Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
It's usually used ironically.
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
Yes, everyone knows this proverb and it's quite popular -- not one of those archaic things. And yes, it's used ironically, when somebody boasts about/emphasizes his strength too much.
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
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Originally Posted by Johanna
But the translation given is "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
It's a wrong translation, by the way, since this saying does not have anything to do with violence. It's about cases when someone applies pure physical strength instead of thinking a little, i.e. when you see a door stuck and wouldn't close instead of looking what blocks it you simply push it harder or even kick it. Something breaks as a result and then someone would say: you have strength, you don't need brains. It is usually said when someone breaks something due to excess force applied.
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I have never heard this proverb so it can't be very common. What about the Russian one? Did I understand it right - is it worth knowing?
It's a rather widespread saying, at least I've been hearing it and using it myself quite often.
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
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Originally Posted by Ramil
It's a wrong translation, by the way, since this saying does not have anything to do with violence. It's about cases when someone applies pure physical strength instead of thinking a little, i.e. when you see a door stuck and wouldn't close instead of looking what blocks it you simply push it harder or even kick it. Something breaks as a result and then someone would say: you have strength, you don't need brains. It is usually said when someone breaks something due to excess force applied.
+1 :good:
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
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Originally Posted by Johanna
I had to look up "yм"
I didn't even understand right away what you meant. English 'm' and Russian 'м' look totally different for Russian eyes.
The 'm' looks like Russian 'т' in some types.
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
Thanks very much for the responses. I'm feeling a bit put off at the moment, after reading those comments in the Political forum, so I'll come back some other day and check this properly. Laters.
Re: "Сила есть, ума не надо"
All great explanations, and picture. :good:
I really understand this now and I have memorised the phrase.
Good to know that it is in fact commonly used. I came across it in connection with looking into the different meanings of "сила"
Olya... yeah that was a beginners mistake with the "ум" -- I do occassionally mix them up... I.e. I write "B" when I mean "Б" etc...
The handwriting doesn't exaxtly make it easier.