Everyone loves a good proverb. Proverbs (dichos) in Spanish are especially clever, poetic, and to the point. Here is Chapter 3.
Although the first two are rather slangy and are unlikely to be heard on the lips of Matt Méndez's grandmother, his extraterrestrial wife Ana loves them all, and supplied some from her own planet, Thomo, not too long ago.
Traditional proverbs are often similar across languages. Therefore, the ones below are translated more or less literally. If there's an English proverb with a similar meaning, we leave that to you to realize. Only a couple need explaining.
Ya te conozco, mosco.
(I know you, fly, i.e., I see through you)
No me chingues, Juan Dominguez
(You don't say, don't try to kid me (NOT for grandmothers))
Taparse con la misma cobija
(To cover oneself with the same blanket, i.e., birds of a feather stick together)
El que canta, sus males espanta.
(He who sings scares away the blues)
Quien no oye consejos, no llega viejo.
(He who doesn't take advice doesn't get old.)
Por los acciones se juzcan los corazones.
(By deeds hearts are known.)
No siendo verdad ni coraje da.
(Not being true, it doesn't make me mad.)
No es lo mismo decia que hacer.
(Saying and doing are not the same.)
Lo barato cuesta caro.
(Cheap is expensive.)
Los niños y los locos dicen la verdad.
(Chidren and crazy people say the truth.)
La verdad no mata, pero incomoda.
(The truth doesn't kill, but it's uncomfortable.)
Más claro no canta un gallo.
(A rooster can't crow more clearly, i.e., it's perfectly plain)
Ser mas viejo que la luna
(To be older than the moon)
La suerte de la fea la hermosa la desea.
(The beautiful one desires the luck of the ugly one.)
Haz bien y no mires a quien.
(Do right and don't look at anyone.)
Estar como perro en barrio ageno
(To be like a dog in a strange neighborhood.)
Comer frijoles y repetir pollo
(Eating beans and talking chicken)
Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente.
(A sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current.)
A cada santo, se le llega su día.
(Every saint has his day.)
A quien madruga, Dios le ayuda.
(God helps those who get up early.)
See more of Ana's favorite recipes, poems, and art in the column on the right!
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