“From afar you look like a great ruler; up close, you look awful.”
Distance can flatter someone whose true character disappoints on closer acquaintance.
— Traditional Oman Wisdom, Oman
Source: Traditional Omani proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Oman
His stature is that of a date-palm, yet his reasoning is that of a young goat.
Physical size or age does not guarantee maturity or good judgment.
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Humble words are better than a gift.
A kind, gentle word can mean more to a person than material charity.
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Everyone is content with his own intelligence, but never with his own wealth.
People rarely feel they lack wisdom, yet almost always feel they lack money.
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Everyone praises the market where he made his profit.
People judge things by whether they personally benefited, not by fair merit.
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You took back your own kindness with your own tongue.
An unkind word can undo the good of a generous deed.
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A house is entered through its own door.
Every task and every relationship has its proper, respectful way of being approached.
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