SPANISH PROVERBS. (continued 2)

Piés que son duchos de andar, no pueden quedos estar. Feet that are used to move cannot remain quiet.

Planta muchas veces traspuesta ni crece ni tredra. A tree often transplanted neither grows nor thrives.

Pobreza no es vileza, ma es ramo de picardia. Poverty is no sin, but it is a branch of roguery.

Poca barba, poca verguenza. Little beard, little modesty.

Poca hiel hace amarga mucha miel. A little gall embitters much honey.

Poco á poco se va léjos. Little by little one goes far.

Poco daño espanta, y mucho amansa. A little loss frightens, a great one tames.

Pollino que me lleve, y no caballo que me arrastre. Give me the ass that carries me in preference to the horse that throws me.

Por amor del bou, llepa lo llop el jou. For love of the ox the wolf licks the yoke. (Catalan.)

Por donde fueres, haz como vieres. Wherever you may be, do as you see done.

Por donde menos se piensa salta la liebre. The hare starts from where it is least expected.

Por donde va la mar, vayan las arenas. Where the sea goes let the sands go.

Por do quiera hay su legua de mal camino. Whatever way you take there is a league of bad road.

Por do salta la cabra, salta la que la mama. Where the goat leaps, leaps that which sucks her.

Por el alabado dejé el conocido, y vi me arrepentido. I left what I knew for what I heard praised, and repented.

Por el hilo se saca el ovillo. By the thread we unwind the skein.

Por falta de hombres buenos, á mi padre hicieron alcalde. For the want of worthy men they made my father alcade.

Porfia mata la caza. Perseverance kills the game.

Por la calle de despues se va á la casa de nunca. By the street of “By-and-by” one arrives at the house of “Never.”

Por las haldas del vicario sube el diablo al campanario. The devil gets into the belfry by the vicar’s skirts.

Por mucho madrugar, no amanece mas aina. For all one’s early rising, it dawns none the sooner.

Por mucho que corra la liebre, mas corre el galgo, pues la prende. Fast as the hare runs, the greyhound outruns her, since he catches her.

Por no gastar lo que basta, lo que era excusado se gasta. Through not spending enough, we spend too much.

Por nuevas no peneas, hacerse han viejas, y saber las has. Do not fret for news, it will grow old and you will know it.

Por oir misa, y dar cebada, nunca se perdió jornada. Nothing is lost on a journey by stopping to pray or to feed your horse.

Por ser rey, se quiebra toda ley. Every law is broken to become a king.

Por si o por no, señor marido, ponéos la capilla. Whether it be so or not, husband, put on your hood. (He had told her there was a new law that every man with horns should wear a hood.)

Por sol que haga no dexes tu capa en casa. However bright the sun may shine, leave not your cloak at home.

Por soto no vayas tras otro. In a wood don’t walk behind another.

Por temor, no pierdas honor. Do not lose honour through fear.

Por turbia que esté, no digas, de esta agua no beberé. However foul it be, never say, Of this water I will not drink.

Por un punto se pierde un zapato. For want of a nail the shoe is lost.

Por viejo que sea el barco, pasa una vez el vado. Old as is the boat it may cross the ferry once.

Por vuestra alma vayan esos pater nosters. Let those pater nosters be for your own soul. (Ironical, against swearing).

Pregonar vino, y vender vinagre. To cry up wine, and sell vinegar.

Prenda que come, ninguno la tome. Let no one take a pawn that eats.

Primero son mis dientes que mis parientes. My teeth before my relations.

Posesion, y buena razon, y lanza en puño. Possession and good right, with lance in hand.

Potros cayendo, y mozos perdiendo, van asesando. Colts by falling, and lads by losing, grow prudent.

Puerco fiado, gruñe todo el año. A pig bought on credit grunts all the year.

Puerco fresco, y vino nuevo, Christianillo al cimenterio. Fresh pork and new wine, send a Christian to the churchyard. (Kill a man before his time.)

Puerta abierta al santo tienta. An open door tempts a saint.

Puesque la casa se quema, calentémonos todos. Since the house is on fire, let us warm ourselves.

Pues tenemos hogaças, no busquemos tortas. Since we have loaves let us not look for cakes.

Puridad de dos, puridad de Dios; puridad de tres, de todos es. A secret between two is God’s secret, a secret between three is everybody’s.

Puteria ni hurto nunca se encubren mucho. Whoredom and thieving are never long concealed.

Q.

Qual el dueño tal el perro. As is the master, so is his dog.

Qual el tiempo, tal el tiento. As are the times, so are the manners.

Qual es el rey, tal es la grey. As is the king, so are his people.

Quando á tu hija le viniere su hado, no aguardes que venga su padre del mercado. When a good offer comes for your daughter, don’t wait till her father returns from market.

Quando ayunque, sufre, quando mazo, tunde. When you are an anvil, bear; when you are a hammer, strike.

Quando comieres pan reciente, no bebas de la fuente. When you eat new bread, don’t drink water.

Quando Dios amanece, para todos amanece. When God gives light he gives it for all.

Quando Dios no quiere, el santo no puede. When God will not the saint cannot.

Quando Dios quiere, con todos vientos llueve. When God pleases it rains with every wind.

Quando Dios quiere en sereno llueve. When God pleases, it rains in fair weather.

Quando el bazo crece el cuerpo enmagrece. When the spleen increases, the body diminishes.

Quando el cosario promete misas y cera, con mal anda la galera. When the corsair promises masses and candles, it goes ill with the galley.

Quando el diablo reza, engañarte quiere. When the devil says his prayers he wants to cheat you.

Quando el Español canta, ó rabia, ó no tiene blanca. When the Spaniard sings, he is either mad or has no money.

Quando el guardian juega á los naypes, qué haran los frayles? When the prior plays cards, what will the monks do?

Quando el hierro está encendido, entonces ha de ser batido. When the iron is hot, then is the time to strike.

Quando el necio es acordado, el mercado es ya pasado. When the fool has made up his mind the market is over.

Quando el rio no hace ruido, ó no lleva agua, ó va muy crecido. When the river makes no noise, it is either dried up or much swollen.

Quando el viejo no puede beber la huesa le pueden hacer. When an old man cannot drink, prepare his grave.

Quando el villano está en el mulo, ni conoce á Dios, ni al mundo. Set a peasant on horseback, and he forgets both God and man.

Quando el villano está rico, no tiene pariente, ni amigo. When a peasant gets rich, he knows neither relations nor friends.

Quando en verano es invierno, y en invierno verano, nunca buen año. When the summer is winter, and the winter summer, it is a sorry year.

Quando fueres á casa, agena llama defuera. When you go to a strange house knock at the door.

Quando fueres por camino, no digas mal de tu enemigo. When you are on the road speak not ill of your enemy.

Quando la criatura dienta la muerte la tienta. When the child cuts its teeth, death is on the watch.

Quando la mala ventura se duerme, nadie la despierte. When ill-luck sleeps, let no one wake her.

Quando llueve en Agosto, llueve miel y mosto. When it rains in August, it rains honey and wine.

Quando llueve en Febrero, todo el año es tempero. When it rains in February, it will be temperate all the year.

Quando no dan los campos, no han los santos. When the fields yield not, the saints have not.

Quando os pedimos, Dueña os decimos; quando os tenemos, como queremos. When we ask a favour, we say, Madam; when we obtain it, what we please.

Quando pobre, franco; quando rico, avaro. When poor, liberal; when rich, stingy.

Quando te dieren el anillo, pon el dedillo. When they offer you a ring, hold out your finger.

Quando te dieren la vaquilla, acude con la soguilla. When they give you the calf, be ready with the halter.

Quando todos te dijeren que eres asno, rebuzna. When every one says you are an ass, bray.

Quando una puerta se cierra, ciento se abren. When one door shuts, a hundred open.

Quando un lobo come á otro, no hay que comer en el soto. When one wolf eats another, there is nothing to eat in the wood.

Quando uno ne quiere, dos no barajan. Two cannot fall out if one does not choose.

Quando vieras tu casa quemar, llegate á escalentar. When thou seest thy house in flames, go warm thyself by it.

Quando zuga el abeja miel torna, y quando el araña ponzoña. When the bee sucks, it makes honey, when the spider, poison.

Quan léjos de ojo, tan léjos de corazon. Out of sight, out of mind.

Quanto sabes no dirás, quanto vés no juzgarás, si quieres vivir en paz. Tell not all you know, nor judge of all you see, if you would live in peace.

Quatro cosas sacan al hombre de tino, la muger, el tabaco, naypes y vino. Four things put a man beside himself—women, tobacco, cards, and wine.

Quebrarse un ojo para sacar à otro los dos. To lose one eye that you may deprive another of two.

Quebrasteme la cabeza, y ahora me untas el casco. You have broken my head and now you bring plaister.

Quebreme el pie, quizá por bien. I broke my leg, perhaps for my good.

Quem jugata co ferro, jugata co demo. He who plays with a sword plays with the devil. (Galician.)

Quem mal quer os seus, no querrá ben os alleus. He that is unkind to his own will not be kind to others. (Galician.)

Queso de ovejas, leche de cabras, manteca de vacas. Cheese from the ewe, milk from the goat, butter from the cow.

Qui barat, el cap se grat. He who hunts after bargains will scratch his head. (Catalan.)

Qui de tot es moll, de tot es foll. Who is tender in everything is a fool in everything. (Catalan.)

Quien abrojos siembra espinas coje. He who sows brambles reaps thorns. (As you sow, so you shall reap.)

Quien acecha por agujero, ve su duelo. He who peeps through a hole will discover his dole. (Harm watch, harm catch.)

Quien adelante no mira, atras se queda. He who does not look before lags behind.

Quien á dos señores ha de servir, al uno ha de mentir. He who has two masters to serve must lie to one of them.

Quien al cielo escupe, en la cara le cae. He who spits above himself will have it fall on his face.

Quien á los veinte no entiende, á treinta no sabe y á quarenta no tiene, ruin vejez le espera. He who at twenty understands nothing, at thirty knows nothing, and at forty has nothing, will lead a wretched old age.

Quien amaga y no da, miedo ha. He who threatens to strike, and does not, is afraid.

Quien a mano agena espera, mal yanta y peor cena. He who lives in hopes, breakfasts ill and sups worse.

Quien á muchos amos sirve á alguno ha de hacer falta. He who serves many masters must neglect some of them.

Quien anda al reves, anda al camino dos veces. He who takes the wrong road must make his journey twice over.

Quien á su enemigo popa, á sus manos muere. He who makes light of his enemy dies by his hand.

Quien á su muger no honra, á si mismo deshonra. He who does not honour his wife, dishonours himself.

Quien á su perro quiere matar, rabia le ha de levantar. He who wants to kill his dog has only to say he is mad.

Quien á treinta no asesa, no comprará dehesa. He who at thirty has no brains, will never purchase an estate.

Quien a veinte no es galan, ni á treinta tiene fuerza, ni á quarenta riqueza, ni á cincuenta esperiencia, ni será galan, ni fuerte, ni rico, ni prudente. He that is not gallant at twenty, strong at thirty, rich at forty, or experienced at fifty, will never be gallant, strong, rich, or prudent.

Quien bien ama, tarde olvida. He who loves well is slow to forget.

Quien bien ata, bien desata. He that ties well, unties well. (Safe bind, safe find.)

Quien bien bayla, de boda en boda se anda. He who dances well goes from wedding to wedding.

Quien bien quiere á Beltran, bien quiere á su can. He who loves Bertrand loves his dog. (Love me, love my dog).

Quien bien quiere á Pedro, no hace mal á su perro. He who loves Peter won’t harm his dog.

Quien bien quiere, bien obedece. He who loves well, obeys well.

Quien bien quiere, de léjos ve. A well-wisher sees from afar.

Quien bien siembra, bien coge. He who sows well, reaps well.

Quien bien te hará, ó se te muere, ó se te va. He who does good to you either dies or goes away.

Quien bueyes ha perdido, cencerros se le antojan. He who has lost his oxen is always hearing bells.

Quien busca halla. He who seeks, finds.

Quien calla, otorga. Silence gives consent.

Quien calla piedras apaña. He who is silent gains store.

Quien canta, sus males espanta. Who sings, drives away care.

Quien come la carne que roa el hueso. He who eats the meat let him pick the bone.

Quien come y condensa, dos veces pone la mesa. He who eats and puts by, has sufficient for two meals.

Quien come y dexa, dos veces pone la mesa. A penny spared is a penny saved.

Quien compra cavallo, compra cuidado. He who buys a horse buys care.

Quien compra y vende lo que gasta no siente. He who buys and sells does not feel what he spends.

Quien con el viejo burló, primero rió y después lloro. He who made fun of the old man, laughed at first and cried afterwards.

Quien con lobos anda, á aullar se enseña. He who goes with wolves learns to howl.

Quien con perros se echa, con pulgas se levanta. He who lies down with dogs gets up with fleas.

Quien con ropa agena se viste, en la calle se queda en cuerpo. Who arrays himself in other men’s garments is stripped on the highway.

Quien con tosco ha de entender, mucho seso ha menester. He who has to deal with a blockhead has need of much brains.

Quien da lo suyo ántes de su muerte, que le den con un mazo en la frente. Who gives what he has before he is dead, take a mallet and knock that fool on the head.

Quien da presto, da dos veces. He gives twice who gives in a trice.

Quien de ageno se viste, en la calle le desnudan. He who dresses in others’ clothes will be undressed on the highway.

Quien del alacran está picado, la sombra le espanta. He who has been stung by the scorpion is frightened at its shadow.

Quien de locura enfermó, tarde sanó. Whoever falls sick of folly, is long in getting cured.

Quien desalaba la cosa ese la compra. He who finds fault wants to buy.

Quien desparte lleva la peor parte. He who divides gets the worst share.

Quien de todos es amigo, ó es muy pobre, ó es muy rico. He who is everybody’s friend is either very poor or very rich.

Quien dice lo que quiere, oye lo que no quiere. He who says what he likes, hears what he don’t like.

Quien dice lo suyo, mal callará lo ageno. He who tells his own secret will hardly keep another’s.

Quien dineros y pan tiene, consuegra con quien quiere. He who has both money and bread, may choose with whom his daughter to wed.

Quien echa agua en la garrafa de golpe, mas derrama que ella coje. He who pours water hastily into a bottle spills more than goes in.

Quien el aceyte mesura, las manos se unta. He who measures oil greases his hands.

Quien en la plaza á labrar se mete, muchos adestradores tiene. He who works on the highway will have many advisers.

Quien en un año quiere ser rico, al medio le ahorcan. He who wants to be rich in a year comes to the gallows in half a year.

Quien en una piedra dos veces tropieza, no es maravilla se quiebre la cabeza. No wonder if he breaks his head who stumbles twice over one stone.

Quien escucha, su mal oye. Listeners hear no good of themselves.

Quien esta en su tienda, no le achacan que se halló en la contienda. He that minds his business at home, will not be accused of taking part in the fray.

Quien estropieza y no cae, en su paso añade. He who stumbles and does not fall mends his pace.

Quién es tu enemigo? Hombre de tu oficio. Who is your enemy? A man of your own trade.

Quién es tu enemigo? El de tu oficio. Two of a trade can never agree.

Quien feo ama, hermoso le parece. She who loves an ugly man thinks him handsome.

Quien fia ó promete, en deuda se mete. He who pledges or promises runs in debt.

Quien guarda halla. He who saves, finds.

Quien guarda su poridad escusa mucho mal. He who keeps his own secret avoids much mischief.

Quien hace lo que quiere, no hace lo que debe. He who does what he likes, does not what he ought.

Quien hace por comun, hace por ningun. He who gives to the public, gives to no one.

Quien hace un cesto, hará ciento. He that makes one basket can make a hundred.

Quien ha criados, ha enemigos no escusados. He who has servants has unavoidable enemies.

Quien ha de echar el cascabel al gato? Who is to bell the cat?

Quien ha de llevar el gato al agua? Who is to carry the cat to the water?

Quien la fama ha perdido, muerto anda en la vida. He who has lost his reputation is a dead man among the living.

Quien la miel menea, siempre se le pega de ella. He that stirs honey will have some of it stick to him.

Quien la raposa ha de engañar, cumplele madrugar. He who would cheat the fox must rise early.

Quien las cosas mucho apura, no tiene vida segura. Who is always prying into other men’s affairs, leads a dangerous life.

Quien las sabe, las tañe. Let him play the instrument who knows how.

Quien la vaca del rey come flaca, gorda la paga. He who eats the king’s cow lean, pays for it fat.

Quien lazo me armó, en él cayó. He who laid a snare for me has fallen into it.

Quien lejos va a casar, ó va engañado ó va á engañar. He who goes far from home to marry, goes either to deceive or be deceived.

Quien lengua ha, á Roma va. He who has a tongue goes to Rome.

Quien lleva las obladas que taña las campanas. He who receives the offerings let him ring the bells.

Quien madre tiene en villa, siete veces se amortaza cada dia. The servant wench that has a mother in town swoons seven times a day.

Quien mala cama hace, en ella se yace. As you make your bed so you must lie in it.

Quien mal anda en mal acaba. He who begins badly, ends badly.

Quien malas hadas no halla, de las buenas se enhada. He that has no ill luck grows weary of good luck.

Quien mal casa, tarde enviuda. He who marries ill, is long in becoming widowed.

Quien mas corre, menos vuela. The more haste the less speed.

Quien mas sabe mas calla. Who knows most says least.

Quien mas tiene, mas quiere. The more one has the more one wants.

Quien ménos procura, alcanza mas bien. He who asks the fewest favours is the best received.

Quien mucho abarca, poco aprieta. He who grasps at much holds fast little.

Quien mucho duerme, poco aprende. He who sleeps much, learns little.

Quien mucho habla, en algo acierta. He who talks much is sometimes right.

Quien mucho habla, mucho yerra. Who talks much, errs much.

Quien no adoba gotera, adoba casa entera. He who does not repair his gutter has a whole house to repair.

Quien no alza un alfiler, no tiene en nada á su muger. He who does not pick up a pin cares nothing for his wife.

Quien no aprieta en vallejo, no aprieta en consejo. He who has no voice in the valley, will have none in the council.

Quien no castiga culito, no castiga culazo. He who does not whip the child does not mend the youth.

Quien no está enseñado á bragas, las costuras le hacen llagas. When a man is not used to breeches the seams gall him.

Quien no hace mas que otro, no vale mas que otro. He who does no more than another is no better than another.

Quien no miente, no viene de buena gente. He that does not lie, does not come of good blood.

Quien no parece, perece. He who does not show himself, is overlooked.

Quien no se aventura, no ha ventura. Who ventures nothing has no luck. (Nothing venture nothing have.)

Quien no te conoce te compre. Let him who does not know you buy you.

Quien no tiene mas de un sayo no puede prestarlo. He who has but one coat cannot lend it.

Quien no va á carava, no sabe nada. He who does not mix with the crowd knows nothing.

Quien ó A quien Dios no le dió hijos, el diablo le dió sobrinos. He to whom God gives no sons, the devil gives nephews.

Quien ó A quien no habla, no le oye Dios. He who does not speak, God does not hear.

Quien ó A quien pone los ojos en el suelo, no fies tu dinero. He who looks demurely trust not with your money.

Quien padre tiene alcalde, seguro va á juicio. He goes safely to trial whose father is a judge.

Quien peces quiere, mojarse tiene. He who wants to catch fish must not mind a wetting.

Quien pesca un pez, pescador es. He who catches one fish is a fisherman.

Quien poco sabe, presto lo reza. He who knows little soon tells it.

Quien presta, no cobra; y si cobra, no todo; y si todo, no tal; y si tal, enemigo mortal. Who lends recovers not; or if he recovers, recovers not all; or if all, not such; or if such, a mortal enemy.

Quien primero viene, primero muele. He who comes first grinds first.

Quien promete, en deuda se mete. He who promises incurs a debt.

Quien quando puede no quiere, quando quiere no puede. He that will not when he can, cannot when he will.

Quien quiere medrar, iglesia, ó mar, ó casa real. He who would thrive must follow the church, the sea, or the king’s service.

Quien quiere tomar, conviénele dar. He who would take must give.

Quien quiere vivir sano, la ropa de invierno traiga en verano. He that would be healthy must wear his winter clothes in summer.

Quien quisiere muger hermosa, el sabado la escoja. He that would have a beautiful wife should choose her on a Saturday.

Quien quisiere mula sin tacha, ándese á pie. He who wants a mule without fault must walk on foot.

Quien quisiere vivir sano, coma poco y cene temprano. He that would be healthy, must eat temperately, and sup early.

Quien quita la ocasion, quita el pecado. He who avoids the temptation avoids the sin.

Quien ramo pone, su vino quiere vender. He who hangs out a branch wants to sell his wine.

Quien se fia de amigo no fiel, buen testigo tiene contra el. He that trusts a faithless friend, has a good witness against him.

Quien se guarda, Dios le guarda. God helps him who helps himself.

Quien se muda, Dios le ayuda. He who reforms, God assists.

Quien siembra abrojos, no ande descalzo. He who sows brambles must not go barefoot.

Quien siempre me miente, nunca me engaña. He who always tells me a lie never cheats me.

Quien sirve al commun, sirve á ningun. He who helps everybody, helps nobody.

Quien sirve no es libre. He who serves is not free.

Quien solo come su gallo, solo ensille su caballo. He that eats his fowl alone may saddle his horse alone.

Quien su carro unta, sus bueyes ayuda. He who greases his cart-wheels helps his oxen.

Quien te cubre te descubre. That which covers thee discovers thee.

Quien te da el capon, dale la pierna y el alon. To him who gives the capon you may spare a leg and wing.

Quien te hace fiesta que no te suele hacer, ó te quiere engañar, ó te ha menester. He that is more civil than usual, either wants to cozen you or has need of you.

Quien tiempo tiene y tiempo atiende, tiempo viene que se arrepiente. Who has time yet waits for time, comes to a time of repentance.

Quien tiene arte, va por toda parte. He who has a trade may travel through the world.

Quien tiene boca, no diga á otro, Sopla. Let him that has a mouth not say to another, Blow.

Quien tiene enemigos no duerma. He who has enemies, let him not sleep.

Quien tiene hijas para casar, tome vedijas para hilar. He who has daughters to marry, let him give them silk to spin.

Quien tiene quatro, y gasta cinco no ha menester bolsico. He who has got four and spends five, has no occasion for a purse.

Quien tiene tejado de vidrio, no tire piedras al de su vecino. He who has a glass roof should not throw stones at his neighbour’s.

Quien tiene una hora de espacio, no muere ahorcado. He that has an hour’s start will not be hanged.

Quien todo lo niega, todo lo confiesa. He who denies everything confesses everything.

Quien todo lo quiere, todo lo pierde. He who grasps all loses all.

Quien tras otro cabalga, no ensilla quando quiere. He who rides behind another does not saddle when he will.

Quien tuviere hijo varon, no llame á otro ladron. He who has a son grown up should not call another a thief.

Quien una vez hurta, fiel nunca. He who steals once is never trusty.

Quiéralo Dios, Matea, que este hijo nuestro sea. God grant, dear wife, that this son be ours.

Quieres buen mercado? Con el necio necesitado. Do you want to buy cheap? Buy of a needy fool.

Quieres hacer del ladron fiel? Fiate de el. If you would make a thief honest, trust him.

Quieres que te siga el can? Dale pan. If you would have the dog follow you, give him bread.

Quieres ver loba parida? Casa la hija. Do you want to see a wolf with young (i. e. an insatiable plunderer)? Marry your daughter.

Qui escudella daltri espera, freda la menja. He who waits for another’s platter has a cold meal. (Catalan.)

Quitáron me el espejo por fea, y dieronlo á la ciega. They took away the mirror from me because I was ugly, and gave it to the blind woman.

R.

Raposa que mucho tarda, caça aguarda. The fox that tarries long is on the watch for prey.

Raton que no sabe mas de un horado, presto le toma el gato. The rat that knows but one hole is soon caught by the cat.

Recebido ya el daño, atapar el horado. To stop the hole after the mischief is done.

Reniego de cuentas, con deudos y deudas. Curses on accounts with relations.

Reniego del amigo, que cubre con las alas y muerde con el pico. Avoid a friend who covers you with his wings and destroys you with his beak.

Resfriadas duelen mas las llagas. Wounds pain most when grown cool.

Rifaban los rocines del vidriero, y él mirando qual daba mejor coz al compañero. The glass-dealer’s horses fell out, and he looked on to see which kicked hardest.

Riñen las comadres y dicense las verdades. The gossips fall out and tell each other truths.

Rogar al santo hasta pasar del trance. To pray to the saint until the danger is past.

Ruego de grande fuerza es que te hace. A great man’s entreaty is a command.

Ruegos porque cante, y ruegos porque calle. Entreaties to get him to sing, and entreaties to leave off.

Ruego y derecho hacen el hecho. Entreaty and right do the deed.

S.

Sabedlo, coles, que espinacas hay en la olla. Know, cabbages, that there is spinach in the stew.

Saberlo como su Paternoster. He knows it as well as his Lord’s Prayer.

Saca lo tuyo al mercado, y uno te dirá prieto y otro blanco. Tell your affairs in the market-place, and one will call them black and another white.

Sacar el ascua con mano agena. To take out a burning coal with another’s hand. (To make a cat’s paw of one.)

Sacar el pie del lodo. To draw the foot out of the mire.

Sacarlo de entre los cardos, sacároslo hemos de entre las manos. Pluck it from among the thistles, and we will take it off your hands.

Sacar un fuego con otro fuego. To quench fire with fire.

Sacar un pie del lodo, y meter otro. To take one foot out of the mire and put the other into it.

Sacar verdad por decir mentira. To discover truth by telling a falsehood.

Sacristan de amen. An amen clerk.

Salamon pasó por su puerta quando nació, mas no entró dentro. When he was born, Solomon passed by his door, and would not go in.

Salga pez, ó salga rana, á la capacha. Come fish, come frog, all goes into the basket. (All’s fish that comes to the net.)

Salir de un lodo y entrar en otro. To get out of one muck into another.

Salir del lodo, y caer en el arroyo. Out of the mire and into the brook. (Out of the frying-pan into the fire.)

Saltar de la sarten, y dar en las brasas. To jump out of the frying-pan and fall into the fire.

Salud y alegria belleza cria; atavio y afeito cuesta dinero y miente. Health and cheerfulness make beauty; finery and cosmetics cost money and lie.

Sal vertida, nunca bien cogida. Salt spilt is never all gathered.

Sanan cuchilladas, mas no malas palabras. Wounds from the knife are healed, but not those from the tongue.

Sanan llagas, y no malas palabras. Wounds heal, but not ill words.

Sangrarle y purgarle; si se muriere, enterrarle. Bleed him and purge him; if he dies, bury him.

Sea mi enemigo, y vaya á mi molino. Be my enemy and go to my mill.

Sease velado, y sease un palo. Let it be a husband, though it be but a log.

Seco y no de hambre mas recio es que alambre. A man that is lean, not from hunger, is harder than brass.

Señal mortal no quierer sanar. Not to wish to recover is a mortal symptom.

Ser alguno un caxon de sastre. To be like a tailor’s pattern-book.

Ser como el escudero de Guadalaxara, que de lo que dice de noche, no hay nada á la mañana. To be like the esquire of Guadalaxara, who knew nothing in the morning of what he said at night.

Ser como el puerro, tener la cabeza blanca, y lo demas verde. To be like a leek, have a grey head and the rest green.

Ser como piojo en costura. To be like a louse in a seam.

Ser como unas ortigas. To be like a bunch of nettles.

Ser el sastre del Campillo, que cosia de valde, y ponia el hilo. To be like the tailor of Campillo, who worked for nothing, and found thread.

Ser mercader mas va en el cobrar, que en el vender. To be a merchant, the art consists more in getting paid than in making sales.

Ser toda hoja sin fruto. All leaf and no fruit.

Si bien me quieres, Juan, tus obras me lo diran. If you love me, John, your acts will tell me so.

Si da el cántaro en la piedra, ó la piedra en el cántaro, mal para el cántaro. Whether the pitcher strike the stone, or the stone the pitcher, woe be to the pitcher.

Si de alguno te quieres vengar, has de callar. If you want to be revenged, hold your tongue.

Si el cielo se cae, pararle las manos. If the sky falls, hold up your hands.

Si el cielo se cae, quebrarse han las ollas. If the sky falls there will be pots broken.

Si el niño lloráre, acallelo su madre, y si no quisiere callar, déxelo llorar. If the child cries let the mother hush it, and if it will not be hushed let it cry.

Siembra trigo en barrial, y pón viña en cascajal. Sow corn in clay, and plant vines in sand.

Siéntate en tu lugar, no te harán levantar. Seat yourself in your place and you will not be made to quit it.

Si esta pella á la pared no pega, á lo menos dexará señal. If this ball does not stick to the wall it will at least leave a mark.

Siete es convite, y nueve es convicio. Seven is company, and nine confusion. (Alluding to a dinner party.)

Siete hermanos en un consejo, de lo tuerto hacen derecho. Seven brothers in a council make wrong right.

Si la locura fuese dolores, en cada casa darian voces. If folly were a pain, there would be groaning in every house.

Si la piedra da en el cántaro, mal para el cántaro; y si el cántaro da en la piedra, mal para el cántaro. If the pitcher knocks against a stone, woe to the pitcher; and if the stone knocks against the pitcher, woe to the pitcher.

Si lo cena, no lo almuerza. If you eat it up at supper, you cannot have it at breakfast.

Si no va el otero á Mahoma, vaya Mahoma al otero. If the mountain will not go to Mahomet, Mahomet must go to the mountain.

Si quieres buena fama, no te dé el sol en la cama. If you would acquire fame, let not the sun shine on you in bed.

Si quieres dar de palos á tu muger, pídele al sol á beber. If you want to thrash your wife, ask her for a drink of water in the sun.

Si quieres enfermar, lavate la cabeza y vete á echar. If you want to be dead, wash your head and go to bed.

Si quieres ser bien servido, sírvete a tú mismo. If you wish to be well served, serve yourself.

Si quieres ver quanto vale un ducado, búscalo prestado. If you want to know what a ducat is worth, try to borrow one.

Sirve á señor, y sabrás que es dolor. Serve a lord and you’ll know what is grief.

Si secretos quieres saber, buscalos en el pesar ó en el placer. If you want to know secrets, seek for them in trouble or in pleasure.

Si se perdieron los anillos, aquí quedáron los dedillos. If the rings are lost, here are the fingers still.

Si soy bobo, meteme el dedo en la boca. If I am a fool, put your finger in my mouth.

Si tienes médico amigo, quitale la gorra y envialo á casa de tu enemigo. If you have a friend who is a doctor, make your bow and send him to the house of your enemy.

Si uno dos y tres te dicen que eres asno, ponte un rabo. If one, two, three say you are an ass, put on a tail.

Sobre brevas vino bebas. Drink wine upon figs.

Sobre gusto no ha disputa. There is no disputing about taste.

Sobre peras vino bebas, y sea tanto que naden ellas. After stuffing pears within, drink old wine until they swim.

Sobre un huevo pone la gallina. The hen lays upon an egg.

So el sayal, hay al. Under the sackcloth there is something hid.

Soltero, pavon; desposado, leon; casado, asno. Bachelor, a peacock; betrothed, a lion; married, an ass.

So mi manto al rey mando. Under my cloak I command the king.

Sopla, herrero, ganarás dinero. Blow, smith, and you’ll get money.

Soplar y sorber no puede junto ser. One cannot blow and swallow at the same time.

So vayna de oro cuchillo de plomo. Under a gold sheath a leaden knife.

T.

Tan grande es el yerro como el que yerra. The fault is as great as he that commits it.

Tantas veces va el cántaro á la fuente, que dexa el asa ó la frente. The pitcher goes so often to the well, that it leaves its handle or its mouth.

Tanto es Pedro de Dios, que no le medra Dios. Peter is so godly that God does not improve his condition.

Tanto quiere el diablo á su hijo que le quiebra el ojo. The devil is so fond of his son that he put out his eye.

Tener á alguno en ascuas. To keep one upon hot coals.

Tener el pie en dos zapatos. To have the foot in two shoes.

Tener el seso en los calcañares. To have one’s brains in one’s heels.

Tener la barriga á la boca. To have the belly up to one’s mouth.

Tener pelos en el corazon. To have hairs on his heart. (Hard-hearted.)

Tirar coces contra el aguijon. To kick against the pricks.

Tirar la piedra y esconder la mano. To throw the stone and conceal the hand.

Todo camino vá á Roma. Every road leads to Rome.

Todo es nada lo de este mundo, si no se endereza al segundo. All things of this world are nothing, unless they have reference to the next.

Todo saldrá en la colada. It will all come out in the soapsuds.

Todos son buenos, y mi capa no parece. They are all honest men, but my cloak is not to be found.

Tomar la ocasion por los cabellos. To take opportunity by the forelock.

Tomar las calzas de Villadiego. To take Villadiego’s boots. (To take to your heels.)

Tonto, sin saber latin, nunca es gran tonto. A fool, unless he know Latin, is never a great fool.

Trabajar para el obispo. To work for the bishop. (Prayers, but no pay.)

Traerlo escrito en la frente. To have it written on his forehead.

Tragarse un camello, y no poder pasar un mosquito. To swallow a camel, and strain at a gnat.

Tramontana no tiene trigo, y el hombre pobre no tiene amigo. A north wind has no corn, and a poor man no friend.

Traspasa el rico las leyes, y es castigado el pobre. The rich man transgresses the law, and the poor man is punished.

Tras el vicio viene el fornicio. After one vice a greater follows.

Tras los dias viene el seso. Sense comes with age.

Tras pared ni tras seto, no digas en secreto. Do not tell your secrets behind a wall or a hedge.

Trasquilenme en la plaza, y no lo sepan en mi casa. They may whip me in the market-place, so it be not known at home.

Tres cosas matan al hombre, soles, cenas, y penas. Three things kill a man: a scorching sun, suppers, and cares.

Tres hijas y una madre, quatro diablos para el padre. Three daughters and their mother, four devils for the father.

Tripa llena, ni bien huye ni bien pelea. A full belly is neither good for flight, nor for fighting.

Tripas llevan corazon, que no corazon tripas. The bowels support the heart, and not the heart the bowels.

Triste es la casa, donde la gallina canta, y el gallo calla. It goes ill in the house where the hen sings and the cock is silent.

Tu dinero mudo, no lo descubras á ninguno. Discover not your silent money (i. e. your hoarded money) to anybody.

U.

Una cautela con otra se quiebra. One knavery is met by another.

Una cosa piensa el vayo, y otra el que lo ensilla. The horse thinks one thing, and his rider another.

Una en el clavo y ciento en la herradura. One stroke on the nail and a hundred on the horseshoe.

Un agravio consentido, otro venido. One grievance borne, another follows.

Una golondrina no hace verano. One swallow does not make a summer.

Una mano lava la otra, y ambas la cara. One hand washes the other, and both the face.

Un amor saca otro. One love drives out another.

Un asno entre muchas monas, cocanle todas. One ass among many monkeys is grinned at by all.

Un cabello hace sombra en el suelo. A hair casts its shadow on the ground.

Un lobo no muerde á otro. One wolf does not bite another.

Un loco hace ciento. One fool makes a hundred.

Uno levanta la caza, y otro la mata. One starts the game and another bags it.

Uno ojo á la sarten y otro á la gata. One eye on the frying-pan and the other on the cat.

Unos tienen la fama, y otros cardan la lana. Some have the fame, and others card the wool.

Un puerco encenagado procura encenagar á otro. A bespattered hog tries to bespatter another.

Un ruin mientras mas lo ruegan mas se estiende. The more you court a clown the statelier he grows.

Un solo golpe no derriba á un roble. An oak is not felled at one blow.

Uso hace maestro. Practice makes perfect.

V.

Vallestero que mal tira, presto tiene la mentira. The archer that shoots badly has a lie ready.

Van a misa los zapateros, ruegan a Dios que mueran carneros. Shoemakers go to mass and pray that sheep may die.

Vanse los gatos, y estiendense los ratos. When the cat’s away the rats will play.

Vaso malo nunca cae de mano. A crazy vessel never falls from the hand.

Vaya con Dios, que un pan me lleva. Go in God’s name, for he takes a loaf of mine.

Vende público y compra secreto. Sell publicly and buy privately.

Vender gato por liebre. To sell a cat for a hare.

Vender miel al colmenero. To sell honey to the beekeeper.

Ventura te dé Dios, hijo, que saber poco te basta. God give you luck, my son, for little wit must serve your turn.

Ver el cielo por un embudo. To see the sky through a funnel.

Ver, oir y callar. See, hear, and hold your tongue.

Verse alguno en calzas prietas. To find oneself in tight breeches. (Ill at ease—we say in tight boots.)

Viejo como la sarna. As old as the itch.

Viene ventura á quien la procura. Luck comes to those who look after it.

Viento y ventura poco dura. Wind and good luck are seldom lasting.

Vino acedo, y tocino añejo, y pan de centeno, sostienen la casa en peso. Sour wine, old bacon, and rye bread keep a house rich.

Vino que es bueno no ha menester pregonero. Good wine needs no crier.

Viuda lozana, ó casada, ó sepultada, ó emparedada. A buxom widow must be married, buried, or cloistered.

Viva quien vence. Long life to the conqueror.

Vos doña, yo doña, quien botara á porca fora. You a lady, I a lady, who is to put the sow out of doors? (Galician.)

Voz del pueblo es voz de Dios. The voice of the people is the voice of God.

X.

Xabonar cabeza de asno, perdimiento de xabon. To lather an ass’s head is only wasting soap.

Y.

Yerba mala no le empece la helada. Ill weeds are not hurt by the frost.

Yo como tú y tú como yo, el diablo te me dió. I am like you and you like me, the devil united us.

Yo dueña y vos doncella, quien barrerá la casa? I mistress and you miss, who is to sweep the house?

Yo duro y vos duro, quien llevará lo maduro. I stubborn and you stubborn, who is to carry the load?

Yo molondron, tu molondrona, cásate conmigo, Antonia. I a lazy lout, you a lazy lout, marry me, Antonia.

Yo sé que me sé, mas de esto callar me he. I know what I know, but will say nothing about it.

Z.

Zapatero, á tu zapato. Shoemaker, stick to your last.

Zorro en zorrera el humo lo echa fuera. When a fox is in his hole, the smoke fetches him out.

Zurrar á uno la badana. To thrash one’s jacket.