Кабы знал, где упасть, так соломки бы подстелил
With accent marks:
Кабы́ знал, где упа́сть, так соло́мки бы подстели́л.
Translation:
If I knew where I would fall, I would lay some straw there.
Meaning:
You should not reproach yourself and others for the mistakes, erroneous actions, illogical decisions. People often have no idea what could happen to them in the next moment. If they knew, then he would have acted differently, "prepared some straw" so it is not so painful to fall.
Other Russian proverbs
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In a quiet whirlpool, demons live.
-
Волков бояться – в лес не ходить
Don't go to the woods if afraid of wolves.
-
When I eat I am deaf and mute.
-
Water wears away a stone.
-
За что боролись, на то и напоролись
We got what we fought for.
-
Не так страшен чёрт, как его малюют
The demon is not as scary as he is depicted.
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
-
You see your friends in the times of trouble.
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