Рыбак рыбака видит издалека
With accent marks:
Рыба́к рыбака́ ви́дит издалека́.
Translation:
A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar.
Meaning:
Today we understand this proverb as "people with similar interests will always find a common language". In this sense, the closest English equivalent would be "birds of a feather flock together".
Although in the original version, the meaning of the proverb was much closer to the modern joke "a fisherman hates a fisherman from afar". Because in the full version, it sounded like this: "Рыбак рыбака видит издалека, потому и стороной обходит" (a fisherman sees a fisherman from afar, therefore he avoids him).
Other Russian proverbs
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You see your friends in the times of trouble.
-
Не так страшен чёрт, как его малюют
The demon is not as scary as he is depicted.
-
За что боролись, на то и напоролись
We got what we fought for.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
An old friend is better than two new ones.
-
You can't help grief with tears.
-
Laws are not written for fools.
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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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