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.
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You can't hide an awl in a bag.
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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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Not everything that glitters is gold.
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The eyes are scared, but the hands are doing.
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Лучше горькая правда, чем сладкая ложь
Bitter truth is better than sweet lies.
-
Кто рано встаёт, тому бог подает
(lit.) Whoever gets up early, God gives him
-
In a quiet whirlpool, demons live.
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