Faroese Proverbs

Faroese is a language spoken in Faroe Islands, an autonomous province of Denmark.



* Knívleysur maður er lívleysur maður.
o Translation: A man without a knife, is a man without a life.

* Tá músin er mett er mjølið beikst.
o Translation: When the mouse is full, the flour tastes bitter.

* Kráku tykir best um unga sín.
o Translation: A chicken likes her own eggs best.
o English Equivalent: Blood is thicker than water.

* Tíðin rennur sum streymur í á.
o Translation: Time runs like the river current.
o English Equivalent: Time flies.

* Ofta býr fals undir fríðum skinni.
o Translation: There often lies falsehood beneath a pretty skin.
o English Equivalent: Appearances can be deceiving.

* Altíð bagir illum barni okkurt.
o Translation: There is always something the matter with a bad child.
o English Equivalent: A bad workman blames his tools.

* Mangir løkir smáir gera stórar áir.
o Translation: Big rivers are made out of small streams.
o English Equivalent: There is strength in numbers.

* Sjálvgjørt er væl gjørt.
o Translation: Self-done is well-done.
o English Equivalent: If you want a job done right, do it yourself.

* Hann fær byr, ið bíðar, og havn, ið rør.
o Translation: He gets wind in his sails who waits, and harbour who rows.
o English Equivalent: You reap what you sow.

* Blindur er bókleysur maður.
o Translation: A bookless man is blind.
o English Equivalent: Knowledge is power.

* Hann, ið einki vágar, hann einki vinnur.
o Translation: He who risks nothing wins nothing.
o English Equivalent: Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

* Ikki er alt gull, ið glitrar.
o Translation: Not all is gold that glitters.
o English Equivalent: All that glitters is not gold.