Albania — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Asnjëri nuk mund t'i shërbejë dy zotërinjve.

“No one can serve two masters.”

A person cannot devote full loyalty to two conflicting causes or masters at once.

Çdo njeri ndërton fatin e vet.

“Every man builds his own fate.”

A person's destiny is shaped chiefly by their own actions and choices.

Fillimi i mbarë është gjysma e punës.

“A good beginning is half the work.”

Starting a task well makes the rest of it much easier to finish.

Iku macja, lozin minjtë.

“When the cat is away, the mice will play.”

People break rules or misbehave once those in authority are no longer watching.

Mali me mal nuk piqet, njeriu me njeriun piqet.

“Mountain never meets mountain, but man meets man.”

Two mountains can never come together, but people's paths cross again and again — so treat everyone with care.

Matë tre herë, prit një herë.

“Measure three times, cut once.”

Careful preparation prevents costly mistakes.

Më mirë syri sesa nami.

“Better to lose the eye than the honor.”

Personal dignity and reputation are worth more than physical comfort or safety.

Molla nuk bie larg mollës.

“The apple doesn't fall far from the apple tree.”

Children tend to resemble their parents in character and behavior.

Mos hidh zjarr në kashtë.

“Don't throw fire on straw.”

Do not make a tense or dangerous situation worse with careless words or actions.

Në njërin vesh hyn, në tjetrin del.

“In one ear it enters, out the other it goes.”

Advice or warnings given to someone are ignored and quickly forgotten.

Peshku i madh ha të voglin.

“The big fish eats the small one.”

The powerful tend to take advantage of the weak.

Punën e sotme mos e lër për nesër.

“Don't leave today's work for tomorrow.”

Delaying necessary tasks only makes them harder to finish later.

Sa të rrosh, do të mësosh.

“As long as you live, you will learn.”

Life continually teaches new lessons, no matter one's age.

Si i ati, ashtu edhe i biri.

“Like father, like son.”

A son often shares his father's traits and habits.

Si e ëma, ashtu edhe e bija.

“Like mother, like daughter.”

A daughter often shares her mother's traits and habits.

Trimi i mirë me shokë shumë.

“A good hero has many friends.”

No one achieves great things entirely alone; true strength includes the support of others.

Ustai çatinë e vet e le të pikojë.

“The builder leaves his own roof to leak.”

People skilled at helping others often neglect their own needs.

Gur, gur bëhet mur.

“Stone by stone, a wall is built.”

Great achievements are built gradually through small, steady efforts.

Lumi fle, armiku s'fle.

“The river sleeps, but the enemy never sleeps.”

Stay watchful, because danger does not rest even when you do.

Më thuaj me kë rri, të të them cili je.

“Tell me who you keep company with, and I will tell you who you are.”

A person's character is revealed by the company they keep.

Qeni që leh shumë, nuk kafshon.

“The dog that barks a lot doesn't bite.”

Loud threats often come from those least likely to act on them.

Rrena ka këmbë të shkurtra.

“Lies have short legs.”

Lies cannot travel far before they are caught and exposed.

Nuk mbulohet dielli me shoshë.

“The sun cannot be covered with a sieve.”

The truth is too large and evident to be hidden by flimsy excuses.

Vritet faji, jo njeriu.

“Condemn the fault, not the person.”

Criticize the wrongdoing itself rather than attacking the person who erred.

Nder e mend nuk blihen në pazar.

“Honor and wisdom cannot be bought in the market.”

Integrity and good judgment are earned through life, not purchased with money.

Gjuha nuk ka kocka, por thyen kocka.

“The tongue has no bones, but it breaks bones.”

Words, though intangible, can cause deep and lasting harm.

“A day without work can bring a night without sleep.”

Idleness during the day leads to a restless, unsatisfied night.

“Don't put golden buttons on a torn coat.”

Fixing appearances is pointless when the underlying problem remains unresolved.

“Even the hen looks toward heaven when she drinks.”

Even the humblest creature shows awareness and gratitude toward what is greater than itself.

“Fire is a good slave, but a bad master.”

Useful things become dangerous once they are allowed to control you instead of the other way around.