Волков бояться – в лес не ходить
With accent marks:
Волко́в боя́ться – в лес не ходи́ть.
Translation:
Don't go to the woods if afraid of wolves.
Meaning:
If you are afraid of some difficulties that inevitably accompany any venture, you will never achieve anything, this Russian proverb says.
And in fact, if you are afraid of wolves, which may not be found in the nearby forest, you will never pick up berries or mushrooms.
And if you take the risk and start a seemingly difficult venture, it may not be so scary and you can do it.
The closest English equivalent of this proverb is "Nothing ventured, nothing gained".
Other Russian proverbs
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Strike the iron while it's hot.
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На Бога надейся, а сам не плошай
Put your trust in God, but don't make mistakes yourself
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В чужом глазу соринку видим, а в своём бревна не замечаем
Оne sees the mote in another's eye and ignores the log in his own.
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Предупреждён – значит вооружён
Forewarned is forearmed.
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Everything has its time.
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Лучше один раз увидеть, чем сто раз услышать
Better to see once than hear a hundred times.
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Лучше синица в руках, чем журавль в небе
A titmouse in hands is better than a crane in the sky.
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Repetition is the mother of learning.
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