Traditional proverbs of Mexico in es and English — each with its meaning and source.
El que nace pa' tamal, del cielo le caen las hojas.
“He who is born to be a tamal has the corn leaves fall to him from heaven.”
When something is truly meant for you, the circumstances and means to achieve it will naturally come your way.
Source: Traditional Mexican refrán, public-domain oral tradition
Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.
“The shrimp that falls asleep is carried off by the current.”
If you are not alert and lose focus, you will miss your opportunity or be left behind.
Al nopal lo van a ver sólo cuando tiene tunas.
“People only go to see the prickly pear cactus when it bears fruit.”
People only seek you out or pay attention to you when they can get something from you.
El que es perico, donde quiera es verde.
“He who is a parrot is green wherever he goes.”
A person of real talent or good character will show their worth in any situation or place.
Panza llena, corazón contento.
“A full belly, a happy heart.”
Once basic needs like food are satisfied, a person is content and at peace.
No hay mal que por bien no venga.
“There is no evil from which some good does not come.”
Even bad situations often bring an unexpected benefit or lesson.
Source: Traditional Spanish-language refrán widely used in Mexico, public-domain oral tradition
El que con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña.
“He who walks with wolves learns to howl.”
You take on the habits and behavior of the people you surround yourself with.
El que quiera azul celeste, que le cueste.
“Whoever wants the sky-blue, let it cost them.”
If you want something valuable or beautiful, you must be willing to work and pay the price for it.
A caballo regalado no se le ven los dientes.
“To a gift horse you do not look at its teeth.”
Do not criticize or find fault with something that was given to you as a gift.
Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.
“Tell me who you walk with and I'll tell you who you are.”
A person's character can be judged by the company they keep.
A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
“God helps those who get up early.”
Those who start their efforts early and diligently are more likely to succeed.
Perro que ladra no muerde.
“A dog that barks does not bite.”
Someone who makes a lot of noise or threats is often less dangerous than they appear.
Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando.
“A bird in the hand is worth a hundred flying.”
A small but certain gain is worth more than the promise of a much larger uncertain one.
El que no arriesga, no gana.
“He who does not risk does not win.”
Taking chances is necessary if you want to achieve something worthwhile.
Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.
“Water you are not going to drink, let it run.”
Let go of things that are not meant for you instead of holding on to them uselessly.
El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.
“He who grasps too much holds on to little.”
Trying to take on too many things at once usually means doing none of them well.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
“Flies do not enter a closed mouth.”
Staying silent can keep you out of trouble; it is often wiser to say less.
Del plato a la boca se cae la sopa.
“Between the plate and the mouth, the soup falls.”
Even a plan that seems certain can go wrong at the very last moment.
Árbol que crece torcido, jamás su tronco endereza.
“A tree that grows crooked never straightens its trunk.”
Habits and character formed early in life are very difficult to change later.
El que se fue a la Villa, perdió su silla.
“He who left for the town lost his seat.”
If you leave your place or position, do not be surprised if someone else takes it in your absence.
Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.
“The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.”
Experience gained over a long life is worth more than natural cleverness alone.
Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.
“Raise crows and they will pluck out your eyes.”
Kindness or generosity toward the ungrateful is sometimes repaid with betrayal.
No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.
“Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”
Delaying necessary tasks only makes them harder to finish later.
Como te ves, me vi; como me ves, te verás.
“As you see yourself now, I once saw myself; as you see me now, you will see yourself.”
Youth and vigor fade with time, so treat the elderly with the respect you yourself will one day need.
Genio y figura, hasta la sepultura.
“Character and appearance last until the grave.”
A person's fundamental nature and looks remain essentially the same throughout their life.
El que se quema con leche, hasta al jocoque le sopla.
“He who was burned by milk blows even on jocoque.”
A painful past experience makes a person overly cautious even about things that pose no real danger.
No hay atajo sin trabajo.
“There is no shortcut without hard work.”
Every real achievement requires genuine effort; there are no true shortcuts.
El que espera, desespera.
“He who waits, despairs.”
Waiting for something uncertain is often frustrating and difficult to bear.
Más vale solo que mal acompañado.
“Better alone than in bad company.”
It is preferable to be by yourself than to surround yourself with people who do you harm.
Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.
“Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel.”
What you are unaware of cannot cause you emotional pain.
El que no llora, no mama.
“He who does not cry, does not nurse.”
Those who do not ask or make their needs known often go without.
Más vale prevenir que lamentar.
“Better to prevent than to lament.”
Taking precautions in advance is wiser than regretting a problem afterward.
No todo lo que brilla es oro.
“Not everything that shines is gold.”
Appearances can be deceiving; something attractive is not always genuinely valuable.
El que anda entre la miel, algo se le pega.
“He who walks among honey, something sticks to him.”
Spending time around something, whether good or bad, tends to leave a mark on you.
Dime de qué presumes y te diré de qué careces.
“Tell me what you boast of, and I will tell you what you lack.”
People often brag loudest about the very things they secretly lack.
El que a hierro mata, a hierro muere.
“He who kills by the sword, dies by the sword.”
Those who use violence or harm others often meet the same fate themselves.
No hay chicharrón que no truene.
“There is no pork rind that does not crackle.”
Every celebration or good run eventually comes to an end, so enjoy it while it lasts.
Zapatero, a tus zapatos.
“Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.”
Everyone should attend to the work and matters they actually understand and are responsible for.
No se puede chiflar y comer pinole al mismo tiempo.
“You cannot whistle and eat pinole at the same time.”
It is impossible to do two incompatible things well at the same time; you must choose one.
El que no transa, no avanza.
“He who does not hustle does not get ahead.”
A cynical modern saying suggesting that cutting corners or bending rules is sometimes seen as the only way to get ahead.
Aunque la mona se vista de seda, mona se queda.
“Even if the monkey dresses in silk, she remains a monkey.”
A person's true nature does not change no matter how much they try to disguise it with fine appearances.
Candil de la calle, oscuridad de su casa.
“A lantern for the street, darkness in his own house.”
Some people are kind and helpful to strangers while neglecting or mistreating their own family.
El que con niños se acuesta, mojado amanece.
“He who lies down with children wakes up wet.”
Associating closely with those less capable or responsible than you will eventually cause you trouble too.
El que no oye consejo, no llega a viejo.
“He who does not heed advice does not live to be old.”
Ignoring good counsel from others can lead a person into serious harm.
A falta de pan, tortillas.
“For lack of bread, tortillas.”
When the ideal option is not available, make do with a good substitute close at hand.
El que nace pa' maceta, no sale del corredor.
“He who is born to be a flowerpot never leaves the hallway.”
A person's station or destiny in life can be difficult to rise above, no matter how they try.
Éramos muchos y parió la abuela.
“We were already many, and then grandmother gave birth.”
Said when an already difficult or crowded situation gets even more complicated by one more unexpected addition.
El que ríe al último, ríe mejor.
“He who laughs last, laughs best.”
Do not celebrate too soon; the final outcome matters more than an early advantage.
Para todo mal, mezcal; para todo bien, también.
“For every bad thing, mezcal; for every good thing, too.”
A humorous saying suggesting mezcal has a place in both hardship and celebration alike.
Cuando el río suena, agua lleva.
“When the river makes noise, it is carrying water.”
Persistent rumors or signs usually have some basis in truth.
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