Each national culture has such artistic forms as “proverbs” and “sayings”. These are short, sometimes rhymed, sometimes rhythmic, but always very succinct statements that serve to capture some folk wisdom. Many of them, of course, are devoted to the theme of death. Each of us will die sooner or later, so there is nothing surprising in trying to comprehend this topic, including using folk remedies. Many of the proverbs and sayings among the peoples of the world on the topic of death will be the same, despite the difference in languages: both due to cultural exchange, and due to the fact that anywhere in the world death and dying are more similar than different. This article will tell you which popular expressions of Russian speech are similar to foreign ones, and which are unique to individual cultures. As foreign ones, we will consider proverbs and sayings from England and Germany.
“You can’t have two deaths, but you can’t avoid one”
In our country, and throughout the world, the Russian phrase “You can’t have two deaths, but you can’t avoid one” is widely known. This proverb says that avoiding risk is pointless, since the end of life is inevitable anyway. Usually these words are said to oneself or others before taking on something that promises danger. It is logical that expressions with a similar meaning and ideological message exist in other cultures. Here's what they might sound like in literal translation:
- a man can die but once (English)
– a man can die only once; - einen Tod kann der Mensch nur sterben (German)
– a person can die only one death; - zwei Tode kann niemand sterben (German)
– no one should die two deaths; - man dör bara en gång (Swedish)
– a person can only die once.
And the literary translation of these proverbs is exactly the same as the Russian expression: “Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided.” In everyday life, the British and Germans use the listed analogues at approximately the same time as Russian speakers use their own version. But it is still possible to note some differences between proverbs of different languages. The Germans emphasize the impossibility of more than one death - that is, they directly emphasize that the maximum level of risk in the proposed case is known in advance.
Russian folk proverbs and sayings about life and death
Folklore | Russian folk tales
About life
There's more profit in being alive. There is more self-interest in the living. In life you need a lot of everything. You can’t live forever with just one harness. You won’t survive spinning (from spinning) forever. You can eat as much as you like, but you can’t profit enough. A century is a long week. The century is long - it’s full of everything. The century is long, but the hour is expensive. You won't be able to smile for a long time. To end a century is not to sew fur. To get rid of a century is not to wave your hand (not to shake it with a mitten). The age is short, but the horn is long. A century is not a field; you can’t suddenly jump over it. To live a century is not to cross a field. To live a century is to swim across the sea. As the century goes on, you will get everything. The century will stretch, there will be enough for everyone (everyone). A century is not enough, but there is a lot of grief. Happy things don't last forever, and sad things don't last forever. Spring and summer - this too will pass. We all grow under the red sun, in God's dew. Anything in the world is good; The only thing that won’t do is that it won’t be born. Everyone has their own time to live. Say: okay, run and fall; Where you kill yourself, we'll bury you. To live a year is not to swim across a river. Years are like water: they will pass and you will not see. It’s bitter, it’s bitter, but I wish I could have lived so long (i.e.). God grant me health, and there are many days ahead. The day is long, but the century is short. Live from day to day, but hour by hour it doesn’t get easier. God lives, my soul lives. A living bone becomes overgrown with meat. Live while the Lord tolerates sins. Until the Lord gave up his hands. The living thinks about the living. The living is alive and thinks (starts, guesses). Alive not without providence. The living must care for the living. Stomachs are not strings: if you tear them, you won’t tie them up. If you are tenacious, you will live to see everything. Life runs, and the years jump. Life takes its toll. Life is more valuable than all treasures. To get rid of life - and to beat and beat others. To get rid of life is not to weave bast shoes. Life is measured not by years, but by works. Life is like the moon: sometimes full, sometimes at its wane. Life is a penny, the head is a gainful business. Our (my) life is not stolen. Life is not a stone: it does not lie in one place, but runs forward. Life is not a horse; you can’t beat it with a whip. Surviving life is like swimming across the sea: you flounder and end up at the bottom. To live life is to swim across the sea. Living life is not weaving bast shoes. Living life is not licking a whorl. People lived before us and will live after us. You have lived a fathom, but you have only an inch to live. The old fools lived, and the young ones will live too. Life was broken, it was launched into the world with thinness. Live, but know your honor: don’t eat someone else’s century! To live is to groan. Living is not sewing a basket. To live is not to shake hay, but to build a house. To live from youth to old age, you will see both sorrow and joy. The century has healed, you have to live out it somehow. And you will cry, and you will dance, you will cough and sneeze. And stay in the world for a short time, but they won’t let the century expire. The needle serves as long as the ears, and people as long as the souls. Who's tired of life? Groaning, we live. It's easier to live than to make money. Much has passed before us, but we have little left. The sea of everyday life is full of pitfalls. We will be gone for a century, but we will be gone for a year. Forever - not on the side. For an age - what a long drag. For a long time you bow down and batog. Everything will heal on a living person. There are no wings to heaven, but the path to earth is close. A smile will set your teeth on edge. You can’t guess in advance who will cry for whom. You don't know what you will find and what you will lose. If we don’t see it, our children will. The world did not begin with us, and it will not end with us. Do not live the days that have passed. Man does not live by bread alone. It is not the person who drives, but time. The middle of the week is strong, the life is half. No living person has ever known his limit. Nobody knows what awaits him. One (Road) head on his shoulders. You can’t live a century with drag (at once, trick) alone. If you start crying, God will make you live more. Wait and see. If you live, you will call Kuzma father. If you live, you will see, if you wait, you will hear. If you live forever, you will bow to the bull. Live in the world, see miracles! Live with us and you will see even more beautiful things. Lived well, lived well - you need to know honor. As long as the soul is alive. As long as I can walk on my own two feet. You can't lay down life with your hands. The light won't bother you. No matter how long you live, you won’t worry about everything. Let's get ready to live by the elbow, but we'll live by the nail. Forty years - forgive me, my age! Forty years is a woman's age. It would take a century, but you will achieve everything. The cross is heavy, but it must be carried. It's hard to live in the world. Pull the strap until they dig a hole! Even though it’s bitter and sickening, you can still live. Although they were not beautiful, they were young. No matter how steep the mountain is, you can’t avoid it. Every day it gets worse.
About survivability
Nothing takes him (and a bullet doesn’t take him). You can't bury him right away. Tough as a cat. The survivor does not die immediately. For him, in the next world they receive provisions (soldier's). Neither the decoction nor the powder will take it. He's like an insured person. He is living (living out) someone else’s century. He eats someone else's eyelid. Exactly two-wire.
About lifestyle
If you anger God, he will not give you death. To live more means to sin more. In a good life they blush, but in a bad life they turn pale. In a good life, curls curl, in a bad life they split. Sin is not laughter when death comes. Alive in the flesh?, like a pig in disguise. Alive, but unfit. Alive, but not worth a dead man. The soul of the little ball is alive. We do not live for joy, and there is no one to kill. Lives and smokes the sky. He lives and chews bread. He lives without grieving, he circles around the world. Lives like a fish in water. Lives - neither in a sieve nor in a sieve. Lives that wander into the ugliness. Live, but don’t live! Live - and you will see something else. Live by your own mind and your own hump. Live for people, people will live for you. Live in two ways: until forever and until evening. Live not as you want, but as you can. Live not for the past, but for tomorrow. Live freely, have fun with friends. Live without worry, now there is no limit. Don’t worry about the fact that they have belt tugs: we have bast and bast, but they rushed off there. Live, don’t worry about anything: you’ll live through everything, maybe you’ll still make some money. Live neither shaky, nor shaky, nor on the side. Live by your wits, and grow your honor through hard work. Live smart in your youth, you won't groan in old age. Life without a goal is a shot without an aim. To lead life is not to shake the reins. Life hangs by a thread, but thinks about profit. Life is getting worse, but the collar is getting narrower. Life is given for good deeds. Life is different. Life goes on: those who do not keep up with it remain lonely. Life is short, but glory is long. Our life is a full cup. I would live quietly, but I would be afraid of people. I would live well, but not enough money. He lived in the forest, prayed to the wheel. He lived, he didn’t live, he didn’t exist. Lived as a dog, died as a dog. For a dog, it's a dog's death. Our grandfathers lived like this, and so will we. We lived and lived, but did not gain any shame. We lived like humans and we will not live like sheep. We lived as long as an elbow, but life as long as a fingernail. Live forever - both ways. Live not with money, but with kind people. Live not with a dowry, but with talent. Live, get rich, make good money, live famously. I wish I could live quietly, but there are a lot of people around. It would be good to live, but my stomach felt bad. Living in goodness and beauty is good even in a dream. Living with neighbors means being in conversations. To live and be is to accumulate intelligence. Living together means sharing in half. Living at sea means you can’t see the will. To live does not live, but to live lives. Live neither shaky, nor shaky, nor on the side. Live and live and make good money. Living narrower is no worse. Live happily. Living at the same time with someone means sharing in half. Life has become better, life has become more fun! To live is not to bliss, and to bliss is not to live. To live quietly is to be afraid of people; living motorically is reproachful from people. Living broadly is good, but living narrower is no worse. Life - get up and howl. There is no need to live on a living. Living sparingly means wearing a dress is bad. The century has healed, you have to live out it somehow. Sometimes hopping, sometimes sideways, sometimes crawling. You can't get used to a bad life. As he lived, so he died. Whatever it gets, that’s how it will burp. The way our grandfathers and great-grandfathers lived is how they told us to live. As is life, so is death. As life is, such is life in the next world. Who doesn't love life? Who's tired of life? Everyone is rewarded according to his deserts. He who commemorates death more often sins less. Living less means sinning less. If you die, you'll lie less this way. You have to live as it comes. You'll make money, godfather, you'll gain intelligence. Life is not uphill, but downhill. God does not give either death or life. We don’t live, we spend our days. Not life, but hard labor. There is no need to live as it comes. It is not he who lives longer who lives longer. No life, no death. Not to reach out, not to give up a soul. Night in a dream, day in evil. Get rid of it, bad life, get attached, good life. Life is bad, and life is even worse. This is how our fathers and grandfathers lived. He was a good man, but he didn’t live long after his death. It is good to live for those who have nothing to worry about. What the soul stored up, it carried to the next world. This life and death are not worth it. This life is worse than death.
About death
Abel the righteous and Cain the sinner - but both died. Running means not escaping death. There is no death without a cause. You can't die without fate. It is crazy for a living person to think about death. Death is near to those who travel at night. Fear God: death is at your doorstep. Be afraid to live, but don't be afraid to die. Fear, do not be afraid, but without fate there will be no death. Don't be afraid, but comfort the coffin. Build a house, and build a house! Be afraid, don't be afraid, but death is at your doorstep. There will be leisure when they carry it out. There were bones, but they lay in the graveyard. In a happy hour, death is not scary. People go to the ground, but no one comes from there. In the grave, which is in a feather bed, it is not spacious, but it is cozy. Death has already built a nest in him. Death will touch you in the face. In the cold, in a dark corner. My age has passed, but God’s days have not diminished. He took it and died. Visible death is terrible. Visible rock, like a knife in the side. The raven croaks - to the dead man. There were no thieves, but the priest was stolen. That's all: it was short, but it all came out. The estate is an oblique fathom. The time will come and the hour will strike. Everyone will have to climb into that little box where they can’t stand up or sit down. Everyone will be there: some earlier, some later. You can't mourn all the dead. Every grave will be covered with sod. Every grave is overgrown with grass. Every belly fears death. The earth is a grave for every dead man. Every dead man has his own grave. Where to stand or sit. The eyes grew salty. Your head is on the line. A bitter funeral when a wife buries her husband. There is a lot of grief, but only death. The Lord did not give it to the century. The coffin is not a lie, and neither is the farewell. You cannot escape death by running (trotting). There is a hum in the chimney - the soul of the dead man has arrived. God forbid he die, and God forbid he repent! May God grant that the earth lies on it in light fluff! You won't survive two centuries. You can't live two centuries, you can't go through two youths. You can't be young twice, but you can't serve death. You can't die twice, but you can't escape once. Two deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided. When grandpa dies, he won’t take anything with him. Day and night - a day away, and everything is closer to death (so we call back). Day to evening - closer to death. Wooden sheepskin coat. The head was good, but thank God the earth was cleaned up. Whether for a long time or soon, everything will be over. Build a house, and build a house! There is no house, but there will be a house. House of six planks. (coffin) Duma is behind the mountains (sea), and death is behind us. Think about death, but the coffin is ready for everyone. It will also happen that we will not exist. He will still be in the grave. Regret does not help if death has come. Wait like an ox, and don’t flinch! Behind the shroud, death does not unravel. There is no guarantee for death. Close your eyes and lie down on the sled. He would die here and get up there. Winter is terrible with frosts, and death with sins. For the evil - death, and for the good - resurrection. And a homeless person is not without a home. Both the rich and the simple - everyone has a path to the churchyard. And everyone will die as death comes. And there are guests at the churchyard. And you don’t have to live much, but you don’t live long enough. Both the sexton and the ruler are equal in the land. And I would be glad to die, but where can I get it? And it will happen that we will not exist either. There is no voice from behind the grave. They come out of prison, but never out of the grave. God save us from arrogant death! Exhaustion is worse (worse) than death. Fear will not save you from death. If people had not died before us, we would not have found the road to the next world. If people did not die, the earth would not be demolished. If only I were born again, I would know how to grow old. No matter how sick she was, she died. No matter how hard you fight, you cannot fight back from death. No matter how you turn around, you just end up in the grave. No matter how you swim, you will always be at the bottom. The mare dies, but the grass is missing. Whenever you die, you lose a day. Someday you have to die. The end of death is black for everyone. Death does not happen without a reason. Don't move the bones! A red coffin is not good for a dead person. The grave is strong, but no one wants to go into it. He who has not died will not be resurrected. He who sends (to death) is the one who responds. Who dies on Easter - an egg in his hand. Snub-nosed came out of the yard. The easiest thing is accidental death. He lay down, yawned (sighed), and stretched his legs. You will reach the lazy one, you will wake up the sleepy one, but you will not reach the dead one. It’s such a bad thing to die, and then they’ll bury you there. You can’t drive him into the grave with a vine, and you can’t lure him out with a roll. People are dying - they are rubbing the road for us, the one in front and the one in the back - the bridge to the churchyard. You never know what will happen, it will also happen that we will not be there. The mother of cheese, the earth, does not accept him. A dead man doesn’t stand at the gate, but he’ll take what’s his. The dead are not carried from the grave (coffin). The tympanum is no use to a dead man. The dead don't leave the graveyard. The dead will not be left without a coffin. The dead do not follow the living. The dead man will not say anything, but people will ask for him. The dead do not return from the graveyard. A dead man does not stand at the gate, but takes his own. Give the dead peace. Crows are not poisoned with a dead falcon. At least prop up the fence with a dead body. The dead go to the churchyard, even during Lent. The dead are not taken from the cemetery. The dead are not carried from the graveyard. Peace to the ashes - rest to the bones. Covered (anointed) with the world, he will sleep with the world. I would take a lot, but there is no need (dying). A peasant will die in a pit, a soldier will die in the field, and a sailor will die at sea. You can’t eat for a lifetime, you can’t make enough before you die. On the verge of death. One death for all. Prepare every day for death. It's already on its last legs. In public (in the world) even death is red. There are no wings to heaven, but the path to earth is close. There is no cure for one death. In this world we are guests. There is no time for death and homeland. There is no guarantee for death. You cannot look at death, like at the sun, with all your eyes. There is only one road to the next world. Nenila was forced into the grave. Don't be afraid of death, be afraid of devils! Don't be afraid of death, be afraid of sins! Don't be afraid of death - be afraid of defeat. It's not the years that die, people. If you are not a sinner, death is not terrible. I didn’t think, I didn’t guess, but I died. We are not born to the stomach, but to death. The world did not begin with us, and it will not end with us. It was not set up by us, and it will not be rearranged by us. Don't bury his bone in the damp earth! It was not he who died: death died him, and took him with it. Not your own will: you won’t die on your own. It is not the old one who dies, but the ripe one. Don't rush to die, you'll still have time to die. The Lord did not grant life (to the age). The dead are not afraid of the grave. Do not be afraid: death will come even without your threats. This is not how a dead man will be remembered! Don't rush to die, let him grow old! You are not looking for death, it is watching over you. Unexpected death is a godsend. There is nowhere to look back when death is behind you. They carry the guest to the churchyard. Is there, grandma, a grave potion? There is no cure for death. Unexpected death is easy. No one knows the hour of the Last Judgment. No one will see the soul come out. Don't say bad things about the dead man. Once a mother gives birth, once she dies. One death is true. Death is beautiful for cancer alone. The deer is fast, but does not run away from death. He is already lying under the saints. And a cross in his hands. With the fear of being buried, death cannot be defended. You will be cured of everything except death. You can't save yourself from any death. You can't hide from death even under a stone. You can't buy yourself out of death. There is no cure for death. You can’t pray away death, you can’t renounce it. You can't escape death. You can’t hide from death (you can’t escape). There is no escape from death. There is no potion for death. From death, neither with a cross nor with a pestle. You cannot protect yourself from death with a helmet. You will rest when you are done. He buried his father - as if he had left the field. To the left and to the right hand they will not go according to rank. Smell like incense, breathe into incense. While there is life there is hope. You can't lie before death. Before the judge, and before death, you will be silent. You can't drive him into the grave with a whip, and you can't drive him out with a roll. Death does not walk in the desert. Under a turf blanket. Under the spade, under the shoulder blade. The dead man looks with one eye and looks out for the other. Do not remember the dead person in a bad way! He died and rotted away. The light in my eyes dimmed. Remember the name! If we die, everything will be fine. If you die, you won't take anything with you. If you die, you can rest. If you die, then goodbye to the world - and to our village! Thoughts are overseas, but death is behind us. It's time to put the bones in place (to rest). There is no repentance after death. You cannot die before death. You won't die before your time. The time will come, everyone will go to the grave. The time will come - the snub-nosed tournet from the yard. The time will come, the hour will strike. He ordered me to live long. He ordered me to bow. Write it down in the memorial book. Death came for the woman, don’t point to the grandfather. The monk came to one end. What has been lived is like what has been spilled: you cannot turn it back. They sang: “Rest with the saints!” - that’s the end of everything. Ask the creator not to deprive you of a good ending! I would be glad to die, but death does not take me. You will not die before death. The shirt is close to the body, but death is closer. A shirt on the body means death in the flesh. With people, even death is red. They don’t take them home from the churchyard. The light rolled out of my eyes. They took what they had and lived. He lived his summers. It has outlived its usefulness. Seven deaths cannot happen, but one cannot be avoided. How many people, so many deaths. No matter how long you live, you will never be young twice. No matter how much you rejoice, death cannot be avoided. fold your head; - head; - a wild little head. There are many deaths per person. There is no need to look for death - it will find itself. No one will face death. Death without repentance is a dog's death. Death is a no-brainer (salary) matter. Death takes you by surprise. Death takes it in stride. Death doesn't look you in the eye. Death doesn't look you in the mouth. Death covers everything. Death will equalize (make everyone equal). Death will tie everyone's tongue. Death will bite off your head and make everyone equal. Death will find the way (reason). Death doesn't care about leisure. Death is beyond the threshold. Death is upon us. Death behind the shroud does not hesitate. Death is for the evil, but for the good - eternal memory. Death is a penny. Death is better than dishonor. Death within an inch. Death will find a reason. Death will not take everything, it will only take its own. Death is not far away, but behind us. Death is not far away. Death does not understand rank. Death is not your brother - you won’t talk. Death looks at nothing. Death will spare no one. Death is at hand, but be on the cross (i.e., ready). Death is not far away, but behind us. Death does not understand rank. Death does not worry about the shroud. Death cannot be appeased by a shroud. There is only one death, but a thousand diseases. Death lives in the flesh. Death with bones will devour. Death due to sins is terrible. Death will come and find it on the stove. Death will find a reason. Death rages blindly. Death will put you to sleep, but you won’t wake up. Death is easier to endure than to wait. You won’t die right away, and you won’t die again. He got dressed and died. The old thing is death, but something new for everyone. You, the body, must lie in the ground, but I, the soul, must answer. A body without a soul. The body is cramped, but the soul is spacious. People don't play because they die. That job is done, father and mother are buried. Only he doesn’t die behind the shroud. A snub nosed out of the yard. Before the eyes of death, everyone is equal. The soul of the old is not taken out before death, and the soul of the young is not sealed. The door to the grave is narrow, but not even that one there. The mind is beyond the sea, and death is beyond the gate. Adam died - we should be there too. Died in his prime. Died - does not gnaw. He died by the will of God. Died - that's the way to go. To die is not to play at peace. Dying is nothing - dying is difficult. Dying today is scary, but someday it will be nothing. He's dying, but his leg is shaking. Die in a field, but not in a hole. Die - and grab all the potion. Die doing something. Dying is not playing at peace; but to get married is not to dance. Dying is not picking at bast shoes: lay down under the icon and widen your eyes, and that’s the end of it. Dying is like that with music. We'll die and won't take anything with us. We die, and everything will remain that way. If he dies, everything will be over. If you die, they will bury you like that. If I die, I'll take it with me. He longed for eternal peace. I fell asleep and died. Peace to the deceased, and a feast to the healer. A drowning man clutches at a straw. A drowned man does not ask for a drink. He went to Ershova Sloboda (drowned). The steep hills left the burka. The owner of the new dugout. The king and the people - everything will go to the ground. The color of old age is gray hair, and death is disease. Hour by hour, but closer to death. What goes into the ground will not return. What we saved, we won’t take away, but what we didn’t care about, we’ll take with us. What is not born does not die. Clear eyes rolled up.
About the funeral
Where they are buried, here they weep. May God grant that it is easy to lie in the ground and be seen in the eyes of Christ (at the wake). To whom are you leaving us, to whom are you entrusting us (crying)? I cry and cry, but I hide it in the ground. She raised her tail and went to the graveyard. He's dead and lying there, but there's no one to push. God rest your soul, accept the bones, O earth! Kingdom of heaven, eternal peace, eternal memory!
Comparison of life and death
Without pores the soul will not come out. He who puts in his soul will take it out. It is crazy for a living person to think about death. God will not take out the soul, the soul itself will not come out. To be afraid of death is not to live in the world. There was an oak tree, but it became a log house; the time will come - and that will not happen. There was a peasant, but he died; There was also a nag, but it was ridden. There are many deaths in life. It is important to know not how you were born, but how you will die. You can eat as much as you like, but you can’t profit enough. Turn it around, don't turn it around, but you have to die. Live happily and die happily. Make money ahead of death! Lived, didn't live, but died! Where they get married, this is where they bury (funeral service). Death is bitter, and the evil belly is bitterer. Day and night - a day away, and everything is closer to death. Day after day (day after day, day after day), but closer to death (but no further from death). A day with bones, a day with bones (play on words: bone - man; bones - abacus). The good die, but their deeds live (do not disappear). There is no house, but there will be a house (coffin). He doesn't have to live or die. Eat salty, drink sour, if you die, you won’t rot. Alive, but not worth a dead man. Alive is alive, but dead is dead. A living nag is better than a dead trotter. We live neither shaky nor shaky, but it’s still a pity to die. We live until the mouse eats off its head. Death, like a mouse, will eat your head off. We live in jest, but we die for real. Lives, becomes a people, does not dare to die. Lived - sung; dies - shakes. If you live, you'll be in trouble; if you die, you'll be carried away on your back. If you live, you won’t look back; if you die, you won’t realize it. You live with no one to chat with; If you die, there will be no one to cry to. Live, live, and get ready to die. Live, don't worry: if you die, you won't cry. Live and scratch; if you die, it won’t itch. The living can do without boots, but the dead cannot do without a coffin. He will not go to the grave alive. The living is not without a place, the dead is not without a grave. He is afraid of living death. Doesn't look for living death. A living house, but a dead one - six boards. It’s a name day for the living, a memorial for the dead. There is no place for the living in the earth, but there is a wing in the sky. There is no grave for the living. The stomach does not like death. The stomach gives bellies, but death takes everything away. Tenacious - live; If you die, you will remember. If you live in a churchyard, you cannot mourn all the dead. If you're alive, you won't smile (you won't grin), if you'll die, you'll grunt. The living are not mourned. They don't put people in the grave alive. God alone gives life, and every reptile takes it away. Life hangs by a thread - it did. Life is boring, and you can’t get used to death. Life is not beautiful, and death is not scary. Once upon a time he lived, but his legs shrank. He lived sinfully and died funny. He lived a long time, but died soon. He lived and lived, and then suddenly (yes right away) he died. He lived, he lived, and he tore his veins. Lived, lived, and lived. He lived and suffered, and when he died, he repented. If you lived, you didn’t live, but you died. Lived - did not live, but died - dead. He lived - not a resident, died - not a dead man. He lived - not a peasant, but died - not a boyar. He lived - not a peasant, died - not a parent. He lived - he didn’t interfere, he died - it’s not a pity. He lived - not a neighbor, died - not a peasant. He lived - not a neighbor, died - not a dead man. He lived and did not grieve about anything; died - and they don’t worry about him. He lived little by little and died suddenly. Lived as a dog, died as a dog. Grandma lived and didn’t interfere; she died - my darling was fed up. They lived, they lived, and they tore the veins. They lived in glory, but died in someone else's shroud. Do the things of life, but remember death! Death knows no idle time. Live nimblely (rollily), die tartly. Live happily - there is nothing to die about. Live together - and die together. Living is sad and dying is sickening. Living is bitter (boring), and dying is not sweet (not funny). Living means suffering, but you don’t want to die. Hope to live, but prepare to die. I can’t live, but I don’t want to die. You can't live, but you can't die. Living is bad, but dying is no good either. Live by will - die in the field. Living is worse than dying. Living is hard, and dying is not easy. Life on earth is not the end of everything. Death is space for the soul. He would die here and get up there. And a homeless person is not without a home. And people live in hell. They live in red and in black. And they get up from the nave. And it will happen that we will not exist either. Build a hut, sing songs, and shepherd six boards! As we live, so we die. How he lived in the world - they saw; We’ll see how you start to die. No matter how sickening it is to live, it’s even more sickening to die. As you live, so will your reputation. As it came, so it went. When I am alive, there is no death, and when there is death, I am not. Whoever God punishes will die; and he will clean up the other one lovingly. A beautiful death ennobles all life. Funerals are filled with tears, and weddings are filled with songs. Those who do not know how to live (did not know how) cannot be taught to die. Whoever is born screams; whoever dies is silent. He who is the enemy of death is the friend of life. Whoever is not afraid of death is not a great bird, but whoever loves life is ruined by fear. He who died well lived well. Where there is life, there is death. It's easy to live, but hard to die. It's either life or death. Either live or die. Either dead or alive. Either he will die or he will live. It is better to endure for a century than to suddenly (in an instant) die. Better alive than dead. Better life than death. It's better to live than to die. Better death than an angry stomach. Better a glorious death than a shameful life. It is better to die brave than to live in shame. The dead cry, but the living roll. The dead are not without a grave, and the living are not without a place. For the dead - peace, and for the living - care (living). There are many people in the world, and there were even more, but they died. Young people die by choice, old people die without exception. You (life) in the free world are tricky, but somehow you will begin to die. You can’t eat for a lifetime, you can’t make enough before you die. There is no guarantee for life or death. You don't give birth to the death of children. Not every death is hard, not every life is good. He didn’t burn, didn’t get sick, but died. Don't flatter when you're sick; If you sit down more, you’ll say everything. We do not live with youth, we do not die with old age. We are not born to the stomach, but to death. Don't get sick, wait for sorrow; and if you get sick - death. They do not die when they grow old, but even the old ones live. Don’t rush to the next world, do everything here right. Not so much death, but sorrow. If you didn't know how to live, then know how to die! He didn't live long, but he died gloriously. They don't let you live or die. Never consider a living person to be dead! Now on my feet, tomorrow in the grave. It’s not far from the bathhouse to the mazarki (graves). From life to death - chateau. Ooh, don’t ooh, but carry me till you drop. Oh yes oh, how long God endures. If he lives, he will press, and if he dies, he will press (about a bad husband). As long as he’s alive, he’s still alive, but as long as he’s dead, he’s gone. He was dying, but he didn’t die - he’s alive. They live a lot, but everyone dies. Not even a flea can slip between life and death. He was born small, grew up drunk, died old - and never saw the light of day. A person will be born to death, but will die on his stomach. What goes to the cradle, goes to the grave. He himself is breathing his last, but there he is. The light is sweet, but to part with it, but death is hateful, but not to leave it. Today he got married, and tomorrow he died. Live today and rot tomorrow. Sedni is alive, and tomorrow he lived. No matter how long you live, you cannot escape death (you cannot escape). No matter how much you live, you must die. No matter how much you live, you don’t want to die. No matter how much you pull, you’ll end up overextending yourself! They are afraid of death, but they are not ashamed of people. To be afraid of death is not to live in the world. Death does not like the stomach. The stomach does not like death. Death appears in our bellies (and it will show us how to live). He was going to live, and he died. Old age is not joy, and death is not self-interest (not a godsend). Seek happiness, but go to the grave. Such a life that you don’t even want to die. Just to be younger, and then, perhaps, at least die. Pull, break the tugs, fall, and die! Pull, pull, and give; live, live, and die (sailor). He was already lying under the saints, but he was still alive (that is, he came to life). Know how to fight - know how to die. Know how to live - know how to die. Know how to live, know how to die. Dying is easy, living is difficult. In the morning he was great, by evening he was dead. Either live or die. If you want to live, stretch; and if you start to die, speak up! Rather than live and cry forever, it is better to sing and die. It is better to die singing than to live with tears. A little alive, a little alive, but still not dead.
“Everything will go to the ground - both the king and the people”
This proverb portrays death as a force that must ultimately make all people equal. Since this idea became especially important with the spread of Christianity, in all Christian countries some analogues of this proverb are present in one way or another. For example, in the UK there are the following options:
- the end makes all equal (English)
– death makes everyone equal; - death is the great leveler (English)
– death is the great leveler.
"Holding on to straws"
This expression - "holding on at straws" - is used to describe a situation in which a person is trying to solve a problem with some desperate, clearly ineffective means, since he has already exhausted all others. In modern Russian, the short form of the expression indicated above is used, but there is also a complete proverb that goes like this: “He who drowns, holds on to a straw.” It is curious that in Russian there is also another version: “Whoever is drowning grabs a razor.” The second option shifts the emphasis: if in the version with a straw we are talking about the fact that a person in a difficult situation resorts to something ineffective as a last resort, then in the version with a razor we are talking about resorting to a dangerous means that can make the situation worse. Over the centuries of its existence, English culture has accumulated several similar statements:
- a drowning man will clutch at a straw (English)
- a drowning person will grab hold of a straw;
- a drowning man will clutch at a knife
- A drowning person will also grab a knife.
Grasping at straws
“Grabping at straws” is an expression that in modern Russian is used to describe a situation in which a person resorts to an extremely ineffective or very unstable means of solving a problem for which he simply does not see any other solution. The full version of the proverb is: “He who is drowning clutches at a straw.” It is curious that in Russian there is also another version: “Whoever is drowning grabs a razor.” The second option shifts the emphasis: if in the version with a straw we are talking about the fact that a person in a difficult situation resorts to something ineffective as a last resort, then in the version with a razor we are talking about resorting to a dangerous means that can make the situation worse. In English there are direct analogues of both options:
- a drowning man will clutch at a straw (English) - a drowning man will clutch at a straw;
- a drowning man will clutch at a knife (English) - a drowning man will clutch at a knife.
“The word is not an axe, but people die from it”
In ancient times, this phrase could often be heard both among the nobles and in the lower classes, but today it is almost forgotten. But in German there is an almost complete analogue:
Worte können tödliche Waffen sein (German)
– Words can be deadly weapons.
Sayings and proverbs about the inevitability of meeting death
It is very interesting that for Russian culture an expression has become traditional, combining statements about the inevitability of death and the justification of risk. In German, for example, these statements exist as two independent proverbs. That part of the Russian proverb that sounds like “... but one [death] cannot be avoided” exists in German as an independent statement:
- der Tod hat noch keinen vergessen (German)
– death has not yet forgotten about anyone; - der Tod lauert überall, er kommt zu Fest und Bal (German)
– death watches everywhere: it comes to both the holiday and the ball.
Judging by the structure and content of these statements, it is noticeable that the main emphasis in them is on the total ubiquity of death and its proximity to everyone.
Proverbs and sayings from Germany that have no analogues in Russia
Particularly interesting are those popular expressions, proverbs and sayings that are unique to each culture. They allow you to look at a familiar topic from a new and sometimes unexpected point of view. Of course, their translations can be found in fiction and not only, but what is interesting is the profound difference that arose in connection with the unique development of each people and each world culture.
Besser Ehre ohne Leben, als Leben ohne Ehre (German)
- It is better to have honor without life than to have life without honor.
This is most correctly translated into Russian by the expression: “Dishonor is worse than death,” but correctness does not mean accuracy. In any case, there are no literal analogues of this phase in modern Russian culture.
Tanz vor dem Tode ist nicht in der Mode (German)
– Dancing before death is not in fashion.
The main emphasis in this expression, of course, is not on death, but on untimeliness and inappropriateness. Despite the apparent dissimilarity of topics, the best Russian analogue here would be the expression “A good spoon for dinner.” However, this will not fully reveal the meaning of the German proverb, because it also talks about the fact that some things are fundamentally incompatible and will never be compatible - for example, funerals and dancing. As we well know now, it is customary for many peoples of the world to dance at funerals, but the popular expression in question, firstly, belongs to a specific German culture, which does not have such a funeral practice, and secondly, in general, it no longer speaks of specific activities, but about absurd combinations of activities.
German sayings about death, which have no analogues in the Russian language
Of particular interest are sayings that have no analogues in our language, since they allow us to look at a familiar topic from a new and sometimes unexpected point of view. Of course, their translations can be found in fiction and not only, however, as far as we know, such expressions were not present in popular usage in the past and are not present now:
Besser Ehre ohne Leben, als Leben ohne Ehre (German) - honor without life is better than life without honor.
It is best, perhaps, to translate this into Russian more artistically, something like: “Dishonor is worse than death.” One way or another, at the moment neither this expression nor its analogues are used as sayings in the Russian language.
Tanz vor dem Tode ist nicht in der Mode (German) – dancing before death is not in fashion.
This saying is not really about death as such, but about untimeliness and inappropriateness. Contrary to appearances, the best Russian analogue here would be “A good spoon for dinner.” However, this will not fully reveal the meaning of the German proverb, because it also talks about the fact that some things are fundamentally incompatible and will never be compatible - for example, funerals and dancing. As we well know now, it is customary for many peoples of the world to dance at funerals, but this German proverb, of course, does not declare an objective truth, but only expresses the culture of a certain people - and within the framework of German culture it is rather true.
