The Spanish are, perhaps, not particularly well known for the speed and efficiency of their legal system. Spain has twice the number of lawsuits as does Germany, for example, but only a third of the judges per capita.

The Spanish are known, however, for their many wise sayings and witty aphorisms, passed down over centuries, which they call refranes. And, it turns out, some of these refranes carry with them useful lessons for American appellate lawyers today.