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
-
Каждый кулик своё болото хвалит
Each sandpiper praises its swamp.
-
The morning is wiser than the evening.
-
In a quiet whirlpool, demons live.
-
Лучше горькая правда, чем сладкая ложь
Bitter truth is better than sweet lies.
-
What you will sow, that you will reap.
-
Measure seven times, cut one.
-
Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
-
Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
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