Russian 0090: Russian Fairy Tales
Russian Proverbs
The following is a list of Russian proverbs discussed in Linda J. Ivanits, Russian Folk
Belief, Armonk: M. E. Sharpe, 1989. Transcription is according to the Library of Congress transliteration system, with the stressed vowel of
each word is indicated by bold type. Numbers in parentheses refer to pages in
Ivanits’s book. Under development; currently runs through page 37.
- Bogu liubis′, a chërta ne
drazni.
- “Love God, but don’t provoke the devil.” Admonition not to confront the devil directly,
lest he hurt you. (43)
- Bogu molis′, a chërta ne
gnevi.
- “Pray to God, but don’t anger the devil.” Admonition not to confront the devil directly,
lest he hurt you. (43)
- Egorii s vodoi, a Nikola s
travoi.
- “If there’s water on [St.] George[’s Day = April 23],
there’ll be grass on [St.] Nicholas[’s Day,
May 9],” proverb indicating a popular association between the Christian feasts and agrarian
concerns (27)
- U volka v zubakh--Egorii
dal.
- “If a wolf has something in its teeth, George gave it,” proverb identifying St. George as patron of wild and domestic animals
(28)