PROVERBS

Ain kyeli čääsist, jis ij ain väärpist.
There’re always fish in the water, if not in the catch.

Ij kuárus sekkâ ciäggáá.
An empty sack won’t stand up.

Keđgi ij kuássin kobđo, pic ain vuáju.  
Stones never float, but they do sink.

Kievhi vuoššâđ asta, mut čuáskudiđ ij oostâ. 
A poor person has time to cook, but not to cool the food off.

Kolmum olmooš ij aaneet tuulâ pieijâđ, tot puáldá ubâ kuáđi.
It doesn’t pay to make a fire for a frozen person; he’ll burn the lodge down.
                                                                                                            
Niälgum olmooš ij aaneet mälistiđ.
A hungry person shouldn’t cook.

Kománâm čääci ij kuássin lite siisâ puáđi.
Spilled water will never get to the bowl.

Kote lii uccáá suuhâm, tast láá rašes kieđah. 
He who has rowed little has weak arms.

Ko ennuv juvviih oovtsai kolgeh, tast šadda stuorrâ juuhâ.
As many streams unite, thus a great river is born.

Pahas jieggâ ko Imelist luovâi, te juoigâstij. 
When the evil spirit turned his back on God, he began to yoik.

Talle pääččiđ kalga, ko páčáduvâst lii.  
When the target is within reach, that’s when you shoot.

Tuorrum kappeer ordo vázzá, ullosiäpulâs jievjáin vuájá.  
Tasseled hat the deer in autumn hunts, woolen scarf on white will drive.

Apijdis mield säplig-uv viisijd.  
The mouse squeaks as much as he can too.

Ij kihheen rigo uáđimáin.  
Nobody gets rich by sleeping.

Ij muorâ ovttáin časkemáin viirâ.   
A tree won’t fall with just one swing.

Iä puohah lah almaah, kiäh puuvsâid aneh. 
Not all who wear trousers are men.

Kal tot pottâ máttát pääččiđ.     
The arse will certainly teach you how to shoot.

Kuumpi tuárvi ij lah kuássin.
The wolf’s “enough” is never enough.

Riges ij suáláád, mut váldá. 
The rich do not steal, they just take.

Vääldi talle säplig kiddâ, ko vuágun roškáá!
Catch a mouse when it scoots into its hole.

Piärgu tot lii jieš!
He‘s the flesh itself!

Matti Morottaja

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