In the Georgian language (Qartulad), there is no direct word-for-word translation that maintains the poetic rhythm of the Spanish, but the conceptual translation is deeply embedded in the culture.
The most common Georgian equivalent to this sentiment is:
"გამოცდილება დედაა" (Gamotsdileba deda). Translation: "Experience is the mother."
Or, more specifically regarding the wisdom of elders, Georgians often say:
"ჭარხლის ჭკუა არ მოსვლია, მაგრამ თავის ჭკუაზე გამოვიდა" (A variation implying one learns through living, not just by thinking).
However, the closest philosophical match to the Spanish proverb is often found in the simple, profound respect for the elderly found in Georgian traditions. When a Georgian says, "ბებერი თორმეტი საქმის მცოდნეა" (Beberi tormeti sakmis mtsodnea)—"An old person knows twelve things" (implying they know things a young person hasn't even heard of)—they are echoing the Spanish sentiment exactly.
This hybrid phrase mixes Spanish mas sabe el diablo with Georgian qartulad (“in Georgian”). The full Georgian proverb is:
მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად
Mas sjob(s) eshmaki kartulad – “The devil is better/smarter in Georgian.”
Because Georgian uses its own unique script (Mkhedruli, which has 33 letters with no capitals), the Spanish phrase must be either translated semantically or transliterated phonetically.
Next time you hear someone twist words masterfully, don’t just say "the devil made them do it." Say:
In Spanish: Más sabe el diablo por viejo.
In Georgian: მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად.
In English: The devil knows best — especially when he’s speaking Georgian.
Have you heard similar proverbs from other languages that twist the original? Share them in the comments below!
Here’s a short academic-style paper on the phrase “Mas sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” and its Georgian equivalent “მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად” (often informally said as “mas sabe el diablo qartulad” – “the devil knows more in Georgian”).
In the Georgian language (Qartulad), there is no direct word-for-word translation that maintains the poetic rhythm of the Spanish, but the conceptual translation is deeply embedded in the culture.
The most common Georgian equivalent to this sentiment is:
"გამოცდილება დედაა" (Gamotsdileba deda). Translation: "Experience is the mother."
Or, more specifically regarding the wisdom of elders, Georgians often say: mas sabe el diablo qartulad
"ჭარხლის ჭკუა არ მოსვლია, მაგრამ თავის ჭკუაზე გამოვიდა" (A variation implying one learns through living, not just by thinking).
However, the closest philosophical match to the Spanish proverb is often found in the simple, profound respect for the elderly found in Georgian traditions. When a Georgian says, "ბებერი თორმეტი საქმის მცოდნეა" (Beberi tormeti sakmis mtsodnea)—"An old person knows twelve things" (implying they know things a young person hasn't even heard of)—they are echoing the Spanish sentiment exactly.
This hybrid phrase mixes Spanish mas sabe el diablo with Georgian qartulad (“in Georgian”). The full Georgian proverb is: In the Georgian language (Qartulad), there is no
მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად
Mas sjob(s) eshmaki kartulad – “The devil is better/smarter in Georgian.”
Because Georgian uses its own unique script (Mkhedruli, which has 33 letters with no capitals), the Spanish phrase must be either translated semantically or transliterated phonetically.
Next time you hear someone twist words masterfully, don’t just say "the devil made them do it." Say: Or, more specifically regarding the wisdom of elders,
In Spanish: Más sabe el diablo por viejo.
In Georgian: მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად.
In English: The devil knows best — especially when he’s speaking Georgian.
Have you heard similar proverbs from other languages that twist the original? Share them in the comments below!
Here’s a short academic-style paper on the phrase “Mas sabe el diablo por viejo que por diablo” and its Georgian equivalent “მას სჯობს ეშმაკი ქართულად” (often informally said as “mas sabe el diablo qartulad” – “the devil knows more in Georgian”).