Под лежачий камень вода не течёт
With accent marks:
Под лежа́чий ка́мень вода́ не течёт.
Translation:
Water does not flow under a lying stone.
Meaning:
In this proverb, the "lying stone" symbolizes a person who does not want to do anything. If nothing is done, things will not budge, nothing will change.
The proverb is usually used to talk about someone who does not take care of himself, does not want to change anything in his life, and expects someone to help him. As a result, the whole life can pass by and the person will not achieve anything.
With such a proverb, we encourage this person to action.
A close equivalent in English is "No song, no supper".
Other Russian proverbs
-
Being a guest is good, but being at home is better.
-
There is no smoke without fire.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
Everything has its time.
-
Не имей сто рублей, а имей сто друзей
Don't have a hundred rubles, but have a hundred friends.
-
In a quiet whirlpool, demons live.
-
Береги платье снову, а честь смолоду
Start taking care of the dress while it's new, and of your honor while you are young.
-
Patience and labor will grind everything.
Subscribe and receive notifications about new Russian proverbs in your inbox