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
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Не руби сук, на котором сидишь
Do not chop the branch you sit on
-
Another's soul is darkness.
-
Не рой яму другому, сам в неё попадешь
Do not dig a hole for another one, you will fall into it yourself.
-
A wolf is fed by his legs
-
One in the field is not a warrior.
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You see your friends in the times of trouble.
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Not everything that glitters is gold.
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Береги платье снову, а честь смолоду
Start taking care of the dress while it's new, and of your honor while you are young.
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