This is one of the timeless tales from Greek mythology, a story that has been told for centuries to illustrate love, devotion, and the power of the gods.
The Sculptor Who Rejected the World
On the island of Cyprus lived Pygmalion, a sculptor of unmatched skill and impossible standards. He saw around him vanity, deceit, and shallow love — and so, disgusted by the flaws of humankind, he withdrew into his craft. Stone became his refuge.
The Birth of the Perfect Woman
He set out to carve the perfect woman — not one of flesh and impulse, but an ideal born of his own imagination. For days and nights, he worked without rest, his chisel cutting through ivory with devotion that blurred into obsession.
When he stepped back, she stood before him — Galatea, though she had no name yet. The perfection of her form unsettled even her creator. Her eyes seemed moments away from blinking. Pygmalion dressed her in fine robes, placed rings on her hands, and laid flowers at her feet. He kissed her lips, cold as marble, and whispered words meant for the living.
Love for the Unliving
The sculptor’s heart betrayed him — he fell in love with his own creation.
He began to dream that she breathed softly at night, that her chest rose and fell. Each morning, he woke to silence, the cruel mockery of his imagination.
A Prayer to Aphrodite
When the festival of Aphrodite came, Pygmalion joined the worshipers and knelt before the goddess of love. His prayer was quiet, almost ashamed:
“Goddess, if it be possible, grant me a wife like my ivory maiden.”
Aphrodite, who delights in irony as much as mercy, heard him. She saw in him not lust, but devotion — and perhaps a mirror of her own power to animate desire.
When Stone Turned to Flesh
When Pygmalion returned home, the moonlight spilled across Galatea’s figure. He reached out, as he always did, and pressed his lips to hers. But this time, warmth met him. The hardness softened under his touch. Color returned to her cheeks. Her eyes opened, uncertain and alive.
He gasped, fell to his knees, and thanked the goddess. Galatea — no longer a dream but a woman — smiled and spoke his name. They married soon after, under Aphrodite’s blessing. From their union came Paphos, the city that would bear the goddess’s own temple.
Legacy of a Dream
In Pygmalion’s tale lives a truth older than stone: what we create with love may, one day, turn and love us back.
From constellations in the night sky to countless artworks and literature, Perseus and Andromeda endures as one of the most beloved stories in Greek mythology.
The Curse of Cassiopeia
Long ago, in the ancient kingdom of Ethiopia, Queen Cassiopeia’s vanity brought great misfortune.
Boasting that her beauty surpassed even the sea nymphs, she incurred the wrath of Poseidon. In anger, the sea god sent a terrifying sea monster to ravage the coast, threatening the kingdom with destruction.
To appease the gods, Cassiopeia’s daughter, Andromeda, was chained to a rock by the shore as a sacrificial offering.
Perseus, Hero of Destiny
Perseus in armor
Meanwhile, Perseus, son of Zeus and the mortal Danaë, was returning from his heroic quest to slay Medusa.
Gifted with divine tools—the winged sandals of Hermes, the reflective shield of Athena, and the magical sword to behead Medusa—he soared across the skies. Guided by fate and the whispers of the gods, Perseus arrived at Andromeda’s desolate cliff.
The Battle Against the Sea Monster
As the waves crashed against the rocks, the monstrous creature emerged, its scales glinting and eyes glowing with fury.
Perseus, fearless and resolute, faced the beast. Using his wits and the reflective shield to avoid its deadly gaze, he struck at the monster, driving it back into the depths of the sea. Andromeda watched, awe-struck, as this divine hero turned certain death into salvation.
Love, Marriage, and Triumph
Perseus freed Andromeda from her chains, and the two fell deeply in love.
They married, uniting heroism and royalty, and returned to her kingdom as saviors. Their story became a symbol of bravery, divine favor, and the triumph of mortal courage when aided by the gods.
Legacy in Greek Mythology
Perseus and Andromeda’s tale is not only an adventure but also a lesson in heroism, love, and divine destiny.
This is one of the timeless tales from Greek mythology, a story of gods, Titans, and heroes that illustrates courage, foresight, and the enduring spirit of humanity.
A Titan Who Loved Humanity
Prometheus, Greek Titan, defiant and wise
Prometheus, one of the wisest Titans, was a champion of humanity.
Unlike other immortals who cared little for mankind, he empathized with their struggles, recognizing their vulnerability in a world ruled by gods.
Observing humans living in darkness, cold, and ignorance, Prometheus resolved to give them the gift of fire—a divine spark that would illuminate their lives, warm their homes, and ignite their civilization.
Stealing Fire from Olympus
Fire was forbidden to mortals, jealously guarded by Zeus, king of the Olympians.
Knowing the danger, Prometheus stole the flame from Olympus, hiding it in a hollow stalk of fennel and bringing it secretly to mankind.
The gift transformed humanity forever: they could cook food, forge tools, craft weapons, and build shelters. Civilization itself took its first real steps because of Prometheus’s daring.
Zeus’s Wrath
Zeus, enraged by this defiance, chose to punish Prometheus most relentlessly. He chained the Titan to a remote cliff, and every day an eagle—emblem of the god’s wrath—would feast upon his liver.
As a Titan, Prometheus’s suffering was eternal: each night his wound would regenerate, and the agony would repeat.
Yet, despite the torment, he never repented. His act was not merely rebellion; it was a testament to foresight, courage, and the belief that knowledge and progress belong to all.
A Symbol of Defiance and Hope
Prometheus became a symbol of defiance and hope. The fire he stole not only illuminated the mortal world physically, it became a beacon of human ingenuity and resilience.
Even as the gods sought to control, punish, and limit mankind, Prometheus’s gift remained, quietly shaping the destiny of humanity.
Some legends note that he was eventually freed by Hercules, the hero who confronted the challenges of gods and monsters alike.
This final act of liberation reaffirmed the idea that courage, intellect, and compassion can endure even in the face of divine punishment.
The tale of Theseus and the Minotaur is more than a myth; it is a tapestry of heroism, cunning, love, divine intervention, and the dark beauty of fate.
Every hero adventure in Greek mythology carries echoes of this labyrinth: the struggle, the cunning, the battle against impossible odds, and the inevitability of consequence.
The Curse and the Birth of the Minotaur
The story begins with a cruel twist of divine punishment.
King Minos of Crete had prayed to Poseidon for a sign to prove his right to rule. Poseidon sent a magnificent white bull from the sea, expecting Minos to sacrifice it. Yet Minos, consumed by pride, refused.
In retaliation, Poseidon cursed Minos’s wife, Pasiphae, to fall in love with the bull.
From their unnatural union was born the Minotaur, a creature with the body of a man and the head of a bull. A beast that should never have existed, doomed to hunger and rage.
The Labyrinth: A Prison of Stone
The Lavirynth in Crete
To contain the Minotaur, Minos commanded Daedalus, the master inventor, to construct the labyrinth beneath the palace of Knossos. Endless corridors, twisting paths, and dead ends designed to trap the monster forever.
The Minotaur lived there, fed on human tributes: every seven years, Athens was forced to send seven young men and seven young women, a blood tax for the death of Minos’s son during a failed peace mission.
Theseus Volunteers
Prince Theseus of Athens could no longer bear the suffering of his people. He volunteered to face the labyrinth and kill the Minotaur, determined to end the curse and the tributes.
Upon arriving in Crete, he encountered Ariadne, Minos’s daughter. Recognizing Theseus’s courage and purpose, she gave him a golden thread, instructing him to unwind it as he entered the labyrinth so he could retrace his path and escape.
The Labyrinth Journey
Theseus
Theseus entered the labyrinth with a mixture of fear and resolve.
Shadows stretched like claws, corridors twisted endlessly, and the air was heavy with the scent of death and stone.
As he wandered, he felt the presence of something unnatural, something aware. Finally, in the heart of the maze, he faced the Minotaur.
The beast’s eyes glimmered with sadness, as though it knew its fate was sealed. Its roar echoed through the stone corridors, terrifying yet mournful, a creature trapped between nature and curse.
The Battle
The fight was brutal. Theseus dodged deadly horns, parried savage strikes, and used every ounce of skill and cunning.
The Minotaur, driven by both hunger and sorrow, lunged with unstoppable force. Yet Theseus, brave and relentless, finally struck the fatal blow.
The labyrinth fell silent, save for the echo of a life ended and a curse broken. Using Ariadne’s thread, Theseus guided the surviving Athenians safely out of the maze.
Ariadne’s Fate
Ariadne joined Theseus in his escape, but fate—or the gods—intervened. Halfway through their journey home,
Theseus left her on the island of Naxos. The reasons remain shrouded in divine mystery, her destiny intertwined with both love and abandonment.
Return to Athens and the Tragic Ending
Theseus returned home a hero, yet a simple mistake sealed a final tragedy. He forgot to raise the white sails that would signal his success to his father, King Aegeus. Believing his son dead, cast himself into the sea, which was thereafter named the Aegean Sea.
The grief and heroism of the story are inseparable: victory came at a great cost, and the Minotaur’s shadow lingered, a reminder of human courage facing divine cruelty.
Legacy
The tale of Theseus and the Minotaur endures as a testament to courage, ingenuity, and the cost of heroism.
It reminds us that every triumph carries consequences, that cleverness and bravery can overcome even the darkest trials, and that myths shape not only the imagination but also the moral and cultural fabric of generations.
Growing up in Corfu, I’ve spent countless summers hopping from one sandy shore to the next, searching for the perfect spot to watch the sun dip into the Ionian Sea.
These are the 10 beaches that have stayed with me — not just for their beauty, but for the memories, the quiet corners, and the little surprises only a local would notice.
Click on the images below to explore each beach in detail.
Ah, Glyfada. I remember running down its wide golden sands, sand sticking to my feet while the Ionian waves licked my ankles.
Today, it’s still that magical beach, but with a touch of modern life: dozens of seaside bars, restaurants, and even one of Corfu’s most famous nightclubs, “Pazuzu”, keep the energy buzzing.
Located on the west coast, about 15 km from Corfu Town, Glyfada offers the perfect mix of natural beauty and lively amenities. Families gather during the day, sun-seekers claim their spots on the soft sand, and in the evenings, the sky melts into fiery orange while the beach comes alive with music and laughter. Visit for sunbathing, swimming in clear waters, water sports, or nightlife — Glyfada truly has something for everyone.
2. Agios Gordios Beach
Ai Gordis Corfu Beach
Walking into Agios Gordios feels like stepping into a postcard. The long sandy beach, 25 km from Corfu Town, stretches beneath hills dotted with olive groves, and the water laps gently, perfect for families or anyone seeking a quieter alternative to Glyfada’s bustle.
It’s a favorite among locals and travelers who enjoy a relaxed vibe, with sunbeds, cafes, bars, and several excellent seaside tavernas serving fresh fish and Corfiot specialties.
Unlike Glyfada, Agios Gordios has a more laid-back atmosphere, ideal for lazy afternoons, sunsets, and long evening strolls along the sand. Whether you’re here for swimming, snorkeling, or just enjoying the view, the combination of natural beauty and welcoming amenities makes it a West Coast highlight.
3. Halikounas
Chalikounas Beach
Located on the Southwest Coast, 34 km from Corfu Town.
Halikounas exudes a quiet, untouched grandeur. As Corfu’s largest sandy beach, it stretches endlessly along the southwest coast, backed by dunes and the protected Korission Lagoon. I’ve wandered its sands at sunrise, the world still asleep, with only my footprints to keep me company.
The winds here are perfect for kite surfing and paragliding, drawing adventure seekers, yet the beach remains largely undeveloped thanks to its wetland status. Issos Beach lies just nearby, sharing the lagoon’s wild, natural beauty. Whether you’re here for long walks, a book under the sun, or the thrill of watersports, Halikounas feels like a private escape.
4. Issos
The parking area at Issos Beach
Issos is next to Halikounas and is wild. Dunes roll endlessly, and the wetlands behind hide flamingos and other birds if you’re lucky. Windsurfers glide across the shallow waters while the sunsets paint everything in pink and gold. Bring a camera — you’ll want to remember it.
5. Marathias & Santa Barbara
Marathia Beach
Located on the Southwest Coast, 38 km from Corfu Town.
These two beaches are really one long, sandy stretch with no clear boundaries — the northern part is Marathias, while the southern end is Santa Barbara. I often come here early in the morning, when the sand is quiet and the waves are my only company.
Wide and peaceful, it’s perfect for couples seeking a romantic escape, families looking for calm waters, or anyone craving solitude. The surrounding landscape is untouched and natural, with only a few tavernas dotted nearby, making it feel like a secret hideaway even in the high season. Walk from one end to the other, and you’ll understand why locals treasure it.
6. Saint George South
San George Beach south
Located on the Southwest Coast, just south of Issos, 39 km from Corfu Town.
Saint George South is a large beach with golden sand, stretching along the coast just south of Issos. Back in the 1980s, it was completely undeveloped — just sand, sea, and a barely visible road.
Today, it’s much busier, with hotels, tavernas, and beach amenities, yet it still retains stretches of wide, inviting sand. Families flock here for the shallow, calm waters, while sun-seekers enjoy the convenient facilities. Even with the development, there’s a hint of that old, natural charm if you wander a bit along the shore.
7. Porto Timoni
Corfu beach, Porto Timoni
Located in Northwest Corfu, at the northern edge of Agios Georgios Gulf, 38 km from Corfu Town.
Porto Timoni is a gem you have to work for. A hike through rugged cliffs and olive groves leads to a breathtaking double beach, each with turquoise water so clear it feels like a private paradise. Both coves are Porto Timoni — together forming one of the island’s most spectacular beaches.
Accessible only by foot or boat, the trek can be challenging: the path is steep, the sun relentless at midday, and there’s no development at all. But every careful step is rewarded with unforgettable scenery and that rare feeling of discovery.
8. Paleokastritsa (main coves)
Paleokastritsa Beach, Agios Spiridon
Northwest Corfu, 23 km from Corfu Town.
The coves around Paleokastritsa feel truly magical. Crystal-clear waters, cliffs rising around you, and the scent of pine trees make it a sensory delight. I love stopping here for a swim and then climbing up to the monastery to take in the view.
The main beaches, each with its own charm, are:
– Ampelaki Beach – the first along the west, perfect for a morning dip.
– Agios Petros Beach – tucked inside the first cove, peaceful and scenic.
– Palaiokastritsa / Agios Spiridon – the central, larger beach, framed by cliffs.
– Alipa / Alypa Beach – a small harbor suitable for yachts, speedboats, and fishing trips. From here, you can hire a boat to explore hidden beaches and remote caves south of Paleokastritsa.
– Platakia Beach – quiet and ideal for relaxing.
– Agia Triada Beach – another serene spot.
– La Grotta Beach – the easternmost of the line, with dramatic scenery and calm waters.
From these beaches, boats can be rented to discover secluded coves and hidden spots further south.
9. Arillas
Arilas Beach in Northwest Corfu
Located about 35 km northwest of Corfu Town.
Arillas stretches gently along the coast, its soft sand inviting you to kick off your shoes and wander. The waters are shallow and clear, perfect for a relaxed swim or for kids to splash around safely.
A handful of small tavernas and cafes line the beach, offering fresh seafood and local specialties without breaking the peaceful vibe. Unlike the busier beaches further south, Arillas retains a quiet charm, ideal for a morning stroll, an afternoon swim, or simply watching the sun dip toward the horizon.
10. Sidari
Sidari submarines
Situated in the Northwest of Corfu, 35 km from Corfu Town.
Sidari isn’t just about the Canal d’Amour. Beyond the famous rocks, the long sandy stretches are perfect for swimming, building sandcastles, or simply lying back and watching the clouds drift by. I have fond memories of family visits here and friends daring each other to jump into the waves.
The village itself is lively, with a nightlife scene that comes alive in the evenings, featuring bars, tavernas, and beachside music. Despite the buzz, there are quieter corners along the coast if you look for them, making it ideal for both relaxation and fun.
Greek proverbs are timeless, often blunt, and sometimes surprisingly funny. They come from Greece’s everyday life and usually carry a truth that still holds today.
Many of them, however, were shaped in older times, when morals were different and women’s place in society was difficult, so you’ll also find sayings that sound sexist or harsh by modern standards.
In just a few words, they can shock, make you laugh, or make you think about life, love, work, and human relationships. This collection gathers some of the most famous — as well as some of the sharpest and most provocative — Greek proverbs, grouped by theme.
Human Relationships
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. First is the literal Greek translation, then after the dash is the English equivalent. Humor and subtlety may vary.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“You go out and get paid through sex, and bring the money home to survive.”
You can’t have it both ways.
Insulting; reflects past social conflicts; extremely blunt; meant to shame.
“You left the marriage and went to the oaks?”
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Refers to abandoning a marriage and the chaos that can follow; very metaphorical.
“Who loves, pays.”
Love is never free.
Slightly ironic edge; love has a cost, financial or emotional.
“The bride farted, and the wedding broke.”
Something small can ruin everything.
Extremely blunt humor; emphasizes how tiny mishaps can destroy big events.
“When the cat is away, the mice are dancing.”
When the cat’s away, the mice will play.
Straightforward; widely understood across cultures.
“Eyes that don’t see each other forget quickly.”
Out of sight, out of mind.
Literal and English versions very close.
“Give courage to the villager and he’ll get into your bed.”
Tempt a fool and he’ll fall for it.
Risqué; literally warns against having many relations with villagers.
“Show me your friend, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Tell me who your friends are, and I’ll tell you who you are.
Classic proverb; literal and English meaning match closely.
“If you make the villager a friend, better hold a piece of wood in your hands.”
Be careful who you trust.
Original metaphor involves potential violence if you deal with a villager.
“Widows cry, married women cry too.”
Everyone has their troubles.
Straightforward; universal sense of shared human suffering.
“The world knows everything, and we keep it as hidden pride.”
Appearances can be deceiving.
Personal pride and secrecy; English equivalent softens the nuance.
“I tell my dog, and the dog tells its tail.”
News travels fast.
Humorous and slightly absurd literal translation; English captures core idea.
Money and Stinginess
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Often exaggerates the absurdity of greed or thriftiness.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“He squeezes fat from a fly.”
Making a mountain out of a molehill.
Describes someone extracting profit from the tiniest thing; English equivalent softens the meaning.
“Grab to eat and steal to have.”
Take what you can get.
Literal is harsher; implies opportunism or greed; English version is milder.
“Every penny you give comes back like a knife in your back.”
No good deed goes unpunished.
Very blunt in Greek; conveys betrayal or consequences of generosity.
“Money in the sun, heart very low.”
All that glitters isn’t gold.
Literal translation is poetic but obscure; English captures the cautionary meaning.
“Who lends women or money never returns home.”
Neither a borrower nor a lender be.
Extremely harsh and misogynistic literal meaning; English version is general financial advice.
“Who goes for much loses even the little.”
Don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Literal sense is very close; warns against greed.
“Who drinks on credit gets drunk twice.”
Debt doubles the trouble.
Literal is humorous but pointed; English version simplifies the proverb.
“Cough and money cannot be hidden.”
The truth always comes out.
Literal is more vivid and slightly absurd; English generalizes the idea.
“The hungry dreams of bread.”
A hungry man dreams of bread.
Literal and English equivalent very close; simple, universal imagery.
Greek Proverbs
Female Power
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Emphasizes strength and influence in a slightly humorous or exaggerated way.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“A woman who cooks with a knife doesn’t joke.”
Don’t play with fire.
Warns about a sharp-tempered woman.
“A pussy can pull a ship.”
Behind every great man is a woman.
Sexual metaphor; emphasizes female influence/power.
“Before a woman’s quarrel, your head better be gone.”
Avoid a woman’s wrath.
General warning about anger or conflict with women.
“A woman has nine lives, a man only one.”
Women are resilient.
Highlights female endurance and adaptability.
“Maria had nothing, but she looked for her missed ferret.”
She had it all, except that.
Literal; ironic, not sexual; highlights focus on small details despite poverty.
“If you keep speaking to a girl, she will do what you want at the end.”
Girls will do as they please.
Literal; illustrates cunning and persistence.
About John
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Very culturally specific; humor may be lost in translation.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“A house without John doesn’t prosper.”
No John, no progress.
Probably invented by Georges; satirical saying.
“Forty-five Johns have the intelligence of one rooster.”
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
Probably invented by Georges; implies anyone named John is stupid.
“What you had, John, what I always had.”
Same old story.
Teasing proverb by Georges; humorous, not genuine folk wisdom.
“John, your handkerchief is bloody.”
Danger has arrived.
Teasing, probably invented by Georges; more playful than serious.
“John treats, John drinks.”
He who gives also takes.
Another satirical saying, probably by Georges. There are hundreds more about John.
Work
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Shows the value of effort, laziness, and skill, often ironically.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“A tough guy for no reason, died without reason.”
Easy come, easy go.
“Work? No, thanks. Death? Yes, from boredom.”
Idleness can kill.
“In a lazy man’s house, the sun does not enter.”
A lazy man lives in darkness.
“Too much work eats the master.”
Working too hard can destroy you.
“Who is lazy to knead, sifts for five days.”
He who hesitates wastes time.
“You want to reap and tie, you want to tie and carry.”
If you start a task, finish it properly.
Refers to the long, hard work of harvest.
“Art needs a master, fava needs oil.”
Skill is essential.
“Manolis builds houses with words.”
All talk, no action.
Manolis is just a whimsical name for someone who talks a lot but does little.
Social
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Covers interactions, gossip, and social norms, sometimes darkly humorous.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“With such friends, who needs enemies?”
Better the devil you know.
“The hare’s eyes are different from the owl’s.”
Things are not always what they seem.
“The dog that barks eats its tongue.”
Barking up the wrong tree.
“Chest of marble, heart of potato.”
Cowardice is weak.
“All roads lead to gossip… and knife fights.”
Gossip travels fast.
“Lies have short legs… but sometimes bite.”
Lies don’t last.
“Where you are, I was; and where I am, you’ll come.”
What goes around, comes around.
“The vine was crooked, and the donkey ate it.”
Bad luck attracts more bad luck.
“Hits the saddle to hear the donkey.”
Sometimes the message is lost.
“Some sow, others reap.”
Not everyone benefits equally.
“All together, the beggar apart.”
Unity is strength.
“Everyone cries their pain, and the miller the channel.”
Everyone has troubles.
“Where they don’t sow you, don’t grow.”
Don’t overstep your place.
“Where many roosters crow, dawn is late.”
Too many leaders spoil the morning.
Wise Proverbs
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Wisdom may be blunt or poetic; meaning can shift in English.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“They put the wolf to guard the sheep.”
Putting the fox in charge of the henhouse.
“Lies have short legs… but sometimes bite.”
Lies have short legs.
The Greek adds a warning of potential harm.
“Who rushes, stumbles.”
Haste makes waste.
“Basil, even if withered, smells.”
Beauty lasts in memory.
“Teacher, you do differently than what you teach.”
Practice what you preach.
“Slowly, slowly, the sour fruit becomes sweet.”
Slow and steady wins the race.
“Listen to an old man’s advice.”
Wisdom comes with age.
“You grew old and yet didn’t get smart.”
Age isn’t wisdom.
“The tongue has no bones but breaks bones.”
The pen is mightier than the sword.
“As you lay, so shall you sleep.”
You reap what you sow.
“Good explanations make good friends.”
Clear accounts, clear conscience.
“From thorn comes rose, from rose comes thorn.”
Every rose has its thorn.
“August, dear month, wish you were twice a year.”
Wouldn’t it be nice if summer lasted longer?
“Two donkeys quarrel in a foreign barn.”
Fools fight over nothing.
“From a child and a fool, you learn the truth.”
Wisdom often comes from unexpected sources.
“One cuckoo does not bring Spring.”
One swallow does not make a summer.
“A good day shows in the morning.”
Early indications matter.
“Everything in its time, mackerel in August.”
Patience is key.
“Every past year, better.”
Learn from past mistakes.
Social Rules
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Focuses on etiquette, cause-effect, and folk logic.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“From lightning and ruler, expect nothing good.”
Don’t expect miracles.
“All pigs have the same face.”
They’re all the same.
“Eyes that don’t see each other forget quickly.”
Out of sight, out of mind.
“Better alone than with bad company.”
Better safe than sorry.
“I burned my hut to keep fleas away.”
Extreme measures for protection.
“If you have luck, walk, and if you have fate, go further.”
Fortune favors the bold.
“If you don’t praise your house, it will fall on you.”
Mind your own business.
“Many opinions sink the ship.”
Too many cooks spoil the broth.
“From pie you don’t eat, why care if it burns?”
Don’t worry about what doesn’t affect you.
“Even if you’re a priest, go in line.”
Follow your role.
“I have many stitches for your fur (body).”
I have ways to deal with you.
Warning, slightly threatening
“If you play with a donkey, accept its kicks.”
Expect consequences when provoking.
“Who meddles with bran gets eaten by chickens.”
Mind your own business.
“Who enters the dance, dances.”
Join and play the game.
“Don’t bless anyone before the end.”
Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.
“He doesn’t know how to share two donkeys’ hay.”
Can’t handle sharing.
Death and Luck
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Talks about fate, mortality, and chance, often fatalistic.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“Now that we have found a priest, let’s bury as many as we can.”
Better late than never.
Ironic, dark humor
“Who doesn’t work, shouldn’t eat.”
No work, no food.
“Luck is blind but ruthless.”
Fortune favors no one.
“From your mouth to God’s ear.”
Let it be so.
“God delays, the poor burst.”
The needy can’t wait.
“The drowned grabs from his hair.”
Desperate times call for desperate measures.
“A hungry bear doesn’t dance.”
You can’t work on an empty stomach.
“Don’t play with fire.”
Don’t tempt fate.
“Near the dry, even the wet crops burn.”
Collateral damage happens.
Sarcastic
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Humor and irony may be especially tricky to convey.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“Went as an ox, returned as a cow.”
Nothing goes as planned.
“The tongue has no bones but breaks bones.”
Words hurt more than actions.
“Head up, but eyes open.”
Stay alert.
“Milk hares, shear turtles.”
Do the impossible.
“Philip found Nathanael.”
Unexpected results happen.
“John drinks, John treats.”
Fair play.
“Even the spotted goat laughed.”
Even the oddest find humor.
“Even the perches will laugh.”
Everyone will laugh at folly.
“Sleep feeds babies, sun feeds calves.”
Nature nurtures.
“Said the donkey to the rooster: fool.”
Calling a spade a spade.
“From the city I come, cinnamon at the top.”
Big city, small sense.
“Like loves like, manure loves cabbage.”
Birds of a feather flock together.
“The hungry donkey doesn’t count the blows.”
Desperate people take risks.
“Crows elsewhere, hens lay elsewhere.”
Different strokes for different folks.
“We are doomed.”
We’re screwed.
“Poverty eats the money.”
Cheapness costs.
“Bad dog has no death.”
A bad person never learns.
“The good captain shows in a storm.”
True leaders shine in crisis.
Power and Human Passions
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Deals with desire, greed, jealousy; often metaphorical.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“The wolf eats from what is counted.”
Measure twice, cut once.
“The wolf, though aged and gray-haired, changes neither opinion nor head.”
Old habits die hard.
“Feed a wolf in winter, it will eat you in summer.”
Beware of helping the ungrateful.
“They put the wolf to guard the sheep.”
Foolish trust backfires.
“Love blinds and jealousy crushes.”
Love is blind, jealousy is cruel.
“Who sows anger, reaps knives.”
What goes around comes around.
Sex and Humor
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Bold, risqué, or playful; English may soften extremes.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“Chest of marble, heart of potato.”
Cowards hide their feelings.
“A pussy has the power to drag a ship.”
Behind every man is a woman.
“He drowns the rabbit, shakes the pear tree, sends the letter…”
Sexual metaphor; absurd exaggeration.
“Elsewhere you rub me, Father, and elsewhere I have the pain.”
Sexual metaphor.
“From nothing, Panagiotena is good too.”
Beauty is relative.
“Your yard thirsts for water, and you are watering elsewhere.”
Your wife is sexually thirsty and you’re cheating around.
“Outside looks like a doll, and inside a plague.”
Appearances deceive.
“I want to be a saint, but the devil won’t let me.”
Conflict of desire.
“The old hen has the juice.”
Sexual metaphor; experience counts.
“The good mill grinds everything.”
All-purpose usefulness.
“Have a child to see prosperity.”
Family brings fortune.
“Honor has no price, joy for the one who has it.”
Respect is priceless.
Cynical Truths
(Literal translations lose nuance; English equivalents approximate. Harsh, pragmatic observations about life and people.)
Literal / Greek Proverb
English Equivalent / Meaning
Notes
“Every penny you give comes back like a knife in your back.”
No good deed goes unpunished.
“Money in the sun, heart very low.”
Money can’t buy happiness.
“Who lends women or money never returns home.”
Don’t lend what you can’t lose.
“Who is not happy with wealth, loses the little too.”
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