50 Spanish Quotes and Proverbs About Life and Love

1. "Más sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo."

Translation: The devil knows more due to being old than by being the devil.

This proverb reminds us that experience often trumps natural talent or cunning. You cannot compete with the value of wisdom gained through years of living.

2. "En boca cerrada no entran moscas."

Translation: Flies don't enter a closed mouth.

Sometimes it's better to stay silent to avoid making mistakes or getting into trouble. Discretion can prevent many problems.

3. "A donde te quieran mucho, no vayas a menudo."

Translation: Where people love you very much, don't go often.

A constant guest is never welcome. This simple wisdom suggests that perhaps absence does make the heart grow fonder.

4. "El hábito no hace al monje."

Translation: The habit doesn't make the monk.

This is closely related to the English expression "clothes do not make the man." We shouldn't judge people based on appearance alone.

5. "Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres."

Translation: Tell me who you're with, and I'll tell you who you are.

Similar to "a man is known by the company he keeps," this proverb suggests that our companions reflect and shape our own identities.

6. "Al buen entendedor, pocas palabras."

Translation: To the good listener, few words are enough.

There's no need to give lengthy explanations. A good listener will understand what you want to convey with minimal words.

7. "El que mucho abarca poco aprieta."

Translation: The one that embraces a lot, can't keep it together.

Don't bite off more than you can chew. This warns against taking on too many tasks or responsibilities at once.

8. "Todos los caminos llevan a Roma."

Translation: All roads lead to Rome.

There's more than one way to reach a goal. This reminds us that different approaches can lead to the same successful outcome.

9. "Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente."

Translation: The shrimp that falls asleep is carried by the current.

Don't let the world pass you by. Stay alert and be proactive, or you might miss important opportunities.

10. "Más vale pájaro en mano que ciento volando."

Translation: A bird in the hand is worth more than a hundred flying around.

It's better to hold onto what you have rather than risk losing it by trying to attain something better but uncertain.

11. "Zapatero, a tus zapatos."

Translation: Shoemaker, to your shoes.

People should stick to what they know. Don't give opinions on subjects outside your area of expertise.

12. "La cabra siempre tira al monte."

Translation: The goat always heads toward the mountain.

The leopard doesn't change its spots. People tend to return to their natural habits and tendencies.

13. "No hay peor sordo que el que no quiere oír."

Translation: There is not a worse deaf person than the one who doesn't want to hear.

There is none so blind as he who will not see. This refers to people who refuse to listen to reason or advice.

14. "Guerra avisada no mata a soldado."

Translation: War warned does not kill any soldier.

A good way to say "I told you so." Being prepared for anticipated challenges can help you avoid negative consequences.

15. "Cada uno sabe donde aprieta el zapato."

Translation: Everyone knows where to squeeze the shoe.

Each person knows their own limitations, problems, and what's best for themselves. Only you truly understand your personal struggles.

16. "No vendas la piel del oso antes de cazarlo."

Translation: Don't sell the bear's hide before you hunt it.

Don't count your chickens before they hatch. Don't make assumptions about success before it's actually achieved.

17. "El mundo es un pañuelo."

Translation: The world is a handkerchief.

It's a small world. This expresses surprise at unexpected connections or coincidental meetings with people.

18. "Perro que ladra no muerde."

Translation: Barking dog does not bite.

People who make a lot of threats or noise often don't follow through on their words. Don't be intimidated by empty threats.

19. "Caminante, no hay camino, se hace camino al andar."

Translation: Traveler, there is no path; the path is made by walking.

Penned by renowned poet Antonio Machado, this quote encourages us to forge our own paths in life rather than following predetermined routes.

20. "El tiempo lo cura todo."

Translation: Time heals everything.

Very simple to understand - time will take care of your pain or sadness. This offers comfort during difficult periods of grief or hardship.

21. "Nunca es tarde para aprender."

Translation: It never is late for learning.

Learning and self-improvement can happen at any age. This encourages lifelong curiosity and personal growth.

22. "Si te caes siete veces, levántate ocho."

Translation: If you fall seven times, get up eight.

Never stop trying. If you fall, just get up again. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger.

23. "A mal tiempo, buena cara."

Translation: In bad times, put on a good face.

This saying is a testament to Spanish resilience and positivity. Even in adversity, maintaining a positive attitude can make a significant difference.

24. "El que lee mucho y anda mucho, ve mucho y sabe mucho."

Translation: He who reads much and travels much, sees much and knows much.

Attributed to Miguel de Cervantes, this celebrates the virtues of curiosity and lifelong learning through both books and travel.

25. "No es más rico quien más tiene, sino el que menos necesita."

Translation: It is not the richest who has the most, but the one who needs the least.

This reflects on how accumulating wealth doesn't guarantee happiness. Learning to live with what you have allows balance and focus on what matters most.

26. "Haz el bien y no mires a quien."

Translation: Do good, and don't look at whom.

A solid proverb for life. Do what you think is right, no matter what people think or who benefits from your actions.

27. "Del dicho al hecho, hay mucho trecho."

Translation: From saying to fact, there is a great divide.

Talk is cheap. There's a huge difference between saying you'll do something and actually getting it done.

28. "Quien no se arriesga, no gana."

Translation: He who does not risk, does not win.

This underscores the importance of taking risks to achieve success. It encourages bravery and stepping out of one's comfort zone.

29. "Al que buen árbol se arrima, buena sombra le cobija."

Translation: One who is near a good tree will be well shaded.

For those blessed to find a stable situation, a bright future lies ahead. Embrace moments that bring peace and growth.

30. "La inteligencia sin ambición es un pájaro sin alas."

Translation: Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings.

Salvador Dalí reminds us that it's not enough to have ideas - you must act upon them for them to mean anything.

31. "Tener un piano no te hace pianista."

Translation: Having a piano doesn't make you a pianist.

Just like visiting the zoo doesn't make you a zookeeper, having something doesn't make you an expert. True skill requires practice and dedication.

32. "En las malas se conoce a los amigos."

Translation: In bad situations is where you know who your friends are.

When we're doing well, we're surrounded by friends, but in bad times, we find out who our real friends are. A friend in need is a friend indeed.

33. "No hay mal que por bien no venga."

Translation: There is no bad from which good does not come.

Finding a silver lining in every situation is a hallmark of optimism. Every difficulty carries the seed of something beneficial.

34. "Más vale prevenir que lamentar."

Translation: It's better to prevent than to be sorry.

Used the same way as in English. It's better to be safe than sorry by taking necessary precautions.

35. "Las desgracias nunca vienen solas."

Translation: Misfortunes never come alone.

When something bad happens, there's a good chance more bad things are coming. When it rains, it pours.

36. "A palabras necias, oídos sordos."

Translation: Let foolish words fall on deaf ears.

Don't pay attention to negative things that people say about you. Ignore criticism from those who don't have your best interests at heart.

37. "Donde hay amor, hay dolor."

Translation: Where there is love, there is pain.

This simple yet profound proverb captures the dual nature of love. While it brings joy and fulfillment, it also opens us up to vulnerability and heartache.

38. "El amor todo lo puede."

Translation: Love can do all things.

This optimistic view highlights love's transformative power. Whether overcoming obstacles or bridging divides, love is seen as capable of achieving anything.

39. "Te amo más que a mi propia piel."

Translation: I love you more than my own skin.

This represents an intensely passionate declaration of love, expressing devotion that surpasses self-love and self-preservation.

40. "Amor con amor se paga."

Translation: Love is paid with love.

This proverb emphasizes reciprocity in relationships. It suggests that love should be met with love, underscoring the importance of mutual affection and respect.

41. "El amor es como el agua que no se seca."

Translation: Love is like water that never evaporates.

A beautiful metaphor suggesting that true love lasts forever, never diminishing or disappearing over time despite challenges.

42. "Cuando la pobreza entra por la puerta, el amor salta por la ventana."

Translation: When poverty enters the door, love jumps through the window.

This refers to couples who claim to be in love until they face poverty or hardship and fail to support each other through difficult times.

43. "Amor y celos, hermanos gemelos."

Translation: Love and jealousy, twin siblings.

This acknowledges that jealousy is often involved in love relationships, suggesting these intense emotions frequently go hand in hand.

44. "El amor es ciego, pero los vecinos no."

Translation: Love is blind, but neighbors are not.

A humorous proverb about how lovers may be oblivious to obvious problems in their relationship while everyone around them can see what's happening.

45. "Quien bien te quiere, te hará llorar."

Translation: Who does love you well will make you cry.

The person who truly loves you will be honest about your mistakes and try to help you become better, even if that honesty is painful to hear.

46. "Amar es encontrar en la felicidad de otro la propia felicidad."

Translation: Loving is finding in someone else's happiness our own.

This beautiful definition emphasizes selflessness in love, showing how genuine affection means finding joy in your partner's joy.

47. "Te quiero no solo por como eres, sino por como soy yo cuando estoy contigo."

Translation: I love you not only because of the way you are, but because of the way I am when I am with you.

This expresses how love transforms us, highlighting how the right person brings out our best qualities and makes us better versions of ourselves.

48. "No importa que nos separe la distancia, siempre habrá un mismo cielo que nos una."

Translation: It doesn't matter that we're separated by distance, there will always be the same sky to unite us.

A romantic sentiment about long-distance relationships, suggesting that physical separation cannot diminish the connection between two hearts.

49. "El amor más fuerte es aquel que puede mostrar su fragilidad."

Translation: The strongest love is that which can show its fragility.

A beautiful paradox about love, suggesting that true strength in relationships comes from vulnerability and openness with your partner.

50. "Tardé una hora en conocerte y solo un día en enamorarme. Pero me llevará toda una vida lograr olvidarte."

Translation: It took me an hour to get to know you and just a day to fall in love. But it will take me a whole life to be able to forget you.

This captures the intensity of instant attraction and the lasting impact of deep love, acknowledging how some connections leave permanent marks on our hearts.