Где тонко, там и рвётся
With accent marks:
Где то́нко, там и рвётся.
Translation:
Where it is thin, it breaks.
Meaning:
Everything that is in a poor, unsustainable, neglected state becomes a cause of great misfortune, problem, disaster. New troubles begin exactly where it was already bad before.
The same idea is expressed in other languages by many peoples of the world.
The closest English equivalents of this Russian proverb are:
- The chain is no stronger than its weakest link.
- The worst spoke in a cart breaks first.
Other Russian proverbs
-
Patience and labor will grind everything.
-
Предупреждён – значит вооружён
Forewarned is forearmed.
-
A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
Silent means consent.
-
The one who walks will go through.
-
Заставь дурака богу молиться – он и лоб расшибёт
Make a fool pray to God - he will break his forehead.
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
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