Palestine Proverbs (30)

Traditional proverbs of Palestine in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

الصبر مفتاح الفرج

“Patience is the key to relief.”

Enduring hardship patiently eventually opens the way to relief and solutions.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

الجار قبل الدار

“The neighbor before the house.”

Choose good neighbors before choosing where to live; community matters more than property.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

إيد وحدة ما بتصفق

“One hand alone cannot clap.”

Cooperation and unity are needed to accomplish anything meaningful.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي فات مات

“What has passed has died.”

Let go of the past; dwelling on what is over serves no purpose.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

القرد بعين أمه غزال

“In his mother's eyes, the monkey looks like a gazelle.”

A parent's love makes even an imperfect child seem beautiful and precious.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

الطيور على أشكالها تقع

“Birds land among their own kind.”

People naturally gather with others who share their nature or character.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

من جد وجد

“Whoever strives, finds.”

Diligent effort is rewarded with success.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

القرش الأبيض بينفع باليوم الأسود

“The white coin saved is useful on the black day.”

Saving money in good times prepares you for hardship later.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي بيته من زجاج ما يحدف الناس بالحجار

“He whose house is made of glass should not throw stones at people.”

Do not criticize others for faults you share yourself.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

كثرة الطباخين تحرق الطبخة

“Too many cooks burn the dish.”

Too many people trying to direct one task leads to a spoiled result.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

إذا كان الكلام من فضة فالسكوت من ذهب

“If speech is silver, then silence is golden.”

Restraint in speaking is often wiser and more valuable than talking.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

الوقت كالسيف إن لم تقطعه قطعك

“Time is like a sword: if you do not cut it, it will cut you.”

Use your time productively, or it will work against you.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

الباب اللي يجيك منه الريح سده واستريح

“The door that lets the wind in, close it and rest.”

Cut off the source of trouble in your life and you will find peace.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

من جرب المجرب كان عقله مخرب

“Whoever tries what has already failed has a ruined mind.”

Learn from past mistakes instead of repeating them and expecting a different result.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي بحبك يبكيك واللي بيكرهك يضحكك

“The one who loves you makes you cry with the truth; the one who hates you makes you laugh with flattery.”

True friends give honest, sometimes painful advice, while false ones only please you.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

دار لقمان على حالها

“Luqman's house remains as it was.”

Nothing has really changed, despite appearances or promises of reform.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اسأل مجرب ولا تسأل حكيم

“Ask someone experienced rather than a wise man.”

Practical experience is often more valuable than theoretical wisdom.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي ما بيعرف الصقر يشويه

“He who does not recognize the falcon grills it.”

Without knowledge of something's true value, people waste or destroy it.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

مصائب قوم عند قوم فوائد

“The misfortunes of some people are benefits to others.”

What is a loss for one person may create an opportunity for someone else.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

إذا كنت كذابا كن ذكورا

“If you are going to lie, at least have a good memory.”

A warning against dishonesty — lies eventually unravel because they cannot be kept straight.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

القناعة كنز لا يفنى

“Contentment is a treasure that never runs out.”

Being satisfied with what you have brings a wealth that money cannot buy.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

العين ما بتعلى عن الحاجب

“The eye cannot rise above the eyebrow.”

Everyone and everything has its proper place; know your position and respect it.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

ابعد عن الشر وغنيله

“Stay far from evil, and sing to it from a distance.”

Avoid trouble entirely rather than confronting it, and be glad you kept away.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي بيزرع خير بيحصد خير

“Whoever plants good, harvests good.”

Good deeds return good outcomes, just as planting good seed yields a good harvest.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

الصديق وقت الضيق

“A true friend shows himself in times of hardship.”

Real friendship is proven not in comfort but when help is truly needed.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

اللي ما إله كبير يشتري له كبير

“He who has no elder should acquire one.”

Wisdom and guidance from elders is essential, so seek it out even if it is not naturally available to you.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

كل ممنوع مرغوب

“Everything forbidden is desired.”

People are drawn to what is denied to them, simply because it is off-limits.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

إذا غاب القط العب يا فار

“When the cat is away, play, oh mouse.”

People act freely and without restraint when the authority watching them is absent.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

العقل زينة

“The mind is an ornament.”

Intelligence and good sense are a person's truest and most attractive adornment.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

دقة ولا مية سلامة

“One precise strike is worth more than a hundred safe misses.”

A single well-aimed, decisive action is better than many cautious but ineffective attempts.

Traditional Palestine Wisdom

Source: Traditional Palestinian proverb, shared Levantine Arab oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition