Друзья познаются в беде
With accent marks:
Друзья́ познаю́тся в беде́.
Translation:
You see your friends in the times of trouble.
Meaning:
This proverb is about a true friendship. It often happens in life that people have many friends who only call themselves friends. But should a disaster happen, only a few of them are ready to help.
The closest English equivalent is: "A friend in need is a friend indeed".
Other Russian proverbs
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Предупреждён – значит вооружён
Forewarned is forearmed.
-
Жизнь прожить – не поле перейти
To live a life is not the same (not as easy) as to go through a field.
-
Что имеем – не храним, а потерявши – плачем
We don't appreciate what we have but we cry when we lose it.
-
You can't help grief with tears.
-
Одна голова хорошо, а две – лучше
One head is good, but two ones are better.
-
A wolf is fed by his legs
-
Кто рано встаёт, тому бог подает
(lit.) Whoever gets up early, God gives him
-
The best is the enemy of the good.
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