Glossary entry

Russian term or phrase:

Людей слушай, а сам не плошай!

English translation:

listen to all, follow none

Added to glossary by PaulinaK
Jan 8, 2011 03:58
13 yrs ago
Russian term

Людей слушай, а сам не плошай!

Russian to English Art/Literary Idioms / Maxims / Sayings
Translating proverbs is definitely tricky! I can always translate it directly and make an annotation (if needed), but would obviously prefer a comparable English equivalent.

My version:
* God helps those who help themselves *
But I'm not crazy about this option because it brings "higher-power" into the equation, while the original saying alludes to using one's own common sense.

Discussion

Sona Petrosyan Jan 14, 2011:
Еще варианты пословиц:

God helps those who help themselves

Put your trust in God but keep your powder dry.

If you want a thing well done, do it yourself.

http://forum.lingvo.ru/actualthread.aspx?tid=79720
Kiwiland Bear Jan 14, 2011:
Done .
PaulinaK (asker) Jan 14, 2011:
Kiwiland Bear! Please submit your suggestion, it may very well be the best option.
Fernsucht Jan 8, 2011:
Listen to everyone, follow no one .
Kiwiland Bear Jan 8, 2011:
listen to all, follow none I think this is a more concise, adapted version of the proverb Sofia mentioned. Or could be independent but similar one.
Sophie Devidze Jan 8, 2011:
another option "Listen to all, plucking a feather from every passing goose, but, follow no one absolutely"
this proverb is chinese, not english, but i think is very similar to the russian one, and sounds like a proverb:)

Proposed translations

5 days
Selected

listen to all, follow none

.
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "This is exactly the translation I was looking for: short and sweet!"
8 mins

LISTEN TO PEOPLE BUT DECIDE YOURSELF

++
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4 hrs

Listen to all, but stand on your own bottom


In a search for a comparable English equivalent (which may be non-existent)...

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5 hrs

Be on your guard!

"on your guard

to be paying attention to what is happening in order to avoid danger, being tricked etc:
These men are dangerous so you'll need to be on your guard."

http://www.ldoceonline.com/dictionary/guard_1
Example sentence:

Be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.

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+1
8 hrs

listen to advice but rely on yourself

...
Peer comment(s):

agree Eric Candle : listen to others, but rely on yourself
11 hrs
Thanks!
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+3
11 hrs

listen to others, but think for yourself

however in this case you lose the connotation to the original proverb "на бога надейся..."
Peer comment(s):

agree Eric Candle : listen to others, but rely on yourself
9 hrs
thank you, Eric!
agree Judith Hehir
11 hrs
thank you, Judith!
agree LanaUK : listen to others, judge for yourself
1 day 3 hrs
thank you!
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17 hrs

Heed your advice, but keep your wits about yourself.

The advice is usually given to someone, who is about to do something complicated. Listen to people, but stay frosty, think for yourself.
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4 days

Paddle your own canoe!

This is a suggestion for the second part of the expression

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Note added at 4 օր (2011-01-12 08:38:02 GMT)
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Trust in God but lock your car.

This is also a variant.

http://www.russian-translators.ru/for-translators/exp/o-psih...
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