Hi kidkboom, if you don't mind, I'd suggest to translate your signature phrase "Muddy boots make wise steps" a bit differently:

Literally:
=>Грязные башмаки делают мудрые шаги.

But, that does not really sound natural in Russian, so to make it sound better, I'd suggest to rephrase it a little depending on what you really want to say:

=> Грязными башмаками приходится шагать очень осторожно. (Meaning, while your boots are muddy, you have to be considerate and make very careful steps so as not to spray the mud all over the place making it dirty too.)

or

=> Грязные башмаки располагают к осмотрительности в выборе дороги. (Since you've already made so many mistakes chosing wrong muddy ways, now you can apply your earlier experience and start thinking it through before you start making the new choices.)