береги честь смолоду

• БЕРЕГИ (ПЛАТЬЕ СНОВУ, А) ЧЕСТЬ СМОЛОДУ{{}}

[saying]

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⇒ (used as advice to young people) value your honor and good name from your youth (just as you ought to take care of clothing when it is new):

- ≈ (take care of your clothes while they're still new,) cherish your honor from a tender age.

     ♦ "Служи верно, кому присягнёшь; слушайся начальников; за их лаской не гоняйся; на службу на напрашивайся; от службы не отговаривайся; и помни пословицу: береги платье снову, а честь смолоду" (Пушкин 2). "Serve faithfully the Sovereign to whom you swear allegiance; obey your superiors; don't curry favor with them; don't volunteer for duty, but don't shirk it either; and remember the proverb, Take care of your clothes while they're still new; cherish your honor from a tender age'" (2a).