German Idioms > German 'A' Idioms > Auge
German Idioms and Expressions: Proverbs
Proverbs or Sayings with 'Auge'
1. Auge um Auge, Zahn um Zahn
English Meaning: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth
Literal translation: Eye for eye, tooth for tooth
Comment: This German expression is almost identical to the English, because both expressions come from the same source: the Tora and the Bible (Exodus). The full original Hebrew text translates into German as "...so sollst du geben Leben für Leben, Auge für Auge, Zahn für Zahn, Hand für Hand, Fuß für Fuß, Brandmal für Brandmal, Wunde für Wunde, Strieme für Strieme." (English: "...then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.") - Exodus 21:23-25
2. Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn
English Meaning: Out of sight, out of mind
Literal translation: Out of the eyes, out of the sense (mind)
Comment: In French, the same proverb ends with "...out of the heart" ("...loin du coeur")
3. Die Augen sind der Spiegel der Seele
English Meaning: The eyes are the window of the soul
Literal translation: The eyes are the mirror of the soul
Comment: This German proverb is known in many languages. The basic idea is found in the Bible and was also expressed in Latin by Cicero.
4. Vier Augen sehen mehr als zwei
English Meaning: Four eyes see more than two; two heads are better than one
Literal translation: Four eyes see more than two
Comment: This proverb expresses the idea that two people can see more than one, as in "two heads are better than one," the alternate English translation.
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