Traditional proverbs of Peru in es and English — each with its meaning and source.
Ama sua, ama llulla, ama qhella.
“Do not steal, do not lie, do not be lazy.”
The three core moral commandments of the Inca ethical code, demanding honesty, integrity, and diligence from every member of society.
Source: Inca moral code (Andean/Quechua oral tradition), widely documented; recorded by chroniclers such as Guaman Poma de Ayala and Garcilaso de la Vega
Hoy por ti, mañana por mí.
“Today for you, tomorrow for me.”
Help others when you can, because one day you will need their help in return — a reminder of reciprocity and mutual aid.
Source: Common Spanish-language proverb widely used in Peru; public-domain oral tradition
El que nace para maceta, no pasa del corredor.
“He who is born a flowerpot never gets past the hallway.”
A fatalistic saying suggesting that a person rarely rises beyond the station or limits into which they were born.
Source: Traditional Latin American / Peruvian proverb, 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 careless or inattentive, you will lose your opportunity — stay alert and act in time.
El sol sale para todos.
“The sun shines for everyone.”
Opportunities, fortune, and the goods of the world are available to all people equally, without privilege.
Source: Traditional Spanish-language proverb used in Peru; public-domain oral tradition
Poco a poco se anda lejos.
“Little by little one walks far.”
Steady, patient effort accomplishes great things over time — perseverance beats haste.
A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
“God helps him who rises early.”
Diligence and an early start bring good fortune and reward.
Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.
“Water you are not going to drink, let it flow.”
Do not interfere in matters that do not concern you or that you cannot change.
No hay mal que por bien no venga.
“There is no bad from which some good does not come.”
Even misfortune can eventually lead to something beneficial.
Al mal tiempo, buena cara.
“In bad times, put on a good face.”
Face adversity with a positive attitude rather than despair.
Cría cuervos y te sacarán los ojos.
“Raise ravens, and they will pluck out your eyes.”
Kindness shown to the ungrateful is often repaid with betrayal.
Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres.
“Tell me who you walk with, and I will tell you who you are.”
A person's character is judged by the company they keep.
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.
“Rising early does not make the dawn come any sooner.”
Some outcomes cannot be rushed no matter how much effort or hurry is applied.
A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.
“Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.”
Do not criticize or examine too closely something given to you for free.
En boca cerrada no entran moscas.
“Flies do not enter a closed mouth.”
Staying silent avoids trouble; discretion protects you from harm.
El que mucho abarca poco aprieta.
“He who grasps too much holds on to little.”
Trying to do too many things at once leads to doing none of them well.
Perro que ladra no muerde.
“A dog that barks does not bite.”
Loud threats are often empty; the truly dangerous rarely announce themselves.
Más vale prevenir que lamentar.
“Better to prevent than to lament.”
Taking precautions beforehand is wiser than regretting a preventable misfortune later.
A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.
“For lack of bread, good cakes will do.”
When you cannot have what you want, make the best of an available substitute.
No todo lo que brilla es oro.
“Not everything that glitters is gold.”
Attractive appearances can be deceiving and do not guarantee true value.
Quien siembra vientos, cosecha tempestades.
“He who sows winds will reap storms.”
Reckless or harmful actions eventually bring much greater consequences.
Zapatero, a tus zapatos.
“Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.”
Everyone should attend to their own trade and not meddle in matters outside their expertise.
No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.
“There is no one so deaf as the one who does not want to hear.”
Willful refusal to listen is worse than any physical inability to hear.
El que ríe último, ríe mejor.
“He who laughs last, laughs best.”
Final victory matters more than early triumphs or mockery.
Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.
“A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred flying.”
A modest but certain gain is worth more than a large uncertain prospect.
Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.
“There is a long road between saying and doing.”
Promises are easy to make but far harder to actually fulfill.
No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.
“Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”
Avoid procrastination; act on tasks while you have the chance.
Cada oveja con su pareja.
“Each sheep with its own pair.”
People naturally pair or belong with others similar to themselves.
El hábito no hace al monje.
“The habit does not make the monk.”
Outward appearance alone does not determine a person's true nature or role.
Quien mucho duerme, poco aprende.
“He who sleeps a lot, learns little.”
Excessive idleness or laziness prevents growth and learning.
A buen entendedor, pocas palabras bastan.
“To a good listener, few words are enough.”
A perceptive person understands a message without needing lengthy explanation.
El que la sigue, la consigue.
“He who pursues it, achieves it.”
Persistence and continued effort eventually lead to success.
Cuando el río suena, piedras trae.
“When the river makes noise, it is carrying stones.”
Where there is rumor or commotion, there is usually some truth behind it.
Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.
“The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.”
Experience and age teach more wisdom than natural cunning alone.
No hay atajo sin trabajo.
“There is no shortcut without hard work.”
Genuine achievement requires effort; there are no true shortcuts.
Genio y figura, hasta la sepultura.
“Temperament and character last until the grave.”
A person's fundamental character rarely changes throughout their life.
El que no llora, no mama.
“He who does not cry, does not nurse.”
Those who do not speak up for what they need often go without it.
En casa de herrero, cuchillo de palo.
“In the blacksmith's house, a wooden knife.”
Skilled people often neglect to apply their own expertise within their own home or life.
Árbol que nace torcido, jamás su tronco endereza.
“A tree that is born crooked never straightens its trunk.”
Traits and habits formed early in life are very difficult to change later.
Nunca es tarde si la dicha es buena.
“It is never too late if the fortune is good.”
A good outcome is worth the wait, however long it takes to arrive.
Donde hay gana, hay maña.
“Where there is a will, there is a way.”
Strong desire and determination will always find a method to succeed.
Quien tiene boca, se equivoca.
“He who has a mouth makes mistakes.”
Everyone errs at times; mistakes are a natural part of being human.
El que espera, desespera.
“He who waits, despairs.”
Waiting for something long-desired can wear down patience and hope.
A otro perro con ese hueso.
“Take that bone to another dog.”
Used to reject an unbelievable excuse or story someone is trying to sell you.
Como canta el abad, responde el sacristán.
“As the abbot sings, so the sacristan responds.”
Subordinates tend to imitate and follow the example set by their leaders.
El muerto al hoyo y el vivo al bollo.
“The dead to the grave, and the living to the bread.”
Life must go on for the living, even after loss or mourning.
Nunca llueve a gusto de todos.
“It never rains to everyone's liking.”
It is impossible to please every single person with any decision or outcome.
Más vale maña que fuerza.
“Skill is worth more than strength.”
Cleverness and technique can accomplish more than brute force alone.
Cuentas claras, amistades largas.
“Clear accounts make for long friendships.”
Being transparent and honest about money and obligations preserves relationships.
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