Заставь дурака богу молиться – он и лоб расшибёт
With accent marks:
Заста́вь дурака́ бо́гу моли́ться – он и лоб расшибёт.
Translation:
Make a fool pray to God - he will break his forehead.
Meaning:
This proverb is about a stupid person who, being too zealous, only harms the cause.
The proverb originates from the customs of the Orthodox Church. During prayer, believers give obeisances to the earth, trying to touch the floor in the temple by the forehead.
A fool, from excessive diligence, can bow so hard that his forehead will also be smashed against a stone floor.
Other Russian proverbs
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Век живи, век учись, а дураком помрёшь
Live for a century, learn for a century, but die being a fool anyway.
-
You can't hide an awl in a bag.
-
Как аукнется, так и откликнется
What goes around comes around.
-
Trust but verify.
-
Оne can not see the wood for the trees.
-
Where it is thin, it breaks.
-
Дарёному коню в зубы не смотрят
Do not look at a given horse's teeth.
-
Не руби сук, на котором сидишь
Do not chop the branch you sit on
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