One shouldn't break a butterfly on the wheel / One shouldn't crush a fly with a steam-roller / One shouldn't use a steamhammer to crack a nut
Man schlägt nicht Mücken mit Keulen tot
Из спасиба (за спасибо) шубы не выкроишь (не сошьёшь)
Many words will not fill a bushel / Praise is not pudding / Words pay no debts / No penny, no paternoster
«Habedank» füllet den Beutel nicht
И на старуху (старушку) бывает проруха (прорушка)
Every man has a fool in his sleeve / No man is wise at all times / He is lifeless who is faultless / It could happen even to a bishop! / Even Homer sometimes nods / A good marksman may miss / The best cart may be upset / The best cloth may have a moth in it / Accidents will happen in the best regulated families
Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht / Kluge Hühner legen auch in die Nesseln
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