Лучшее – враг хорошего
With accent marks:
Лу́чшее – враг хоро́шего.
Translation:
The best is the enemy of the good.
Meaning:
The author of the phrase “the best is the enemy of the good” is considered to be the French philosopher and writer of the 18th century Voltaire. He wrote it in his “Philosophical Dictionary” and the novel “Impatient” ("le mieux est I'ennemi du bien"), although such thoughts were expressed by many others including Shakespeare, J. Bruno, and so on.
The interpretation of this phrase varies, but in Russia it is often understood in the sense that in striving for the best, people often spoil the good.
Other Russian proverbs
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Береги платье снову, а честь смолоду
Start taking care of the dress while it's new, and of your honor while you are young.
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Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
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Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает
The apple never falls far from the tree.
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Crowded, but not aggrieved.
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~ Seven babysitters make the kid to lose an eye.
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По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
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Appetite comes with eating.
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Beast runs towards the hunter.
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