Не место красит человека, а человек место
With accent marks:
Не ме́сто кра́сит челове́ка, а челове́к ме́сто.
Translation:
It is not a place that makes a person look good, but a person that makes a place look good.
Meaning:
An opinion about a person is formed by his real actions and spiritual qualities, and not by where and how he lives, what position he occupies.
One can be a mean and evil person in a leading position of a large company, or a poor working guy but always very good to everyone around him. People will always like more the one that makes them feel better, even if that person sweeps streets for living.
Other Russian proverbs
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Patience and labor will grind everything.
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Time for business, an hour for fun.
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
-
A wolf is fed by his legs
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You see your friends in the times of trouble.
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Some to the forest, some for firewood.
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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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Век живи, век учись, а дураком помрёшь
Live for a century, learn for a century, but die being a fool anyway.
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