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Glossary entry

Russian term or phrase:

красиво жить не запретишь

English translation:

There's no law against sitting pretty/There's no crime...

Added to glossary by Judith Hehir
Aug 14, 2009 21:17
14 yrs ago
Russian term

красиво жить не запретишь

Russian to English Art/Literary Poetry & Literature
a common wisdom familiar to most Russian/Soviet people. I just want to explain in a concise and expressive form to a U.S. audience what we mean by that.
Proposed translations (English)
5 +7 There's no law against sitting pretty/There's no crime...
4 +2 Can't stop someone from flaunting their wealth...
4 +1 it is not illegal to live the good life
4 +1 there ain't no rap 'gainst livin' it up
4 Living wealthy and good.... who can prohibit that?
4 Living a life of wealth and abundance cannot be prohibited
3 +1 champagne taste on a beer budget
3 +1 you cannot forbide the rich to show they are rich
3 You cannot afford to be poor
3 Living well is the best revenge
3 to strive for quality of life is human
3 La Bella Vita, for ever!
Change log

Aug 17, 2009 13:08: Judith Hehir Created KOG entry

Aug 24, 2009 23:58: Judith Hehir changed "Edited KOG entry" from "<a href="/profile/1088035">Judith Hehir's</a> old entry - "красиво жить не запретишь"" to ""There's no law against sitting pretty/There's no crime...""

Discussion

Judith Hehir Aug 15, 2009:
Pretty scary things in the news these days
GaryG Aug 15, 2009:
A link in the news http://tinyurl.com/onr5g4 (Believers Invest in the Gospel of Getting Rich)
Michael Korovkin Aug 15, 2009:
Living well is the best revenge comes from the metaphysical ruminations of Frank Herbet, who, for all his doubtless virtues and devotional steadiness, was totally devoid of any sense of humour. Krasivo zhit' is, in a way, the opposite to what was the original meaning of living well: it's living it up. Most of the time the entire process involved is ugly rather than beautiful... What's happenning to MY sense of humour... I'm waxing didactic! Better go have a caviar sandwich and a flute of Dom... krasivo zhit' ne zapretish!
Victor Zagria Aug 15, 2009:
"шоб - ты жил на одну зарплату!"<br>- у нас все было, а нам за это ничего не было"<br>- красиво жить не запретишь"
- La bella vita, baby..
GaryG Aug 15, 2009:
Unrelated There's also the expression "Living well is the best revenge", which is used as both lyrics, a blog title, and book title
Eric Candle Aug 15, 2009:
"Красиво жить не запретишь, как не заставишь жить достойно..."
Mikhail Korolev Aug 15, 2009:
Origin of the phrase: http://bibliotekar.ru/encSlov/10/159.htm
Красиво жить не запретишь!

Выражение стало популярным после выхода фильма «Красиво жить не запретишь» (1983), снятого режиссером А. Васильевым по сценарию Валентина Константиновича Черныха (р.1935).

Используется как иронический комментарий к образу жизни, манерам и т. д. людей, которые полагают, что они живут «красиво» и весьма этим гордятся.
koundelev Aug 15, 2009:
Judith, Sure you should post it! IMO the "no crime" version sounds better...
Judith Hehir Aug 15, 2009:
Good ol' Bill Cosby Should I enter it? I think it fits, but...

Well, that's how we say such things in English anyway.
Angela Greenfield Aug 15, 2009:
Judith, This is ingenious! I have completely forgoten this expression and I should have remembered it, since it was used by Bill Cosby in his yesterday's show here in DC!
Judith Hehir Aug 14, 2009:
How about... there's no law against sitting pretty or
there's no crime in sitting pretty
Tatiana Willemsen-Golyandrina Aug 14, 2009:
An idea: Your life has to match your riches...
Jack Doughty Aug 14, 2009:
Probably not relevant here, but... ...there's a nice saying in English:
"Money doesn't bring you happiness. but at least you can be miserable in comfort".
Angela Greenfield Aug 14, 2009:
Tevah_Trans and a05 Agree absolutely. I didn't mean that the phrase is exlusively used by the people who are unaccountable wealthy.
Tevah_Trans: Maybe you should post your suggestion about "flaunting your wealth". It makes sense and fits the context. IMHO
Tevah_Trans Aug 14, 2009:
I don't believe this phrase only applies to those who can't account for the source of their wealth. I believe it applies to anyone who flaunts their wealth - especially in the face of those who can't afford the same habits. Imho, of course.
a05 (asker) Aug 14, 2009:
Interesting ideas but in my understanding the issue is not only about being rich or poor but also about spending habits. so to say.
Angela Greenfield Aug 14, 2009:
Gary, You made me smile. You are right. But the Russian phrase is actually also used by people who can't account for the sources of their wealth.
Tatiana Willemsen-Golyandrina Aug 14, 2009:
Angela, Ваша версия - просто блеск! Я в полнейшем восторге! Гениально перефразировали!
GaryG Aug 14, 2009:
I usually refrain from paraphrasing (a bad habit for a translator ;-). This sounds like an explanation from an official who's unaccountably wealthy.
Angela Greenfield Aug 14, 2009:
Gary, You can definitely paraphrase this: It's no shame to be rich (or something to that effect). I love Fiddler on the Roof, by the way. :-)
GaryG Aug 14, 2009:
From "Fiddler on the Roof" "It's no shame to be poor...but it's no great honor, either"

Proposed translations

+7
6 hrs
Selected

There's no law against sitting pretty/There's no crime...

in sitting pretty
Note from asker:
http://www.lasvegassun.com/news/2009/may/17/sitting-pretty/ http://www.nzherald.co.nz/lifestyle/news/article.cfm?c_id=6&objectid=10585769
Peer comment(s):
agree Rachel Douglas : That sounds fine! (Somehow what came to my mind was Sir Toby Belch: "Dost thou think because thou art virtuous, that there shall be no more cakes and ale?" But, different context and nuances.
1 hr
Thank you, Rachel. I thought I thanked you earlier, but apparently it didn't register. You are a treasure house of sayings and such.
agree koundelev
3 hrs
Tahnks for your support, George.
agree Lyonka
5 hrs
Thank you, Lyonka.
agree Sergey Gurinovich
8 hrs
Thank you, Sergey.
agree Eng-Rus/Rus-Eng : I am learning, I am learning! :)
12 hrs
Hurray for learning. Me, too. Thanks.
agree Victor Zagria : подождите, не так быстро! Я записываю..:))
12 hrs
I see. I see. Thank you, Victor.
agree Mikhail Korolev
12 hrs
Thanks, klp.
Something went wrong...
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "I do not usually join the majority but this is a clear case. Judith has also provided an equivalent to another illustrous Russian movie quote (хорошо сидим) -- 2 in 1! My final version is closer to the original wording: <br>No way to forbid sitting pretty<br>"
12 mins

You cannot afford to be poor

It is just an idea. I found this phrase on the Internet. I feel, this version renders the meaning of this Russian phrase.
Something went wrong...
+1
36 mins

it is not illegal to live the good life

***
Peer comment(s):
agree Tatiana Willemsen-Golyandrina : Even though I have given my own version, I would like to acknowledge that yours is far better!
32 mins
thank you
Something went wrong...
46 mins

Living wealthy and good.... who can prohibit that?

nobody...
Something went wrong...
+2
49 mins

Can't stop someone from flaunting their wealth...

Thanks Angela!
Peer comment(s):
agree Angela Greenfield
19 mins
Thanks Angela!
agree Irina Romanova-Wasike
1 hr
Thanks Irina!
neutral danya : not necessarily wealth, the Russian phrase has a broader application
6 hrs
Something went wrong...
53 mins

Living well is the best revenge

This isn't a translation or even an exact equivalent, of course -- just a similar saying. It is attributed to George Herbert (1593-1633) and, more recently, has been used as the title of an R.E.M. song, a bestseller by Calvin Tomkins about Gerald and Sara Murphy (F. Scott Fitzgerald based his novel "Tender is the Night" on them.), at least one blog, and who knows what else. It doesn't imply revenge in any kind of vindictive way.

Here's a quote from the blurb about the Tomkins' book:

"It tells the story of Gerald and Sara Murphy, whose home and lifestyle in France (and later, here in the US), was legendary and set a standard that many sought to emulate and fictionalize. . ." [http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/at-email/living-well-is-t...]
Peer comment(s):
neutral Andrey Belousov (X) : Living well is the best - i totally agree with these words, where I find the last word out of tune.
7 mins
I understand, but as I said, it's just a similar - and familiar - saying.
Something went wrong...
1 hr

to strive for quality of life is human

...
Something went wrong...
4 hrs

Living a life of wealth and abundance cannot be prohibited

http://www.helium.com/items/1431450-the-path-to-becoming-a-m...

People dream of living a life of wealth and abundance. They imagine beautiful homes, exotic vacations, expensive cars, and a life free from the everyday stress of budgeting monthly bills and expenses. They dream of becoming a millionaire, and all of the comforts and privileges that come with it. But most people only dream, never taking the initiative to make their dreams become reality.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 4 hrs (2009-08-15 01:25:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

Or, ...is a prevailing human desire.
Something went wrong...
+1
4 hrs

champagne taste on a beer budget

I might be mistaken, but I always thought that this phrase has actually nothing to do with wealth. It has to do with spending more money than you have, or wanting more than you can afford. So I think something like champagne taste on a beer budget is quite idiomatic and has the same connotation. http://www.usingenglish.com/reference/idioms/champagne taste...
Note from asker:
Вы уловили суть, с моей точки зрения.
Peer comment(s):
agree koundelev
4 hrs
Спасибо!
Something went wrong...
+1
7 hrs

you cannot forbide the rich to show they are rich

или
you cannot teach the rich to be modest

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 9 hrs (2009-08-15 06:18:16 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

*forbid без "e"
Peer comment(s):
agree Mikhail Korolev
9 hrs
спасибо!
Something went wrong...
18 hrs

La Bella Vita, for ever!

"...Я люблю тебя, жизнь, и
надеюсь, что это взаимно..." "Да чтоб у нас все было, а за это нам и ничего не было!"
Something went wrong...
+1
17 hrs

there ain't no rap 'gainst livin' it up

... yeah, dude!

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 21 hrs (2009-08-15 19:04:05 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

You can simply put "living well is not illegal", but it's so pedestrian...
Peer comment(s):
agree Victor Zagria : ага, сядем усе..:)
1 hr
thanks Victor, но лучше лягем...
Something went wrong...
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