There are resembling idioms, proverbs, fairytales in many languages, what says about the single cultural space.
There are sayings in Russian that show our national character.
For example we say:
Не делай добра, не получишь зла. /Ne delay dobra, ne poluchish zla./
What does English language say about this?
"If you want peace, be prepared for war".
That is Latin phrase:
"Si vis pacem, para bellum"
This thought is the work of Marcus Tullius Cicero:
"Si pace frui volumus bellum gerendum est"
and of Cornelius Nepos:
"Paritur pax bello".
English language agrees to this: “If you want peace, be prepared for war”.
And Russian one says: "Не делай добра – не получишь зла". (Don’t do good – won’t endure the evil)
English theologian George Herbert (XVII century) said:
"Hell is full of good meaning and wishing". ("Jacula prudentium")
In 1775 English writer Samuel Johnson said:
"Hell is paved with good intentions".
The final draft of the proverb is: The road to hell is paved with good intentions.
Дорога в ад вымощена благими намерениями.
