Russian Prison Proverbs and Sayings: Original Slang, Meanings and Camp Folklore
"A solid man, but a soft ass."
Russian:
Человек твердый, но жопа мягкая.
Meaning:
Used about someone who only pretends to be tough.
"Don't trust. Don't fear. Don't beg."
Russian:
Не верь, не ссы, не проси.
Meaning:
Perhaps the most famous Russian prison motto. It encourages self-reliance, distrust of others, and refusal to ask for favors.
"Greed ruined the sucker."
Russian:
Жадность фраера сгубила.
Meaning:
One of the best-known criminal sayings. It suggests that greed makes victims vulnerable to scams, theft, and manipulation.
"The law is the taiga. The prosecutor is the bear."
Russian:
Закон — тайга, прокурор — медведь.
Meaning:
A classic prison proverb. The wilderness has its own rules, and the strongest creature enforces them.
"The sooner you get out, the sooner you'll come back."
Russian:
Раньше выйдешь — раньше сядешь.
Meaning:
A cynical joke about repeat offenders returning to prison.
"We're not afraid of work. We're just not going to do it."
Russian:
Мы работы не боимся, но работать не пойдем!
Meaning:
One of the most famous prison jokes. It mocks labor while pretending to respect it.
"Let the horse plow. It's stronger."
Russian:
Пусть лошадь пашет, она сильная.
Meaning:
A humorous excuse for avoiding work.
"A cop is a treasure that should be stored underground."
Russian:
Мент — это клад, который нужно хранить в земле.
Meaning:
A dark anti-police joke found in prison folklore.
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