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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Лучше один раз увидеть, чем сто раз услышать
Better to see once than hear a hundred times.
-
Silent means consent.
-
За что боролись, на то и напоролись
We got what we fought for.
-
The morning is wiser than the evening.
-
Another's soul is darkness.
-
~ Seven babysitters make the kid to lose an eye.
-
Patience and labor will grind everything.
-
Who is talking about what, and a lousy one about the bath.
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