Видна птица по полёту
With accent marks:
Видна́ пти́ца по полёту.
Translation:
A bird is visible by its flight.
Meaning:
You can say anything about yourself, but only your actions will show your true value. A person is judged not by his words, but by his deeds.
The closest English equivalent is "A bird may be known by its song".
Other Russian proverbs
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Без труда не выловишь и рыбку из пруда
Without labor, you can not even catch a fish in the pond.
-
The forbidden fruit is sweet.
-
Как аукнется, так и откликнется
What goes around comes around.
-
Готовь сани летом, а телегу зимой
Get your sleigh ready in summer and your (horse-drawn) cart in winter.
-
Лучше один раз увидеть, чем сто раз услышать
Better to see once than hear a hundred times.
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When I eat I am deaf and mute.
-
Crowded, but not aggrieved.
-
Век живи, век учись, а дураком помрёшь
Live for a century, learn for a century, but die being a fool anyway.
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