Dichos y refranes · Spanish proverbs
16 Spanish sayings about money and work
Effort, debts, wealth and the price of things: these Spanish proverbs about money and work carry centuries of practical advice, and you will still hear them at the office and the market.
No es oro todo lo que reluce.
All that glitters is not gold. Literally: “Not everything that shines is gold”.
A caution that attractive surfaces — offers, people, hotel photos — often hide disappointing realities.
El hotel parecía de lujo en las fotos, pero no es oro todo lo que reluce.
Lo barato sale caro.
Buy cheap, pay dear. Literally: “The cheap turns out expensive”.
Buying the cheapest option usually costs more in the end — said over broken bargains everywhere.
Compró las botas más baratas y se rompieron en un mes: lo barato sale caro.
El tiempo es oro.
Time is money. Literally: “Time is gold”.
Used to emphasize that time is valuable and shouldn't be wasted. Common when urging someone to act quickly or not delay.
El tiempo es oro, así que deja de perder el día en tonterías y ponte a estudiar.
El dinero no crece en los árboles.
Money doesn't grow on trees. Literally: “Money does not grow on the trees”.
Used to remind someone that money is limited and must be earned, often when someone asks for something expensive or spends carelessly.
El dinero no crece en los árboles, así que tenemos que cuidar nuestros gastos este mes.
Quien no trabaja, no come.
He who doesn't work, doesn't eat. Literally: “Who does not work, does not eat”.
Used to emphasize that effort is necessary to earn a living, often said to someone who is lazy or expects things for free.
Quien no trabaja, no come, así que ponte a buscar empleo ya.
El trabajo dignifica al hombre.
Work gives dignity to a person. Literally: “Work dignifies the man”.
Used to express that any honest work is respectable and that working is a source of personal worth and pride.
No importa si barres calles, porque el trabajo dignifica al hombre.
El que algo quiere, algo le cuesta.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained. Literally: “He who wants something, it costs him something”.
Used to remind someone that achieving goals requires sacrifice, effort or investment. Very common when encouraging persistence.
Si quieres ese ascenso, tendrás que esforzarte más; el que algo quiere, algo le cuesta.
El dinero llama al dinero.
Money attracts money. Literally: “Money calls to money”.
Used to observe that those who already have money find it easier to make more, often with resignation or irony.
Los ricos se hacen más ricos porque el dinero llama al dinero.
Nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas.
Nobody gives something for nothing. Literally: “Nobody gives duros for four pesetas”.
Used to warn that an offer that seems too good is probably a scam or has hidden costs. Common in Spain and understood across the Spanish-speaking world.
Ese precio es demasiado bajo; nadie da duros a cuatro pesetas.
Sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa.
No pain, no gain. Literally: “Without effort there is no reward”.
Used to motivate someone facing a difficult task, reminding them that good results require hard work.
Sigue entrenando; sin esfuerzo no hay recompensa.
Más vale saber que haber.
Knowledge is better than wealth. Literally: “More is worth knowing than having”.
Used to emphasize that education and wisdom are more valuable than material possessions. Common in conversations about the importance of studying.
No envidies su dinero; más vale saber que haber.
Con dinero baila el perro.
Money makes the world go round. Literally: “With money the dog dances”.
Said cynically to note that money can buy cooperation, favors, or loyalty from almost anyone. Common in informal speech across Latin America and Spain.
No te preocupes, que con dinero baila el perro y conseguiremos las entradas.
El que paga, manda.
He who pays the piper calls the tune. Literally: “The one who pays, commands”.
Used to state that whoever provides the money has the authority to make decisions. Common in business, family, and social contexts across the Spanish-speaking world.
Si mi padre paga la boda, él decide la lista de invitados: el que paga, manda.
Lo prometido es deuda.
A promise is a promise. Literally: “What is promised is debt”.
Said to remind someone that a promise must be kept, often when calling in a favor or holding someone to their word. Common in both serious and playful contexts.
Me dijiste que me invitarías a cenar; lo prometido es deuda.
Tanto tienes, tanto vales.
Money talks. Literally: “As much as you have, so much are you worth”.
A cynical observation that society judges people by their wealth. Common in discussions about materialism, class, and social status.
En esta ciudad tanto tienes, tanto vales; sin dinero nadie te respeta.
Poderoso caballero es don Dinero.
Money makes the world go round. Literally: “A powerful gentleman is Sir Money”.
A literary saying, originally from Quevedo, noting money's power over people and society. Used with irony about corruption, influence, or greed.
Consiguió el puesto sin méritos; poderoso caballero es don Dinero.
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