Bättre stämma i bäcken än i ån.
“Better to dam the stream than the river.”
It is easier to stop a problem while it is still small than after it has grown large.
— Traditional Sweden Wisdom, Sweden
Source: Traditional Swedish proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Sweden
Away is good, but home is best.
No matter how pleasant travel or other places may be, one's own home is the most comfortable and cherished.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →
Moderation is best.
The ideal is neither too little nor too much but a balanced, sufficient amount — the uniquely Swedish notion of 'lagom'.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →
The morning hour has gold in its mouth.
Rising early and starting work in the morning brings reward and productivity.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →
Better one bird in the hand than ten in the forest.
A small certain gain is worth more than a larger uncertain possibility.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →
The more cooks, the worse the soup.
Too many people involved in one task spoil the result.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →
One should not cross the stream to fetch water.
Do not seek far away what is already close at hand; avoid making things needlessly complicated.
Traditional Sweden Wisdom
Read more →