Famous Armenian Quotes and Sayings

Here, we explore some of the most famous Armenian quotes and sayings that have stood the test of time and continue to resonate with people around the world.

1. Ամեն մարդ իր սարը թող մագլցի

• Translation: "Every man must climb his own mountain."

• Meaning: This saying emphasizes personal responsibility and the journey of overcoming one’s own challenges. It suggests that each person has their own path to navigate and obstacles to overcome.
  

2.  Ձեռքը ձեռք է լվանում, երկու ձեռքը՝ երես

• Translation: " A hand washes a hand, both hands wash a face."

• Meaning: This proverb highlights the importance and benefits of mutual cooperation and assistance. It suggests that when individuals help each other, they can achieve greater outcomes together than they could alone.
  

3. Երկաթը կպաղի, մարդը՝ չի մոռանա

• Translation: "Iron cools down, but man does not forget."

• Meaning: This proverb illustrates the enduring nature of human memory and emotions. Unlike objects that can change state or cool down, human experiences, especially painful ones, are not easily forgotten.
  

4. Խոսքը արծաթ է, լռելը՝ ոսկի

• Translation: "Speech is silver, silence is gold."

• Meaning: While speaking and communication are highly valued, knowing when to remain silent is even more crucial. This saying values the wisdom of speech, especially the importance of keeping silent.
  

5. Ամեն ծառ իր պտուղն է տալիս

• Translation: "Every tree gives its fruit."

• Meaning: This proverb suggests that every person or thing has one thing to offer. It is naive to expect more.
  

6. Մարդն իր ծովը կունենա

- Translation: "A man should  have his own sea."

- Meaning: This saying expresses the idea that everyone will find their place or domain. It implies that everyone should eventually have their own space or environment where they belong.

7. Յոթ անգամ չափիր, մեկ անգամ կտրիր

• Translation: " Measure seven times, cut once."

• Meaning: The proverb emphasizes the importance of careful planning and thorough preparation before taking action. It suggests that one should double-check and be absolutely certain of their decisions and measurements before making a final move, such as cutting.  In essence, it advocates for patience, precision, and diligence to ensure a successful outcome.

8. Մի ձեռքը ծափ չի տա

• Translation: "One hand cannot clap."

• Meaning: This saying emphasizes the importance of cooperation and teamwork, indicating that success often requires the efforts of more than one person.
  

9. Թխելիս քացախ մի լցրու

• Translation: "Don't pour vinegar while baking."

• Meaning: This proverb advises against spoiling something good by introducing negativity or inappropriate actions.
  

10. Ճանապարհին գտած գդալը կերակուր չի դառնա

• Translation: "A spoon found on the road won't turn into food."

• Meaning: This proverb implies that relying solely on luck won't get you anywhere.
  

11. Մի ծաղկով գարուն չի գա

• Translation: " Spring will not come with one flower."

• Meaning: The proverb means that a single positive sign or effort is not enough to bring about a significant change or result. Just as one flower alone cannot signify the arrival of spring, one small action or occurrence cannot bring about a major transformation. This saying underscores the need for collective efforts and contributions to achieve a meaningful or noticeable impact.
  

12. Գետը լցված է կաթով

• Translation: "The river is filled with milk."

• Meaning: This saying conveys a sense of abundance and prosperity, implying that there are plenty of good things available.
  

13. Ավելի լավ է մի անգամ տեսնել, քան հարյուր անգամ լսել

• Translation: "It is better to see once than to hear a hundred times."

• Meaning: This proverb values firsthand experience over hearsay, emphasizing the importance of direct observation.
  

14. Արագ ձիու ոտքը քարի է կպչում

• Translation: "The fast horse’s foot hits the stone."

• Meaning: This proverb implies that haste often leads to mistakes or accidents, advocating for a more cautious approach.
  

15. Մի գլուխը լավ է, երկուսն ավելի լավ

• Translation: "One head is good, two is better

• Meaning: This proverb emphasizes the value of collaboration and collective thinking. It suggests that while one person's ideas and decisions can be effective, involving another person can lead to even better outcomes.
  

16. Պտուղը ծառից հեռու չի ընկնում

• Translation: "The fruit doesn't fall far from the tree”

• Meaning: This means that children often resemble their parents in behavior, characteristics, or abilities. Just as fruit from a tree typically lands nearby, children tend to inherit and exhibit traits and habits similar to those of their parents. This saying is often used to highlight familial similarities and the influence of upbringing and genetics.