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
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Who is talking about what, and a lousy one about the bath.
-
На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
-
Любишь кататься, люби и саночки возить
If you like sledding, you should like to carry the sled.
-
The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
-
You can't help grief with tears.
-
Береги платье снову, а честь смолоду
Start taking care of the dress while it's new, and of your honor while you are young.
-
Where there is no fish even a crayfish is a fish.
-
Одна голова хорошо, а две – лучше
One head is good, but two ones are better.
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