- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
Sorry, I'm afraid I don't quite get what this saying means. Is it saying that those who are attacked should not speak up or try to defend themselves? That would seem awfully convenient for those who like to "toss sticks", wouldn't it?
"Se koira älähtää, johon kalikka kalahtaa." I think it means something like, if someone throws a stick and it doesn't hit anything, so what? But if the dog yelps, that means that there must be some substance to the allegation, or the dog wouldn't react.
This page suggests "The Lady doth protest too much" as the English equivalent.
http://www.fact-archive.com/quotes/Finnish_proverbs
Here's my favorite:"Always exist branch grabbers, when exist fir-tree haulers." (Whenever someone accomplishes something, there will always other people trying to claim the credit.