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.
— Traditional Argentina Wisdom, Argentina
Source: José Hernández, 'La Vuelta de Martín Fierro' (1879), Viejo Vizcacha's counsel — public domain
More Proverbs from Argentina
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.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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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.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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Nobody is more than anybody.
An assertion of human equality — no person is worth more than another, whatever their rank.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.
Experience and age teach more wisdom than raw cleverness alone.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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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.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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Whoever wants the sky-blue must pay the price for it.
Anything worth having demands effort and sacrifice to obtain.
Traditional Argentina Wisdom
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