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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Fear has big eyes.
-
Repetition is the mother of learning.
-
Каждый кулик своё болото хвалит
Each sandpiper praises its swamp.
-
Предупреждён – значит вооружён
Forewarned is forearmed.
-
Оne can not see the wood for the trees.
-
Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
-
A fisherman sees a fisherman from afar.
-
A bad example is contagious.
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