Заставь дурака богу молиться – он и лоб расшибёт
With accent marks:
Заста́вь дурака́ бо́гу моли́ться – он и лоб расшибёт.
Translation:
Make a fool pray to God - he will break his forehead.
Meaning:
This proverb is about a stupid person who, being too zealous, only harms the cause.
The proverb originates from the customs of the Orthodox Church. During prayer, believers give obeisances to the earth, trying to touch the floor in the temple by the forehead.
A fool, from excessive diligence, can bow so hard that his forehead will also be smashed against a stone floor.
Other Russian proverbs
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The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
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Одна голова хорошо, а две – лучше
One head is good, but two ones are better.
-
В чужой монастырь со своим уставом не ходят
Don't bring your set of rules in a foreign monastery
-
Everything has its time.
-
Бесплатный сыр только в мышеловке
Free cheese is only in a mousetrap.
-
Лучше горькая правда, чем сладкая ложь
Bitter truth is better than sweet lies.
-
Don’t wave your fists after the fight.
-
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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