В тесноте, да не в обиде
With accent marks:
В тесноте́, да не в оби́де.
Translation:
Crowded, but not aggrieved.
Meaning:
This Russian proverb dates back to the XVII-XVIII centuries, when people used to live very tightly in peasant huts. Оne room could accommodate a father, a mother, their already adult sons with their wives and children. But if the family was friendly, then crowding did not bother anyone, everyone got along peacefully.
Nowadays, the proverb is sometimes remembered when a lot of people get into public transport at rush hour. Since everyone needs to go, nobody should complain.
The closest English equivalents of this proverb are: "the more the merrier" and "plenty is no plague"
Other Russian proverbs
-
Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить
If you like sledding, you should like to carry the sled.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
За двумя зайцами погонишься – ни одного не поймаешь
If you are chasing two hares at once, you won’t catch a single one.
-
По одёжке встречают, по уму провожают
You are greeted by your clothes but bid farewell by your mind.
-
Яблоко от яблони недалеко падает
The apple never falls far from the tree.
-
Кабы знал, где упасть, так соломки бы подстелил
If I knew where I would fall, I would lay some straw there.
-
The morning is wiser than the evening.
-
Не руби сук, на котором сидишь
Do not chop the branch you sit on
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