Malta Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of Malta in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

Kulħadd tad-demm u l-laħam.

“We are all made of flesh and blood.”

All people share the same human nature and deserve equal compassion.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Illum jien u għada int.

“Today it's me, tomorrow it's you.”

Fortune and misfortune pass from person to person; what happens to one may soon happen to another.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

M'hemmx warda bla xewk.

“There is no rose without thorns.”

Nothing beautiful or worthwhile comes without some difficulty.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Tmiem tajjeb isewwi kollox.

“All's well that ends well.”

A good outcome makes up for the struggles that came before it.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Żgur il-mewt.

“Death is the only thing that's certain.”

Nothing in life is guaranteed except death, so live wisely and without excessive worry.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Tixtrix ħut fil-baħar.

“Do not buy fish that are still in the sea.”

Do not count on something before it is actually in your hands.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Tagħmilx iz-zalza qabel taqbad il-ħut.

“Do not prepare the sauce before you have caught the fish.”

Don't plan the celebration before the task is actually accomplished.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Min jistenna jithenna.

“He who waits patiently is rewarded.”

Patience brings good results in time.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Bil-qatra l-qatra timtela l-ġarra.

“Drop by drop, the jar fills up.”

Small, steady efforts accumulate into something substantial.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Bil-flus tagħmel triq fil-baħar.

“With money you can build a road through the sea.”

Wealth can make seemingly impossible things happen.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Bil-flus ħadd ma jixtri il-ġenna.

“You can't buy heaven with money.”

Wealth cannot purchase spiritual salvation or true happiness.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ħadd ma jieħu xejn miegħu.

“No one takes anything with him.”

Material possessions are left behind at death, so do not become attached to them.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-flus għandhom il-ġwienaħ.

“Money has wings.”

Money is easily and quickly spent or lost.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-bogħod mill-għajn, il-bogħod mil-qalb.

“Out of sight, out of mind.”

Distance and absence weaken affection and memory over time.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Fejn tħobb il-qalb jimxu r-riġlejn.

“The legs go where the heart is.”

People are drawn toward what or whom they truly love.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-qattus u l-far qatt ma ħasbu għalenija.

“The cat and the rat never thought alike.”

Natural rivals or opposites will never see eye to eye.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

L-ilsien bla għadam imma jxoqq l-għadam.

“The tongue has no bones, yet it breaks bones.”

Words, though intangible, can cause deep and lasting harm.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Aħjar weġgħa minn demgħa.

“Better an ache than a tear.”

Physical pain is easier to bear than emotional sorrow.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Tinfaxxax rasek qabel taqsamha.

“Do not bandage your head before you break it.”

Do not worry about or prepare for misfortunes that have not yet happened.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-mistoqsija oħt il-għerf.

“The question is the sister of wisdom.”

Asking questions is a path toward true understanding.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-giddieb omru qasir.

“The liar has a short lifespan.”

Dishonesty is eventually exposed and cannot be sustained for long.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Gawdi għax mid-dinja m'għandna xejn.

“Enjoy it, for we take nothing from this world.”

Take pleasure in life since worldly things do not last forever.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Li kien kien, li kieku kieku.

“What was is no more, what if is just if.”

Focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or hypothetical outcomes.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Kliem ix-xiħ żommu fih.

“Trust the words of the old man.”

The advice of elders, drawn from experience, deserves careful attention.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Iż-żmien hu l-akbar għalliem.

“Time is the greatest teacher.”

Experience gained over time teaches lessons no other method can.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-verità dejjem toħroġ f'wiċċ l-ilma.

“The truth always comes to the surface.”

Hidden truths eventually reveal themselves no matter how well concealed.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Għidli ma' min tagħmilha u ngħidlek x'int.

“Tell me who your friends are, and I'll tell you who you are.”

A person's character is shaped and revealed by the company they keep.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Qis mitt darba u aqta' darba.

“Measure a hundred times and cut once.”

Think carefully before taking an action that cannot be undone.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-grazzja aqwa mill-ġmiel.

“Charm is stronger than beauty.”

A pleasant, graceful manner is more valuable than physical beauty alone.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-borża tal-beżżiegħ la timtela w lanqas tifrieġ.

“The timid man's purse neither fills nor empties.”

Avoiding all risk also means never gaining anything.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Min ma jġarrabx il-ħażin ma jafx it-tajjeb.

“He who has not experienced evil does not know the worth of good.”

Hardship gives people the perspective to appreciate what is good.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Wara l-maltemp jiġi l-bnazzi.

“After the storm comes the calm.”

Difficult times eventually pass and are followed by peace.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Fid-dinja hawn aktar imġienen minn nies f'sensihom.

“In this world there are more fools than sane people.”

Foolish or irrational behaviour is common in the world, so keep perspective.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Fid-dinja pinta ħelu u bittija morr.

“This world is a pint of sweetness and a barrel of bitterness.”

Life holds far more hardship than pleasure, so treasure the good moments.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

F'Marzu l-barri jħoss il-bard minn qrunu.

“In March the bull feels the cold through his horns.”

March can bring surprisingly sharp cold even as spring approaches.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Frar fawwar jimla l-bjar.

“February overflows and fills the wells.”

February traditionally brings the heaviest rains of the year.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Jannar kiefer u Frar bid-dwiefer.

“January is cruel, and February has claws.”

Late winter is harsher and more biting than early winter.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Ix-xita f'April, karru deheb u ieħor ħarir.

“The rain in April is a cartload of gold and silk.”

Spring rain is a precious blessing for crops and harvest.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-ħmura ta' fil-għaxija lesti ż-żwiemel għat-tiġrija.

“After a red evening sky, ready the horses for the race.”

A red sunset is a sign that good weather is coming.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-ħmura ta' fil-għodu, għalfuhom ħa joqgħodu.

“A red morning sky, let the horses rest.”

A red sunrise warns that the weather may turn, so hold back.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Riħ ta' siegħa jnaddaf qiegħa.

“An hour's wind sweeps the threshing floor clean.”

A short burst of disruption can clear away problems that had built up.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Fula f'qargħa.

“A broad bean in a pumpkin.”

Describes a rare, once-in-a-lifetime coincidence or occurrence.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Iż-żmien isajjar il-bajtar.

“Time ripens the prickly pears.”

Given enough time, people and situations mature and improve.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-baħar rasu iebsa u żaqqu ratba.

“The sea has a hard head but a soft belly.”

The sea looks calm and inviting but can turn dangerous without warning.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Aħjar mitt imgħallaq milli wieħed mgħarraq.

“Better a hundred hanged men than one drowned man.”

Among sailors, death by drowning was considered a uniquely dreaded fate.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Min jorqod ma jaqbadx ħut.

“Those who sleep late do not catch fish.”

Success requires rising early and putting in consistent effort.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-ħmar il-magħdur, id-dubbien miegħu jdur.

“Flies gather around the weak donkey.”

Misfortune tends to compound for those who are already vulnerable.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Kelb rieqed la tqajmux.

“Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Avoid stirring up old troubles or conflicts unnecessarily.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Min ibakkar jaqbad il-pluvieri mingħajr ma jsaffar.

“The early riser catches the plover without whistling.”

Getting an early start makes success come easily, without extra effort.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition

Il-kelb il-miżmum, kull ilma jaħsbu misħun.

“The scalded dog thinks all water is hot.”

A painful past experience makes a person overly cautious afterward.

Traditional Malta Wisdom

Source: Traditional Malta proverb, public-domain oral tradition