CRETAN PROVERBS

Άστραψεν η μούρη μου.
This is said when someone suddenly hears something deeply upsetting or hurtful.

When you hear something all of a sudden—something that truly wounds you and catches you off guard—your face flashes like lightning.

Πατεί και δε γκίζει.
This is said when someone cannot hide their overwhelming joy.

When a person achieves something beyond what they ever hoped for,
they no longer feel their feet touch the earth—they walk above the ground.

Δε βρίχνεται στα τέσσερα καστέλια.
This is said when something (usually a person or beauty) is truly rare and unmatched—so unique it cannot be found even across all of Crete.

Her beauty can’t be found in all the island’s four great castles,
and from the minds of men, she’s stolen all their sons and lovers.

Δεν έχει ο Θεός αφέντη.
This is said to express absolute certainty—just as it’s certain that God has no master, so too is the speaker sure they will do what they’ve promised.

God has no master—what I said, I’ll see it through,
and you shall hear it soon enough—unless death stops me too.

Αποχοντραίνει ο νους μου.
This is said when someone is overwhelmed with sorrow and anxiety—to the point of emotional collapse or even hypochondria.

When someone finds themselves consumed by pain too deep to bear,
and no solution can be found—their mind grows dark with care.

Κάνει τ’ αμούδιασμά ν-του.
This is said when someone experiences something so surprising or strange that their mind can’t process it.

When someone sees the unthinkable—what reason can’t explain—
and never saw it coming, they go numb with sudden strain.

Μαλλιά έβγαλεν η γλώσσα μου να σου το λέω.
This is said when someone repeatedly advises or warns another person about something they believe is right—but the other person never listens.

My tongue grew hair from all the times I tried to guide your way,
but still you do not see what’s right, no matter what I say.

Εκειά ‘χασεν το γάιδαρο ν-του.
This is said to describe someone who shows total indifference— as if they lost something important and still don’t seem to care.

But he didn’t lose his donkey there—he couldn’t care much less. He wouldn’t waste his time at all on something meaningless.