Traditional proverbs of Cambodia in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.
ទឹកឡើងត្រីស៊ីស្រមោច ទឹកហោចស្រមោចស៊ីត្រី
“When the water rises, the fish eat the ants; when the water recedes, the ants eat the fish.”
Fortunes turn. Those who are powerful today may be powerless tomorrow, so never be cruel in strength.
Source: Traditional Khmer proverb (សុភាសិត), public-domain oral tradition
គប់នឹងបណ្ឌិត បានប្រាជ្ញា គប់នឹងពាល បានវេទនា
“Keep company with the wise and gain wisdom; keep company with fools and gain sorrow.”
The company you keep shapes what you become.
Source: Traditional Khmer proverb (សុភាសិត), public-domain oral tradition
ស្លឹកឈើជ្រុះ មិនឆ្ងាយពីគល់
“A falling leaf lands not far from its trunk.”
Children carry the nature of their family and roots.
Source: Traditional Khmer proverb (សុភាសិត), public-domain oral tradition