Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
With accent marks:
Дарёному коню́ в зу́бы не смо́трят.
Translation:
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
Meaning:
In the old days, when buying horses, people determined the age of a horse by the teeth. Sometimes, having received a horse as a present, some began to complain that they were given a walking antiquity...
This Russian proverb should be understood as follows: never say that you don’t like a gift or that it is bad. This will offend the giver while he really wanted to please you. It is not polite. Be sure to day thank you. And do not forget that not everyone has the opportunity to make expensive gifts.
Other Russian proverbs
-
Не руби сук, на котором сидишь
Do not chop the branch you sit on
-
Laws are not written for fools.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
Water wears away a stone.
-
When the job is done, you can go for a walk.
Subscribe and receive notifications about new Russian proverbs in your inbox