Mexican Proverbs

Written in Spanish and English, this book presents hundreds of wise old sayings relative to faith and religion, animals, relationships and family, adversity, and other topics.

Author Arturo Medina, born and raised in Mexico City, provides both English and Spanish translations of the proverbs with brief explanations.

The proverbs are accompanied by photographs of Mexican crafts, folk art, and architecture, chosen to show the visual traditions that parallel the rich oral traditions represented in this book.

Some examples:

Los Dichos de los viejitos son Evangelios chiquitos.
Old people’s sayings are tiny fragments of the gospel.

Dios aprieta pero no ahorca.
God may squeeze you tightly, but he does not strangle you.

Hazte miel, y te comerán las moscas.
Turn yourself into honey, and you will be eaten by flies.

No hay quince años feos ni viuda rica despreciable.
There is no ugly debutante nor despicable rich widow.