My Grandfather's Yiddish Sayings
Here are some great Yiddish saying that both of my grandfathers used to
tell me, and others ones I've collected, too!
Do you know any others? E-mail me at (morgan@westegg.com) and let me know!!!
What did your grandparents used to tell you???
If there's a bitterness in the heart, sugar in the mouth won't make life sweeter (Az in harsn iz biter, helft nit in moyl arayn tsuker) If they give you, take: if they take from you, yell! If things are not as you wish, wish them as they are. If we all pulled in one direction, the world would keel over. If we did not flatter ourselves, nobody else could. If you and all your neighbors lay all of your problems on your respective front lawns, you'd look them all over, and end up taking back your own. New! If you can't endure the bad, you won't live to see the good. If you don't eat garlic, you won't smell bad (Az men est nisht kayn knobl, shtinkt men nit) If you don't want to do something, one excuse is as good as another. If you don't want to get old, hang yourslef when you're young (Az me vil nit vern alt, zol men zikh yingerheyt oyfhengern.) New! If you ever need a helping hand you'll find one at the end of your arm. If you have money, you are wise and good-looking and can sing well, too. If you have nothing to lose, you can try everything. If you render a verse just as it looks, you are falsifying it. If you spit upwards, you're bound to get it back in the face. If you want to know what God thinks of money, look at the people he gives it to. If you want your dreams to come true, don't sleep. One of our favorites! If you're going to eat pork, eat the best kind (Ez men est khazer zol rinen ariber der bord.) New! One of our favorites! Also translated as, if you're going to eat pork, get it all over your beard. In life, each of us must sometimes play the fool Interest on debts grow without rain. My Favorites | New additions Alphabetical order | Original Yiddish · My Favorites · New additions · Alphabetical order · Original Yiddish |