Traditional proverbs of Liechtenstein in de and English — each with its meaning and source.
Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.
“The apple does not fall far from the tree.”
Children tend to resemble their parents in character and behavior.
Source: Traditional Alemannic/German-speaking proverb, shared regional heritage of Liechtenstein and the German-speaking Alpine region, public-domain oral tradition
Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen.
“What you can take care of today, do not put off until tomorrow.”
Delaying necessary tasks only makes them harder to finish.
Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund.
“The morning hour has gold in its mouth.”
Starting the day early brings the greatest advantage and reward.
Übung macht den Meister.
“Practice makes the master.”
Skill and mastery are built through repeated effort, not talent alone.
Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten.
“He who laughs last, laughs best.”
A final, unexpected success outweighs any earlier setback or mockery.
Aller Anfang ist schwer.
“All beginnings are hard.”
Starting something new is always the most difficult part of the process.
Ehrlich währt am längsten.
“Honesty lasts the longest.”
Truthful, upright conduct proves more durable and trustworthy than deceit.
Eile mit Weile.
“Hasten slowly.”
Even when moving quickly, keep a measure of calm care to avoid mistakes.
Lügen haben kurze Beine.
“Lies have short legs.”
A lie cannot travel far or last long before it is found out.
Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt.
“He who does not dare, does not win.”
Without taking a risk, there can be no real gain or achievement.
Viele Köche verderben den Brei.
“Many cooks spoil the porridge.”
Too many people trying to direct the same task usually ruin the result.
Der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurm.
“The early bird catches the worm.”
Those who act promptly gain the advantage over those who delay.
Was sich liebt, das neckt sich.
“What loves each other, teases each other.”
Playful teasing between people is often a sign of genuine affection.
Kleider machen Leute.
“Clothes make the person.”
Outward appearance strongly shapes how others perceive and judge a person.
Steter Tropfen höhlt den Stein.
“Constant dripping wears away the stone.”
Small, persistent effort over time can achieve what force alone cannot.
Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben.
“One should not praise the day before the evening.”
Do not celebrate success until a matter is truly finished.
Wer im Glashaus sitzt, sollte nicht mit Steinen werfen.
“He who sits in a glass house should not throw stones.”
Do not criticize others for faults you share yourself.
Hunde, die bellen, beißen nicht.
“Dogs that bark do not bite.”
Loud threats often come from those least likely to actually cause harm.
Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold.
“Speech is silver, silence is golden.”
Restraint in speech is often more valuable than words themselves.
Wo ein Wille ist, ist auch ein Weg.
“Where there is a will, there is also a way.”
Strong determination will eventually find a path to its goal.
Andere Länder, andere Sitten.
“Other lands, other customs.”
Different peoples and places have their own norms, so judge with tolerance.
Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr.
“What little Hans does not learn, big Hans will never learn.”
Habits and skills are best learned early in life, while one is still young.
Not macht erfinderisch.
“Necessity makes one inventive.”
Difficult circumstances often force people to find clever new solutions.
Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.
“He who says A must also say B.”
Once committed to the first step of something, one must follow through with the rest.
Alle guten Dinge sind drei.
“All good things come in threes.”
Good outcomes or attempts are often expected to complete in a set of three.
Eigenlob stinkt.
“Self-praise stinks.”
Boasting about one's own achievements is unattractive and off-putting to others.
Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt.
“Not everything that glitters is gold.”
Attractive appearances can be misleading and do not guarantee real value.
Wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.
“He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.”
Schemes meant to harm others often end up harming the schemer instead.
Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es heraus.
“As one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.”
How you treat others is generally how you will be treated in return.
Übermut tut selten gut.
“Excessive pride rarely does good.”
Overconfidence and recklessness usually lead to trouble rather than success.
Kommt Zeit, kommt Rat.
“When time comes, counsel comes.”
A solution or clarity often presents itself if one is patient enough to wait.
Ende gut, alles gut.
“End well, all well.”
If a difficult undertaking finishes well, its earlier troubles are forgiven.
Vorsicht ist besser als Nachsicht.
“Caution is better than indulgence.”
It is wiser to prevent a problem than to forgive it after the damage is done.
Wer rastet, der rostet.
“He who rests, rusts.”
A person who stops striving or exercising their skills will grow stagnant.
Geduld bringt Rosen.
“Patience brings roses.”
Enduring hardship patiently eventually yields a beautiful reward.
Der Klügere gibt nach.
“The wiser one gives in.”
It takes greater wisdom to yield in a conflict than to keep fighting.
Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen.
“Work first, then pleasure.”
Duties should be completed before one turns to leisure and enjoyment.
Zeit ist Geld.
“Time is money.”
Wasted time carries a real cost, just as wasted money does.
Stille Wasser sind tief.
“Still waters are deep.”
Quiet, reserved people often hold greater depth than they show outwardly.
Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst.
“He who comes first, grinds first.”
Those who arrive or act earliest are served or rewarded first.
In der Kürze liegt die Würze.
“Brevity is the spice.”
A short, well-chosen statement often carries more force than a long one.
Man lernt nie aus.
“One never finishes learning.”
Learning is a lifelong process that never truly comes to an end.
Aus Schaden wird man klug.
“One becomes wise through harm.”
Mistakes and setbacks are painful but valuable teachers.
Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied.
“Everyone is the smith of their own fortune.”
A person's success or failure depends largely on their own effort and choices.
Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall.
“Arrogance comes before the fall.”
Excessive pride and arrogance usually precede a humbling downfall.
Ein Unglück kommt selten allein.
“Misfortune seldom comes alone.”
Troubles often arrive in clusters rather than one at a time.
Was ich nicht weiß, macht mich nicht heiß.
“What I do not know does not make me hot.”
Ignorance of a problem can spare a person needless worry.
Der Schein trügt.
“Appearances are deceptive.”
Things are not always as they first appear to be.
Wer zwei Hasen auf einmal jagt, bekommt keinen.
“He who chases two rabbits at once catches neither.”
Trying to pursue two goals at the same time often means achieving neither.
Man soll das Fell des Bären nicht verteilen, bevor er erlegt ist.
“One should not divide the bear's skin before it has been killed.”
Do not count on a reward or benefit before it is actually secured.
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