Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
With accent marks:
Лу́чше сини́ца в рука́х, чем жура́вль в не́бе.
Translation:
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
Meaning:
It is better to have at least something but today, than to rely on vague promises but for tomorrow - this is the meaning of this proverb.
It has many variations in different languages. Even the ancient Romans used an expression that can be translated as follows:
- Better a sparrow in hands than a goose in the sky.
The English equivalent of this proverb is "a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush".
Other Russian proverbs
-
Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей
Don't have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends.
-
Patience and labor will grind everything.
-
С волками жить – по-волчьи выть
Living with wolves means to howl like a wolf.
-
You can't command to the heart.
-
Trust but verify.
-
Каждый кулик своё болото хвалит
Each sandpiper praises its swamp.
-
Poor people are inventive.
-
Strike the iron while it's hot.
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