В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят
With accent marks:
В чужо́й монасты́рь со свои́м уста́вом не хо́дят.
Translation:
Don't bring your set of rules in a foreign monastery
Meaning:
This Russian proverb condemns and makes fun of those who are trying to live and act in a foreign community according to their own rules. When we are not at home (or not in our own country), we should follow the rules, orders and customs established there.
The closest English equivalent is: when in Rome, do as the Romans do.
The orogins of the proverb:
Before the revolution, there were many monasteries in Russia, and each of them had its own set of rules which all members of the monastery followed. The same rules applied to new arrivals.
The monks only followed their own set of rules. If they were transferred to another monastery, then they had to follow their (new) rules. All attempts by an outsider to amend those rules were not welcome.
Other Russian proverbs
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Чем дальше в лес, тем больше дров
The further into the forest, the more firewood is there.
-
С волками жить – по-волчьи выть
Living with wolves means to howl like a wolf.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
There are no friends for taste and color.
-
Measure seven times, cut one.
-
Готовь сани летом, а телегу зимой
Get your sleigh ready in summer and your (horse-drawn) cart in winter.
-
With a darling, even a hut is a paradise.
-
Who is talking about what, and a lousy one about the bath.
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