Argentina Proverbs (8)

Traditional proverbs of Argentina in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

Los hermanos sean unidos, porque ésa es la ley primera; tengan unión verdadera en cualquier tiempo que sea, porque si entre ellos pelean los devoran los de ajuera.

“Let the brothers be united, for that is the first law; may they keep true union in whatever time it may be, because if they fight among themselves, those from outside will devour them.”

Family and community must stay united, because division leaves them vulnerable to outside enemies.

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Source: José Hernández, 'La Vuelta de Martín Fierro' (1879), Canto XXXII — public-domain Argentine gaucho epic

Hacete amigo del juez, no le des de qué quejarse; y cuando quiera enojarse vos te debés encoger, pues siempre es güeno tener palenque ande ir a rascarse.

“Make friends with the judge; do not give him reason to complain — for it is always good to have a hitching post to go and scratch yourself on.”

Cynical worldly advice to stay on the good side of those in power so they can protect you.

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Source: José Hernández, 'La Vuelta de Martín Fierro' (1879), the advice of Viejo Vizcacha — public domain

Naides es más que naide.

“Nobody is more than anybody.”

An assertion of human equality — no person is worth more than another, whatever their rank.

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Source: Traditional Rioplatense gaucho saying, popularized by 'Martín Fierro' (José Hernández, 1872) — public-domain oral tradition

El primer cuidao del hombre es defender el pellejo.

“A man's first care is to defend his own hide.”

Self-preservation is a person's most basic instinct and duty.

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Source: José Hernández, 'La Vuelta de Martín Fierro' (1879), Viejo Vizcacha's counsel — public domain

Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.

“The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.”

Experience and age teach more wisdom than raw cleverness alone.

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Source: Traditional Argentine (Rioplatense) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.

“The shrimp that falls asleep is carried off by the current.”

If you grow careless or lazy you will lose your opportunity and be left behind.

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Source: Traditional Argentine (Rioplatense) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que quiere celeste, que le cueste.

“Whoever wants the sky-blue must pay the price for it.”

Anything worth having demands effort and sacrifice to obtain.

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Source: Traditional Argentine (Rioplatense) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.

“Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.”

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

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Source: Traditional Spanish-language proverb widely used in Argentina, public-domain oral tradition