Russian saying

[Donna Seifer]

Hello Ann,

I have been looking for a Russian equivalent for this phrase for some time
now. Here is what I've found that seems the closest:

"(sidet') tishe vody, nizhe travy" - meaning "ne vysovivajsia."

The context in which this was recently suggsted to me by one of our
international students from Latvia was in a diplomatic setting it which it
would be necessary to "perezhdat' krizis" and "ne govorit' lishnee."

Clearly this might also be used as a caution to the non-conformist and I
know this saying as "The tallest blade of grass gets cut down first."  I
understand it to mean that the one who stands out, above the crowd/masses,
is "leveled" first - when standing/speaking out or distinguishing oneself
from others (by economic or intellectual achievement or talent)  is
politically incorrect for the times. It probably accounts for the pattern of
"inconspicuous consumption" by elites in the days of "kremlyovsky payok."

Anatoly Sobchak referenced this same idea in articles he wrote in 1990 on
the potential for economic, political & legal reform in the USSR.  He cited
"neighbor envy" - "zavist' na urovne soseda" and the history of "urovnenie"
of the socioeconomic strata in early Soviet socialism.

I would be happy to know if you received other feedback on your inquiry.

Regards,

Donna Turkish Seifer, M.A.
Russian Instructor
Lewis & Clark College
Tel:    503-246-0329
Fax:    503-246-7500
Email:  dseifer at attbi.com




> From: Ann Komaromi <a_komaromi at YAHOO.COM>
> Reply-To: Slavic & East European Languages and Literature list
> <SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU>
> Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2003 04:59:49 -0800
> To: SEELANGS at LISTSERV.CUNY.EDU
> Subject: [SEELANGS] Russian saying
>
> I wonder if anyone knows a Russian (or other Slavic)
> expression to the effect that a shaft of wheat that
> stands too high gets cut?
>
> Thanks!
>
> =====
> ******************************
> Ann Komaromi
> Russian Section, Dept of Modern Languages and Literatures
> Swarthmore College
> 500 College Avenue
> Swarthmore PA 19081
> (610) 328-8158
>
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