“He who is watching the club does not understand the one who is beaten with it.”
Someone who has never suffered a hardship cannot fully understand the pain of those who have.
— Traditional Iraq Wisdom, Iraq
Source: Traditional Iraqi Arabic proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Iraq
Possessions are flying birds -- they never find a place to settle.
Material wealth is fleeting and never permanently settles with anyone.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →
A man's personal god is a shepherd who finds pasturage for the man.
A person's guardian deity watches over and provides for them, like a shepherd tending sheep.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →
The lion who lives a life of compassion will receive it.
Kindness shown to others, even the weak, is eventually returned in kind.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →
That my friend should be well is our wish, and that our enemies should be gone!
A simple wish for the wellbeing of friends and the downfall of enemies.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →
A loving heart builds houses. A hating heart destroys houses.
Love and cooperation build a household; hatred tears it apart.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →
When a trustworthy boat sets sail, Utu seeks out a trustworthy harbour for it.
The sun god Utu guides the honest and trustworthy safely to their destination.
Traditional Iraq Wisdom
Read more →