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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A bad example is contagious.
-
Готовь сани летом, а телегу зимой
Get your sleigh ready in summer and your (horse-drawn) cart in winter.
-
A wolf is fed by his legs
-
Как аукнется, так и откликнется
What goes around comes around.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
В здоровом теле – здоровый дух
In a healthy body, healthy mind.
-
You see your friends in the times of trouble.
-
Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить
If you like sledding, you should like to carry the sled.
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