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
-
Where there is no fish even a crayfish is a fish.
-
Who is talking about what, and a lousy one about the bath.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
In a quiet whirlpool, demons live.
-
You can't help grief with tears.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
-
Strike the iron while it's hot.
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