От добра добра не ищут
With accent marks:
От добра́ добра́ не и́щут.
Translation:
They do not seek good from good.
Meaning:
Few people know that this is only part of the proverb. Its full version sounds like this: "От овса кони не рыщут, а от добра добра не ищут" (Horses do not roam from oats, but they do not seek good from good). It means that if the horses are fed, they will not run away. If a person is doing well at home, he will not leave the family.
In its shorter version the proverb acquired a second meaning: when doing good to people, one should not expect the same from them. You need to do good selflessly.
Other Russian proverbs
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The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
В здоровом теле – здоровый дух
In a healthy body, healthy mind.
-
Measure seven times, cut one.
-
The quieter you go, the further you'll get.
-
Hurry to much and you will make people laugh.
-
With a darling, even a hut is a paradise.
-
Под лежачий камень вода не течёт
Water does not flow under a lying stone.
-
A bird is visible by its flight.
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