Mõõda üheksa korda, lõika üks kord.
“Measure nine times, cut once.”
Think a decision through thoroughly before acting, since actions cannot be undone.
— Traditional Estonia Wisdom, Estonia
Source: Traditional Estonian proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Estonia
A lie has short legs.
Dishonesty cannot travel far before it is caught out.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →
Not everything that glitters is gold.
Appearances can be deceiving; something impressive is not always genuinely valuable.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →
When the cats are not home, the mice dance.
Without oversight from those in authority, others neglect their duties.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →
Live yourself, and let others live too.
Tend to your own life and extend the same freedom and tolerance to others.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →
The bold wolf has a fat chest.
Those who dare to take risks are more likely to reap the rewards.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →
He who does not work does not eat.
Sustenance and reward come only to those who put in honest effort.
Traditional Estonia Wisdom
Read more →