Bal tutan barmağını yalar.
“He who handles honey licks his fingers.”
A person placed in charge of something valuable will naturally take a share of the benefit for themselves.
— Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom, Azerbaijan
Source: Traditional Azerbaijan proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Azerbaijan
Wisdom lies in the mind, not in age.
True intelligence comes from the mind, not simply from the number of years a person has lived.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →
When a tree bears fruit, it bends its head down.
The more a person achieves, the more humble they should become.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →
A wise enemy is better than an ignorant friend.
A clever rival can teach and sharpen you more than a foolish companion can help you.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →
It is not shameful not to know; it is shameful not to ask.
Ignorance is forgivable, but refusing to seek knowledge when you have the chance is not.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →
If you do not sow one grain of wheat, you will not reap a thousand.
Effort invested now is the only way to gain a future reward.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →
The bird that talks too much falls into the trap by its own beak.
Excessive talking or boasting can bring about one's own downfall.
Traditional Azerbaijan Wisdom
Read more →