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
-
По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
-
Заставь дурака богу молиться – он и лоб расшибёт
Make a fool pray to God - he will break his forehead.
-
The best is the enemy of the good.
-
Под лежачий камень вода не течёт
Water does not flow under a lying stone.
-
The one who walks will go through.
-
Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает
The apple never falls far from the tree.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
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