When I first began researching proverbs in Spanish, or dichos, I sent an e-mail to my family soliciting their favorites. I got a flood of responses, with a surprising amount of crossover. Which actually makes sense considering most of them probably originated with my grandmother in the first place. She didn't e-mail me any herself, but through a complicated family phone tree that stretched all the way from her home in Durango, Mexico to me here in Boston, I was reminded of a few more of her favorites. (And then there was the ever-so-helpful note from my cousin who jokingly asked, "You mean like when you "dicho" school?" Thanks, Jason.)

A few dicho-loving readers also wrote in, including one who described himself as fascinated by "cosas Latinas" (all things Latino).

So here's a random assortment of memorable dichos, along with their English translations or equivalents, that were omitted from the original story solely for the sake of space:

"No hay mal que por bien no venga." (There is no bad that doesn't come for good.)   This favorite of my grandmother's was also passed along by Mark Stephen Caponigro of New York. My cousin Laura (yes, there are a lot of us cousins) feels the the English equivalent of "Every cloud has a silver lining" is probably a bit too optimistic. But it's close. Mr. Caponigro offered: "You know it is not bad, if it turns out OK." And the more religious: "Even if it is really bad, the Big Guy Upstairs is going to make it turn out OK."

Reader Jack Hansen from Walla Walla, Wash., sent in what he suggests are words of caution directed at those contemplating crossing the border from Mexico into the US: "Lo más cerca de los Estados Unidos, lo más lejos del Dios." (The closer you are to the United States, the further you are from God.)

"Más vale malo por conocido que bueno por conocer." (Evil that you know is better than good that you haven't met.)

"Más vale pajaro en mano que cien volando." (A bird in the hand is better than a hundred flying.)

"De tal palo, tal astilla." (From such a stick, such a splinter.) Or, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

"Al que madruga dios lo ayuda." (God helps those who get up early.)

"Date a deseo y oleras a poleo." (Give yourself sparingly, and you'll smell like poleo – a type of mint.) Basically, absence makes the heart grow fonder.

"El flojo trabaja doble." (The lazy person works double.) So, do things right the first time!

"A tu burro le das palos." (You're hitting your own donkey.) Meaning, you're only hurting yourself.

"Como me ves te verás." (The way you see me you'll see yourself one day.) This is a retort used by viejitos (older folks) when muchachos (children) make fun of them.

I'd never heard this one, which comes from Venezuela, but I really like it. "No creo en brujas, pero vuelan, vuelan." (I don't believe in witches, but they do fly.) Or, I'm skeptical, but you never know...

Have a favorite dicho or something else you'd like to share? Please write us at Weekend Zone.

by Teresa Méndez