Popular sayings

A caballo regalado no se le miran los dientes
English: never look a gift horse in the mouth
Comments and History: When someone receives some sort of gift or present, it should be accepted without questioning the object. The person should limit himself to accepting the gift as is. The last part of the saying comes from the ancient custom of checking the teeth of the horses to know their state of well being. 

Buscar una aguja en un pajar
English: to look for a needle in a haystack
Comments and History: This is the most noted representation of a difficult task; there is nothing harder than trying to find a needle in a haystack. 

Cuando el río suena, agua trae
English: where there's smoke, there's fire
Comments and History: It's obvious that a river contains water, whether you can hear it or not, but the reference is made to alert people to be careful about movements and changes that could affect possibilities. 

Donde las dan, las toman
English: one sows evil, one will reap it
Comments and History: One who does wrong things is usually paid back with the same treatment.

En casa del herrero, cuchillo de palo
English: the shoemaker's son always goes barefoot
Comments and History: Sometimes something is missing just when one would think it shouldn't be missing.

Lo que viene fácil, fácil se va
English: easy come, easy go
Comments and History: This is a reference to power, success, or riches that are acquired the easy way, without much effort. The same way they are acquired, they can be lost.

Mal de muchos, consuelo de tontos
English: it's a fool's consolation the think everyone is in the same boat
Comments and History: We can't console ourselves thinking during a time of loss or hardship thinking that the same thing happens to others.

Si no puedes vencerlo(s), únete a él(ellos)
English: if you can't beat'em, join'em
Comments and History: Advice for someone who isn't capable of beating a circumstantial enemy. Instead it's better to become allies.