За двумя зайцами погонишься – ни одного не поймаешь
With accent marks:
За двумя́ за́йцами пого́нишься – ни одного́ не пойма́ешь.
Translation:
If you are chasing two hares at once, you won’t catch a single one.
Meaning:
This Russian proverb addresses the problems of multitasking: doing several things at the same time will not give you good results.
The expression dates back to primitive times when hunters were stubbornly chasing just one hare until he was completely exhausted. If you chase two hares at once, giving a respite to one or the other, then soon you will be exhausted yourself and the hares will safely flee.
A close English equivalent of this proverb, although with an opposite meaning, is "to kill two birds with one stone".
Other Russian proverbs
-
Как аукнется, так и откликнется
What goes around comes around.
-
There is no smoke without fire.
-
Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
-
The best is the enemy of the good.
-
Better late than never.
-
Под лежачий камень вода не течёт
Water does not flow under a lying stone.
-
A holy place is never empty.
-
Терпи, казак – атаманом станешь!
Be patient, Cossack - you will become an ataman!
Subscribe and receive notifications about new Russian proverbs in your inbox