Traditional proverbs of Costa Rica in es and English — each with its meaning and source.
Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.
“The early riser gets God's help.”
Diligence and starting early are rewarded.
Source: Traditional Costa Rican/Spanish proverb, public-domain oral tradition
Más vale tarde que nunca.
“Better late than never.”
Completing something late is still better than never doing it.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
“Flies don't enter a closed mouth.”
Staying quiet keeps you out of trouble.
No hay mal que por bien no venga.
“There is no bad from which good does not come.”
Even misfortune can eventually lead to something positive.
Camarón que se duerme, se lo lleva la corriente.
“The shrimp that falls asleep is swept away by the current.”
Losing focus or vigilance costs you your opportunity.
Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
“A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred flying.”
A small certain gain is better than a large uncertain one.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
“Don't look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Don't criticize or question something given to you for free.
Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.
“Tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are.”
The company you keep reveals your own character.
El que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija.
“He who leans on a good tree is sheltered by good shade.”
Associating with good, capable people brings protection and benefit.
No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.
“No matter how early you rise, dawn won't come any sooner.”
Some things take their natural time no matter how much you rush.
Perro que ladra no muerde.
“A dog that barks doesn't bite.”
Loud threats often come from those least likely to act on them.
Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.
“Raise ravens and they will peck out your eyes.”
Kindness given to the ungrateful can be repaid with harm.
El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.
“He who grasps too much holds too little.”
Taking on too many things at once means doing none of them well.
Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.
“There is a long stretch between saying and doing.”
It is much easier to promise something than to actually accomplish it.
No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.
“Don't leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”
Procrastination only makes tasks harder to finish.
Zapatero, a tus zapatos.
“Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.”
Focus on what you know and do best; don't meddle in others' expertise.
El que ríe último, ríe mejor.
“He who laughs last laughs best.”
Final success matters more than early mockery or doubt.
Más vale prevenir que lamentar.
“Better to prevent than to lament.”
Taking precautions beforehand avoids regret later.
En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.
“In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife.”
Skilled people often neglect applying their own expertise at home.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
“Eyes that don't see, heart that doesn't feel.”
What you don't know or witness cannot hurt you emotionally.
Cada oveja con su pareja.
“Every sheep with its match.”
People naturally pair with those similar to themselves.
No todo lo que brilla es oro.
“Not all that shines is gold.”
Appearances can be deceiving; not everything attractive is truly valuable.
Al mal tiempo, buena cara.
“In bad times, put on a good face.”
Facing hardship with a positive attitude makes it easier to bear.
Quien mal anda, mal acaba.
“He who lives badly ends badly.”
A dishonest or reckless path eventually leads to a bad outcome.
El que no arriesga, no gana.
“He who doesn't risk, doesn't win.”
Taking chances is necessary to achieve any real gain.
Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.
“Water you won't drink, let it flow.”
Don't interfere with things that don't concern or benefit you.
El que siembra vientos, cosecha tempestades.
“He who sows winds reaps storms.”
Reckless or harmful actions bring much larger consequences.
No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.
“There is no one deafer than he who does not want to hear.”
People who refuse to listen are worse than those who truly cannot.
Genio y figura hasta la sepultura.
“Temperament and looks last until the grave.”
A person's core character rarely changes throughout their life.
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 natural cunning.
A palabras necias, oídos sordos.
“To foolish words, deaf ears.”
Ignore insults or nonsense rather than dignify them with a response.
El que no llora, no mama.
“He who doesn't cry doesn't nurse.”
You must ask or speak up to get what you need.
Donde hay confianza da asco.
“Where there is too much familiarity, it becomes distasteful.”
Too much closeness or comfort with someone breeds carelessness or disrespect.
No hay atajo sin trabajo.
“There is no shortcut without work.”
Even the easiest paths still require real effort.
El que quiera celeste, que le cueste.
“He who wants the sky-blue prize must pay the price for it.”
Anything worth having requires effort or sacrifice to earn.
Source: Traditional Costa Rican proverb, public-domain oral tradition
A lo hecho, pecho.
“Face what is done with your chest.”
Once something is done, confront the consequences with courage.
El hábito no hace al monje.
“The habit does not make the monk.”
Outward appearance alone doesn't determine a person's true nature.
Más vale solo que mal acompañado.
“Better alone than in bad company.”
Solitude is preferable to relationships that bring you harm.
Cuando el río suena, agua lleva.
“When the river makes noise, it is carrying water.”
Persistent rumors usually have some truth behind them.
Árbol que nace torcido, jamás su tronco endereza.
“A tree that is born crooked never straightens its trunk.”
Deep-rooted flaws or habits are very difficult to correct later.
Cada quien sabe dónde le aprieta el zapato.
“Everyone knows where their own shoe pinches.”
Only a person truly understands their own private struggles.
El que la hace, la paga.
“He who does it, pays for it.”
People are eventually held accountable for their own wrongdoing.
Al que le caiga el guante, que se lo plante.
“Whoever the glove fits should put it on.”
If a criticism or description applies to you, accept and own it.
El que la debe, la teme.
“He who owes it, fears it.”
A guilty conscience makes a person anxious and defensive.
Más vale paso que dure y no trote que canse.
“Better a steady pace that lasts than a trot that tires you out.”
Consistent, sustainable effort beats a fast pace that burns out.
Barriga llena, corazón contento.
“A full belly, a happy heart.”
When basic needs are met, a person feels content and at peace.
El que tiene tienda, que la atienda, y si no, que la venda.
“He who owns a shop must tend it, or else sell it.”
Take proper responsibility for what you own, or give it up.
Más vale maña que fuerza.
“Skill is worth more than strength.”
Cleverness and skillful strategy achieve more than brute force.
A buen entendedor, pocas palabras.
“To a good listener, few words are needed.”
A perceptive person only needs a hint to understand the full message.
El que espera, desespera.
“He who waits, grows desperate.”
Prolonged waiting wears down patience and hope.
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