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Venezuela — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

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Real words from the people of Venezuela, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

Capital: CaracasPopulation: ~28-32 millionFounded: Declared independence 5 July 1811; fully separated from Gran Colombia 1830Region: AmericasLanguages: esCurrency: Venezuelan bolívar (VES); US dollar widely used informallyQuote code: 58Quote_ve

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Proverbs

El que mucho abarca, poco aprieta.

“He who grasps too much, holds little.”

Trying to take on too many things at once means none of them get done well.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

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 diligent, you will lose your opportunity.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Más vale solo que mal acompañado.

“Better alone than in bad company.”

It is preferable to be by yourself than to keep company that harms you.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

A buen entendedor, pocas palabras.

“To a good listener, few words are needed.”

A perceptive person understands the full message from just a hint.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Al que madruga, Dios le ayuda.

“God helps those who rise early.”

Those who start early and work hard are rewarded.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

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.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No hay mal que por bien no venga.

“There is no bad from which good does not come.”

Even misfortune can eventually lead to something positive.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

En boca cerrada no entran moscas.

“Flies do not enter a closed mouth.”

Staying silent avoids unnecessary trouble.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Más vale tarde que nunca.

“Better late than never.”

Doing something after a delay is preferable to never doing it at all.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que no arriesga, no gana.

“He who does not risk, does not win.”

Taking chances is necessary to achieve success.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

A caballo regalado no se le mira el diente.

“Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.”

Do not criticize or question something that is given to you freely.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Cría fama y échate a dormir.

“Build a reputation and lie down to sleep.”

Once a reputation is established, it tends to stick, whether deserved or not.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho.

“There is a long stretch between saying and doing.”

Promises are far easier to make than they are to fulfill.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír.

“There is no worse deaf person than one who does not want to hear.”

Willful ignorance is the hardest kind of ignorance to overcome.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Quien mucho promete, poco cumple.

“He who promises much, fulfills little.”

Be wary of anyone who makes grand promises.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que se fue a la villa, perdió su silla.

“He who left for the town lost his seat.”

Step away from your place, and someone else may take it.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

A palabras necias, oídos sordos.

“To foolish words, deaf ears.”

Ignore insults or nonsense rather than dignify them with a response.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Ojos que no ven, corazón que no siente.

“Eyes that do not see, heart that does not feel.”

What remains unknown cannot cause pain.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No dejes para mañana lo que puedas hacer hoy.

“Do not leave for tomorrow what you can do today.”

Act promptly rather than putting off what needs to be done.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Barriga llena, corazón contento.

“Full belly, happy heart.”

Having your basic needs met brings genuine contentment.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que la sigue, la consigue.

“He who keeps pursuing it, achieves it.”

Persistence eventually leads to success.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Zapatero a tus zapatos.

“Shoemaker, stick to your shoes.”

Mind your own trade or business rather than meddling in what you do not know.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr.

“Water you will not drink, let it run.”

Do not interfere with things that do not concern you.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Cada oveja con su pareja.

“Each sheep with its pair.”

People naturally pair with their equals; like tends to attract like.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No hay peor ciego que el que no quiere ver.

“There is no worse blind person than one who does not want to see.”

Willful denial is the hardest blindness of all to cure.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Perro que ladra no muerde.

“A dog that barks does not bite.”

Loud threats often come from those least likely to act on them.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Al mal tiempo, buena cara.

“In bad times, put on a good face.”

Face hardship with courage and a positive attitude.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que ríe último, ríe mejor.

“He who laughs last, laughs best.”

Early triumph can be overturned; final results matter most.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Más vale pájaro en mano que cien volando.

“A bird in the hand is worth a hundred flying.”

A smaller, certain gain is worth more than a larger, uncertain one.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Quien con lobos anda, a aullar se enseña.

“He who walks with wolves learns to howl.”

People are shaped, for better or worse, by the company they keep.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que a buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija.

“He who leans on a good tree is sheltered by good shade.”

Aligning yourself with good people or good situations brings benefit.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No hay atajo sin trabajo.

“There is no shortcut without work.”

Real success requires genuine, sustained effort.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que a hierro mata, a hierro muere.

“He who kills by the sword, dies by the sword.”

Violence tends to return to those who wield it; actions have consequences.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Genio y figura hasta la sepultura.

“Temperament and appearance, until the grave.”

A person's basic character rarely changes throughout their life.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo.

“The devil knows more from being old than from being the devil.”

Experience teaches more than natural cunning or cleverness.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Al que no lo cargó el diablo, lo carga la carreta.

“He whom the devil did not carry off, the cart will carry off.”

Bad luck or consequence eventually catches up with everyone, one way or another.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan proverb (llanero/plains saying), public-domain oral tradition

Papaya puesta, papaya partida.

“A papaya left out in the open ends up cut.”

If you carelessly leave yourself exposed to risk, do not be surprised if someone takes advantage of it.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan proverb, public-domain oral tradition

El que espera, desespera.

“He who waits, grows desperate.”

Waiting on something uncertain slowly wears down a person's patience.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Cuando el río suena, piedras trae.

“When the river makes noise, it is carrying stones.”

Persistent rumors or signs usually have some basis in truth.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No todo lo que brilla es oro.

“Not all that shines is gold.”

Appearances can be deceiving; something attractive is not always genuinely valuable.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

A falta de pan, buenas son tortas.

“Lacking bread, cakes will do.”

When you cannot have what you want, make the best of an available alternative.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que tiene tienda, que la atienda.

“He who has a shop should tend to it.”

Take responsibility for your own affairs rather than neglecting them.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano.

“Rising very early does not make the dawn come sooner.”

Some things take their natural course no matter how much you try to rush them.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Árbol que nace torcido, jamás su tronco endereza.

“A tree that grows crooked never straightens its trunk.”

Deep-rooted flaws or habits formed early are very hard to correct later in life.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Antes que te cases, mira lo que haces.

“Before you marry, watch what you do.”

Think carefully before making a major, hard-to-reverse decision.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Al mejor cazador se le va la liebre.

“Even the best hunter lets the hare get away.”

Everyone makes mistakes sometimes, no matter how skilled they are.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

Cuentas claras, amistades largas.

“Clear accounts, long friendships.”

Being transparent about money and obligations preserves relationships.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

El que da primero, da dos veces.

“He who gives first, gives twice.”

Prompt generosity is worth more than generosity that comes too late.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

No hay rosa sin espinas.

“There is no rose without thorns.”

Nothing good comes entirely without difficulty or cost.

Traditional Venezuela Wisdom

Source: Traditional Venezuelan/Spanish proverb, shared Hispanic oral tradition, public-domain

La moral y las luces son nuestras primeras necesidades.

“Morality and enlightenment are our primary needs.”

A republic cannot endure on laws and institutions alone; it depends on the moral character and education of its citizens.

Simón Bolívar

Source: Simón Bolívar, Discurso de Angostura (Angostura Address), 15 February 1819

The story of Venezuela

Long before Europeans arrived, the lands now called Venezuela were home to Indigenous peoples such as the Caquetío, Timoto-Cuica, and Warao, living by fishing, farming, and trade around Lake Maracaibo and the Orinoco basin. Christopher Columbus sighted the coast in 1498, and in 1499 explorer Alonso de Ojeda named it "Venezuela" ("little Venice") after stilt houses on Lake Maracaibo reminded his crew of the Italian city. Spain colonised the coast from the 1520s onward, and Caracas became the seat of the Captaincy General of Venezuela in 1777. On 5 July 1811 Venezuela became one of the first Spanish American colonies to declare independence, and native son Simón Bolívar went on to lead the liberation of much of northern South America, decisively winning the Battle of Carabobo in 1821. Venezuela broke away from Bolívar's Gran Colombia in 1830 to become a fully separate republic. The 20th century brought an oil boom that transformed the economy, decades of both democracy and military rule, and, from the late 1990s, the Bolivarian Revolution under Hugo Chávez. Today Venezuela remains a country of vast natural beauty , from Angel Falls to the Amazon , and a literary tradition shaped by that turbulent history.

Timeline — key moments

1498
Christopher Columbus sights Venezuela's coast on his third voyage.
1499
Alonso de Ojeda names the region "Venezuela" after Lake Maracaibo stilt villages.
1777
Caracas becomes capital of the newly formed Captaincy General of Venezuela.
1811
Venezuela declares independence from Spain on 5 July, among the first in Spanish America.
1821
Simón Bolívar wins the decisive Battle of Carabobo on 24 June, securing independence.
1830
Venezuela separates from Gran Colombia to become a fully independent republic.
1922
A major oil strike at Los Barrosos begins the transformation into a petroleum economy.
1958
Democratic rule is restored after the fall of dictator Marcos Pérez Jiménez.
1999
Hugo Chávez is sworn in as president, beginning the Bolivarian Revolution.

Top 10 things to know about Venezuela

Angel Falls, in Canaima National Park, is the tallest uninterrupted waterfall on Earth at 979 metres.
Simón Bolívar, "El Libertador", was born in Caracas and helped liberate Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Venezuela holds one of the largest proven oil reserves in the world.
Lake Maracaibo is one of the oldest lakes on the planet and home to near-constant nighttime lightning storms (Catatumbo lightning).
The country is named after Venice, from Spanish explorers likening native stilt houses to the Italian city.
Venezuela spans dramatically varied terrain, from Caribbean beaches and the Andes to the Amazon rainforest and vast plains (Los Llanos).
Spanish is the official language, though several Indigenous languages are still spoken.
The hallaca, a corn-dough parcel filled with stew and wrapped in banana leaves, is the essential Christmas dish.
Baseball, not football, is the most popular sport, and Venezuela has produced many Major League players.
Venezuela has won the Miss Universe and Miss World titles more times than almost any other nation.

Famous people from Venezuela

Simón Bolívar

Revolutionary leader

Born in Caracas in 1783; led the independence of Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.

Rómulo GallegosAuthor

Novelist & politician

Author of "Doña Bárbara" (1929), one of the most widely read Latin American novels; briefly president in 1948.

Andrés BelloAuthor

Humanist, poet & scholar

Regarded as a father of Venezuelan letters; philologist, educator, and drafter of Chile's civil code.

Teresa Carreño

Pianist & composer

Celebrated 19th-century virtuoso known as the "Valkyrie of the Piano", toured the world from age eight.

Baruj Benacerraf

Immunologist

Born in Caracas; won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1980 for work on the immune system.

Say it in Venezuela's language

Hello

Hola

OH-lah

Hey! (informal, uniquely Venezuelan)

Épale

EH-pah-leh

Thank you

Gracias

GRAH-syahs

Did you know?

★The lightning storm over the Catatumbo river near Lake Maracaibo flashes on up to 260 nights a year and can be seen for miles.
★Angel Falls was named after American aviator Jimmie Angel, who flew over it in 1933 and crash-landed nearby in 1937.
★Venezuela was one of the five founding members of OPEC (Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries) in 1960.

Venezuela culture

Nochebuena (Christmas Eve) centres on hallacas, pan de jamón, and family gatherings that last long into the night.
Joropo, a fast-paced string-and-harp folk music and dance from Los Llanos, is considered the national musical style.
El Sistema, Venezuela's free youth orchestra program founded in 1975, has trained world-class musicians including conductor Gustavo Dudamel.
Baseball is a national passion, with intense rivalry between clubs like the Leones del Caracas and Navegantes del Magallanes.

Why read Venezuela's books

Venezuelan literature runs from Andrés Bello's foundational scholarship through Rómulo Gallegos's landmark novels of land and power to a modern generation of writers shaped by the country's oil-boom highs and turbulent recent decades. Reading Venezuela's books is a way into that whole arc.