Colombia Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Colombia in es and English — each with its meaning and source.

El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

“He who embraces too much, holds little.”

Taking on too many things at once means you do none of them well.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.

“A shrimp that falls asleep is carried away by the current.”

If you are not alert and diligent, you will lose your opportunity.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Más vale solo que mal acompañado.

“Better to be alone than in bad company.”

It is preferable to be by yourself than to keep company that harms you.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

A buen entendedor, pocas palabras.

“To a good listener, few words will do.”

An intelligent person needs only a hint to understand the full message.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.

“The early riser gets God's help.”

Those who start early and work hard are rewarded.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish 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.”

You are judged and shaped by the company you keep.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

En boca cerrada no entran moscas.

“A closed mouth catches no flies.”

Staying quiet keeps you out of trouble.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

De grano en grano, llena la gallina el buche.

“Every little bit helps.”

Small, steady efforts accumulate into a large result.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Dios aprieta pero no ahoga.

“God squeezes but does not choke.”

Hardships are hard but never beyond what one can ultimately endure.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No hay mal que dure cien años.

“There is no evil that lasts a hundred years.”

No hardship lasts forever; bad times eventually pass.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.

“No matter how early you rise, dawn will not come any sooner.”

Rushing does not change how long a natural process actually takes.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Más vale tarde que nunca.

“Better late than never.”

Doing something late is still better than never doing it at all.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija.

“He who leans against a good tree is sheltered by good shade.”

Associating with good, capable people brings protection and benefit.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

“Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Do not criticize or question something that was given to you for free.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Perro que ladra no muerde.

“A barking dog does not bite.”

Those who make the loudest threats are often the least dangerous.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.

“There is no one as deaf as the one who does not want to hear.”

A person who refuses to listen will never understand, no matter how clearly you speak.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.

“Raise ravens and they will peck out your eyes.”

Kindness shown to an ungrateful person may later be repaid with betrayal.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que no arriesga, no gana.

“He who does not risk does not win.”

Achieving something worthwhile requires the courage to take chances.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.

“In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife.”

Skilled people often neglect to apply their own expertise within their own home.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Cada oveja con su pareja.

“Each sheep with its own mate.”

People naturally gather with others who are similar to themselves.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.

“There is a long stretch between saying and doing.”

It is far harder to actually do something than merely to talk about doing it.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

“Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”

Avoid procrastination and act while you still have the chance.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Quien mucho duerme, poco aprende.

“He who sleeps a lot learns little.”

Excessive idleness prevents personal growth and learning.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que siembra vientos, recoge tempestades.

“He who sows winds, reaps storms.”

Reckless or harmful actions bring far greater consequences back on the one who caused them.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

A palabras necias, oídos sordos.

“To foolish words, deaf ears.”

It is wiser to ignore insults or foolish remarks than to react to them.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No hay mal que por bien no venga.

“There is no bad from which good does not come.”

Even difficult or unfortunate events often carry some hidden benefit.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que ríe de último, ríe mejor.

“He who laughs last, laughs best.”

Lasting success matters more than an early triumph or mockery.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Más vale prevenir que lamentar.

“Better to prevent than to lament.”

Taking precautions beforehand is wiser than dealing with regret afterward.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

“Eyes that do not see, a heart that does not feel.”

What is never witnessed or known cannot cause pain; out of sight, out of mind.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que la hace, la paga.

“He who does it, pays for it.”

Wrongdoing eventually brings its own consequences upon the one who committed it.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No todo lo que brilla es oro.

“Not all that glitters is gold.”

Appearances can deceive; something impressive is not always genuinely valuable.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

A lo hecho, pecho.

“What is done, face with courage.”

Once something has already happened, accept it bravely and move forward.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Zapatero, a tus zapatos.

“Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.”

People should focus on and speak about what they actually know and do well.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que tiene tienda, que la atienda.

“He who has a shop should tend to it.”

Whoever holds a responsibility should look after it personally and diligently.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.

“Water you are not going to drink, let it flow.”

Do not interfere in matters that do not concern or benefit you.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No es tan bravo el león como lo pintan.

“The lion is not as fierce as he is painted.”

Things or people often turn out to be less intimidating than their reputation suggests.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.

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

Experience gained over time is worth more than raw cunning alone.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que no llora, no mama.

“He who does not cry does not get fed.”

Those who do not speak up for what they need often go without.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.

“In the absence of bread, cakes are good.”

When the ideal option is unavailable, a reasonable substitute is worth accepting.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Genio y figura, hasta la sepultura.

“Character and looks last until the grave.”

A person's fundamental nature and manner rarely change throughout life.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que espera, desespera.

“He who waits, despairs.”

Waiting for something uncertain is difficult and wears down patience.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No hay atajo sin trabajo.

“There is no shortcut without hard work.”

Real success requires genuine effort; there are no true shortcuts.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

“In bad times, put on a good face.”

Facing hardship with a positive attitude makes it easier to bear.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar.

“He who truly loves you will make you cry.”

Genuine love sometimes requires hard truths or firm discipline.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que mal anda, mal acaba.

“He who lives badly, ends badly.”

A dishonest or reckless way of life eventually leads to a poor outcome.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Donde hay confianza, da asco.

“Where there is too much trust, it turns distasteful.”

Excessive familiarity can lead people to become careless, rude, or take one another for granted.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.

“Even if the monkey dresses in silk, it remains a monkey.”

Fine appearances cannot change a person's true underlying nature.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña.

“He who walks with wolves learns to howl.”

The company you keep gradually shapes your habits and behavior.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.

“A bird in hand is worth a hundred flying.”

A modest but certain gain is worth more than a large, uncertain possibility.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition

No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver.

“There is no one as blind as the one who does not want to see.”

A person who refuses to acknowledge reality will never see the truth, no matter how obvious it is.

Traditional Colombia Wisdom

Source: Traditional Colombian/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition