Abbas
Abdelaziz
Abdelhakim

Adam
Adil
Adrien

Agnes
Ahmed
Aimen

Akila
Alain
Alban

Alberto
Ali
Alice

Amal
Amelie
Amine

Anais
Andre
Angela

Ann
Annabelle
Anne-laure

Anne
Antonny
Aouatef

Arnaud
Arthur
Astrid

Audrey
Aurelia
Aurelie

el-kezb ma loosh reglein >

Literal translation: Lies have no legs.
Hidden meaning: Lies will be discovered
Applicability: To comment on the fate of a lier
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< yesoom, yesoom, we yefTer 3ala basala >

Literal translation: After fasting for so long, he feasts on an onion.
Hidden meaning:
Applicability: Expression of disappointment at an unexpectedly weak response!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

el-manHoos manHoos walaow 3ala'u 3ala rasuh fanoos>

Literal translation: The unlucky will stay unlucky, even if they hang a
lantern on his head.
Hidden meaning: Luck cannot be sought
Applicability: Comment on somebody's continued efforts to break his/her lack
of lack!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Place the pot upside down, and the girl will take after
her mother.
Hidden meaning: A daughter will grow to be very similar to her mom
Applicability: Comment on the physical or character resemblance of mother and
daughter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Trusting men is like trusting that a strainer can keep
water.
Hidden meaning: Men are not to be trusted
Applicability: Advice to women whose husbands might be cheating on them!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'ussi reish Teirek la yeloof be GHeirek>

Literal translation: Cut your bird's feather, so that it doesn't leave you for
someone else.
Hidden meaning: Keep an eye on your spouse!
Applicability: Advice to men (women) to be possessive of his (her) spouse!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

el-'ersh el-abyad yenfa@ fi el-youm el-eswed>

Literal translation: A white piaster will be of benefit on a black day.
Hidden meaning: You never know when savings might be needed
Applicability: Every penny counts!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Birds of all kinds will end up landing
Hidden meaning: Don't be fooled by appearances
Applicability: Same as english saying "birds of feather flock together"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Raise your voice otherwise their arguments will beat you!
Hidden meaning: When ideas fail, words (and loud voice) come in very handy.
Applicability: Same as english saying "the squeeky wheel gets the oil"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

el-markeb elli feeha rayysein teGHra'

Literal translation: A boat with two captains will sink
Hidden meaning: You can't have to leaders for a group
Applicability: Same as english saying "too many cooks spoil the soup"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

dari 3ala sham@tak te'eid

Literal translation: Protect the flame of your candle and it will light more!
Hidden meaning: Don't brag about your blessings otherwise you'll lose them
Applicability: Same as english saying "a cake watched never rise"
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3asfoor fi el-yad aHsan men 3asharah 3ala el-shagara

Literal translation: A bird in hand is better than ten on a tree
Hidden meaning: Don't give up what you have for what is promised
Applicability: Obvious!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

elli beitoh min 'ezaz, ma yeHadefsh el-nass bel Toob

Literal translation: If you live in a glass house, don't throw stones
Hidden meaning: What you do to others will be done to you
Applicability: Everyone is vulnerable
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

haza al-shebl men zaka al-asad

Literal translation: This baby from this lion
Hidden meaning: Kids inherit their parents stature
Applicability: Words of praise for a promising kid (same as english "a chip of
the old block")
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ebn el wezz 3awwam
Literal translation: The goose's (maybe swan's) son is a good swimmer
Hidden meaning: Like father like son (in a good sense)
Applicability: When a son is as gifted as his father in a certain aspect
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

be3eid 3an el-3ein, be3eid 3an el-'alb

Literal translation: out of sight, out of mind
Hidden meaning: Distance makes one forget old friendships/relationships
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

in GHab el-'ut, el3ab ya far

Literal translation: if the cat is away, the mice will play
Hidden meaning: When authority leaves chaos reigns
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

bab el-naggar mekhala3

Literal translation: The carpenter's door is loose
Hidden meaning: The expert does not apply his expertise to himself/herself
Applicability: When people neglect what they can do best in their home,
family, personal life, but do it only professionally
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ekhTob le bentak wa matekhTobsh le ebnak>

Literal translation: Don't play matchmaker for your son but rather for your
daughter
Hidden meaning: It is not shameful for parents to talk about their daughters
and offer them as brides to trustworthy people
Applicability: It is customary for men to propose, so this is a saying
advocating that marriage (betrothal) proposals could come from either party.
Readily applied when parents find a good match for their daughter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ma ye3geboosh el 3agab, wala'l siyaam fi ragab>

Literally: Wonders don't please him, nor does fasting in the month of Ragab
Hidden meaning: Criticism of someone who's impossible to please
Applicability: Comments on someone who's "blase" or who puts down
everything or everyone.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

El bab elli yigi menno el reeH, seddo westareeH>

Literal translation: Block the door where the wind comes from, and relax
Hidden meaning: Don't dig for trouble; face your problems
Applicability: An advice to prevent potential problems when someone is
hesitating to solve a problem for good.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elli yetlesse3 men el shorba yenfokh felzabadi>

Literal translation: This who burn his/her tounge when eating soup, will blow
in the yogurt.
Hidden meaning: The impact of bad experiences makes one weary.
Applicability: When someone get very suspicious because of a bad experience.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Egri garey elwehoosh, gher rezkak lan tehoosh>

Literal translation : Run as a beast, you will not get except your share.
Hidden meaning: You get what is yours
Applicability: When someone is working so hard for money.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Elganaze hara we elmaiet kalb>

Literal translation: The funeral is hot while the dead is a dog.
Hidden meaning: Trivial people can get a lot of attention.
Applicability: When a lot of fuss is made about a not so worthy person.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Delle ragel wala delle heta>

Literal translation: The shadow of a man is better than that of a wall.
Hidden meaning: It is better to have a man than not to.
Applicability: When a woman is about to marry a not so good man.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ma feesh dokhan men gher nar>

Literal translation: There is no smoke without fire.
Hidden meaning: Rumours are always based on something.
Applicability: When someone tries to completely deny a rumour.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

al-'ra3a tatabahha bisha3r bint ukhtaha>

Literal translation: The bald person will find pride in the hair of her
sister's daughter.
Hidden meaning: A person with a deficiency will try to make it up by
referring to a strength, no matter how remote.
Applicability: When someone tries to change the focus on their deficiency by
bringing up someone else's unrelated strength.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

'ei3meil il Tayeib wi 'eirmiiH il baHr>

Literal translation: Do a good deed and throw it into the sea
Hidden Meaning: One should do good things without expecting a reward
Applicability: Advice for somebody to the right things even if it doesn't pay
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------




Literal translation: Like a bride's mother, does nothing yet acts busy
Hidden Meaning: Not all those who act as being over worked are actually so!
Applicability: Said about someone who does nothing yet acts busy, just like a
bride's mother on her daughter's wedding day
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The thief has a feather on his head
Hidden Meaning: One can always spot the guilty (this is in a Goha story)
Applicability: Hinting about somebody's wrong doing!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Whatever begins with stipulations (clear conditions) ends
up in the light (clear)
Hidden Meaning: Conditions clear at the outset lead to better results
Applicability: Said to somebody to dictate conditions
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: An absent person has his excuse
Hidden Meaning: Don't jump to conclusions
Applicability: Don't blame someone not present until you hear his/her side of
the story
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Beating a dead person is a sin
Hidden Meaning: Don't beat a dead horse, it's a waste of effort
Applicability: It is unethical to attack someone who is unable to defend
himself/herself
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: What is past is dead
Hidden Meaning: Forget the past; open a new page
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Patience is the key to release
Hidden Meaning: Be patient
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Man thinks, God takes care of things
Hidden Meaning: Man proposes, God disposes
Applicability: Do what you can and leave the rest for God to take care of
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Work my slave and I'll work with you
Hidden Meaning: Luck comes to those who work hard to get it
Applicability: Do what you can and leave the rest for God to take care of
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

< el-GHawi yena'aT be Ta'eituh >

Literal translation: He who wants something will pay for it with his hat
Hidden meaning: if you want something badly enough, you'll give
your most precious possessions for it.
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'asma3 kalamak 'asada'ak, 'ashoof umurak 'asta3geb>

Literal translation: I believe what you say, I'm surprised at what you do.
Hidden meaning: your words contradict your actions.
Applicability: when someone's actions contradict his speech, i.e.
doesn't practice what he preaches.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'eza kan el-kalam min faDah fa el-sukoot min dahab>

Literal translation: if speech is silver, silence is gold.
Hidden meaning: silence will always be of more value than talk.
Applicability: when someone's speech is meaningless/damaging.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: after he grew old, they sent him to school
Hidden meaning: you can't teach old dogs new tricks!
Applicability: when an old person starts a new fade
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: relatives are spiders.
Hidden meaning: sometimes a relative's bite is worse than a spider's.
Applicability: when someone is hurt by own relatives.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: an unemployed hand is a dirty hand.
Hidden meaning: work is part of being religious.
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

el-faDi ye3mel 'aDi>
Literal translation: who he isn't busy acts like a judge.
Hidden meaning: if someone has nothing useful to do, he'll spend
his time/energy judging others.
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Khayran te3mel, Sharan telka>

Literal translation: You do good and what you get back is evil.
Hidden meaning: None
Applicability: When you offer someone a favor and instead of thanking you
s/he behaves badly towards you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

El-felous ma3a El-tious>

Literal translation: Money goes to peacocks
Hidden meaning: Some people get what they don't deserve
Applicability: used by unwealthy to justify why others are richer?
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

3alem fie El-metbalem yesbahh nassi>

Literal translation: Whatever you teach a stupid person, he will forget.
Hidden meaning: A stupid is a stupid!
Applicability: There is no hope trying to convince a stupid/stubborn
person.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

El-3ein Sabtny wa Rab El-3arsh naganny>

Literal Translation: Those evil persons' eyes envied me, but God protected me.
Hidden Meaning: Believe in God power
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ya Naas Ya Shaar Kefayah Qarr>

Literal Translation: Oh you bad persons, stop envying me!
Hidden Meaning: None
Applicability: Inscripted on the back bumper of almost all Taxis in Egypt :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

El-dafaa 3afa wel bard lahhaas el-qafa>

Literal Translation: Warmth is great while coldness licks the back of the neck
Hidden Meaning: None
Applicability: When it is cold and you want to warm-up yourself :-)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

elli malosh dahr yendereb 3ala batnoh>

Literal translation: he, withoout a back will be hit on the stomeck
Hidden meaning: those without contacts in high places will suffer most.
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

fi el-ta'anni el-salama, we fi el-'agalah el-nadama>

Literal translation: safety is in caution/slowness, and regret is in haste.
Hidden meaning: take your time and don't rush.
Applicability: Advice to someone not to hurry up or push his/her luck
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KHeiru el-berr 3ageluhu>

Literal translation: the best good deed/charity is a quick one.
Hidden meaning: if you plan on doing a good deed, do it promptly.
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ya KHabar befloos, bukrah yeb'a bebalash>

Literal translation: the costly news of today, will be free tomorrow.
Hidden meaning: the secrets of today will, in time, be common knowledge.
Applicability: when someone is going out of his way to find out
about something.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

elli yetgawwez ummi, 'a'ool luh ya 3ammi>

Literal translation: whoever marries my mother, I'll call him uncle
Hidden meaning: you should make peace with people whom you're forced to
deal with (or perhaps who will have authority over you?)
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: the miserable got together with the hopeless.
Hidden meaning: no good can come out of such a union.
Applicability: To criticize two loosers who decide to join efforts!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------


Literal translation: you try to trap him, he traps you instead!
Hidden meaning: You'd better watch out
Applicability: when you try to do something to someone, and he does it
to you.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

fi el-wesh merayah, we fi el-'afa sellayah>

Literal translation: a mirror to your face, and a ??? behind your back.
Hidden meaning: a double-faced person
Applicability: to describe a person who pretends to be your friend
then hurts you when you're not looking.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

en fatak el-meeri, etmaraGH fi turabuh>

Literal translation: If you miss the official appointment try hard to get it!
Hidden meaning: always look for an employment with the governoment.
Applicability: praise the security and cushiness of a governmental job (not
anymore I guess)!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

ya baKHt men kan el-naKeeb KHalu>

Literal translation: Lucky is he who has a Sargeant for an uncle.
Hidden meaning: it helps to have relatives in positions of power
Applicability: to comment on somebody's connections
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

KHud men el-tall, yeKHtal>

Literal translation: if you take from the hill, it'll shake.
Hidden meaning: Large reserves can disappear
Applicability: Usually used to describe the situation of having a sum
of money, you spend from it, it diminishes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

al-mit3alem fil-mitbalem yisbahh naasi..wa-l-mitbakhar bil-3ud yisbah faasi



Awwal ma shaTaH naTaH

Lit. As soon as he got out, he started butting with his horns.
Meaning: As soon as he learned how to do something he started making
problems.


el-Tab3 lil-qabr

Lit. Nature is to the grave.
People's nature doesn't change ever.

on a similar note:

el-Gillah asbah karamellah?

Lit. Did the sheep manure turn to caramel?
Don't expect a bad person to suddenly turn good. .

Two more, though I'm not sure they're proverbs or just sayings;

Ardabbi ma hu lak
Ma tiHdDarsh keyloh
Tighabbar da'nak
wa-yilzamak sheyloh

Lit. This is my measuring bucket (actually about 200 liters), not yours,
Don't watch while I'm measuring
you'll get dust in your beard
and then you'll have to carry it (the ardabb)

In other words, just mind your own business

Last one for now:

Ya Talib el-samnah min bizz el-namlah, Hurimat minnak el-ta'liyah.

Oh you who are trying to get samnah from the breast of an ant, you
won't be able to fry anything.
Said to someone who is really stingy.





Literal translation: Don't argue with a stupid person, nor allow him to
argue with you.
Hidden meaning: None... It is quite explicit, and self explanatory!!
Applicability: Hopefully on EN... one day.

khonfesa shafet weladha 3al Hait 'alet da 3okD mesalsel>

Literal translation: A beetle saw her children on the wall, she said they look
like a string of pearls
Meaning: To the biased eye, the ugliest can look beautiful.
Usage: To criticize people with clearly biased opinions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The mother of a monkey sees him as beautiful and graceful
as a deer
Meaning: To the biased eye, the ugliest can look beautiful.
Usage: To criticize people with clearly biased opinions.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Dress-up the beatle, it becomes the Lady of the Ladies
Hidden meaning : Make up (cosmetics) can make the ugly quite pretty.
Applicability: Don't be fooled by appearances..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: If you "marry" a monkey for his wealth, the money goes and
the monkey remains as is ..
Hidden meaning: Don't get attracted by money.
Applicability: Said to a girl who wants to marry anyone for only being wealthy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The trumpet player dies, and his finger is still playing
Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life
Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The {belly} dancer dies, and her waist is still moving
Hidden meaning: Habits stick to the person all his life
Applicability: Criticizing somebody for his bad habits
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: I came to you to help me, but I found that YOU need help.
Hidden meaning:If you seek help from someone, he might indeed be in need of
help..
Applicability: Ironic remark, if you seek someone's help about somethng he does
not know..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Trusting men is trusting the water in a sieve
Hidden meaning: A feminist proverb that makes the analogy of trusting men to
water being kept in a sieve
Applicability: To wives betrayed or cheated by their husbands (mainly)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: What's written on the forehead (i.e., one's destiny) is
to be seen by the eye
Hidden meaning: One will inevitably meet one's destiny
Applicability: Obvious
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The bullet that doesn't hit makes a noise
Hidden meaning: Accusations that don't stand still hurt
Applicability: To comment on damage caused by a scandal (for example).
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Goha (a Comic Arabic Character) has a right in his
bull's meat.
Hidden meaning: One better take care of his/her own business
Applicability: To emphasize one's responsibilities.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Oh you getting in between the onion and its peel, you
want get anything other than its bad smell.
Hidden meaning: Mind your own business
Applicability: To advise somebody you gets involved in a dispute when he/she
shouldn't.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Humming in one's ear is more (effective) than magic
Hidden meaning: Incessant meaningless complaints do eventually work!
Applicability: Advice to avoid listening to somebody who keeps on
pushing a foolish argument
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'eash te3mel el-mashTa fi el-wish el-3eker>

Literal translation: What can a beautician do for a stern face?!
Hidden meaning: Ugliness can't be hidden
Applicability: Commenting on somebody who is over dressed/made-up, ... etc.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'ad el-zer we ta3eb el-ser>

Literal translation: As small as a button but a big trouble maker
Hidden meaning: Don't be fooled by appearances
Applicability: To criticize trouble makers who do so in hiding
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: A sad woman has no chance for happiness even if she tries
to be so.
Hidden meaning: Some people are doomed to be unhappy
Applicability: When hopes/expectations are not realized.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: We let him in, he brought his donkey along.
Hidden meaning: Sometimes one has to be careful with abusers, otherwise they
will take advantage of you..
Applicability: When somebody doesn't stop at the limits set for him/her
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: A cook tastes his own cooking, even if it's poison.
Hidden meaning: One gets the results of one's own actions
Applicability: To comment on somebody who suffers from his/her wrong acts
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The knowledgeable can taste up to 7 spoonfuls!
Hidden meaning: None
Applicability: Praising somebody who knows a lot.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<3aKluh fi rasuh ye3raf KHalasuh>

Literal translation: He has his own brain, he can solve his own problems.
Hidden meaning: Don't get into others' own business
Applicability: To advise somebody not to intervene in somebody else's business
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Education is what you know, not what's in the book.
Hidden meaning: Thinking is far more important than collecting material
Applicability: Criticizing those who don't use their minds
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Having brains make a person look good.
Hidden meaning: Wisdom is beautiful; foolishness is ugly!
Applicability: To praise a wise man/woman
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: He who loves you sallows stones from you, while your enemy
waits for your mistakes.
Hidden meaning: None
Applicability: To comment on the weird acts of friends/enemies
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Borrowing is bad, and paying back is a loss.
Hidden meaning: None
Applicability: Advice given to discourage borrowing
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: In trying to put make-up around the eye, he blinded it.
Hidden meaning: Instead of fixing it, he messed it up even more!
Applicability: When somebody, trying to fix a situation, causes more harm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The eye will never be higher than the eyebrow.
Hidden meaning: One's stature doesn't change
Applicability: To acknowledge one's stature on the social scale
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: The eye can see but the hand is too short.
Hidden meaning: The will is present but the actions are missing
Applicability: When under life's pressures one cannot do the obvious!
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Go far, you'll be loved more.
Hidden meaning: The far-away friend is loved more
Applicability: Comment on somebody's love for a far-away friend
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

<'a3ma we beygur mekasaH>

Literal translation: A blind pulling a cripple.
Hidden meaning: None
Applicability: To criticize people whose claim to know it all when they are
missing the basics.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------



Literal translation: Whoever leaves his home, loses his prestige.
Hidden meaning: One's prestige is among people who know him/her
Applicability: To comment on people degraded by somebody who doesn't know them
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
almashriq.hiof.no/egypt

=============================================================================== This file contains a list of popular Egyptian proverbs compiled by Azer Bestavros from contributions posted on Egypt-net Digest To contribute, please post your contributions on Egypt-net Digest or send them directly to . Comments, corrections, etc. are welcome.
===============================================================================<'Elle 3ala rasoh batha ye-hasses 3aleha>Literal translation: A person with a wound on his head keeps touching it..Hidden meaning: A person is likely to point to his/her own weaknesses..Applicability: When somebody's acts expose what he/she is trying to hide.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<3ala>Literal translation: Stretch your legs as far as your quilt (blanket) goes..Hidden meaning: Do not do what you cannot afford..Applicability: When extravagancy is unaffordable.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<'Elle fat kadimoh tah>Literal translation: Lost is the person who forgets his/her past.Hidden meaning: Remember what you were before bragging about what you became..Applicability: Criticizing those who want to be disassociated from their roots
.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Dress-up a stick and you get a doll.Hidden meaning: Make up (cosmetics) can make the ugly quite pretty.Applicability: Don't be fooled by appearances..
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her "fatta" (kind of food)Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to him. Unluckiness sticks!Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The unlucky finds bones in his/her tripe dinner!Hidden meaning: A person with a little luck can expect anything happeing to him. Unluckiness sticks!Applicability: Complain about one's unluckiness
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<'En kan habibak 3asal ma-telhasoush kolloh>Literal translation: If your friend is like honey, then don't lick all of it!Hidden meaning: Do not take advantage of the sweetness of a dear friend!Applicability: Criticizing a person who abuses the generosity of a friend.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal transalation: They couldn't beat the donkey so they beat the saddle!Hidden meaning: Be fair. Blame the source of the problem. Applicability: Inability to see the real problem and the real evil.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: They found no wrong with roses, so they said it is red!Hidden meaning: People will disagree with you no matter how perfect you are.Applicability: When people criticize just for the sake of criticizing.-
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: If you have to drag a dog to the hunt, neither he nor his hunting is any good. Hidden meaning: Someone who does unwillingly what he is supposed to do as a matter of course will never do it well Applicability: criticizing someone who has to be forced to do what he's supposed to do.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation: The skilful spinster spins with the leg of a donkeyHidden meaning: A skilful worker can do good work even with inadequate toolsApplicability: Criticizing lazy/incompetent workers who blame their tools for the poor job they do.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Translation: We invited the bald man to keep us company; he uncovered his baldness and scared us. Hidden meaning: Criticizing those who act in a manner opposite to what had been expected.Applicability: When someone behaves in such a way as to provoke a negative reaction where a positive one had been expected.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: You who is building in someone else`s property, you who is raising someone else's kids. Hidden meaning: Do your actions where it should be done.Applicability: Criticizing those who do the correct things to the incorrect people.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When the sad woman started to be happy, she could not find a place for her. Hidden meaning: Sad people will always be sad.Applicability: Complain about being sad
.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: When your son grows up, treat him as a brother.Hidden meaning: Do not continue trating your kids as children.Applicability: When someone treats his mature son as a kid.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The earings are given to those without ears.Hidden meaning: Some people get things while they are not qualified for them.Applicability: When someone get something that s/he cann't use
.-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: That who insulted you is that who told you about the insult. Hidden meaning: Do not listen to people telling you about others insulting you.Applicability: When someone tells another how he was insulted by a third one.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: The camel went through labor only to give birth to a mouseHidden meaning: Looks are deceivingApplicability: To express disappointment when something big is expected but never materializes.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Literal translation: Like the dog of the tobacco salesman, one-eyed, and a nicotine addict.Meaning: He is no good, and by hanging around the wrong company, he got worse.Usage: To criticize the follower of a charlatan.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
no'ollohom>Literal translation: We tell them it is a bull, they say milk itMeaning: They are trying to get more than they can.Usage: To criticize those who insist on getting what is not available for giving.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
almashriq.hiof.no/egypt

الأمثال اللبنانية الحديثة
Modern Lebanese Proverbs

(From Anis Freyha, "A Dictionary of Modern Lebanese Proverbs" (Arabic - English) 1974, 2nd edition 1994, Librarie du Liban, Riad Solh Square, Beirut, Lebanon)
Samples from the over 4000 proverbs in the book.
The last resort is the hot iron. (2)
Towards the end of the night you shall hear shrill cries. (4)

Farther than earth from heaven. (27)
The son of a son is dear, the son of a daughter a stranger. (34)
The son of your son is yours, the son of your daughter is not. (35)
A man of sixty (is only good) for slaughtering. (lit. for the knife) (42)
When your son is young, discipline him; when he grows older, be a brother to him. (54)
A man with one plan (lit. intention) goes out (to execute it); a man with two plans becomes perplexed. (57)
Let truble (lit. evil) alone, and trouble will let you alone. (61)
Tire out your body, but not your mind. (62)
Exert effort, you shall be rewarded. (lit. tire yourself out for the sake of something and you shall get it.) (63)
When the wolf comes for the sheep, the dog goes to deficate. (73)
What luck! It is God-sent. (lit. It came, and God brought it.) (84)
(When) They came to shoe the horseof the sultan, the beetle (came along) and stuck out her foot. (94)
An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak. (115)
If your messenger tarries, expect good. (128)
If you conduct yourself properly, fear no one. (130)
If you come back from a journey, offer your family (something) thoughit be only a stone. (137)

You may think you don't speak Arabic but there are more words of Arabic origin in English than you might expect ...

admiral
adobe
alchemy
alcohol
alcove
alembic
alfalfa
algebra
algorithm
alkali
almanac
amalgam
aniline
apricot
arsenal
arsenic
artichoke
assassin
aubergine
azure
barbarian?
bedouin
benzine(?)
Betelgeuse
bint
borax
cable
calabash
calibre
caliph
camel
camise
camphor
candy
cane
cannabis
carafe
carat
caraway
carmine

carob
casbah
check
checkmate
cinnabar
cipher
coffee
copt
cotton
crimson
crocus
cumin
damask
dhow
dragoman
elixir
emir
fakir
fellah
garble
gauze
gazelle
ghoul
Gibraltar
giraffe
grab
guitar
gypsum
halva
harem
hashish
hazard
henna
hookah
imam
influenza
jar
jasmine
jerboa
jessamine

jinn
kafir
khamsin
khan
kismet
kohl
lacquer
lake
lemon
lilac
lime
lute
magazine
mahdi
marabout
marzipan
massacre
massage
mastaba
mate
mattress
mecca
minaret
mizzen
mocha
mohair
monsoon
mosque
muezzin
mufti
mullah
mummy
muslim
muslin
myrrh
nabob
nacre
nadir
orange
ottoman

popinjay
racket
safari
saffron
saloop
sash
scallion
senna
sequin
serif
sesame
shackle
sheikh
sherbet
shrub
sirocco
sofa
spinach
sudd
sufi
sugar
sultan
sultana
syrup
tabby
talc
talisman
tamarind
tambourine
tarboosh
tare
tariff
tarragon
Trafalgar
typhoon
vega
vizier
wadi
zenith
zero

YES - and no. Learning Arabic certainly takes time and practice, but there are not many irregularities in the grammar. It's much less complicated than Latin, and probably simpler than German, too.
If you speak a European language, the root system of Arabic is an unfamiliar concept. Arabic words are constructed from three-letter "roots" which convey a basic idea. For example, k-t-b conveys the idea of writing. Addition of other letters before, between and after the root letters produces many associated words: not only "write" but also "book", "office", "library", and "author".
Learning vocabulary may cause problems at first. In most European languages there are many words which resemble those in English. Arabic has very few, but it becomes easier once you have memorised a few roots.
Arabic has many regional dialects, and if you want to master one of these the only really effective way is to spend a few years in the place of your choice. For general purposes – such as reading or listening to radio - it's best to concentrate on Modern Standard Arabic (numerous courses and textbooks are available). This would also be useful if you're interested in Islam, though you would need some additional religious vocabulary.
There are 28 consonants and three vowels – a, i, u – which can be short or long. Some of the sounds are unique to Arabic and difficult for foreigners to pronounce exactly, though you should be able to make yourself understood.
The normal word order of a sentence is verb/subject/object. The function of nouns in a sentence can also be distinguished by case-endings (marks above the last letter of a word) but these are usually found only in the Qur'an or school textbooks.
Feminine nouns add the suffix …aat to form the plural but masculine nouns generally have a "broken" plural which involves changing vowels in the middle of the word: kitaab ("book"); kutub ("books").
Arabic has very few irregular verbs and does not use "is" or "are" at all in the present tense: "the king good" means "the king is good". Subtle alterations in the basic meaning of a verb are made by adding to the root. These changes follow regular rules, giving ten possible "verb forms" (though in practice only three or four exist for most verbs. The root k-s-r produces:
form I kasara, "he broke"
form II kassara, "he smashed to bits"
form VII inkasara, "it was broken up"
Sometimes these must be used with care: qAtala means "he fought" but qatala means "he killed".