Волков бояться – в лес не ходить
With accent marks:
Волко́в боя́ться – в лес не ходи́ть.
Translation:
Don't go to the woods if afraid of wolves.
Meaning:
If you are afraid of some difficulties that inevitably accompany any venture, you will never achieve anything, this Russian proverb says.
And in fact, if you are afraid of wolves, which may not be found in the nearby forest, you will never pick up berries or mushrooms.
And if you take the risk and start a seemingly difficult venture, it may not be so scary and you can do it.
The closest English equivalent of this proverb is "Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Other Russian proverbs
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Не место красит человека, а человек место
It is not a place that makes a person look good, but a person that makes a place look good.
-
За двумя зайцами погонишься – ни одного не поймаешь
If you are chasing two hares at once, you won’t catch a single one.
-
Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить
If you like sledding, you should like to carry the sled.
-
You can't help grief with tears.
-
You can't spoil the porridge with butter.
-
The beauty of a debt is its payment
-
В чужом глазу соринку видим, а в своём бревна не замечаем
Оne sees the mote in another's eye and ignores the log in his own.
-
Кто рано встаёт, тому бог подает
(lit.) Whoever gets up early, God gives him
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