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
-
Одна голова хорошо, а две – лучше
One head is good, but two ones are better.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
Кабы знал, где упасть, так соломки бы подстелил
If I knew where I would fall, I would lay some straw there.
-
Что имеем – не храним, а потерявши – плачем
We don't appreciate what we have but we cry when we lose it.
-
Better late than never.
-
Silent means consent.
-
Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
-
There are no friends for taste and color.
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