Spanish term
cuando el sabio mira a la luna, el tonto mira al dedo
PRO (1): franglish
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Proposed translations
Because your words matter
Native in: English (Variants: UK, US) 
Works in: Spanish to English
while the wise man looks at the moon, the fool looks at the finger
boards.theforce.net/fan_fiction_stories_classic_jc_board_reply_only/b10016/7984363/p2/?29 - 95k - En caché - Páginas similares
| agree |
Edmundo Chaparro-Barriguete
: This sounds like the best way to convey the meaning.
14 mins
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thank you Edmundo! ;-)
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| agree |
Maru Villanueva
54 mins
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Thank you Maru! ;-)
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| agree |
Rosina Peixoto
: "his finger"
10 hrs
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Thank you Rosina! ;-)
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Diligent
Native in: German 
, Spanish
Works in: Spanish to German, English to German, German to English, and 3 more.
when the wise shows the moon, the stupid look at the finger
| disagree |
Edmundo Chaparro-Barriguete
: That is a literal translation of an idiomatic expression. It does not convey the idea in the way it is meant to be taken.
12 mins
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Lets agree to disagree...
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Spain
Even Sport items
Native in: Spanish (Variant: Cuban)
Works in: Spanish to English, Italian to English, English to Spanish, and 2 more.
fool rush/walk in where angels fear to tread
| disagree |
Denise Nahigian
: Your expression is referring to a fool's recklessness, not his shortsightedness. Although this is a related idiom, I don't think it qualifies as an equivalent.
2 days 1 hr
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when the wise man points at the moon, all the fool sees is his finger
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Ivannia Garcia
1 hr
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¡Gracias, Ivannia!
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| agree |
Roxana Cortijo
1 hr
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¡Gracias, Roxana!
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| agree |
Gacela20
2 hrs
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¡Gracias, Gacela20!
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JPW (X)
: good one!
5 hrs
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Thank you, John Paul!
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| agree |
Denise Nahigian
: I like this a lot. I might say "points TO the moon," but it's still great.
2 days 1 hr
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Yes, "to" might be better. Thanks!
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Mexico
Dual-Native English & Spanish Translator
Native in: English (Variants: US, Canadian, British, UK) , Spanish (Variants: Venezuelan, Costa Rican, Mexican, Standard-Spain, US, Ecuadorian , Dominican, Latin American, Peruvian, Colombian, Uruguayan, Cuban, Puerto Rican, Argentine, Chilean)
Works in: Spanish to English, English to Spanish
When the wise man points out the moon, the fool looks at his finger.
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Note added at 2 days2 hrs (2008-07-06 16:53:03 GMT)
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A second though: Hm...maybe "looks at *the* finger" would be more exact...
Discussion
"Can't see beyond the end of one's nose"
"Can't see the forest for the trees"
"Great minds discuss ideas. Average minds discuss events. Small minds discuss people."