Slovenian Proverbs and Sayings

»The genius, wit, and the spirit of a nation are discovered by their proverbs.« Francis Bacon

In one of my previous blog posts I was writing about Slovenian idioms, and now I will guide you through Slovenian proverbs and sayings a little. Slovenian proverbs and sayings are used a lot in general – especially when a life lesson is being thought. Then we usually say: »This proverb is so real.« There are a great amount of proverbs related to the well documented Law of Attraction, seasons, work, life, etc. Cervantes said: »A proverb is a short sentence based on long experience.«

Although the proverbs listed below are quite old, they couldn’t be more truthful. From proverbs we can see a character of a nation, its wisdom and its inventiveness, too. In a list of Slovenian proverbs and sayings below, you will also find an English variation and the meaning of each proverb.

A list of Slovenian proverbs and sayings:

1. Slovenian: Za vsakim dežjem posije sonce.

English variation: Every cloud has a silver lining.

Meaning: Don’t give up in hard times, because they always lead to better days. 

2. Slovenian: Kdor drugemu jamo koplje, sam vanjo pade.

English variation: Who digs a trap for others ends up in it himself.

Meaning: If somebody wants to hurt you, a misfortune usually hits himself.

3. Slovenian: Lepa beseda lepo mesto najde.  

English variation: Politeness costs nothing, but yields much.

Meaning: If you ask politely, you usually get a polite answer.

4. Slovenian: Kjer je dim, je tudi ogenj.

English variation: There is no smoke without fire.

Meaning: There is no consequence without a cause or, nothing happens without a reason.

5. Slovenian: Po toči zvoniti je prepozno.

English variation: It’s no use crying over spilt milk.

Meaning: It’s too late to have an effect or to begin to act when the damage is already done.

6. Slovenian: Ne hvali dneva pred večerom.

English variation: Don’t count your chickens before they’re hatched.

Meaning: You should not celebrate something that has not happened yet.

7. Slovenian: Osel gre samo enkrat na led.

English variation: Only a fool would make the same mistake twice.

Meaning: Even a not so clever person is careful after a bad experience.

8. Slovenian: Rana ura – zlata ura.

English variation: The early bird catches the worm.

Meaning: You can do a lot if you start your day early.

 9. Slovenian: Nobena juha se ne poje tako vroča, kot se skuha.

English variation: Nothing is ever as bad as it seems.

Meaning: Everything looks worse at first, relative to how it turns out in the end.

 10. Slovenian: Kuj železo, dokler je vroče. 

English variation: Strike while the iron is hot.

Meaning: Take your opportunities immediatelly when they arise.

11. Slovenian: Počasi se daleč pride. 

English variation: Slow and steady wins the race.

Meaning: Consistent and effective effort leads to success.

12. Slovenian: Tiha voda bregove dere.

English variation: Still waters run deep.

Meaning: Outwardly calm and quiet person is able to do the unexpected.

13. Slovenian: Brez muje se še čevelj ne obuje.

English variation: No pain, no gain.

Meaning: Without an effort you cannot expect success.

14. Slovenian: Videz vara.

English variation: Appearances can be deceptive.

Meaning: The truth is often different than it looks at first glance.

15. Slovenian: Ljubo doma, kdor ga ima.

English variation: Home sweet home.

Meaning: The place we live is preferable to all others.

16. Slovenian: Pes, ki laja, ne grize.

English variation: Barking dogs seldom bite.

Meaning: People who threaten you or say they will harm you, rarely take action.

 17. Slovenian: Kar seješ, to žanješ.

English variation: What goes around, comes around.

Meaning: Whatever you give and do in your life – good or bad – the same you will receive back.  

 »There are many truths of which the full meaning cannot be realised until personal experience has brought it home.« John Stuart Mill