This phrase literally translates to 'God punishes without a stick or a whip'. It's used to imply that one's bad actions will have consequences, even if it seems like they're getting away with it for now.
Examples
- Spanish: Robó a sus amigos y pensó que se saldría con la suya, pero como dice el dicho, 'Dios castiga sin vara y sin fuete'.
- English: He stole from his friends and thought he would get away with it, but as the saying goes, 'God punishes without a stick or a whip'.