Thus, "old fox" works better because in Georgian folk tales, the fox is the archetypal cunning survivor—much like the devil in Spanish sayings. If you want to impress your Georgian friends by saying "mas sabe el diablo" in their language, here is a pronunciation aid:
| Aspect | Spain | Georgia | |--------|-------|---------| | | Central in Catholic theology—a fallen angel, tempter, cunning. | Less prominent; pre-Christian influence; ეშმაკი is more a mischievous spirit, not the ultimate evil. | | Proverbs with devil | Dozens: A más mal hombre, más diablo ; Diablo predicador . | Few; instead, foxes, snakes, and old wolves appear. | | Value of old age | Revered but mixed with humor about senility. | Deeply revered; Georgian elders ( ბებერი ) hold authoritative wisdom. | mas sabe el diablo qartulad
მოხუცი მელა ხაფანგში არ მოხვდება. Transliteration: Mokhutsi mela khapangshi ar mokhvdeba. Meaning: An old fox does not get caught in a trap. Thus, "old fox" works better because in Georgian
ეშმაკი მოხუცებულობის გამო უფრო მეტია, ვიდრე ეშმაკობის გამო. Transliteration: Eshmaki mokhutsebulobis gamo ufro metia, vidre eshmakobis gamo. Literal back-translation: The devil is more due to old age than due to devilry. | | Proverbs with devil | Dozens: A
ეშმაკი მოხუცებულობის გამო უფრო მეტია, ვიდრე ეშმაკობის გამო. Simplified phonetics: Esh-mah-kee mo-khu-tse-bu-lo-bis ga-mo uf-ro me-tee-ah, vid-re esh-mah-ko-bis ga-mo.
