El Paraguay es una isla rodeada de tierra.
“Paraguay is an island surrounded by land.”
Paraguay's landlocked geography and centuries of political isolation left it as cut off from the world as any island, despite having no coastline at all.
— Augusto Roa Bastos, Paraguay
Source: Augusto Roa Bastos, widely cited phrase from his 1977 writings on Paraguayan identity
More Proverbs from Paraguay
"I'll go on ahead and wait for you," said the turtle.
Gentle irony about someone notoriously slow claiming they will be the one left waiting for others.
"I'm not drunk," said the drunkard.
People rarely admit their own obvious faults, denying what everyone else can plainly see.
Lying and stealing are relatives.
Dishonesty tends to travel in pairs; one deception often keeps company with another.
An old rooster is no longer fit for the fight.
Strength and daring fade with age; every fighter eventually gives way to younger ones.
Under the ashes, the fire still remains.
Old passions or grudges can smolder quietly long after they appear to have died out.
"I'll go and come right back," said the one who was leaving for good.
A wry comment on empty promises to return, spoken about farewells that turn out to be final.