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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Beast runs towards the hunter.
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
-
За двумя зайцами погонишься – ни одного не поймаешь
If you are chasing two hares at once, you won’t catch a single one.
-
Who is talking about what, and a lousy one about the bath.
-
~ Seven babysitters make the kid to lose an eye.
-
Man does not live thanks to bread alone.
-
Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
-
Терпи, казак – атаманом станешь!
Be patient, Cossack - you will become an ataman!
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