wan Daz

Los ojos de ...

The eyes of ...

Me preguntas, pintor, que cmo quiero que pintes el mirar y la hermosura de aquellos ojos do el Edn fulgura, de aquellos ojos porque vivo y muero? Copia el fulgor de matinal lucero, de gacela apacible la dulzura, de la trtola amante la ternura, el brillo del diamante lisonjero. Los habrs de pintar grandes y vivos donde luzca la antorcha bendecida del noble meditar, muy expresivos. Con dulce vaguedad indefinida; quieres darles aun ms atractivos de apasionado amor? dales la vida.

You ask me, painter, how do I want you to paint the look and the beauty of those eyes where Eden glows, the eyes for which I live and die? Copy the splendor of the morning star, the sweetness of a gentle gazelle, the tenderness of a loving turtledove, the sparkle of a flattering diamond. You must paint them big and lively thus they show the blessed torch of noble thought, very expressive. With sweet indefinite vagueness; do you want to give them more appeal of passionate love? give them life.

Gustavo Adolfo Bcquer Spain (Translated by Jos Wan Daz)

Pasaba arrolladora...

She passed by...

Pasaba arrolladora en su hermosura y el paso le dej, ni aun a mirarla me volv, y no obstante algo en mi odo murmur Esa es. Quin reuni la tarde a la maana? Lo ignoro; slo s que en una breve noche de verano se unieron los crepsculos y ... fue.

She passed by, overwhelming in her beauty and I ceded her the way, not even to look at her I turned, and yet something said softly in my ear, "she's the one". Who united the afternoon with the morning? I've no idea; I only know that in a brief autumn night the twilights came together and ... "she was".

Julio Flrez Colombia, 1867 (Translated by Jos Wan Daz)

Candor

Candor

Azul... azul... azul estaba el cielo. El hlito quemaste del esto. Comenzaba a dorar el terciopelo del prado, en donde se remansa el ro. A lo lejos, el humo de un boho, tal de una novia el intocado velo, se alza hasta perderse en el vaco con un ondulante y silencioso vuelo. De pronto me dijiste: -El amor mo es puro y blando, as como ese ro que rueda all sobre el lejano sueloy me miraste al terminar, tranquila, con el alma asomada a tu pupila. Y estaba azul tu alma como el cielo.

Blue ... blue ... blue was the sky. You aroused the gentle breeze of summer. The velvet of the prairie had started to brown where the river formed a pool. At a distance, the smoke of a chimney, like the untouched veil of a bride, rose until it lost itself in the void in an ondulant and silent flight. Suddenly you said: "My love is pure and gentle, somewhat like that river that rolls yonder, over that far terrain" and you looked at me, quiet, serene, with your soul peeking out of your pupil. And your soul was as blue as the sky.

Reto

Si porque a tus plantas ruedo como un ilota rendido, y una mirada te pido con temor, casi con miedo; si porque ante ti me quedo exttico de emocin, piensas que mi corazn se va en mi pecho a romper y que por siempre he de ser esclavo de mi pasin; te equivocas, te equivocas!, fresco y fragante capullo, yo quebrantar tu orgullo como el minero las rocas. Si a la lucha me provocas, dispuesto estoy a luchar; t eres espuma, yo mar que en sus cleras confa; me haces llorar; pero un da yo tambin te har llorar. Y entonces, cuando rendida ofrezcas toda tu vida perdn pidiendo a mis pies, como mi clera es infinita en sus excesos, sabes t lo que har en esos momentos de indignacin? Arrancarte el corazn para comrmelo a besos!