Russian Proverbs on Bread

A gift of bread to a good man is a loan, and an alms to others.

The meal is bad where there is no bread.

When a human being is born, a bit of bread is ready for him.

Without a bit of bread even a palace is sad, with it a pine-tree is paradise.

The house is beautiful, but unhappiness is there if no bread is in it.

Bread is a head of all.

Bread is a father, water is a mother.

Bread is a gift from God, it is a father, a nurse.

Bread is a good thing everywhere—at home or over the sea.

German Proverbs on Bread and Baking

Lena have learned the art of baking from her German grandmother. Germans are enthusiastic bread lovers and their folklore reflects this. So here's a collection of German practical wisdom on bread, baking and everyday life. 

Alles Brod ist guet, aber Kei Brod ist nit guet.

[All bread is good, but no bread is not good.]

Brot and Wein giebt auch eine suppe.

[Bread and wine make a meal.]

Besser ein Stuck Brot in der Kiepe, als eine Feder auf dem Hut.

[Better a bit of bread in the hand than a feather in the hat.]

Ein Ei einer Stundt, Brot eines Tags, Wein eines Jahrs alt is ihre best.

[An egg of an hour, bread of a day, and wine of a year are the best.]

Eine Mühle, die nicht umgeht, ein Backofen, der nicht heiss ist, und eine Mutter, die nicht gern daheim ist, sind unwerth.

[A mill that will not go, an oven that will not heat, and a mother who is never at home are worthless.]

Fleiss bringt Brot, Faulheit bringt noth.

[Industry brings bread, laziness brings want.]

Noth sucht Brot wo es sich findet.

[Necessity seeks bread where it is to be found.]

Wer ein Bäcker werden will, gibt keinen Maler.

[Who will be a baker will not be an artist.]

Wer feuerscheu ist, soll kein Bäcker werden.

[Who is afraid of fire should not be a baker.]

Wer Käse ohne Brod esse, er Komme in den Laus turn. 

[Who eats cheese without bread becomes a beggar.]

Wer kein Glück hat, dem verbrennt das Brod in Ofen.

[Who has no luck his bread burns in the oven.] 

And that never ever happens with us. So we must have a good luck. :)

English Bread Proverbs

Bread is one of the greatest discoveries of a mankind. It’s more than a staple, more than food. Bread is one of the vivid and powerful symbols of life itself in many cultures throughout the world. It’s a symbol of hard and honest labor, hope and wealth. Bread was used in many rituals and accompanied man from birth to his last breath.

When two people broke bread together it meant that they came to agreement and made a covenant. The young couple was showered with grain at the wedding in a sign of fruitful and good marriage. The most honored guests were greeted with a loaf of bread and salt. Bread was given as a gift as a sign of blessing and a good intention. Bread or grain was offered as a sacrifice in religious ceremonies.

That’s why bread is mentioned in proverbs and sayings, games, oaths and curses.

Here’s a small collection of English proverbs about bread. I hope you will find them interesting.

All grief’s with bread are less.

Baked bread must be eaten.

Dry bread at home is better than roast meat abroad.

Give the birds crumbs; God gives you loaves.

If you hate a man eat his bread, if you love him do the same.

Keep him at least three paces distant who hates bread, music and the laugh of a child. — Lavater.

You cannot both eat your cake and have your cake.