The words of Iran

Iran — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Iran, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

“Drop by drop it gathers, and then it becomes a sea.”

قطره قطره جمع گردد وانگهی دریا شود

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“A good year is known from its spring.”

سالی که نکوست از بهارش پیداست

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Whoever has a bigger roof has more snow.”

هر که بامش بیش برفش بیشتر

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“From this pillar to that pillar there is relief.”

از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Unless there were a little something, people would not say things.”

تا نباشد چیزکی مردم نگویند چیزها

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Once the water is over one's head, whether it be one span or a hundred, it is all the same.”

آب که از سر گذشت چه یک وجب چه صد وجب

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“The pot says to the pot: your face is black.”

دیگ به دیگ میگه روت سیاه

Source: Traditional Iranian (Persian) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

“Without enduring hardship, no treasure is attained.”

نابرده رنج گنج میسر نمی‌شود

Source: Saadi Shirazi, widely quoted as a proverb; public-domain classical Persian verse

“Powerful is he who is wise.”

توانا بود هر که دانا بود

Source: Ferdowsi, Shahnameh; widely quoted as a proverb; public-domain classical Persian verse

“The human beings are members of a whole, since in their creation they are of one essence.”

بنی‌آدم اعضای یکدیگرند / که در آفرینش ز یک گوهرند

Source: Saadi, Golestan (Gulistan), 1258; public-domain classical Persian verse