. k^shm'R bookshop srinasab* s , ►.T, cue ru,j 4 O r V .6^ !i ft y. 2 Class N«. No. f Book R Accession No* 0 ai»rj aa^ 0 library JAMMU/SRINAGAR Tj^) H HI U-TT-g _ ji3a'z. I HAIM’S PERSIAN-ENGLISH PROVERBS i i PERSIAN-ENGLISH PROVERBS Together with idioms, phrases, glossarial notes , mother stories, etc. BY S. Haim Author of English - Persian and Persian - English dictionaries of various sites. B. & D. Beroukhim Booksellers Av. Ferdowsi^ Teh * M II P _ » 3 a 7 t Copy r i gilt 19-S 6 By B. & D. Beroukhim Booksellers Tehran. ( All rights reserved ) Foreword h It is with the utmost presumption that I venture to write a foreword to Mr. Suleiman Haim's latest achieve¬ ment in the field of lexicography. I do so mainly to publish » on behalf of all English - speaking students of Persian > a well deserved gratitude to Mr. Haim i not only for the present valuable work i but also for his past efforts. The present work is the result of 50 years endea¬ vour in a field of tremendous importance both for the student seeking a wider understanding of Iranian thought and literature and for the translator. It is gratifying that Mr. Ha im has been wise enough to hesitate no longer to publish the results of his years of collecting. The writer’s own experience in this field has proved after only two years’ work that the field is apparently inexhaustible and the tendency to hesitate in publishing an inevitably in¬ complete work fatal ) for the collector may well hesitate too long. Fortunately Mr, Haim has no longer delayed in producing a book which is an indispensable tool for any¬ body concerned with the Persian language. Proverbs in Persian are in no sense part of a mori¬ bund folk-lore kept alive artificially by the curious. They » and the idioms which > as Mr. Haim remarks » are so often difficult to distinguish from proverbs i are part and parcel bf the living speech of every Iranian. This book will be particularly indispenfable for the student of modern Persian literature » fcr ) in a conscious effort to reproduce living speech in their works j notable Per¬ sian authors of the last half century have tended more and more to use these proverbs and sayings ? for the ex - planation of which ordinary dictionaries afford little help, - 2 - However j not only the student of modern Persian literature must be interested in this important aspect of Persian, A point of considerable interest in Mr. Haim’s Preface is his remark that the folk - lore represented by these proverbs is in many instances more ancient than literature itself. Here he hints at the problem of how much in the great Iranian classical poets is in fact culled from the popular speech of the poets ’ own time and earlier. It is clear that to understand the classical poets fully the student must be as familiar as possible with Ira nian speech) particularly as there is evidence that this has changed little in essentials through many centuries. The importance of Mr. Haim’s collection is that it provides a key to these essentials of great value to the foreigner who is unable to spend a long time in Iran. Great indeed is our debt to Mr. Haim for having produced such a work and for having done so much thereby to fill a very serious gap in the equipment of the student of this gieat language and people. P. W. Avery B. A, Hons. ) Persian » L'niversity of London Tehran. December 2 7 th. 19.').') Preface The present work aims principally at providing foreigners interested in Persian lolk lorc) and especially the English-speaking students oj our language and lite¬ rature j with a handbook containing and explaining the commonest and the most important Persian proverbs . Undoubtedly » it also aflords a useful source for Iranian students in their study of English » by way of giving them a key to the methods of translation. A proper proverb or saying should contain a uni - vcrsal truth originating from a particular instance > often based on a fable i however s a great variety of sayings and quotations ? even maxims » mottos i and aphorisms j has developed into proverbs. ( Cf. Solomon’s Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament ) . Besides j there are the idioms and idiomatic phrases > which the compilers of proverbs of other languages have incorporated in their works i as it has been noticed in a few books on English proverbs consulted by the author during the com¬ pilation of the present work. Indeed i there are frequent cases where it is impo5sil)le to draw a fast line between proverbial and idiomatic phrases. Nevertheless? in an at¬ tempt to separate the proverbs from the idioms > this book has been arranged so as to contain two parts dealing separately with these two categories ? although ? owing to the difficulties mentioned > readers may find cases where confusion has been unavoidable. Perhaps this is the first time that a bilingual collec¬ tion of this size has been presented to the public ? deal¬ ing with our proverbs ? written alphabetically in the ori¬ ginal Persian » translated freely or literally ? and enriched by numerous notes and mother stories. The fanious collec¬ tion of proverbs by Ali - Akbar Dehkhoda ? which has 9 seived as my guide chiefly for purposes of collation and selection i is in Persian only > while a few English books dealing on the subject have omitted the original Persian text » or else have given a very limited number of our proverbs. It must i however > be acknowledged that none of the works so far produced in this field can claim to de exhaustive i much less if we turn our minds to the provincial sayings and phrases » which are common throughout the extensive country of Iran » but which are mostly beyond the reach of a single student residing in one locality. The following shows the plan adopted for dealing with the English side ot this book ; — 1 ) A literal translation has been given where it was thought this would evoke some response in the English mind or imagination. 2 ) A free translation has been given where a literal one would result in an ambiguity or sound ridiculous in English i while at the sanre time certain portions of the original have been translated literally as an aid in making the proverb more intelligible. 3) In Order to assist Iranian studentsi an attempt has been made > within the author’s knowledge of English i streng¬ thened in this regard liy the perusal of English books on [)ioverbs) to inseif the exact? or nearly exact? English eqni Va} eat s of the Persian entries ? or at least phrases winch hear son e similarity to ? or may he considered as f)ai..llels of ? the Persian [iiovcrbs. Admittedly ? a good n any of the Engli-h equivalents seem to be archaic and / or obsolete ? but they should preserve at all events their intrinsic value as eqii } v a] cn t s, 4 ) Where Ei'^lish equivalents woie wanting ? and the translations were found to he insufficient to bring out the proper n e.imng of tlic Peisian? resoif has been made ^ 1 lie bulk of the entiies iii this book was compiled gradually during a (juaiter of a century through ‘‘hearing and picking” in the days when Uehkhoda’s work had not a[»peaied ? which work was used as a guide when the present hook began to be printed. -D — to parenthetical explanations with special reference to the instance where a proverb would be cited. 5 ) The fables or anecdotes » which have given birth to certain proverbs > have n ostly been related with some briefness. Many of these have been versified by the fa¬ mous poets and moralists* Sa’di* Mowlavi* aid others > reflecting in some instances the well-known fact that popular folk-lore* of which the proverbs aie repiesent- atives » are more ancient than literature itrelf. This book contains no less than 112 anecdotes* each given immedi¬ ately after the proverb springing therefrom * but omits as irrelevant such anecdotes as have been based on * or invented to confirm the applicability of > the proverbs. 6 ) There are many cross - references from one item to another * where these fall more or less under the same category of thought. 7 ) The No/ appended to the proverbs serve either as a glossary to explain difficult words* grammatical points* and proper names * or give variants lor many of the pro¬ verbs * as it is a fate of common sayings to undergo changes in the arrangement of their words * and even in their very structure. This is especially true of those pro¬ verbs which have descended to us traditionally* and which* up to recent tin:es > had not been cemmitted to writing. The Persian entries having been arranged in their alphabe¬ tical order * the variant forms deviating from such order had of necessity to be n.entioncd. With regard to Part Two * which contains mostly idioms » in view of the fact that a few friends have ob¬ jected to my having inserted therein mere groups of words * which were not of a proverbial nature * and fell wi th in the scope of ordinary dictionaries* I wish to explain that these are collocations which could be covered by the term idiom ” ^ * as their literal translation would one definition of “ idiom ” being an expression the meanings of which cannot he derived as a whole from the conjoined meanings of its elen.ents . — Webster'^s New Jnternalioijal Die t ion ary. - 4 - not make good sense. A few examples are 0^^ jT JJ ^ I c 5^T jl " o-^. 1^ L*^ c—j - r and even the ordinary collocations ^ - O^hiJ *b - jj) Oi j gtc. etc. As it will be seen from the English translations of these » while there are cases of similarity between the English and the Persian proverbs i in so far as the central thought is con¬ cerned ) there exists a wide gulf between the English and the Persian idioms or collocations » hence the necessity of treating the latter separately. Finally > 1 have to offer my heartiest thanks to all those friends who have given me their unsparing assis - tance » while being consulted on the genuineness of certain proverbs i on the correct meanings and true sources of these » or on their best English renderings » for which latter I am partly indebted to Mrs. Edith Johnson > an English scholar of Persian > whose acquaintance I had the honour to make during her sojourn in Iran. And » as I have no pretensions whatever to having produced! a perfectly desirable work » especially because of the errors that have slipped in owing, to the printing difficulties » I crave the sympathetic consideration of the public for any sins of omission and commission ) and ear nestly invite Persian and English scholars to perfect the work after me y the former to improve on the Persian side , and the latter to fill in the gaps left for English equivalents. S- Haim ( UO fU) ) \j j:Jiy> wUbfe- U c L.M ( folk - lore ) j* Sj^Uj j ..rr^ J c-^l S^L JJ j O-Jb r>--> j J *« ^L j «wUxlj ^2^*^ ^ 0^-^ ^ jJjAjl 31 15-->^ 0^-> i^3tr ^ *--l Ij ^5* J^l **^L* ^5*^ J^ ^ ^Xlr J:J1 v> ^ ‘^tr oi' 31 J '^1 * ^ <f* *4/j-Jit" 0^ ^ j*‘ ^ ■‘ j^AC ? I 3 JJ sV^ 1 5 J "Jij*** li L«* j2j I 1J Li * * » 1 5 o I*- 3^4^ I ^Ci I Ij ^ iii < l O 1 •Jj 1 . >j—n* wpUi Jl^l - 1 *^ J •Jj-'l* -^ 1 ^ J’**^ U ^^.JLC;! 31 t5l ^y. Cf-^ Oi' •-•tl^* «-il^ SaALi>» J ^5-^1 31 C^l ^ Ol^^- ^ JU J JlLtlo; .>^ *-U- ^Uiil ^_ 5 -jli JU-*I iS\j* (C )) 0 *^ 3l At •■u L» laet ^ILi>JLO I t^l ,/*— -^1 1 1 ^ ^ tiii A Ci 1 jA*^! 1 j T , ^1*^1 J jA*—t ^Ul51 (jp'.ii* <,^Uy J jb* 1 l’t*t^ ^1 I ^ Al<«* I jjJ I ^ La-u^ j ,^,UC* j << lii I j I—>l*.»» I J 1 ^ ^>i ^ 1 T , 5 «^ 54 a 3 b J ^(^AaJ^ 1 —’ J 1 ■>^ jOlpjsi»_^ t^T ^3^1 31 ^5^ Aa 3t^ ^ ^ ajaLi^ jl^ .^rt—' f^,/^ •A—* ->jA^ J -> > CjA-^A- j Jt^ -^1 ^1*^ ^ Aa . ©jr^ *J!i^ J Oi 31 >* L Ij JAL») J jji^'ji <C I c^Av* : ** A --1 •O Aj fTt^ *7 ■ ■^-‘■* «a1^ aA! I 4 ^ Am* .la<i* *'*^.^j^ t)T i^il’^ti '-'f'^ ^^AIm*1j A> (3** JJ JMi^f J JU( A « >* uS Udi Jjif J» *f ^ k* *J^t 1 ‘ •»>- jj iSjj 1 ^T <r j 33U-1 ^5^1,>t^ 1-^ *3^ -AAl^jitt <£:t) (2)j*^. ••ajIj oA3^ ,a^" ‘r^>* ^ *^1 -jAt-^-l f^y J^*' jI>.1 ->1> CM*i- ^ 0l*A J UiJii 1 4^ Ai^ ja*a^ i*;Aw w-*t 1-jst \j jl j*«l^I<* iyi- OljA^I *4;^ Iv'T (3^ (jAtJ (j**^ iS,/^ -> '^—'1 A*-^ I o^L ^b ^ J j\^ J ji w4P ^ '^‘.y^ ^ 1 ‘ tj^l JA^^t^ • -Atb^ aTw—a ^ ^>A»t jj )^ J 31 JU«I li ^y^y* 31 - 8 - j ol jL<i ^ U j j U JU1^ • (^J j 1 J ol^-- j** IfJ I *-»•*»- ^ j) -.^—1 JJ I C^ -U-l <r -*:jU 31 J^l •jy^ ^u %^ j ij'jj] f 1-^^ ^ J' L-T jis" tfi 1 ji J^*«l J ( ^ ) ‘ J !**tt fly — ^ jl^ 1; Ij W ->•> J>>-J ^ J •31*^1 . (^) -cjO c yi j^ -jU ^^’ \j c-jIj ^ Ly 31 oju <r ^y i waJ U 31 ,3^1 Jj^ Kjr^y %jr Xl I ^UC;bC- <r cl/t^ VL ^ 31 ^lai y*i w-^ ^ J^i yCi 3> u ^31- ( au-A oT JJ ^^^3 ^.1^- J ) ^-^1 31 J -ciT 4—»li>» jy- yi 3^ 1^ ^y; J^l^y* o^y JJ Ij ylji^ JaA ^Ua 1 J Jj1'?h 1 y* <3j; ^ y ■ * * oU-U-»-l j^Caj OI t5.>^ -/^ J y 3 J '"-'^ *3: ^ 31 Jt* <5^ c*-* 1 yCi*A»_i^r^*Kj I 1; ^jli 4-_j li»31 w-^'T. a; 1*^3 f*^ yjl C^iJ J J J L.>* 1 ^JaiJ <J ULJ L|rf» j^PCA J ^ oil C)'^-*^3^ )jo J iX» 1 t- e L— c-i J J cLC>a« Ol^l'^J •L—*3 J Jl 51 _7i 1J jy** (*'-"^ vZ*— 1 Ut) w»i Ic- y 1 1 * ( \ \ 6 a; J J1c5 01' '' J J I (J ^S' li ^ i I t 1** - — I aA a* !>« < jj la^ Ci-^-^y*" ^ 31 ^ 1J 0^^ ' ( 'f Y \ ) O J-^ ^^^^■ 31 xj“ y J J>*“ J >1—1 J 1 1 /r-'jj 4 .^ I'jl-#-^ ■—J a » *^i ii* W 1 • ( A \ 4jci*tf \ Jjy - - * (3^7^ «_s*" “^* ^S "I j J I J L>* 1J i ^JU j{^, jJ Jj-^ vt'-I JJ JJ <r ^5 ;»j1 4^1^ ^_ g* —w—-i (.?!\j yy* ftjjl-' —-JLC; I . 1^-— I 4^y ^. j jL3 ij jIj<^i-^ ^ (3ijr; yijii J r*' J o*JJ l51^ 4 • (r r \ ) “1 J ’-^. V —J 4^'t5 j:- L&Oi '4' __u: U (_$jj J U I >^L;r • -^Aa.j c—Jj ^^'jl ^*. y i-$l^ J '^Ij^^ 4 S^ axa.^ yl— * a— laf* Jlj-* j 3 ^ jj > 1 ,*-^^* JJ ^S^^^'La •j J^-j 1 31 • Ol^Uc <» Jj'^^'^j ■^'J“t^ 1"^, '^1- <r —-;1 j ^jLi; -1^1 J^^l *ll 4jjl^ Ij ^1 (( >1*--1 ^>-'JJ 4^ oW^ y )) -^ij^;-^ liiW <3-1 .['f- * \ <3ciu») ((a-j^,; ^jl^3 jj 1 __- L; a. L; J I ‘ JJ j^ *• JWl a* 4iiL- jyijj ^ 0 L- L» Xjif • (_r^ « « ,(■ 4 ^ 3 aJ. 'c iT J J )> -1 JJ «a:». ^xj )) ^ \ J y 31 )) (C —^ j1>A j 1,^1 )) (x) - 9 - JU-l \ <fr>*7fc* jyj <r oii^r f^u» dju(i A _• ^U j jj a; jIj Jl*LtJ 1 I-hJ 0^-^>*^u^ J ^ 1*3 iS^ 0-1 ^r jjbj^ ^U; I 1 j ^oi j oU:-! c-Jlif jV S-H^ Oil ct-Lr <; <iUrc^l^ . ALiU ^T31 ^ (^) **1^ wiir^<*-*<ij» tfj [ ^^*101 j^u^L ^ OU-XU—»i,jo^ •jUi—! <r 0—1 ^jUfi- *^j| wU5^oil 31 cc ^Xia^l )) 31 ^ c—'1 j J—U -0?*^ l—U-l L <iij jlsC# ol oV3 Ji 1 j cj^jj 1-^ 1 L#^ Ol Io»^' . 0-1 f JJ O-i l^UjU ^T" a.w Ol—Xia—r) 096^ jj jjjj ^ J (slang) ol^u j I^LUI ^ ( colloquial ) •»lj ^Udl^l oi>^ ^-^1 31 J^'i Ij liUll <; oT3) (5-5^^ ^ ^ .a: 3 ^L3 L ^ • *^1 o^X<» ^jo^ 31 j idiom ol^Mldii^l ^ .IglAll <01-0 Ic I Jl*o-| 1^3 ojiJ oVKil cl^*^l •CiL« <;L3 4 _aJL r o^‘ 0-1 <Lif-JTj\ <r \j iS\»yj o'jlsCs-i ol 7^1^^ ^ lT*?^ J “4^ iS.^* JUjO-I yjy* J ^ \j ^2^1 Jll»l 1 ^;Ue^>l . ^ O' k Jl- J c--- J J ^ JUaI <^.1 J ^ *^J’ \J J-jf .IJ 31 h oi>J '^^•>1 O^T J ,,^iO/* loaiAj l5-»-1»“ jV? oT j1>i <£f JJ. JiiOJb oil ^J ^Jl-‘ oi' •-^3->' tiUlAlj JiUJ 31 (*A «al« ^1 (^I^ J 1 J; li j^ V-3 t^^li3 <iLrvliS^oil ^^■->^^JU:il <ro-l^^^;^ oA ((|*^^ Jl^l» •>^J] ^J\JJ>j\^SJl:^ Ji JU«I—t 31 ■**'^5^ •j_^o*li5 L^T (»•-oUoTU. 31 *jjJ 31 Cali— aS' ^jt JU^I 31 0*^ w^jUoI oj^ 0^.^-T J ^ ol>*A .ji^ 01^3 0^3 Oil ^ jM . « ^ )) jti dL jj i^T J Ij ^ <3** *S^ji »-*ii« (^Ia •jI^U- ^»- J wUlfli* oIA3» • JL^I C-^* fAt 31 ^l; J Jir o'^lCftl 31 Oil . -^ J^u >1 4r O-:.! J oiT ol>V b <^. JI>-^1 Oil ^ Lj oici^ji ^ i> it^T J ju-1 L j>^^A qU^ 31 UjL ( ^J > jU 3 31 l^^lyj-' <r^l^J > <iL . -Caa^ . ^^.1 CiUJU ^y.^U ijU J 0^.^T (^) 1^1 Ob^'T^^ b <^ly ^.>*^^(^1 SufU <# • -Ailx Oi* ^1 CmJ ]jiji- OU^jJa^ ^JU 4 ^>jb oT (iWj •** - 10 - j iJkU aCL l^T < '^1 C^yj ^-^>* ^1 j Sj^ ^y.y^. ^ ij-t ^yrJ ■ -CiC^ O-^ a:i-A Vr L i>. ^ j <ijUi j ^ j ^ j ^ j fUi iiUJ) ^ <r \ <;U^li* . -«|#a- U# •J^ •J^ J WU J iS\y^ J ^J^y J jij Uj j^ h ^ -^1 ,>^*; ^ . juUjuIj^ cf* ^ •*S^31 ^ o-l—»- ^j\y* Jl* yb :>\i j\ji 0'>V ->' u^\^\ J'S' ^1 <**■_/ O^i-H -*-0^^ j*A 'r’y^ '***t^. ^ t#***^^ ^UJ dJjj; ^.1 Uo^ |(2>^ y l-^i^ I ^ y^i}* ^ <-X J I***— 1 JLi L • J ^ * ^ L j ; 1 t^U J jlS o>U| Ji L <S^ij> ^.1 «L>^|i JU>1 ^LJi y L ^ Jy\ j* —'t" J* ^<**^’. Oj_j-<» fi•Ijil Ji Jti-*l *.r^ <ilj Jii Ji Ij JO. ^ <0| jl i^ J^‘^^ y ij^ |j jL*«z^ I i J jj» ^J■i^ t*-|>^|-i ^ _j^ J J*5^^j i J^^O ^ ^ f ^ J ^.■,.iCi 1 ** IjUai^I j l^t|-iU—li O ^ a;l*a^^^U ^L|.;b—lijl <S^JU>1 • Uf li j I ^ li. ^-.J.C» I ^L j 1 jt J.I w «.. * I w*** 1 I , ^ *** J* j-i '^■* J -1 ^ ‘ L ^. ■* -1 Lj 4 < J I-t>, Aj L—J J.i\,»* . -Oj 1 li Ai IA I j.» «v* V^ I j! J I I i ij^^ ^ ^ '-- I y J^I o-*-^ J ^^ ^j-U LiMfJ I ^ 1 ^ (J J1 * '^ ‘ p4 J LiJ tj^. ^I ^ > r J ^ o I I ^ ,^31 J _A^3l ^1^ J I 4i> J Lj ^^iOl Ci^. ^ * I 1 ^^ Ji ^y^ . L. iy^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ J ^ jjL J J 1 ^ «A ^ I Ji«i A ^ LJ L^ J j^ J^ '■^^ t51 ® JI I ^ JlXil i - a* a i jl jjUtL* -’‘5 ■ "-J-Jjl —■"'^ JX; 1 ^^LjjUf <fL-;i Ji J o-i, J ^ ^~..1.C 1 ^_5bb Jil*^ OU-Mia-^l |»_^- jl J jji 131 <5^w‘—! « w^j^i j ^^ . I Cj 1 J jj ^1 -^1*— i I i j 1 ^ i. J liO I • ■'j J J I 1 (^1.* Jil.*> ijLi w l>- 1 J J I fl*." L* Lj oU'Xia-^l Li oliJ dXi*^* J^ jl <J L j Ji oUJ L 31 o' J''^l J JU \m^ (^Ia Jil*A Cj^^ J^ '•"1 J ^ <ji' ^ y^ -Cj- Or—^ _A^31 Jy JJ w^lSl— 1 L i o'i 3 Ji y^ ^ J iSy^.'^ O'^lSLll -la-lj o' Ji fly <^U» \ J 31 (^UjU wij>* j;> jl 45*" J •LiS^ V 45^ I J ■ • Li ^ J1 L^ ^ J1 i 1 J1 W A > A> ^i L ^_i ^**1 kS 1 j ' j-y9jti L> J ‘tr List of Abbreviations ol^UaXi-1 A. Arabic cf. Confer = Compare « * * E. English E. E. English equivalent (s) etc. et cetera = and so on j < •jjij P. T. Free translation j\ i, e. id est = that is Litt ^ Latin Cr-'V lit. ; Lit. Literally (O-il ) 0 i ‘ p. Persian pvb. proverb 1 JIa q. V. quod vide = which see 3^ wl^ jlo, a-L<r T. Translation Turk. Turkish jy PART ONE Proverbs and Proverbial Expressions ^ ^ Water 10 an indication of habitation and development. 1) There is not even a ripple in the water ( /. e, peace prevails everywhere ). 2) It won’t cause a ripple. The sky will not fall in. X, To make a present of sea water (/. to make an empty or worthless compliment ). V? Water will not drip from his hand. * . a) He is close-fisted, b) He won’t give away ( or lose ) the droppings of his nose. ^ ji T. Saliva flowed out of his mouth. 1) This expresses extreme fondness and is stronger than yT watered”. 2) Ihe vulgar use the variant ^Is^l <iU J viAs- - 2 where J means “chops”. V ^ ^ ft C—f jt wj t T. The water is turbid from its source (^*.^. trouble starts with those at the head of affairs). 3^ 3^ 2^ C.i-t OJIT T. The water has risen over his head. E. E. It is all up with him. Cf, also and adapt •*- ua ( etc. 3^ -O' 2^ carry water in a sieve, b) To draw ( 1^^. measure ) water with a sieve. <!r ^ ^jJtf ^X) w) 1 1) E, T. To travel from one region ( li^. water ) to another for health improvement purposes') have a change. 2) H!4 ?7iOurously, To die. ATwater for mc) it certainly has bread for thee. {^FfOfn the following historic anecdote\ : Hadji Miiza Aghassi) premier to Mohammad-Shah of the Ghajar Dynasfy) had ordered a subterranean canal to be dug in a certain place. One day when he went to see the prog¬ ress of work) Uie master-digger Said to hini) “It is a vain effort to dig a canal in this place) for the land here has no water”. “ How foolisli thou must be ! ” replied the premier > “if it has not water for me ) it certainly has bread for thee”. thcE. “It brings grist to the mill”). 1 ..'1 ,> jSj w i <> 1 r. Water meets water and gathers strength. E. E. Union is strength. * sSs T. Fo pour clean water ( or the water of purity ) over some onc^s hand ( /. e, to give him a flat or definite refusal? or a disappointing reply). j>tt ^3j w-i 1 i . To pour the water of repentance on one’s head ( /. e, to repent ), 5CS - 3 - C jJ OiSj T. ( Even ) the water of life will kill when one is out of one’s depth, c, E. A little wind kindles^ much puts out the fire. C The water of life IS in the midst of darkness ( i. e. success can only be obtained through trouble ). iJ’J^ yT T. Sweet water { never ) went down his throat. fi. E. He was never happy. He led a dog’s life. Kf/'45* oM oJjTja yT T. While there is water in the pitcher? we wander thirsty, E, We seek water in the sea. Nofe, The^econd hemistich to this is ^ the companion (or the sweetheart) is Already in the house? and we are wandering about the world. P“* *" ®"«’» ear. * * To throw dust in some one’s eyes. c, ~ ^ ^ r. To bray water in a mortar. E, E, a) To carry water in a sieve, b) To flog a dead horse. U yT E. E. a) To try to measure sea water by a pint-pot. b) To plough the sea-shore, f. To measure sea water. wT \j yT T, To dious or too careful rinse water ( /. e. to be over-fasti- in observing hygienic rules). ^ tjT T, Water must be stopped at its source. ^ T, He muddles the water to endf).^***^ ^ mischief to gain his own - 4 - JUCjA Jii h Water finds its own way {i, the meek and the kind find their place in people s hearts). 15 ^ y. Water which has run down¬ stream does not return upstream. £. E, What is done cannot be undone. ^ I Jji I T". One should not make one’s honour ( as cheap as ) the water in the gutter. Note, The beauty of the Persian 1 which is lost m the rendering? lies on the riming words and smjS T, Water is light. Note, When water is poured out in any place? it is considered as a good omen j and the phrase is cited aS an excuse. ^j ( T, Water is collected under his skin ( /. e. he has put on flesh? also? he has grown rich). 6 ^ jj ! N Water under the straw, ''V ^ * E. E. Deep or shrewd (person). t ****! 1 E, T- . C.^onception is secret ? but childbirth will be known to all. (This means that an evil act may be done in secret? but the result will be knov/n to all }. ^ o ^ ^ Their several streams ( lit, waters ) will not run in the same channel. E, E, They will never go in double harness? they will never agree. 6 ^**} AS '1 T, When the water rises above one’s head ? one fathom is the same as a 4 hundred . E, E, a) In for a penny? in for a pound, b) As well be - 5 -- hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. See j\ w/T C-f Note, has been replaced also by or ^ Ip- (it) <r I T. Water staying ( long ) in one place becomes putrid. {Caution against long periods of service in any one place }. ^• To carry glass ( or mirrors ) to Aleppo. B. E. Same as under o jij oiMAla) T. Water offered unasked for is a good omen. Note. which literally means “ intention or wish here elHptically stands for “a wish which has been granted by God”. B. B, Given the water? he is a good Swimmer. ( Said of one who is deprived of chances to display his capabilities }. V* B. They have the same water and cat¬ tle ( /. e. they have everything in common ). I T. The waters ran clear of the mill {i. e, everything is quiet and the position is clear ). c/■>' Lsd B. No water can be heated by him you cannot expect him to do anything i you can have no faith in himi you cannot count on him). ^ I T. To burn the back of one’s hand ( so that the scar may be a sign of repentance? or remind one of his vow ), ^ y 1 1 . Once the fire has started? it burns green and dry ( i. e. good and bad ). ^ 1 * - 6 - Fire cannot be extin¬ guished by fire. fuel to the fire. T. To fan the f ire. f T, A wise man does not extinguish a fire and leave the embers. E. E Same as under ,,2JiS~ -a9l etc. ^ <s ^ 1 ^ *5^ I T (A.) E. The sword is the last resort. wimI oLi I T. By trying to live like a king one ends by drawing straw ( /. e. doing the meanest work). *‘*.xiL5 wt) F. T, To keep on saying to one’s teacher? “What is the matter with you ? teacher ? ” (in order to suggest in liim the thought of illness). {From the following anecdote -i which has been related by the poet mowl avi'}'• One day when a teacher entered the classroom ? accor¬ ding to the students’ plan to get rid of him? one of them said? “ Teacher? what is the matter with you tO'day ? ” “Nothing”? he said. But when all the students asked the same question ? the thought of illness was suggested in him? and he fell ill. Nov/» to a person who remarks that another is ill ? v/hile the latter is not really or seriously ill ? they say ? « JiiU a> ju jd>-l » 1 F, T. It is quite easy to become learned {lit. a theologian or tutor ) ? but ve¬ ry difficult to become a man. i . Where the priest gets no fees? even the mice in your house should be made to marry each other. ObU iM T. He who ie a poor pay pays twice. {Perhaps because? on being sued in the court? he will have to repay his debt with costs ? or because > inasmuch as he pays in very small and numerous instalments > an error may arise in the reckoning whereby he pays more than he is due to pay }. A man without children is a king without cares. ^ btiCi T. Until a man has shown humility he cannot attain greatness. E. To learn to command one must learn to obey. .Sj'j h Jic , A lazy person is as wise as forty ministers . {Inactive people are often mentally active? and always ready to give advice }. Jit T. A man who pays promptly shares in others' wealth. { This is because he can borrow again and again }. $ < 3 - iiAI ji ^ ^^1 T, A wise man does not strike a lancet with his fist. E. E. A wise man avoids edged tools. ^ 3 ^ <}• 8 ^ ( T, Liars have i E. E, Liars should have good memories. 8 ^ * 3 ^ E. E. a) More haste ? less Speed, b) Haste makes waste, t. The hasty man does his work twice over. 3 ^ * 8 ^ Uy A man who is (too) clever has his foot on a melon skin (which is slip¬ pery ). E, a) Good swimmers are oftenest drowned, b) Clever 8 people often miss their way. c) Subtility set a trap and caught itself. 6jU I r. A bustling ( i//. clever or active ) person only wears out two more pairs of shoes in the year. * 2 ^ '-Ub bAd 1 P.T, A tall man has short wits. ! 4*i^jJl^lbAT' I, A beggar and yet all these airs ! E. E. Poor and proud? Fyi fy ! C'. also Pride and pover¬ ty are ill met ? yet often together. I . A hungry person hf.s no faith ( or scruples ). E, E, a) A hungry man i an angry man. b) An empty ( or a hungry ) belly bears nobody, c) A hungry belly has no ears ( Scoltisli ). ^ p, bXU) Vjc> ^ ^ E. A naked person dreams of double-width canvas. E. E, a) The cat dreams of mice, b) The lover dreams of his mistress. Cl. jtm etc, ^ p ^ p 4)Lo ^jl j&i 1 2 . A man with a thousand trades procures a little capital. E. E. Jack of all tradesi (and) master of none. pop ^ ^ E, A human being should have hu¬ manity ( or courtesy ). p o p^ O ^ E, A man can have no worse disease than ignorance . pop E. E, Noise an emptiness betrays*) fulness gives no hollow sound. E. As a deaf nut is betrayed by its lightness? so is a man - 9 - disgraced by his tongue. Note, The following sayingj which is attributed to Demosthenes? is very much the same as that of SaMi *. As a vessel is known by the sound > whether it be cracked or not ? so men are proved by their speeches > whether they be wise or .foolish. <0I 1 ^ . Man needs wisdom rather than gold ( /. e. money ). P. P. The wisdom of the old is far better than gold. < 3 - 3 ^ j 4) O) f F.T, Brains are better than brawn. P- Man has been fed by T^ti‘ milk. ( Cited by way of excuse when a crime has been? Or may be? committed by a man out of cru defiess }. C>\j ji <> (Virtual) fatness comes through the ear. P> “From hearing comes wisdom ? from speaking repentance’\ C-1 ( 4x^jT \Jil wtWf J U P- He has sifted his flour ( and hung up the sieve ). P- P. He has had his fling i his youth has had its swing, P- There is no fault in young men having desires. (Often ironical}. P. To carry one’s wish to the grave ( P c. to die frustrated in one’s wish ). P. P. To nourish a hope or wish. P. To cook up a hope. cAiojU P‘ The greedy are always needy. P. P. He is not poor that has not much ? but he that craves much. 3 ^ < 3 - 3 ^. - 10 - j) E. E. Good clothes open all doors. {From tke following anecdote}: One day Molla Nassreddin went to a wedding-feast to which he had been invited. As his clothes were ragged and old» he was beaten and turned out. He then borrowed a new suit) put it oni and returned to the feast. On Seeing his new clothes) the guests offered him the seat of honour. When dinner was served i Molla held his sleeves over the dishes and said > O new sleeves > eat the pilau ”, He then explained that it was on account of his new sleeves ( or clothes) that he had been honoured > and that it was truly they which were entitled to eat. Note. If j and changed places ) we should have some sort of rime with ^ and jk ■ Jkm I E. E. It will not make the sky fall, T. It will not make, holes in the sky. sg? -O- 3^ Chalk and cheese. T, Sky and rope. <3- Sjg cT* I T*. He is at ease who has no asS) he need not know about its barley and straw. E, E. Much coin) much care. {o^ jKi ^.) fti.0 Lw ( T. Be as a mill j take in the coarse and give out the fine (/. e. even when you are Spoken to harshly reply gently) , I 7. In the mill one takes one’s turn. F. E. a ) Turn and turn about » turn about is fair play, b) First come) first served. ^ o 1. His mills (/. e. teeth) grind quickly, C . tke E. He has the digestion of an ostrich. J Lw I Same as zj ^ wLmuT as - 11 - To cook a pottage for some one. E. £. To cook some one’s goose > to ruin some one by insinuating against him. ^ ^ ^ many cooks Spoil the broth. . ‘ti^LoLo ctc\ T, Where there are two cooks the pottage is either salty or tasteless. T. It is not a pottage so hot as to burn the mouth. E. E, a ) It is nothing to write home (or shout) about, b) You won’t miss much, c) It is not so hot (Americanism). (juT ylisT T, The sunrise is the proof of the sun. ils9l iUSl i> wbiT T, Now that the sun is setting) the lazy man is hurrying. No(0. If i, e. ‘ manly activity ’ is substituted for it will rime with 1 T. The sun cannot be hidden by mud. See the next pvb. ji ju»p- j_:> 1 T. The sunshine cannot remain (^. be hidden) under the mat. E. E. Truth will out. 3 ^ < 3 - 2 ^ C-.I , E, E, He has one foot in the grave. E. T, He is like the sunshine barely shining at the edge of the roof. 3 ^ * 3 ^ C—t 4iUiT F. T, The ewer has to be sold to pay for the soldering thereof. E. E, The game is not worth the candle ( or the play won’t pay the candles ) . SC^ O 3^. “ 12 - J <)UdT T. Six pitchers and six basins (for washing the hands) j and yet no dinner. Note. The E. expression “Barmecide feast ” j which is usually rendered approaches Somewhat the meaning intended by this pvb. The E. pvb. “ Much bran? little meal ’’ is not quite an equivalent. ^ plum takes its colour by looking at its fellow-plum. B. E. A man is known by the company he keeps. Note. Instead of the above? which is a regular hemi¬ stich i the vulgar say ^ ji\ w/LFi-UT' wU> I 1. He intended to do good ? but was put to torture. (Said in cases when the reward of a good act happens to be a suffering } . •{> 2 ^ jl U jlj f . In trying to pluck her eyebrows) he blinded her. E. H. Striving to better? oft we mar what is well. Note. The E. expression “ to gild the lily ” ? ex¬ tended to read 5 “ To gild the lily does more harm than good”? approaches the sense of the P. pvb. ^ Oue comes by one’s own free will? but goes by permission, (Said by a host who wishes his guest to stay longer with him }, oiy <CU> I T. The more rich? the more in need ( /. e. of grace ) . <rL^'> ( <) Af Jj Ls^T T. Go where they call thee? not where they drive thee hence. ^ o ^ aijCLo I 1\ 7. Let those who deny it come? so that you may prove it in their presence, ( Of¬ ten Said ironically to one who has pretensions - 13 - ^ ^5jfiV AA) Ji, ^ ^• Where the eagle’s wings are powerless ( lit, fall out) ^ what can one hope from a small gnat ? c^l>* c^i jLc <r bt> I F. T, What is self- evident (or visible) needs no explanation. flUjC* makes one who is so more so. (A comment about wine ) . Note, The first hemistich to this» which is less often cited > is JU5C^ jm i. Wine does not work ill in every head. ojitj c-tfl-jail o'.??' Age can see more in ( or through ) an unbaked brick than youth can see in a mirror. Note. This verse — a comment on the experience of an old man— has been refashioned into a variant as follows: MJ JA JJJ au o'jf ‘'ilj verse has “ that ” j while the former has “ more than that ” . JILmJ ^others what you would not ,like others to do to you . Wbat the heart thinks the tongue speaks. T. What is in the heart comes to the tongue. A> c^f I T. What is in the pot will come into the ladle (. >. in the end this secret will be divulged ) . jJttQidtJb c—l \ I JUS Q I A> I E. E. Man proposes ? God disposes. T. What my heart wished did not come to pass* but what God wished came to pass. - 14 - c—l2^L:K>f ^1 ja <> Jj iXTU T. What gives the lion the nature of ( i. makes him cringe like) a fox is necessity— necessity and only necessity. E. E. Hunger will tame a lion. _ ^Ur* ^ F^ir exchange no robbery. F, r. So long as replacement ( or exchange ) is possible? th ere is no ground for complaining. C 1 ^ ^hat does not endure does not merit attachment. •TJ- ^ \S What is nectar {or en¬ joyment) to one person is a sting to another. E. E, One man’s meat is another man’s poison. I v-K) M_ I <r( L) T. What is des- pised may some day be found useful. sS ^ 2^ 4r*c*-*^ ^ T, He is indeed my kinsman who is with me. ^ote, Ti)e K. pvb. “A good friend is worth more than a ncai kinsman has a much Stronger implication than the Peisiau? and corresponds to the following verse by Sa*di : I - o _ ( ^ ^ I T. Those records have been eaten by (lie cow (and the cow has been taken away by the butcher). E. E. a ) That is all past and done with, h ) It is quite another story nov;. c) Let bygones be bygones. SSS . If the ass had the two horns of the ox? he would not allow human beings to approach him. T. Why strike him whom Fate has struck ? - 15 - i,A) (.Uf '^ \^\ T. To him who does that will come this. E. £. As thou so west) so shall thou reap. |^(i***-*} ComI AT "!^ I T. Why need he? whose accounts are clear(ed) » fear to render accounts? E. E. a) A clear conscience fears no accusers, b) Be true and fear not. ^ I P. T. He who is fated to receive bounty will receive it in this very world. 2^ <3- 2^ (<> c**-l ojlp6*it <r fy 1 T, He who has generosity does not need courage { P the generous are already courageous ) . T. That jar is broken and that measure spilt (t. c. it is quite another story now ) . Cf, \j q\ etc. Sg? <3^ 3^ jA ^ < 5 * ^* P. P. Eat to please yourself) and dress to please others. ^ o ^ ^ * *1* ^ I T, Pile up a load which can be drawn) not one which will kill. Note. The beauty of the Persian) which is lost in the E. translation) lies mainly in the assimilated words •AAO, bekeshad and JUJC/ bokoshad. P, Cook as much as you can eat. ? o1<J^ T. Thou hast been grazing so much) where is thy fat tail ? ( Said to one who has struggled in vain through greed or other motives }. 2C2 o 25? L5 Ij oyl b JJJiiT T. Through our cons¬ tant prayers to God we have been enabled to make a coat of that cloth. ( We should now hold in great esteem what - 16 - we have obtained ) . Note. 6means ‘‘ cloth used for the outside of a suit sia-t ^ I E. E. You can’t see the wood for the trees. Notes. 1) believe ^^< 0 .*** is only a contraction of which means “jessamine”. 2) The variant approaches a regular hemistich. oJ^mt jwtA) ( T. He has eaten so many snakes that he has been turned into a dragon. (Said of a very sly person or of a veteran rogue ). Note. Some would use which means “ a viper” for U^:Jf in the pbv. a.:f jl jki!a> <r jdlji) j oilju AT^^T >T joU <r jOUj joU aT^^T wdU) J&>^\ 0)1 ailo) aToJIo) J oiloi AT^^CT 1 . He who knows ? and knows that he knows > will leap his Irorse of honour over the vault of lieaven. He who knows noti but knows that he knows not » will in the end bring his lame ass to its destinatio.i. He who knows not> and knows not that he knows not) will remain forever in double ignorance. E,E. Same as under the pvb. o*-jbolO) 0" etc. •• * , j oiT ojur A^ (3^.0^ ac>T f. What difference does the rain make to him who is drowning in tlie Ked Sea ? ( Alore briefly ) \ drowning peiBon fears not the rain. V ^ ft AC) 1 ^ . He who used to buy elephants is Cf ' gone. Ij ^ I etc. A-Ck* (^1) 7 . The bogy has carried off the breast. (Originally meant to quiet a child crying for the breast, l»ut now meaning “ It is quite another story now”). Cf. the -l7- H. ‘‘Gone is the goose that the golden egg did lay T. That honey ( lit^ wholeso drink ) is not worth this sting. Honey is sweet » but the bee stings. Cf, €t C. me 2 ^ * 2 ^ 0>uf/'^VUc.9U c-ilj >^.oT ^ . Such a one had an ass ) but no pack-saddle i ( by the time) he got the pack-saddle? the wolf had carried off the ass. (f I i . To hear the sound of the drum is pleasant at a distance. ‘Tis the distance that lends enchantment to the view ( and robs the mountain of its azure blue ). The barking of the dogs does not make the beggar’s portion {or daily bread ) any less. 1?L) JA oT T. Not to have ( even ) a breath ( lit. a Sigh ) in one’s stock. Cf, etc, Note. The variant jiilaj of in which means ‘liver’ is rather rare. ij. <S-*T T. Go along slowly and (you can) keep on going. Slow but sure . (] j\ h aj:> cl P. T. It is the sigh of the Oppressed which impresses. Note. For “oppressed” the P. has AJi w-s-U» , which means “ (One) suffering from a pain ' *5? <j- iji? JUi oT T. The sighs of the oppressed pursue the oppressor (/. e. the oppressor is doomed to be punished for his oppression). 2 - 16 - to ^^>6 ©T T, May no sigh of a hair follow a mountain! (^The idea is that the sigh of the oppressed* however small > will bring vengeance on the oppressor* however great j. juT b © ( E. E, He has not a penny bless himself with. T, He has not (even) a sigh to exchange for a groan. jJL >jlT ^jM ) E. E. a) To flog a dead horse, b) To bite ( or gnaw ) a file. T, To beat cold iron. ^ Not c . The variant ^^ is bookish. E. E. To sell the beards skin before tlie bear is caught, ^ etc. T. To make a present of the gazelle not yet caught. 3^ -Q- 3^ • * si jf 4iiT T. To hold up a mirror in an assembly of blind men is ( like ) giv¬ ing a cocoa-nut to the monkey. b. h. A blind n>an will not thank you for a looking-glaSS. I. P i bfiJSe “ lie holds a looking-glass to a mole ” » d cl.-jpt e d ifO)n the Greeks. o m m P tb wW, iCil Ijjfl ill H rain be the water of life ■> the willow er h^lM 1 ruil. E, h. k^igs do not grow on thistles. a:.C> ,mUv 1^' ,>l E. E. Cattle do not die from crows’ oursi.ng. i . The barking of a dog will do a cloud no harm. Si . If thou cans! not be open-handed ( c. generous ) j be open - browed { /. e. ciicerful ). 0 ^ 3 ^ ‘U)! I . The fool said > and the lazy - 19 - man believed it. (A lazy man believes even what a fool says if it only can excuse him from working }. ^ r. The fool said something and the madman ( or fool ) believed it The tenant is like a colonist (i. s, in a position to choose or change his place ). k ) ^ vg- r. When the dog’s time comes> he steals ( or eats ) the shepherd’s bread. 2^ O 2^ ^ . It is he whose fate is adverse who will diej not he who is desperately ill. ^ Necessity is the mother of invention, Note. It is doubtful that this proverb is of Iranian origin. 2^ <3- 2^ Ci^l A ?jm T. Reason is conditioned on caution. E, 1) Discretion is the better part of valour. 2) Cau¬ tion is the parent of safety. c-iXA cu-Jii jyb *tr^JCiT c.*-f ,3^^ i. He is a fool who takes the higher seat > ( fOx ) his bones will be broken so much the harder. E, E. a) The higher the fool the greater the fall, b) Climb not too high lest the fall be greater . 2^8 0 - 2 ^ T. To count the stars (/. e. keep awake all night). E, E, To count sheep. 2^8 O ’ 2^8 \j ji,sS j T, He will not throw his spit to the hen. E. E, He will not lose ( or give away ) the droppings of his nose. 2^8 O’ 2^ - 20 - \Sj^ cheap is buying rubbish. Note, ^Lii is a scrip of sheep leather. E ,E, (a) Bad ware is never cheap, (b) Good cheap is dear at the long run. JLib j1^<2db ^0^1 T. That is despised which is cheaply obtained. ^ T. To extract colour from water. E. E. (a) To draw blood out of a stone, (b) To flay a flint. o i:»y> u .ji) ^>1 <rcu-J i* oj o I j\ T. He is not one of those willows to tremble at one of these winds. E. E, He has lived too near a wood to be frightened by owls. oJiitj Ipciif j! oJuLo Lxi I jjl T, Left out of one place and dri- ven away from another. ( Said of one who > before find¬ ing a new employmenti has resigned his former employ¬ ment or has been disiiiisscd from it}. ij<.5 <r ^ ji) jT ji jto j <r ^ji) ji E. E. (a) B-Iik ing dogs don^t bite, (b) The dog that means to bite does not bark. T. Do not fear him who makes an outcry ) but fear him who keeps his head down (/.<?. does not show' his intention). < 1 - j- . Do not fear a black cloud and a bushy-bearded man i tear a wliite clou<i and a thin-bearded man. Note, '^j’his vcrse> wdiich has neither sound rhylhinT nor a correct nniC' iS akin ? in its general sense? to fallen ^*6^0^ (t«f) 1 j\ F, / . Though we have from our steed? we have retained our noble breed. - 21 ji ji T, Galloping from the horse > and barley from its master { f. e. a swift horse will be well fed ). C/. etc. * 6«-4wXj No one has seen such a miracle from this shrine. ^ Used of an action people would not have expected from some one ). ^ o ^ ( C-J L ) 1 g J You can believe anything you hear about this slyboots ( lit. bootailed animal ), ( From the following anecdote } : A certain person > being asked whether the fox laid eggs or gave birth to its young ? answered j “ This sly animal can do anything imaginable Between pillar and post there may be rescue. T. Between one pillar and the other there is relief. (With him it goes ) in at one ear and out at the other. ^ 0 u juj ^>1 j\ T. Let us have a hat from that felt \ t. e. a share in such and such a thing ). 2^ -O’ 2^ ^• To flee from the rain under the rain-pipe. Cf. <Jb>- j\ etc, the equivalent of uhich is To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire. c)**** < 5 *^^ jto.9 UJ j\ T. Whatever you get from a bad loser is a windfall. is money given to by¬ standers at a game by those who win ). ‘Hv :<i T. An ape cannot do carpentry. (1) A sow to a fiddle : (2) Every man to his trade. 0Jmt ji F. 7 . To become a pure Arab ( /. e. to pre- - 22 - tend not to understand the claimant’s language in order to evade payment; also) to make a flat denial ). !5s -a- 3^ ■>' ^ - To remain alive for want of a shwud, [Cited in cases of extreme poverty ). M (*s! ■>' T. To go into the mouth of the dragon from fear of the serpent. Cf. jbU .>1 etc. j ch oA j-iS" H ■>* Same as .cj ,) b b C—^ b ai J** ^j-> b.;* He spurns with his foot and draws to himself with his hand. £. E. He refuses the bribej but puts forth his hand. Note. The P. pvb. can be so generalized as to include other cases besides bribery. ^ o^b b A ^ ^ Running about too much { i, e. too much bustling or effort) wears out one’s shoes. cf. the pvb. etc. Note, j\jj\ b is a provincial form of the word b “footwear or shoes”. ( Cwt;:> I After every weep¬ ing at last comes laughter. E. h. a) After night conies the dawn, b) After sorrow comes joy. Note, The second hemistich to this is C.-*.)) Ci-U) .^1 ^ /. C. the man who foresees the end is a blessed servant ( of God ). vsT ji j( y j\ T. Action on thy part) blessing on God’s. E, E. a) God helps those who help theinselv'CS. h) God helps the sailor ) but he must row, c) Begin your web j and God will send you the thread, d) Get thy spindle and tliy staff ready » and God will send thee flax. - 23 w*«**i^^*^^ '^• A despetalc iran needs no help. ^,^ll9( tS^ To come out of the ditch and fall into the pit. E. E. To fall out of the frying-pan into the fire. ^ I i . To come cut of the pit and fall into the snare. E, E, {Same as for the preceding pvb. ) Js-U 0" T. Bet ween truth and untruth is four fingers’ width ( i. c, between the eye. that sees the reality and the ear that hears rumours ). ^ <s ^ tjXp- j\ T, Saying “ sweets ” repeatedly does not sweeten one’s mouth. E. a) Fair words butter no parsnips, b) A thousand wishes will never fill your pail with fishes, c) Many words will not fill a bushel, d) Wishes don’t wash dishes. Cowl ^ ^ folly {lit, a mistake) to expect the turner’s trade from an ass. Cf, etc. T. ( To pluck even ) a hair from a bear ( is a success ). Cf, the E, From a bad paymaster get what you can. Note. ‘‘Bear” is used here to personify miserliness. <y ^ ) J?l To get down from the Devil’s ( black ) ass ( /, e. to cease to be obstinate ). cf . the. E. “ To come off one’s high horse which implies diminishing one’s arrogance. ^ . They are asking an ass > “When is Wednesday ? ” ( i. e. they are taking counsel from a fool .) cf, the E. “What ! would you have an ass chop logic - 24 - alldl ^9 Oi jOT:;I T. When he had been libe¬ rated from the trap he was caught in a cage. E.E. (Adapt the pvh. 4% etc.) sSs o «b V iJi P- I" ®" «mer- gency one will address’a cat as madam. O 1^8 through a needle’s eye and not through the town-gate. E. E. To strain at a gnat and swallow a camel. ^ widow’s mite. T. A green leaf offered by a dervish. Leyli’s beauty should ' be viewed from the window of Majnoon’s eye. (Reference to a pair of lovers in the ver¬ sified romance by Nezanii) . E, E, Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. k^ji oJJ^ jjl <0 I J*5 sighti out of mind, b) Long absenti soon forgotten. Note. For “ mind ” the P. has “heart ”. * ■ * Co***' C),illd( jl jf . He has fallen out of an elephant’s nose. E. E. He is as proud as the peacock. (^^} E. 1. A desolate village is never liable to taxation. \j ft jSiJ jS^ id E. h. *Tis the distance that lends enchantment to the \Aew (and robs the mountain of its azure blue). r i . When afan it enraptures the hejirti and when near? it rends the gall-bladder. C^. etc. jJ-pUI J Owti f . Three things io avoid: a crumbling wall? a biting dog? and a shrew. -Ct “ 25 - wUr" T, To eat roast meat from one’s own thigh, (This has been taken to mean to ruin one’? condition by ( or for the sake of ) good living ” > but it may mean ( also ) “ to be too independent of others to borrow from them meat ” } . jTk) j T, To take from the beard and put on to the moustaches, -E. To take from one’s right side to give to tlie left. Note. The E. “ to rob Peter to pay Paul ” has been considered as a parallel? though of a different meanirg. r. To draw oil from sand. E. E. To d raw blood out of a stone. ^ Ct ^ jiiS" Jl San?e as ^ M.ji j>:>t etc. E. E. a) Of the same leaven, b) Tarred with the Same brush. E. (Cut) from the same piece of tent-cloth. ^ Cr ^ loj j\ PA I uT* ^ j\ T. It is because of the inertness of mankind that the man-eating wolf comes into being. T, Flowers ( Nt. jasmine ) will not grow in brackish ground, E. E. Figs do not grow on thistles. a loss is a ^ o jl T. Whatever is recovered from profit. Cf. j ua> rf a) jt etc. 2^ O ( ^ ^ N h bird once liberated from its cage finds a garden everywhere. w-aP S ^f Lo ^jl T. One of the miracles of our Sheikh is this: he drank the syrup and Said it was sweet. ( Referring to a platitude or a very obvious remark). 2^2 * 2 ^ - 26 - Note. An insipid variant of this verse is This miracle of our Sheikh is nothing astonishing : he saw the snow and said it was snowing. jlT J jj^ 4rc.*-*i One can’t pluck a hair from the palm of the hand which has none. E. E. a) You can’t draw blood out of a stone, b) ‘Tis very hard to shave an egg. c) Wliere nothing is» nothing can be had. <r E. E. a) Nothing comes out of the sack but what was in it. b) Every tree is known by its fruit, c) Such as the tree iSi such is the fruit. / . What is in the jug will leak out of it. i . To give out from the Caliph’s purse (/. c\ to be generous with other people’s money). SQS <3- p. aiAa) <:> ai <>■ larjl E, T, It makes no difference to a l>eggar wlicther you give him a loaf of bread) or take one from him. E. E. A penny won’t make me or break me. pop joU^i U.f=^ jl T. Th e wolf will nev'er make a shepherd. £. E. Set not the fox to watch the geese. pop JUj ^ E. He escaped the clutch of 4 - the thief and fell into that of tiie soothsayer (l^t. geomancer). E. h. He fell out of the frying-pan into the fire. pop ( ^.r* E. r. It is amongst us that is against us (/. c, we arc shot with our own arrow ) . pop Ui ji I . If only away from us? let it go into tl»e Sack of cotton. {A selfish remark meaning “As long as we are not harmed) let it destroy what or whom it will”). P p - 27 - iJUitfl lib jA T. There is but a single step from manliness to cowardliness. (Many an honest person has had an abrupt transition to dishonesty) . ^ IT juJ/=v.f T, They began (of threatened him) with death until he was content with fever. ^ ^ JSU jAf. oUKd T. Do not neglect (to consider) the outcome of the acti wheat grows from wheat and barley from barley. £. £, As you sow> so you will reap. oLm j>\ J j\ o-- j>\ JjI j <1... Ji T. Fear not iilack hair and white cloudsi fear white hair and black clouds. Ct. 4,^ j\ etc, ji To cut a loss (D/. turn away from half a loss) is a profit. 4m,^^ j\ 2. Do not borrow from a parvenu. -^0 T. From whichever hand you give> by the same hand you will receive (/. c. the reward of the charity returns to the hand that gives it), ■E. a) As you sow? so you will reap, b) Virtue is its Own reward. hXtoo** (^ji)^U ijj£>jibT. From whichever quarter the wind blows he will winnow his grain. cf. etc. ^ t?. 2 , It has already passed the fourth stomach ( lit. digestive stage ) > i. c. by this time it has been consumed and finished with. j^Ldl Jjib j\ F. T. To fall into the pot from greed. 2 ^ote. (which is also spelled jt*^) is a kind of porridge with wheat groats and meat. - 28 - c—J c-«ti 2** T‘ There is no heart without a path to God. swallow does not make summer. T. One flower does not make spring. Note. I have seen in Dehkhoda'^s Proverbs ^ which I do not believe is of Persian origin. He seems to have seen somewhere the literal translation of the E, pvb. ^■Sj^ <) <01^ T. The household furniture •• • • , • shows what the owner of the house is like ( the household furniture takes after the owner of the house). ^ O ij E. E. One does not look a gift horse into the mouth. T. One docs not look at the teeth of a gift horse. Note. The P. sentence is grammatically unsound because of the double object ij ^^1 and . The correct form would he wt ——— ^ * f . The Arab horse gallops two stretches with great speedi the camel goes on gently day and night. E,. E, a) Slow and steady wins the race, b) Slow but sure. p Si- p i j\ OjljJ j\ ^ W*-** He is like a Turkoman horsei he cats both from the nose-bag and from the manger, (Referring to some one who tries to make a profit from all sides}. P o '<0* P. I . A horse galloping means more fodder ( Nt. barley ) pop T. To lose the horse and search for its shoe (/. e. to be careless about essentials and care¬ ful about trifles). C'. the E. ‘penny-wise and pound foolish’? which is not quite the same thine. Pop - 29 - J*“ T, The horse» when it is fattened> becomes restive. T. A blood horse needs only one stroke of the whip. Cf- j^fojUl I etc. jPuiA Jijjtj ) oijuj <> laJC) 4r\j j p. T. A horse and an ass tied side by side become of the same temperaments though not of the same kind. P. P. Tell me the company you keep* and I will tell you who you are. 2^ O S Jij <r jyui J J T. Who has ever seen a faithful horses a faithful womans and a faithful sword? P. They were shoeing the king’s horsess the flea and the gnat also lifted up their feet. P. P. Every ass thinks himself worthy to stand with the king’s horses. 2^ O 2^^ \j T. The horse that they try to break when it is forty years old will be fit for the race-couise of the Resurrection, P^ P. It is no use teaching an old dog new tricks. r. To leave a splinter of bone in the wound (/, e. to abstain from a radical cure or from taking an effective measure in any matter and dally with it from selfish motives). [Fro}?i the following .af 7 ecdotey- Once when a butcher was chopping nieat a small splinter of bone flew into his eye. He consulted a doctor who said he would take the splinter out if the butcher would send him a certain quantity of meat each day. But as days passed the doctor only dallied with the matter instead of trying to do the essential) until one day when he was ab¬ sent from the surgery his assistant opened the butcher’s eyC) and locating the splinten look it out by an ordinary - 30 “ surgical instruTnent. The butchen who was greatly relieved of his pain? called no more at the surgery? and the doctor? on questioning his assistant about it? found out the reason. Whereupon he grew angry and said ? “ How foolish thou must be ! Did you think I could not see the splinter in his eye? I let it be there on purpose? so that I may receive the daily portion of meat ! ” Mat tj T. When asked who his father was ? the mule said ? “My maternal aunt is a mare.’^ (An evasive answer given to conceal one’s low ancestry } . J J Parts without training is a pity? training without parts a waste. JjJC^ ^ T. A camel which wants some straw will stretch its neck out. E, E. No pains? no gains. C-«l I T. The main ingredient of a ( sour ) pottage is beetroot. ( Used as an ironical or jocular praise of a person or thing ). Note. Tlic English would probably render the above “The foundation of the stew is the turnip” . } c^t wUir j jT \j jjil b J E. r . One of a bad origin will not become good ? as his very foundation is bad i The training of the unworthy is water on a duck’s back ( lit. is like walnuts on a dome ). E. E, ( a ) A lofty rank requires nobleness of soul .(b) True blood will never stain. ( c ) Nob les se oblige. j? w 1 jTjSb I ■1 . Lea rii to be lowly if you wish for grace ? Land which is high will never absorb water. - 31 - despondent person will depress the whole company. ( iS-^ 3 c-J vS" J T. To kill the viper and leave the young is not what a wise man would do. Cf. ^JS^ ^ £. E. (a) Destroy the lion while he is but a whelp, (b) Crush the evil thing at birth. (r^^} been bitten by a viper will start away from the shape of a cord. E. E. {Same as for oJUjP^U etc) . jT" Ud jl Jf I T. To eat food from behind one’s neck ( /. e. To do things hind before ). E. E. To put the cart before the horse. oJJ Jrf o %cl) 1)1;/“( I . If you are a digger? dig your own garden. E. E. Physician) heal thyself. ^ Si- S ^5^1; I (tiJi -J iSjt) T. Since you do not take a load from my shoulders? why do you add another load to mine ? Note, Sometimes is changed to ^‘thou who’. Though you are dressed in fine clothes > and seated on a throne ? I still see you with the eye of old times. Note. The vulgar pronounce * as if it were spelled which pronunciation causes it to rime with and ^45-^ iSA jf 1 o-iy.} b" j\ T. If you float on water you are only a straw ? and if you fly in the air you are no more than a fly » make hearts happy and you will be some one worth while. <i jifib o>>ft^ T, Shouldst thou have two-hundred arts ( hung) on each hair? they are useless if fortune is adverse. E. E. It is better to be lucky than wise. Note. The original Persian hasfor wisdom. jdi^bA) \j Had he not seen his father » he would have claimed kingship. { Said of one who » though born of a low family ? has undue pretensions }. . • . T. If you can see the back of your ear ( i. never ). Cf. the E, When two -Sundays meet. iJmU cAmU 7 . If thou hast money i^lit, gold )> thou wilt have a world full of brothers. E. h. He that is poor? all his kindred scorn him? he that is rich? all are akin to him. Were it not for ( meeting the demand of ) the oppiessive stomach ? no bird would fall irto the hunter s snare > nay ? the hunter himself would not lay the snare. sS? C.*-! «-X«L3 jr'\ P.1, But for jealousy ? the world would be a flower garden. cH ^ But for jea¬ lousy? a whole town and a single husband would suffice. ^ o ^ oitjj , . . . <51^ X {. ^ she would have been an uncle. E. h. U n,y aunt had been a man ? sh’d have been my uncle . Isote, The variant -^.1-x aU)1> n,.p.o.chos Ihe sense ot th'e K ,.vl>. ^ ^ ^ - a3 = , If you wish to be a good writer » write » write i and keep on writing. E . Practice makes perfect. ‘r''> *=1*'^^ .5>y c-( yiy oi» * ‘ you know that there is a heavenly reward for giving bread, eat it yourself, whose belly is empty ( whose Bagdad is ruined ), E. E. (a) Charity begins at home, (b) He tells me my way but does not know his own. T. If falsehood will save, truth will save still better. E. Honesty is the best policy. oJi;) J\ Ij Jpi T. if pupiis> prayers took effect, no teacher would be left alive ^ ^ o ^ ^ w ) U F, T, Even though all the world were deep in water , he would be deep in slumber. ^ T uri.. 1; 0 y=( . It married ‘‘perhaps”, and the offspring was “Would I have not” . £. If wishes were horses , beggars might ride. (^^^1=) y ^^, 1 , p p to keep thy head ? Then, keep the secret. E. E. The tongue Ulks at the head’s cost. jji ^ t. If erery night were the Precious Night, the Precious ig t would be no longer precious. (Loosely) If everyday were a feast- day , what day would be festive ? ote, , the Precious ( or Dear) Night, is the night on which the Koran was given. A few other nights have also been called by this name. 3 - 34 - ju9i f yj^ ^ Jt- T. Though the fire-worshipper tend ( the sacred ) fire a hundred years ? should he fall therein for one moment he will he consumed. there may be an excuse 5 this is a sufficient one. {Prom the following anecdote']. Molla Nassreddin was asked one day by one of his neighbours to lend him his rope. Molla said » “ I have spread millet on it “How can one spread millet on a rope? ” asked the other man. Molla answered? “For an excuse any reply would do. ^ T-. If All is the camel-driver? he knows where to lead the camel {.lit. cause him to kneel down). {Prom a story of which one version is as follows]: A Sunnite was once engaged in a controversy with a Shiite to whom he finally said? “You n.ust know that on the last day our master? Omar? will ride on a camel? and that the camel will be driven by Ali? whose follower you are.** “But*’ ? replied the Shiite most shrewdly? “if Ali is the camel-driver? he knows best where to lead the camel** . “And where will he lead our Master?’* asked the Sunnite who was becoming impatient. “Straight to hell” was the smart reply. •CJ- ^ Saffie as ^y etc. T. But for meddlers the world would be a flower-garden. < 5 " 4 ) ^->1^11 <roni;; jj <r ^.jry\ P. 7 . When you say “I can do it ” ? you may go on ? for you will be able to do it i but when you say “ I cannot do it ” , you must sit down? for you will fail. (A lesson teaching resolution and determination } . “35 — j\j\j E, E. If fools went not to market) bad wares would not be sold. T. If the Lur did not go to market) the market’s produce would be rotten. No^e. The LurS) who are the natives of Luristan, a western province of Iran? have been regarded? for no good or specific reason? as fools. For a single guest one could kill a cow. (An excuse for a poor entertainment of a large party}. ? F. r. If the hread offered by you is not of wheat? let your speech be soft and sweet. c-i j={ T. Though we have not eaten wheaten bread, we have at least seen others with it (/. we know something about it) Note. The beauty of the above two proverbs lies in the words pOrf'and whieh nearly rime with each other. ■» sS? c-l .JOa igOsilii T. If you have not pissed, the night is still young. [From the following anecdote"]: A ehild was in the habit of wetting his bed during t e night. One night before this had happened, he awakened his mother and said to her boastingly, “Mummy, I have not wet my bed*’ . “Don’t you worry” , said thi mother, the night IS still young” (meaning thereby that there was still time to see whether he would wet his bed or not) This IS now said to one who is cocksure that some- t mg will not happen because it has not yet happened. a p. \j lUA cxL sib VJ jCI) <:i(j J ar .to-. ^-,4* P| r . Should he have seven blind daughters, he can marry em off in an hour. (Said of a very clever and resour¬ ceful person} . 0-1 ufej siXS il\j^ tj Ui 4*4, /\ T. Though the whole world were covered with wheat, the food of - 36 - the partridge would (still) be sand. Note, The meaning of this pvb.» which refers to the nature of a mean person) is quite clear) but hunters have not confirmed anything which is similar to the remark about the bird. Ou-t ^ (jrU.A If it was merely to please our caprice? this one instance is enough. (This means that the practice was a mere fad or fancy) and is not good enough to be repeated} . wCU Jft! jl> J^\ F. T, When one’s party is ame¬ nable) it is easy to handle affairs. Note, jb originally means “friend” or “sweetheart”) and in games “ partner It seemS) therefore? that it has been used here chiefly to rime with . E. E- If a man cheats me oncei shame on him> if he cheats me twice) shame on me. r-t ^ i . If thou liast cheated me once? may thou become blind? if thou hast cheated me twice? may I become blind. k) (A.) ^ . Names (or titles) descend from heaven. Note. Iranian names always have Special meanings. Wv'tsVf (A.) f . Relations are (like) scorpions. Note, for the Sake of a rime one might loosely say? “Relations are vexations” . 3^ 3CS ^(xb^Vb {^.) 1 . Generosity is that which is completed. cf, <r o jtr etc. Note, Most people substitute “beneficence” for ( A. ) i . Anticipation more painful than death. ( or waiting ) is - 37 - craves for the forbidden. E. E Forbidden fruit is sweet. jOSi j>Jl 'jLJV* ( A. ) T. Man n^akes the plan i and God predestinates. Cf ^ ^ j etc. E, E. Man proposes? God disposes. (A.) T. Paradise is under the feet (^. influence) of mothers. OS^ ) There are different forms to madness. { Said of? Or to? one who hns an idiosyncrasy} (A.) T, Generosity with what one has available is the extreme limit of generosity. 2 ^ < 5 - 3 ^ j* Truth is bitter. ^ o ^ (a.) T, The treacherous man is apprehensive. (A.) T. Whatever happens is for the best. £. All is for the best. (A.) F.T. Though the lesson be only one letter? there should be a thousand repetitions of it. (This brings out the importance of drill and exercise) , 3^ -CJ- 2^ ( A. ) F. T. Choose first your companion ? then your road. ^>a»UI (A.) r. Those who were first are (still) first; these are they who will be nigh (to God). Cf. cJ Jii wL«<T etc First corner first served* <y ( ol^( (A.) 'I. The sheep (though small in body ) is clean? while the elephant ( which is so huge in body) is unclean. FJote, “Clean here means ceremonially clean and - 38 - hence lawful to eat”* (A*) T. Patience is the key to relief. E. E, a ) Patience opens all doors, b) Everything comes to him who waits. ^^UuiXsyjV (A.) T. Contraries do not meet. (A.) 'E, Verbum sat sapienti (Lat.)» i, e. a word to the wise is sufficient. E, £. A nod to the wise? a rod for the fool. **Aj*J1 (A.) E, E. Man proposes} God disposes. E. The servant of God makes the plan? and God predes¬ tinates. Cf. <^>1 etc, -t5- 3^^ (A.) E, E. a) The more haste} the less speed. E. Haste is from the Devil. (A.) E. Knowledge (acquired) in childhood is like an inscription on stone ( f. e, it will never be forgotten) . (A.) F. T. The narrator is responsible (for the truth of the tradition or newS} and I am not to blame if it proves untrue). at any straw. gj? <3- (a.) E. a drowning man will catch E. E, a ) A drowning man will catch at a straw, b ) He that is carried down the torrent catcheth at everything . 2^ O 3^ cl) j( oiJf Not to know A from B. ^ (a.) E, It is the predecessor who merits ex¬ cellence. { Cited in cases when an invention} theory} or quotation is found to have been based on a more ancient one). jl ^itfldlf ( A. ) E, The distributor is either - 39 - cursed (by the dissatisfied) or cheated ( by himself) . V (A.) T, Story-tell ers dislike each other. H. E. Two of a trade never agree. ^JpJA^i (A.) 'I. Loans ( or debts) are scissors which sever friendship (1^^. love). E. (a) Friendship stops where borrowing begins, (b) He that doth lend doth lose his fxiend. ( c ) A ready way to lose your friend is to lend him money. 2^ -0- 2^ (A.) T, Heart finds its way to heart. E. E. ( a ) One touch of nature makes the whole world kin. (b) Heart speaks to heart. ^ J (31 (A.) T. The generous man keeps his promise. (A.) E. One word leads to another. 3 ^ ^ 3 - 2 ^ Ji?. (An Arabic and Turkish combination of little in¬ telligibility meaning literally “O God ? one by one ” , but used in the sense of wU-»( q, v. } <3- 2^ 4-^*^ E. E. Save God everything is fancy. ''JLcil (A.) T, A man’s property is the reflection of (i/7, resembles) its owner. CL <vil^ wL*.#f etc. ^ o ^ jJj*A (A.) T. The agent is not o blame i or one who is commissioned on a duty is excused- 2^? -O' 3^ (A.) F. T. A traveller preparing is ( dis¬ tracted ) like a madman, jA> J* (A. ) T. A counsellor ( or advisor ) is trust¬ worthy. ^ ( A. ) T. The meaning is ( ^. ^. mind ) of the poet. { Used of an obscu in re the heart passage) . - 40 - (A.) P.T. The destitute are given immunity by Ged. (A.) T. The rare ( Of exceptional ) is like the non-existent. Cf. j^U ji etc, J ^ (A,) People follow the religions of their kings. (A.) T. Deliverance is in truth. 3^ <3- 3^ (A.) P.T. Whispering is the practice of the Devil. (Used often humorously }. ^U>Vf^-o iiUaill E. E. Cleanliness is next to Godliness. T. Cleanl iness (comes) from faith. ^ (.^0 P- T. Better fire (D/, flames ) than food. ( Said by children warming themselves in winter by the fireside ). P^ote. I suggest a free E. rendering like “Heat is better than meat ” for those who prefer phrases with rinies. <!■ 3^^ (A.) T. Wit in speech is like salt in food. 3^ -CI- 3^. ^Lof 7 . ( Nowadays ) there are no 1 m aw-Hoss ctns , though there are still many Shenifs. P'Ote. (1) the third Imami was killed by (2) An English parallel would be “ There are no Jolins 5 though there are still many Herods ”. p. -a- ;<v P. T. From being a householder Heaven preserve us? for one thing we buy we lack two. J\j.> <r o o ^ T. To-day when - 41 - you are able you do not know (what to do) i to-morrow when you know (what to do) you will not be able. If youths only knew > if old age only could. 3 ^ < 3 - 3 ^ •ASi T, To-day cash'y to-morrow c ted it, E. E, This day there is no trusti come to-morrow. Man hopes for good from others i I hope for no good from you« (at least) do me no harm. empty skin takes in wind (/.£’, an ignorant person is puffed up with conceit ). I \j T. When the irons ( tongs ) are heated) the thief takes warning. . tL. When the noose is prepared) the thief takes warning. T. Be moderate) for modera¬ tion is good. E, The golden mean ( is best ) . E. T, For each time one laughs ) two-hundred weepings await one. E. E, (1) Sorrow treads upon the heels of mirth. (2) Laugh before morning > cry before night. [iS^) j{J \ 4ic <i 4) jL-J ^^JU f E. E, Little added to little will make much '•> the corn in the granary is made of single grains. E,E, (1) Many a little ( of pickle ) makes a mickle. (2) Penny and penny laid up will make many. *> iji .2Jai) F. T. Little added to little becomes much ) and drop added to drop makes a flood, E. E, (Same as for the preceding) ^ . He talks much who knows little. - 42 ( ) JU A little beauty is worth more than much wealth. J jlil^ o^ju! T. The heart-broken (alone) understand the suffering of the broken heart. E. E, He jests at scars who never felt a wound. 3^ -a- ^ <r<> <r <4ja3f T. Better to reflect and say> “ What shall I say ? ’’ than to regret and say “ Why did I speak ? ” E. E, Think twice before you speak once. o o o OhAI) ^Lm)! T*. Man is the bondsman of favours. ( Note the pseudo-rimes ^LJf & } ^LJ( T, Mankind is fallible. E. E. (1) To err is human. (2) Humafium est etfare { Lat. ). ^Lcj( til-tfijl T. Equity is one-half of ( religious ) faith , 0 0 3 ^ ^5( ^Xi.i.rVj (a.) T, See what has said > nevermind who has said it. Cf. etc. E. E. Do as the preacher says? not as he does. been <SjlJ F. T. Don’t pilfer by drops? and you will need not throw away in skins. \EfOin the followhig anecdote '] ; An oil-seller used to sell oil underweight and buy it overweight. After some years when he had become a great merchant ? he went on a voyage to sell oil to ano¬ ther country. His ship was laden with skins of oil? which he was exporting. All of a sudden? the sea became rough? and the captain ordered the crew and all the passengers to ligliten the boat. While the merchant was throwing his oil skins into the sea with his own hands? his appren¬ tice wlio had always watched his dishonest dealings , said with the intention of aggravating his suffering, Don’t - 43 pilfer by drops? and you will not need to throw in skins,” ^ . To take one’s finger between one’s teeth ( i. to show astonishment ). ^ 3 ^ < 3 - 3 ^ C»iX)l T, To bite one’s finger ( to regret or repent i to express remorse ). T, To put one’s finger in the milk (or yoghurt)? i, e. (o interfere in some one’s affair with the intention of spoiling it. E. To put a spoke in some one’s wheel. ^ o ^ .... t E. E. He is not fit to ( or can’t ) hold a candle to . . . T. He cannot be considered the little finger of . . . F. T. Salt is salt whether a pinch or a ton. F. £. 1) You may know by a handful the whole sack. 2 ) We must be thankful for small mercies. c— jJS' jJ jiit T, The finger of a craftsman is the key to his daily bread ? while the hand without a craft is the bowl of beggary. h ) T- • Fine grapes fall to the lot of the jackal (or hyena). (Said when something good falls to the lot of the unworthy }. ^ ^ p. (A.) E. E. a) Adversity often leads to prosperity, b) A flow will have an ebb. f . Verily hardship is accompanied by case. E. E. Six of one and half a dozen of the other. Note. is the Turkish word for “grapes”. One might substitute some such equivalent as “ Raisins and grapes ” ( raisins being the French word for grapes). - 44 - ^ljl» jiu oVjI -.S-'I iV^I P. P- Children are like fruitsi grand-children like kernels. Note. means “ almond ” and means “ shelled almond ” . Jjt T. Consultation ( should come ) before divination. Note. ejlTsiMif is divination which consists of consulting a book) or bidding beadS) at random) and thereby deciding one’s procedure. oJjJ CunJ Jjl T^. Think ing comes first and speaking next) ( just as ) the foundation comes before the wall. E. E. Think twice before you speak once. \j E. First pro ve that you are a brother) then claim the inheritance. O-I MO Jjl T. Taste it before you say it is insipid. ( Counsel against prejudgnient b T. I will eat first those which have legs \ those which have no legs will stay where they are ( provhidal dialect']. From the following anecdote'^ : A certain Lur was buying some raisins at a grocer’s shop. On seeing a few beetles among the raisinS) he put them one by one into his mouth ) saying > “ I will eat first those which have legsj for those which have no legs will stay where they are ”. {This is now often cited by one who eats first what is less likely to be left at the table) etc. }. A . The first glass and dregs ' ? {Used when bad results arrive unexpectedly early ). Cf. Jj( etc. F. T. Do not steal the minaret before you have dug a pit to hide it in. - 45 - E. E. a ) You are a fool to steal) if you can’t conceal. b) Count the cost (before the undertaking). Cf. also Look before you leap. Note. The infinitive phrase oJUC) which means ‘‘ To steal the minaret before one has dug a pit { to hide it in ) ” is of frequent usage ) but the E. E. given above should be adapted accordingly. First one’s own and then the poor. E. E. Charity begins at home. Cf. J.1 jji T. First food) then talk. ^ O' ^ C-.I yf> J\ u Jj! E. E. 1) He is wrong in the up¬ per storey. 2) H is cockloft is unfurnished. E. His wits are spoiled. Note. literally means “ what 'God has created first ” ) and hence is used as a substantive mean¬ ing “ intellect or wit(s). ” . yS F. T. O slender- waisted gentleman) who darken your house and brighten the streets. Notes. 1) The E, ‘‘He hangs up his fiddle when he comes home” is an equivalent of the latter part of the P. > provided the necessary grammatical change is brought therein. 2 ) The phrase J ^ is gram - matically wrong and should be o , i ojLa) 4r sj E. Many a swift horse broke down) while the poor lame ass arrived safely home. o ^ j\j 1 j 4r < 2 -^.<1 ^ \j <r,jj3T Air \j j( <r jU o" r. o sUin one) whom didst thou slay that thou wast cruelly slain And then who knows who will slay him who slew thee ? I Law of natural retaliation] , ^ o ^ — 46 • P. T- Why ! Isn’t this the shrine wh^h we have built together? {Prom the follow- hip anecdote } : , t , Two men spread the story that they had both seen in their dreams one of the descendants of the Imams ap¬ pear in a certain locality. The credulous inhabitants then allowed them to build a shrine there and undertake its custodianship. In this way the impostors managed to make a good living! and all went well until one day there arose an open quarrel between them. One of the partners^ in an attempt to justify himself before the crowd watching them! pointed to the shrine and swore? “ By this holy shrine the facts are as I state them ” ? upon which his partner grew angry and disclosed their secret by saying ? “Why! Isn’t this the shrine which we have built together?!” ^ E. E. Tit for tat. c—tcouple is not a pair. Note, ®od wV-dXftJb which are the same? are in these days? according to the revised monetary system? changed to “70 - seven - tenths of a rial. A near E. parallel to the P. pvb. would be “ This tanner is different from that six-pence”. JLl) talk will not make a skirt for Fatinieh. E. E. Fair words butter no parsnips. cf. tt etc, Tiiis door will not last (long) on its hinges heel), E. E. It is a long lane that has no turning, 4> I\ 1 . May one hand not have to beg from the other hand. (A prayer tliat we should never be in such a need as to have to beg even from our kinsmen } . - 47 - This time you did not sing well. (A jocular way of expressing one’s dissatisfaction of remarks or demands made by another } . First bring up the one you have given birth to, ( Said to one who » before finishing an undertaking and profiting by it> em¬ barks on another } . O ^ (if-i,-) c-.( ^Is-T J 4) j) if 6-^ F. 7 . The road you have taken leads to Torkestan ( /. c\ you are quite on the wrong track ) . Cf, the E. pvb, “ The way to Baby¬ lon will never bring you to Jerusalem ” . t^ote. The first hemistich to this is j y (■ ' * I fear) 0 Bedouin) that thou wilt never arrive at the Ka’ba i (for.) . C«Mi( ^ ^ camel that kneels at every man’s door ( /. we will all share the same fate). Cf, the E, “We are all in the same boat”. T. This caravan will drag on un - til the last day. a) It is Penelope’s winding-sheet, b) It is an endless task. _ ^ ^ O T. Here’s the ball and here the field (/. e, now you have the opportunity to prove what you claim). 4li JU O* This one is for mC) the other goes to the pulpit) and the third is the share of Ghambar’s mother. t^ote, which is here rendered “ pulpit ”) origi¬ nally means a raised) wooden structure for a preacher) and this seems to have belonged in this case to the preacher himself' Similarly) Ghambar seems to have been his own son. It results) therefore) that the preacher) while distri¬ buting a certain present) was appropriating all of it to himself and his family) although seemingly to different persons. The phrase is usually said to an unfair and selfish distributor. jT* c>iV^ 1) T. To give a feast with water from a public bath ( t. e. to entertain at no cost ). Note. A variant form of this expression is TU i. €. *^'10 make friends with some one with water from a public bath”. ? c\j 0 1) ( O * ) ^ Because of your soft words? or because you pay good money j or because the way is near ? ( From the anecdote of the man who asked some one with harsh words to do a piece of work for him in a place some miles away against a very small suni of money? and received this answer. The answer is now applied to cases when there is no encouragement or good motive to induce a person to do anything ) . 3 I U T. Despite all your fuss and boasting ? your shoes have no heels. Ct. the E, *^^Much boast) little toast”. Notes. 1) howshobowsh consists of two words and both meaning 'ostentation or pomp”) and riming with which is a provincialism for shoe 2) The phrase refers to a false and ostentatious pretender. ( ^ ^■ To fly with another person s wings ( e. to act under borrowed strength? have no independence 01 personal ability ). ^ ^ j\ £,y,' * My fntKcr died ^ whnt ninttcrs if it was from & hot fever or froni a cold one ? ( It is not the cause but - 49 - death itself which is the essential thing to consider ). Note. Hot fever” and '^cold fever” are mediaeval terms in Iranian medical terminology. oMr^ b b *0 b b r. If you go on foot» your shoes will wear out , and if you go on your headt your hat will wear out ( i. e. however you do it > it will cost you something ). $ * b T. To fly with others’ wings. See |b b ^ * ‘ Vj ^ To cut one’s head with cotton . a) To kill a man with a cushion, b) To laugh in one’s face and cut his throat. $ < 3 - 2^2 4 ^^? o^b k^b ©Li- b T, You went in a black veilj but must come out in a white shroud. (Said to a bride on her going to the bridegroom’s house » meaning that she must be faithful to her husband and content with her future life ). T, When you are godly » you can behave as a king i when you are GodlesS) you may do everything. 2^ -O 2^ U **^ T. To go into a sack with a bear. To catch a Tartar. 2 ^ * 2 ^ i^b tj I ^jb E. E. a) Light come) light go. b) Easy come) easy go. c) What comes with the wind goes with the water (Ma/ix). T. What is brought by the wind is carried away by the wind. 25i -a- 2^ ^Ob , 5 b T. Wind brings rain ? jesting quarrel. 2^ ^3- 2^ (h ) sZjJj ^b E. E. a) To puff with pride. 4 - 50 - b) To give oneself airs, T. To blow into one’s moustaches. Note, Another form of this expression is ,^0 ( i. to blow into one’s nose. JU f T, To throw wind into one’s sleeves. E, E. Same as for 0 Note. The above may be extended to read but it would then mean '^'^to puff some one with pride”. .^b T. To have wind in one’s head ( to be proud or haughty ). b b T. Put up with the pain so that you may {or until you) find the remedy for it. b E. E. He jests at scars who never felt a wound. F. 1. He understands pain who has pain. JJLT^a b b b Same as j) etc. *^ 4 ^*^*^ ^ Don’t filch, from a shop unless you (mean to) deal there. (Often used jestingly to mean ''Don’t flirt with a woman unless your intentions are honourable” }. Note, The P. ph rase is grammatically wrong ) and should better be replaced by the variant form given under ^ ^ o JT b T. He cracks walnuts with his tail. (Said of one who is very glad of a success}. t wA) E. E. a) The cracked pitcher goes of“ tenest to the well, b) A bad vessel is seldom broken, c) A creaking door hangs long on its hinges, d) The singed cat lives long . F, T. No plagues will come to a bad brinjal. - 51 wlS E, A sycophant! toady? pickthank? or flatterer. T. One who arranges brinjals round the dish ( /. e, does a humble service with the intention of pleasing ) . ^ o ^ j> jL»j 1) T. Get on with your friends i then fall upon your enemies. ^ o ^ [ JijU. ^ OffcXo I) ^ Generous with friends and tactful ( moderate ) with enemies Note, In the first hemistich to this Hafez believes that such behaviour to friends and enemies brings about peace for the body and the soul . ^ ^ ^ J*iC^ jm jMt i o,^U See ufider \j I etc. ^ < 3 - ^2-iJ \j jU E. E, To feather one’s nest, t. To pack one’s load. jK) E. E. Eggs are dearer in the country. Produce is ( more ) expensive where it is produced. _ o ^ j{> T. To add a load to another person’s load (/. e. aggravate his suffering) or increase his trouble). j{) T. A light burden soon reaches home, Ct. the E. Much coin? much care. T. Saying ''Well done” to some one does not make him fat in the thighs. Cf. ^1 etc, 2 ^ <}■ 2 ^ ^ load askew does not reach its destination. £. E, a) Cheating play never thrives, b) Honesty is the best policy. ^ o ^ E. j- . In the market one should get good value for one’s money. -- 52 - Nole. This phrase shows a kind of popular etyn^olo- gy based on a pun ? as means “ market ” and vU means “Bring back”* the idea being that one should bfing back something worth his money from the market* as* for example» one might say* “Market” is a contraction of “mart” and “ get J^ soft words one may persuade a serpent out of its hole. {Gentle means are always best}. Cf, etc, jtb ^ • Everything goes back to its origin . E, E. a) Blood will tell, b) What is bred in the bone will come out of the flesh . {t5-A»-} ^ Better a lucky arm than a strong one. Cf, .« jf*l etc, E, T, Playing involves break¬ ing i (even) the breaking of one’s head ( i. e, if one must play? one must be prepared for the consequences ). Notes, 1) This is what children cry in chorus when one of their playmates has sustained an injury* intending thereby to put him in good spirits. 2) and are diminutive forms of and respectively? the former being a provincialism for which is the imperative or verbal noun from to break * and the latter meaning “to have one’s head broken’. Ci, the E. All fellows in football. ^ ^' You may play as you wish * but will you play even with your papa’s beard ^ { This means that one must draw the line somewhere }. Isotc, In the East the beard is considered sacred* and to even toucln a man’s beard is an insult. >>lj .Ail <jir oU T, The king’s horse has been called a pack-horse. {Said to. or ofi one who takes offence at a - 53 - remark or is otherwise insulted }. \j 1) T, To keep one’s face ruddy by the (very) slap it has received (/. e. to keep up appearances by utilizing a rebuff? or being patient with hardships ), w^;55;j 0 ^ jlT U F. T, To fight with a bull by striking one’s head against its horns. Cf. ^b etc. To catch a Tartar, ^ *A<Mb F, T, To give? one must have. 3 ^ < 3 - (3^»> el^ j:, 0wUt> 1) r. To catch snakes in a well forty metres deep by the aid of a rotten rope-and all for the love of Omar. Cf. ^ af 2 d 0^3 oT U etc. 3 ^ < 3 - y OJ^ c3j \j ^LcU F. r. When the fruit sea- son comes > the orchardist becomes ( conveniently ) deaf ( ^ to passers-by who ask him to give them fruit free of cost ). I^ote. ^Lcb is usually translated gardener 3 ^ { 3 - 2 ^ ^ ^ ^ Spend not your time with the ignoble ? for you will not eat sugar from mat-reeds. F. E. You can’t gather figs from thistles ( or Figs do not grow on thistles ). Cf, ,^| jl etc, J J* jOjlf l-ia3 b E. E. a) No use striving against Fate, b) Accident will happen. Note. The P. has which means ‘fight(ing)’, ^ "* jl—i JiA^kAT* b F, T, Connive with the headman of the village before plundering it. pop ^iAlsA Com! ^b T. Do not do busi¬ ness with the man who has only one leaf in his ledger -54- ( i. c. whose account-book consists of a single sheet ? or who has just embarked on business? being in either case a man of little reliability ). Note. I have seen in E. the quotation ‘‘God deliver me from a man of one book’N but am told that by “one book” is meant “little knowledge”. <3C*-S^b T. If he invokes Ali with some¬ one? he will not invoke Omar ( he is not a turncoat). Note. Ali and Omar are two opposing characters in the Islamic history. U J l> T. To share the fat of the sheep with the wolf? and then to weep with the shepherd . E. E. To run with the hare and hunt with the hounds. Note. The idea of “ weeping ” associates the phrase with the E. phrase “shedding crocodile tears”. E. We have seen both your upper and your lower ( i. e. we have heard all the pos¬ sible excuses ). Frof?/ the iollowing anecdote'. A certain beggar knocked at a lady’s door. The lady? who was in the upper storey ? said to him ? “ Had I been downstairs? I would have given you a morsel ”. On ano¬ ther occasion when the same beggar came ? the lady ? who was in the lower storey ? said ? “ Had I been upstairs ? I would have thrown you a piece of bread The beggar Said? “ O dear lady? I have now seen both your upper and lower ( ^. c. I know too well what you mean by up and down ). ^ • There is no colour beyond black. Quoted in cases when things are at their worst and a desperate person needs not fear anything worse j. 9 Note. The proverbs Above black there is no colour” and bl.ack will take no other liue” have been suggested for equivalents? but they are differently used . - 55 - No more than a nodding ac¬ quaintance with the people of present times. No^e. 1 which means greetings is assimilated with > a word marking the end of a remark or task. iSJ:^ cri ^ ^ Same as 31 eU, • S O* ^ ^ ^ ‘ to every one else- hut is it ^'pelas^^ to me as well {Quoted when one uses a piece of advice against the very person who has given it). From the following anecdote : A certain merchant was unable to pay off all his debts. One of his creditors said he would show him how to get rid of his other creditors if he would agree to pay the sum due to him alone. The insolvent merchant agreed to this* and the creditor taught him how to feign insanity by pronouncing the word pel as (sack-cloth) as a reply to each one of his creditors. Thereafter 5 whenever any creditor approached the merchant for his claims he only replied) ^^Pel as'^^t and he was thus regarded as insane and exempt from debt. After some time when the first creditor and advisor claimed his debt according to the agreement) the merchant turned to him and said) '^Pel as'*\ So the creditor angrily Said) ^^Pelas to every one else-but is it Pel as to me as well ?” '■ib 1) E. E, To kill two birds with one stone. T. To aim a single shot at two targets. AiljJUJb E. E. a) Between two stools one falls to the ground, b) He that hunts two hares will catch neither. T. You cannot lift two water-melons with one hand. <r Cb IjJ> f U F, T. To be inclined because of a ^*^6hoo”i and disillusioned because of a " piss”, [l^fom the following anecdote^: -56 - A man once claimed in a certain locality to be a pro¬ phet. Whan asked by the local inhabitants to do a miraclei he said he knew the birds’ languages » and thereafter he drove away the hens by uttering the word '^‘^shoo”. The simple inhabitants believed in the false preten¬ der* but after a few minutes* when they saw him make water in a standing posture > they turned away from him* Saying* ^^We would not choose a man so shameless as you to be our prophet”. Whereupon the man Said * Neither would I choose as my followers people who come in because of a shoo”* and go away because of a *^^piss”. Cf. the E, He is won by a feather* and lost with a straw. jr u Same as 31 etc. T. Despite his break¬ down he is (still) worth a thousand sound persons. Notes. (1) This saying applies also to inanimate ob¬ jects. (2) The figurative sense of this saying is associated with that contained in the pvb. ^etc. One cannot fly with other people’s wings. Cf. s? -O' 2^ F. T. The mother eats of the cake ( pretended to be ) meant for the child. ir C-I :.t 0^ OJU F, T. Notice the great difference between the two distances. ( Cited when there IS a great difference between any two things I <5^? To go to the grave { or the slaughter-house ) with one’s own feet {i e to be deliberately, but foolishly* self-destructive ). .Ailiy t,\j JJi ^a.-<<r ilai <3,31 ^ Ask what you do not know i "" For though in that there’s shame * The shame will lead somehow } - 57 - To dignity and fame. c, £. He that nothing questioneth nothing learneth. * O ^ jm <J F, T, Poverty in old age is a serious thing. F, E. Poverty on an old man^s hack is a heavy burden. 2 ^ < 3 - JM jaT<i ^jb E. E. He rons with the hare and hunts with the hounds, T. He says to the gazelle. " Run and to the hound, Seize ^ -O' ^ {i5.Ul ^ Jf ACj-Tjt ^ T. Fear him who does not fear God. O ■{J t <r <? . Better die for want of meat than hear the exactions of the butcher. ^ole. The original P. has c-ij /. ^ unplea¬ sant demand ^ o ^ F. An oil lamp is burning instead of a camphor candle. ( Referring to a poor substi¬ tute ) . Note, The primitive oil lamps gave a worse light than the candles of superior quality. ^F. I. Do not blame Moses for the sin of Jesus. O^’S^ ^ith the bat of ambition one can win the ball ( of success ). ^-) T. A legitimate child takes after his maternal uncle. <r O) A:k\ T, He beats his own child to frighten his neighbour. E. E. Adapt To beat a person to frighten another. -S8- ^ ^ Mothercraft amounts to agony on the gallows. (Referring to the pains and worries of mothers in training their children 3* * jIjCjj 4so T. a bearded child (/. a man of childish brains). i58 ■» c.«( O^b'^5l> ^ ^ The child of one’s old age is ( like ) a bell hung from one’s coffin. jJl (» J- T. I picked up a foundling that it might become a son for mes but he be¬ came my husband ( i. e. instead of consoling me he con¬ trolled me ). o i38 .jjT ^ Jp Jal) f,et> \j jTj- o\j <r <:^ T. When a child learns to walk > even a mortar must be hung up on the wall . Note, jS-j. = (a mortar made of Stone}. (jU jA T. A dying child is known hy its fecal matter. C Referring to the foreboding signs of anything }. JU) Same as JU (^tc. b <5- ^ <r j I P, ^ . The priest meets his adverse fortune when he is invited to two banquets in the same evening. jb <C*-.arb uA) T. When bad luck befriends a person j he is bitten by a dog even if he is sitting on a camel. ^ O ^ O^) T, When fortune turns its backi the Arabian horse turns into an ass. Note, A variant form of this pvb. is ^Ji ^ t, e .. the horse in the stable. 3 ^ -59- ^y ^^ When fortune is reversed ? the bride will turn male in her bridal chamber. «AlC2 ^ ^' When fortune is reversed j even pap will break one’s teeth ( t. e. when a person is unlucky* everything, he touches goes wrong). Note. 1) is originally a very fine vermicelli served in syrup with crushed ice or snow. 2 ) Another form of this pvb. occurs as a regular hcmistichi thus : JUCli) T -. Do not entrust great affairs to the small . tie has no access to the ass* so he beats the pack-saddle. £. E. Since he cannot be revenged on the ass* he falls on the pack-saddle. ol;f® J c^\ Inferiors sin* and superiors forgive. E. To err is human* to forgive divine. F. T, Where you are a guest* do not rule the roast . Note, \jcfjr means the head of a household or the headman of a village* and hence JP means exerci¬ sing a control as such”. T, Eat the soup and break the dish ( i.i which it was served ). Note. If the imperative forms in this pvb. were made infinitive* we would have U which would be an equivalent of etc. ^^ ’ To say* ' Such a one ate ( his fill ) and died ” is better than to say* “ H e carried his wishes to the grave 2^ -a- - 60 - jV J My busi¬ ness is to eat and sleep i and God’s to look after me. { Motto of the lazy man ). .jUil jif {j>) T. The stitch ( or seam ) appeared on the surface ( i. the hidden defects or faults were dis¬ closed ). Cf, The cat was let out of the bag. jLiu 4r c-jt U) T. Bad is that which does not exist. • • E. E, Whatever is is good. ^ ^' May evils not descend from Heaven. {Said by one who does not believe in superstitions in reply to those who attribute events to superstitious causes}. ^ ( S )*-A>T Jll? U T- , Should the unlucky build { even ) a cathedral mosque? either the dome will fall? or the altar go askew. AT etc. oO) O) {Colloquial way of saying c^l ju a>}. T. Bad is bad. Note, The note of the quail has been believed to be is bad”} and hence the bird has been called ©lA) in addition to the Turkish name and other names. 3^ 3^ An ill-tempered man is a captive of his own ill temper. ^ 1^. ^jJJ 7 . To reach ( or join ) hell ( /, e. to die disgracefully ). 3^ O 3^ jr j E. E. I beat him to frighten you ? also? I am talking at you. 7 , I am talking to the door > but O wall? it is for for you to listen. < 3 - 3 ^ wU 7 . A bad colour { An excuse for bad luck }. is still a colour. - 61 - U ja? F, T, Should he go to the sea» he will find it dry. { Said of an unlucky person }. *Ud^l> E. E. Sell not the bear’s skin before you have caught him. F. T, When hunting do not promise to any one the gazelle that you have not caught. wU L.^ oLm E, E, Cattle do not die from the crow’s cursing, F. Hain does not come because of the prayer of the black cat. ^ ■ 1 ^-*" ‘'J (*i' eJ-U ^ 5 lcJl> F. T, No one’s prayer has brought us herei and hence no one’s curse shall carry us away. ^Ut ^ ^mistrustful > and you will have Safety. F. E, a) If you trust before you try? you will repent be¬ fore you die. b) Be just to all, but trust not all. c) Fast bind, fast find. ^ evil lest evil befall theei do not dig a pit, lest thou fallest into it. olS ^laiOf See Ij etc, and the appended Note. jKJb Jlse) 4r (j vKftju r A debtor left to himself will become a creditor. { Freely } Dun your debtor before he duns you. O-uf Same as etc, __ ^ ^ ojV Jt ^jijj F. I have called the pot a pipkin Ct. ©Lt etc r r . ? iSJ^, F. Are you ( really ) ill-set, or somebody -62- speaks ill of you ? (Quoted to erophaize the evil effect of slandering }. ^ draft on the gazelle’s horn { K a false promise ). Note, J J could, in a sense, be ren¬ dered To send on a wild-goose chase or on a fool’s errand”. (liiU) ju<llo ‘UCiT J ’Who took no pains attained no ease. etc, E. E, No pains, no gains. T, The conditions of that man should be lamented over , whose income is nineteen, and whose expenditure twenty. E. E, (Same as for Ijk^ oT j\ ^tc). JUlT jj\j wUiT Jt When brothers quarrel, only fools believe ( that they are really quarrelling ). c-t <0 s j) <> M <r T, A brother who cares only for himself is no brother , not even kin. jU3:aA> ^JZ> IpcJ j) E. E, ( Same as for //c. ) T. Brotherliness apart, the cost of each kid is 700 Dinars (nowadays equal to 7 0 Dinars ). o ^ T. Fraternity is equality. 3^ <3- O <r (o^oT J T. The head of a household whose income is nineteen and whose expenses twenty should be wept over bitterly. E, E. One is never rich until he commences To keep ahead of his expenses. t For the unlucky man - 63 - adversity comes from all directions ( from doors and walls ). ( 1 C*Mt\ ^ wp jA c:.^j JO ji T. Death is good luck for the unlucky. for him who will get feverish for you. to*) T. He who eats fishes’ heads ( habitually ) will always find them. E. E. An opium-smoker will always find opium. 3^ O 3^ C*-! fS^jl ^ pebble and a dia¬ mond as:e all alike to a blind man. T, Darkness and light arc all the same to a blind man. C-#l yS^jl 'E. Such a one is fit for being placed inside a pillar ( i. €. he is good for nothing). E. E. He is a pretty fellow to make an axle-tree for an oven, ^ -ti- $ JU>J^ ^ j> F. T, One kisses an ass’s tail when one finds it expedient to do so. C/. •>-?■> jl e!c. 3^ * 3S? j!; y* ^‘ one’s gold were to be stored awayj it might as well be pebbles (1/^. stone ). Nole. The first hemistich to this is ^ jj money ) is to be used for subsis¬ tence ( eating)> O my son ! 3^ 3^ P. T. One need not prepare the manger for every aSS. {This means that such a person does not deserve the honours given tO) or expected by r him). aS? -tJ 3^2 j jpc) Ob ,5<,) F. E. For every one who abstains from eating there is another who is prepared for it. W 0*^0* tS *y ^ is (like) a mother to - 64 - every one elsei But (like) a step'inother to me. Note. The French have a similar pvB.—I am a mo¬ ther to one and a step-mother to another. viB j> l\ T. They would not shut the church to keep out one heretic. Not e. 1) :>U5^ is used of a woman who i Being in her periods? is disqualified for saying her prayers. 2) For ^‘^church” the P. has which means ^^mosque”, ^ 1^*0 «^B ^1 ji T. To Burn down a mar¬ ket-place for the Sake of a handkerchief {?. to commit a gross crime for the sake of a small personal gain ). Note. The pvB. seems to have originated in Tehran? where there was a large trading—centre or warehouse? called ** ( originally meaning Caesarea” ). a> I .>1 4;jiT jtb j Same as etc, ji ^ kAwl) ^ ji F, T. Things sewn together are diff erent from things grown together. Note. For 'sewn” the P. has "tied”. The pvb. shows the superiority of the natural over the artificial. 2 ^ < 3 - 2 ^ ^’ To lie on the back ( i. c, to lead an easy and tranquil life or to Be free from care and anxiety ). ^ ^j"*j\ T. Collyrium is no use to Blind eyes. Cf. ^ etc. ^OiLl) ^ • To make ( someone ) sit on his own ass. F.E. i) To give a condign punishment to someone for his act. 2) To serve one right, c) To give a person as good as he Brings. 2 ^ ^ 2 ^ ^^ T. Curse on the mar-joy ! Note. is a gad-fly? But jkA either a mar-joy or kill-joy? or a "wet Blanket”. 2^ ajg means - 65 - ( This Ijp-li ^ji <Ab. jFt (a> itf" UJT is a variant form of ^sAT la^ etc. q, v. y ^8 «■ *58 oUii ^ o-a 0- c-J ^Uict ^ T. One cannot rely on the friendship of friendsi much less on the flattery of enemies . * $ pU 01^5 T. They call the negro "Cam- phor from contrariness. Note. The E. ” Snowball ”, by which negroes are Mmetimes called, may be considered as a parallel for the •t. JJ99 Camphor”, . *58 •» tS T. Lightning without rain. M “u ^ "" ^"’Pty promise, c) Much cry and little wool. r / r Note The P. phrase means also bragging where there IS no merit for it. ^‘^fne as etc. *58 O 8^ On M mean, almwl alwa,, "pa, '^nd '’■* o'F. T. A henpecked hus¬ band deserves to have his beard plucked. Lit. The beard which IS in the hands of women had better be plucked. de/vislr^ ^ *®®^ *® ***® « "A widow’s mite ” is the nearest expression S — 66 — in E for j> v-iT^ J> T,1 was killed by thirst at the brink of the Fountain of Life. C'f. the E. To starve in a cook’s shop. 4) Ijjjl Jjij Ijilf >S-» cri>- J? F. T. Boast not of thy wealth and beauty> for the one may be lost in a single night? and the other by a single fit of fever. Note. The form is more frequently used ? but the versified form here given is? I believe? to be preferred. ^^ ^ F. T. The rare cannot form a basis for judgment ( /. one should not generalize what is rare and form a judgment thereon ) . jj> ^ ^>1 oJuU J ^ F. T, Go? miserable beggar ? and beg at another door ? for you have asked a thousand times (at this door) ? and received no reply. E. E. Go to another door? for this will not be opened, ^ OwAAlJi The fox > being asked who his witness was? said? “ My tail ” • (The idea is that close connections make bad witnesses } . Cf, the E. The fox w^as sick ? and he knew not where ? He clapped his hand on his tail and swore it was there. 3 ^ <}■ 2 ^ lZ*-*! ^Whomsoever you see is suffering from this same pain. E. E, Every one is in the same boat. (From the usual form “ We are all in the same boat ” } . Curse on a bad competitor. (Said mostly in jest when a bad singer starts to sing while one with a sweet voice is singing. It may apply also to other persons of the sa'me trade } . - 67 - I T. Naked we have come) and naked we shall pass away. ^ote. I suggest an amendn^ent in this saying to make it read oJa I which makes it a regular hemistich. J c.«f The naked person fears not a robber ) nor a pickpocket. 2^ * 3SS ( J> T. To assign ( or write ) on ice ( to despair or give up hope ) Nofe, j has also been used in literature transitively , in the sense of “ to lay the foundations of ( something ) on nothing. ’’ 2^ -O 8^ ^ cATo snap one’s finger at To laugh at some one’s beard. some one. JJJ^ jiji J T. Have no faith on (or follow not) a fat hermit or a thin doctor. (The one shows no signs of abstemiousness! and the other knows no health lulesi jCV u-M-ata) eU * 3S? O J C—* ^ \j jt T, The goat worries about his life, the butcher about the tallow. I \j j 1 <lCiT j *1 T u • ^ ^ ^Jjf -L . He IS a great nian who has many enemies. a) A man’s greatness is measured by the number of his enemies, b) It is an unhappy lot which find no enemies. ^jy T. Greatness (or haughtiness) befits God alone. (Said to, or against, one who shows proud manners) ^ Greatness is attained by wits, not by age. . Greatness does not depend entirely on saying; for two- -68- hundred words do not amount to half a deed. E. E. Saying and doing are two things. b Oj^ jrtj i-Tj) E. T. (They say to the "little goat > ) “ Live> little goat? for spring will be coming with all its fruits * . Cf. the E. While the grass grows the steed (or cow) starves. Note. For “ fruits ” the original has which is a variety of melon» and which means cucumber. ^ The scabbed goat drinks at the source. (The unworthy are often more selfish and proud than the worthy } . t3^ y jt To have a thing a great bargain. T. To get hold of a goat. oJUmIiI) (c-Pt-* He has not (yet) pissed on solid ground ( i, e. he has not yet encountered resistance on the part of those stronger than himself ? or he has not experienced hard times ) . otj ya^ Ju T <rcJj.5 Lj T. There is many a fortune that comes in one’s way i if a man is not aware of it j it goes astray. T, We have put up with a year of it i we can put up with a month of it. ( We have suffered the greater* we can suffer the less} . 2 ^ <}■ tfis <r^ L-J T. Many a success is found among failures. Cf. etc. E. I*., a) Ihe darkest hour is just before the dawn, b) Every cloud has a silver lining. ayo -w- aib jjj E. 1 . Many a slender form you see beneath the veil i when you lift the veil you find it is a grandmother. Notes. 1) originally means “ stature ” . -69- 2) “ Veil ” } as used here? is not what Europeans generally understand by it y it is a free translation of which is originally a large sheet of cloth used by women to co¬ ver their whole body and dress (the Anglo-Indian spelling of it being ‘‘chuddar'’). The late king> Reza-Shah Pahlavi, attempted to abolish the » but even tO"day it is be - ing worn by a large proportion of women. 8^8 -O' ci.> fill :f\ ^ civ piii :>< jffs <0 pju u <x;-j P. I remained so long in silence that the faculty of speech was lost to me » and so long in exile that the idea of home escaped my mind. SSS <3- XO v(^ jL«) F. 'P* Gluttonous people are (often) thin. *^*-“^^* P- He is so sweet-scented» and he sits in the path of the wind (trofiical). -^^i***? P- P' He who knows much is apt to speak a great deal, T. Much travel is needed to ripen the raw man. P- P- Travelling broadens the mind. Note, < 2 ^ means literally “ cooked or ripened’% and figuratively “ experienced ” . P‘ Too much talking is next to lack of wisdom. 8^ 8SS ( iS-^ ) ^ jA T, Better to die of Surfeit than to starve. P, P. Better belly burst than good drink or meat lost. Note, Some manuscripts give 31 for ^ - I C- .. ^ “***'* AoA Lo A 4^ CaAT* Lrfff ^ • t, Tiie camel was asked j “ backwards ” He replied > “I ' c.iU 1 Why do you pass water have nothing in conin;on -70- with others ” . ci-i ^ C-.1 g T*. They said to the camel? “ Your neck is crooked ** . He said j “ What part of me is straight > that you think my neck crooked ? ” ^C'AT' j*l fcAizaT* F. T. When told to carry a load ? the ostrich was a bird? when told to fly ■> he was a camel. Nole, jXm which is the P. word for “ostrich”? literally means “ camel-bird ” ? hence how the bird’s ex¬ cuse is seemingly justified. ( ^XJ <rJ uilaJ J F, T. With the aid of soft speech and gentle means one may lead the elephant by a hair. C w^Lia) F, T. To take trumpery to Aziz. E, £. ( Saffie as for ^) ■ Notes, 1) Aziz was the title of the ruler of Egypt- eitlier Joseph or Potiphar — according to the Jewish and Moliammedaii Bibles. 2 ) C»b>^ C*£^La) literally means “ goods of little value ” . *5^^ ,$ ^ sickly ( tit, thin) physician and a bald barber should not be trusted. ^f. etc, and the E, pvb. Physician? heal thyself. s> jlbAaJ T. . Saying ‘‘Look out” af ter jostling some one. E, E. (Same as for ^ J;! m etc. ) o ^ c—f C^J' \j <n^ y M F. T. Though lie has been begging for forty years? he doesn’t know when Thursday night is. Notes. (1) Beggars usually earn more on Thursday night or the ev e of Friday ? which is the Mohammedan rest-day. ( 2 ) This pvb, has jin implication which is the - 71 opposite of that of the following pvh. $ o sSs Ojljf Jl- jl Ju T. After forty years service as a groom he will not lose the nose-bag. (Refer¬ ring to some one who is experienced through long service } o o o After the death of Sohrab ( a hero of the Shahnameh) the antidote ! E.E. a) After death the doctor, b ) Shutting the stable door after the steed is stolen (or after the horse has fled). ! ® ^ bAW T. Claiming to be a maiden after having given birth to seven children (i/7, foals) I ^ ^ On a spiritual journey there is no consideration of distance ( /. e. remoteness ) between halting-places. . _ . o ^ To go into a well forty metres deep to catch vipers? and all for the love of Satan (/. e, to do rash and foolish acts for an ill-advised motive). Cf. ea^^^s^Ut?b etc. & i) etc. tU-l ^loij T. Bagdad is in ruins (/. e. I am» or such a one is ? hungry). See 4^" j etc. (tr 5 > *t 5 iiT L:.Af c-toXOVwAj r. On being asked who his father was? the mule said > “ My maternal uncle is the horse ” . Cf. I j jZm\ etc, ^ • An idle grocer weighs the stairs ( idle or unemployed persons do things of little or no utility ) . jtiXAi P. T. They will beat your cotton ac- ^rding to the quantity of the buttermilk you deal out. • vj^i etc. and the E. pvb. Pay the piper and call the tune. Note. is nowadays “churned sour milk” . -72- O* H, E. a) Cut your coat according to your cloth. i») Set your sail according to your wind. T, Stretch your legs according to the length of your carpet. c -J jA E. T, Heavy {Of serious) duties should be entrusted to men of experience. c-( tSjfO) L ) JA Ijusdl® T. On being asked, ‘‘Why don’t you grow hair ? ” the bald man said , “ I don’t like it ” . E. E. Foxes, when they cannot reach the grapes, say they are not ripe. 3^ * 3^ ? o.>L, T. Xo which of your tunes shall I dance ? ^ -tJ- 2^ By being killed you will escape being burnt. O •t3-_s;8 a> I <0 wT j .^Ji jLf= .,1 j j ^2JLC> E. T. Better sail in a ship which is in bad condkion than to do a thing in haste. Cf. ibcaM etc -ft * enlist oneself among the purchasers of Joseph with a mere skein. { Erom the lollown/g Islamic tradition^ When Joseph was brought in Egypt, Pharaoh ordered him to be sold by auction. While the rich merchants pre¬ sent were outbidding one another, a poor old woman ap¬ peared an.ong the crowd , and held up a skein of silk , which was her only possession , and with which she of - fered to purchase Joseph. On being laughed at by the present bidders whose exorbitanf bids had proved of no avail, the old woman sai , I know loo well that my insignificant offer could not fetch the handsome slave, but I wish to have my name put down in history among the adorers of his beauty- one who is ready to offer her all in order to obtain him. <i a,u, r. Do what ought to - 73 ^ be donei not what you can. E, E. a) Do what thou ought i let come what may. b) Do not all you can i spend not all you have i believe not all you hear i and tell not all you can. Oji- -0 M JPmj j T. Roses will not grow from the willow by effort i nor will a negro become white by bathing. You cannot wash a blackamoor white. ^ 3 T. Doesn’t it harm any one’s COW or sheep [From the following anecdote') : A townsman went to a village on some business. At noon when it is customary in Moslem towns to recite the Azan t i. e. the call to prayer? he began to perform this service in a loud voice. One of the villagers ? who up to that time had not heard the Azan^ asked his fellow-villagers, “ What is this man doing?” “He is calling people to prayer ” ? they replied. “ Doesn’t it harm any one’s cow or sheep ” he asked. They said , “ No ” . “ Then ” , he replied? “ let him do what he likes. Another version of the story , which makes the vil¬ lager a Lur ( Of native of Lufhtan ) , and, as a result of which the hut aski in his provincial dialect, S ojU te makes the story more pleasant. our (jig, p J Y(/hen they said to the beggar i “ Welcome ” > he came forward with his bag in his hand. E. E, Give him an inch , and he will take an ell ( or yard) . IT F, T. Just give me half a chance ( D/. let me get in ) , and you will see what I can do. [Quoted with reference to the hidden powers of one who is not in a position to display them 1 . Cf. etc. Note, A variant form of this pvb. is etc. 8^ tl- ^ r JiiJj y>> <J^ i^. When th^" said to the cat ^ “ Thy excrement is as good as a re¬ medy ” » she buried it. ( Used when some one refuses from pride to display a talent, or give away son elhing possessed by him. after it has been much raised} . Ar<» T. Better to starve than to eat the bread of the ignoble. Cf. ^ ^ _______ jCU When they told the wolf that he had been appointed as shepherd . he wept. “Why are you weeping ? they said. “ Because . he replied i I fear it is untrue ” . ^j(^JVj Saying “ fire ” will not burn one^s mouth ( Of tongue ) . E. E, Hard words break no bones. b" Axa€> F, T. If you want others to do what you sayi first do it yourself. c*-*' iSI, He thinks Ali-Abad is a town ( ^. he is expecting too much ) . Notes, (1) Ali-Abad is the name of several villages in Iran. ( 2 ) Some people make this pvb. read ^^^LcXj .jb I /. e, “He thinks Ali-Abad is a village in which case by “ village ’’ is meant apparently ” a pro¬ ductive village or estate ” . j\u JUxif F. T. They cursed the Sj )arrowi washing his belly to be transfixed by a minaret. He said > “ You ouglit to have said something that is l>elievable i for lack of capacity in this case makes your curse impossible of realisation. ” ( Quoted in cases when exaggerated remarks are made } . 5CS -t} 3^ jait^ ^ To read the chapter of Y as Sin - 75 - in an ass’s ear. 3 lyre in vain to an ass. Nole. is the name of a certain Surah {or chap¬ ter ) of the Koran. rT ^ ^ If you say? “ Do not see ” j I will close my eyes i if you say? ‘‘ Do not hear ” , I will put cotton in my ears i But if you say , Do not under¬ stand ) this is impossible. oM (J)M^ Jj^ T. Catch him and tie him , and (then) give him up to the athlete. (Quoted ironically when a man, who has pretended to be an athlete, or otherwise able to do any specified thing, has indeed done nothing , nt wishes to claim to himself the fruit of the labour of others who have succeeded in doing it} (o' I li) ^-9ss«*J flic ^ % T. Wherf^calamity comes to alii it is pleasant and acceptable. . I*', a) A company in distress makes sorr pany in misery makes it light. Note. A familiar phrase to the sa I J ^ L ■* * O * 2^2 Still others le^s. b) Com feet IS A tA (j ( I 92. V > - -- If BalaV (dies; there are ► hers who could call people to prayeA^ i No,. Ba,a, i. ,h, . u.ck\Si, „ho, Zr.Ju' **■ ^his pvb. is quoted when a person thinks he is the only one who can ao a specified thing. ^ * 2^ ^ s r. The nightingales are silent 1 .* • • -s— i I die: yiicni and the ass is braying. ( Used when some one with an un¬ pleasant voice is singing ) . ^’■«q"e"‘ly heard the variant ^ ‘Keep Silent? O nightingales? for the ass is braying”. - 76 - This is more piquant^ but the form given above is a re gular hemistich- J*i> eriA nightingale hatches five eggs> but only one of the brood becomes a nightingale, ( This means that out of several children be¬ longing to the same parents usually one becomes a worthy Or courageous person } . F. T. There is no doubt in its being a nightingale i but it is either unfledged as yet j or it has grown old and shed its feathers. [Fro7n the iollowing anecdote^ \ Some rustics in Ghazvin found a frog in the field and took it for a nightingale. But ^ as they were doubtful about it > they went to F)akhow (a contraction of - the headman of a village ) > and asked his opinion thereon. Dakhow saidi ‘‘ As for its being a nightingale^ so much is certain! but it is either unfledged as yet i or it has grown old and shed its feathers . Notes, ( 1 ) This is now cited when one wishes to lay stress on the fact that some part of a proposition is certaifh but it is also used when two alternatives proposed to a question are both wrong. ( 2 ) The ordinary sense in which the word is used nowadays is “lank or lanky’’ . In this pvb. j however > it has been used in the sense of an unfledged chicken. F, 1, To say) “ I don’t know how to do it ” is a good excuse for resting from work {lit. is a comfort to the soul ) . -D- E E, It is woitli a curse { l^t. a curse not worth a damn » from God ) . it is not I C-cCp- ^Lck3b E, T, W'hy teach wisdom to Aesop? /i. E. Don’t te ach your grandmothers to suck eggs. Note. Eoghm aiiy v*ho is said to have been a contem¬ porary of King David) may be regarded as the eastern Aesop. - 77 - •-A-J Oii-.IS' (j <Cb T. They sowed perhaps ” {of “if’’) , but it didn’t grow. (As for the nature of the word <Cb see Note. (1) under the next entry} (<Ci>) coins' <5:b F. T. (Imagine what would have happened) if I had cultivated the field and your camel had grazed in it ( From the following anecdote ) ; * A certain camel-driver let loose his camel in an un¬ cultivated field belonging to another. The owner of the field came up and began to beat the camel. The camel - driver said , “ Why do you beat the camel for no good reason » since there is no grass on the field ? ” “ But ” , replied the field - owner , “ I might have cultivated the field , and your camel might have grazed in it i imagine what would have happened then ! ” - ^ ^ ^ From the above it appears that <5Cb in addition to perhaps and rather ” , means “ if , supposing that , and the like. ( 2 ) ^ provincialism for cr-*® to sow or cultivate ” . ^ Such a beetroot for such a pot. ( From the iollowinr anecdote ) ; larae T" ^row beetroots as H Tt ■ ^ else pre- large as mosques”. » What ever for.^ ” said the ifJi man. lo cook ypur beetroots ” , was the reply. Another version of the story runs thus : A man said. ‘In my native town they make cooking- pots as large as mosques ” , and another said , “ I„ our VI age they grow beetroots as large as houses”. “Where ^n these beetroots be cooked .> ” asked the first man. “In he pots made in your town ” , was the reply. - ... ... ^ ^ Shouldst thou boast of thy ©a t and beauty j a single night will give away the for- ® single fever will mar the latter. ote. “ A Bingle night ” is an allusion to one’s -78 properties being stolen in one night. Note. Variant forms of the above pvb. are ( /. Boast not of your wealth > for it hangs on a single night? etc. ) j and etc. ^ ^ moon ? “ Let me shine first betore you do ^Said in praise of a woman’s beauty }. . . . . ^iATJUiC^A T. When they pity the dead 9 he soils his shroud with his excrement. E. £. a) Give him an inch» and he will take an ell ( Of a yard ). b) Give a clown your finger > and he’ll take your whole hand . 3^ -0- 3^ iJ Threaten him with death? so that he may be content with fever ( i. by imposing hard ^ ^ * ' * conditions on some one you may force him to accept easier ones ), Cf. jl etc. T. Die and blow. [^Ff07?i the followit2g af2ecdote'^. Tile blacksmith’s boy? who had become tired of blowing tlie bellows in a standing posture ? said he wan¬ ted to sit and blow. “All riglit”? said the blacksmith? “sit and blow”. A few minutes later the boy was again tired and asked ? “May I lie on my sides and blow ” “ Yes ” ? said the master? “ you may do so ” . The third time the boy asked ? “May I blow lying on my face ?” at which the blacksmith said in despair? “Die ( if you like ) ? but blow”. Note. J ? although originally meaning “Die and blow”? as was shown in the anecdote ? is nowadays mostly used as a noun or as an adverbial phrase to mean “( working and toiling ) to the very last minute of one’s life”. Cf. the E. To die in liarncss. Aj£u> T. Do not assign work to the unexpe rienced . Note. Sa’di has for the above which ifl a regular hemistich. a> jlju 6^( j U) Rely not on him who was horn on the wrong side of the blanket i for the negro does not become white by washing. You cannot wash a blackamoor white. Cf, jSZ. etc. and also the E. phrase “He washes the Ethiopian’’. jV jlTLi See under Lj etc. See under jj U 8 ^ ■{> 1^2 UpL> F,T, You pretend to want it for ine» but mean to gratify yourself. Cf, etc. ^ote, I have seen also the vulgar form where the proper names are diminutive forms of and Oy-^ respectively. »J^ E, E. (a) She is a woman of easy virtue, (b) She’s loose in th- hilts. E. Her pyjamah’s cord is loose. Notes. (1) The expression may be used also of a man who IS ( inclined to be ) unchaste > and refers sometimes to a person’s heretical disposition . (2) is for men “loose breeches”* and for women “ a long loose skirt ” { now obsolete ). 4 —« w I U U T. Our dam has been washed away by water ( /. e. we are ruined* it is all up with us ). ^ o ^ ^ oM ji JiOT r. A slave bought with money is more free than he who is a slave to his stomach. 2^ O. 8^ S ^ • To undermine the wall and plaster the house-top ( /. e. to improve the outward at the cost of the very foundation > or to be hypocritically destructive ). 8 ^ 8 ^ - 80 - Gentleness will draw .out a serpent from its hole. Gf. ^ P. P. A sick person loathes sugar. ^ -O' 8^ JU ^r* <f* JU 4^ ^r* E. E, Do as the prea- cher ( or friar ) saysi not as he does. F. T. Pay heed to what is said » not to the person who says it, C^-^) jj jtojf jiji <r M ^.oCj ^u»cI <»aT^ T, The sons of Adam ( or human beings ) are fellow- members of the same body? as they are created from the same clay ( i//. essence ). 3^ <3- SSS ( 0^0^ ^ ) c—( He is ( like ) the winnower of Lenjan » from whichever €[uarter the wind blows he will winnow his grain. P. E. a) He is the Vicar of Bray. (According to Dr. Fuller} “ He turns his mills and sets them so that wherever the wind blowethj his grist should certainly be grinded ” . b) He ia a trimmer or time-server’\ 3^ -R- 8^ ^ O*^^*** ^ ^ P’ Better a needle that sews than a sharp sword that severs. O ^ JC>^1 ( Tur. ) 2, That is all we have got (whether you like it or not). 3 ^ -0 4-**^ Ci T, Fellow-tradesmen are enemies to each otlier. P. E. Two of a trade never agree. ^ o ^ j ejuiU til) bjj) , Though the mat-weaver can weave > they do not take him to weave silk, ^ . The ape is a gazelle in its - 81 - mother’s eye. Note This seems to he a translation of the Arabic pVh. Jlj® <^1 ^ {J. ^ I? h ( Same as 4^_jj) etc. ), ijS 0)1^ li <u^ r. One cannot kiss by proxy promising are one { r e. he IS never faithful to his promises ). «■ owl into a nightingale. Ct. etc ^ a) Crows, though they wash, are never the whiter. ) You cannot wash a Blackamoor white ( or There is no washing a Blackamoor white ). E. E. He has one foot in the grave. . One can smell the odour of his “halva” on the death of a person, is distributed free of cost by his relatives among people so that they may pray for his soul (2) The expression is also in common use, and may be rendered “ to have one foot in the grave ” 8^8 O 3^1 T, He smells of mother’s milk ( e he is a mere stripling ). ‘Itued ^ U( wLT T. He has Sion ). ^ ® disillu- co^Male^W ^ The odour of the musk cannot be . . Virtue will in the end Be known to all ). ^ A good temper IS Better than a Beautiful face. 6 - 82 - ? I j>‘ Why be obliged to the base for two loaves of bread? C/. etc. No/e, The beauty of the P.i which is lost in the E, translation ) lies in the assimilated words “two loaves of bread’’ and 3^ “base people”. Hence the following free translation may be preferred : Why bend to the base one’s head ? In obligation for one’s bread ? . C.-*t j ^3'J <r bjJ'T. Wherever you go the sky has the same colour ( i. e. travelling to other places will not change cause and effect ). aj-lTUJL*-o^sake of a single rose one must endure the pain of a hundred thorns. Cf. U et c. E. E. No pains? no gains. O ^ <C) 1 ^ ^ ^ thousand and one reasons » the first of which is that I had no gun¬ powder. [From the iollow'tng anecdote']-. An artillery-man » being asked once by his general why he had failed to fire a gun on a certain occasion? answered) “For a thousand and one reasons”. “Let us hear the first reason”? said the general. “The first is” ? Said the artillery-man) “that I had no gunpowder”. Whereupon the general said i “You need not mention the remaining one-tliousand reasons”. Notes, (i) Another version of the anecdote makes the number one-thousand ? which is then reduced by the general to nine-hundred and ninety-nine. (2) The anecdote is intended to show that one good reason is better tlum several unsubstantial ones. aiU a-U ^ . Heaven is that place where no one harms? or interferes wi th) his fellow-men. F. f. The joy of Heaven is not - 83 - W hich worth being reproached for the favour. ^ote, is sometimes replaced by means “obligation’’. ^ o ^ ^ <51^ <, <, ij T. Heaven is not awar¬ ded fot a price; it is given for special reasons. o/tf. <51^ means an excuse or pretext? which is not ’ though it gives a literary aspect to the P saying, as the first , together with the negative particle in make a pun with *1)1^) , ^ • <> «Us®J ( Sai/ie as <cJb U etc. ). tsi. ' ' ' .S^ JAa** 4> T. He gives a quince in order to get a Village. ® eref) to catch a herring ( or mack- Note. In view of the riiniing words <: and «.> , the renc pvb . “ Conner un oeuf pour avoir un bcEuf ” , W ich means “To give an egg in order to get a cow” bet¬ ter approaches the P. in neatness. -■ No liquid whatsoever can soften him. I Said of one who is adamant on some point I originally means “to soak”, f ^ ^ 2 . The uncivil person IS (always) solitary, though he be with a thousand. ^ villd Ji,J ) a) i P r r A- J tS- V reduces even the I'irmament to slavery. Cf. Ij etc and the E. pvb. Hunger will tame a lion. " ’ * e a-l^ Bondsmen wore anciently ear-rings, and hence <Ui:> came to mean a bondsmani i/V, one who wears the ear-ring ( of slavery ). ol;(> ji F. T. Though you e exander of your day, do not go to a tavern ( /. e. a fld place ) without a spiritual guide. - 84 - \jt> 4r i;:.-*** (^a*? {Same as a*) e/c.) ^ without butter. ( Said of a very clever or resourceful person ). jIlS* T. No money* no wings. H. E. Money makes the mare go. c>^Sbj§ J JuT^^^lc tj T. Behistuu was carved ( virtually ) by love * but Farhad had the fame. ( Refer¬ ring to the versified Romance of Khosroiv au.^ Sh:r}fi t or Shtrin and Ear had', by the poet Nezami ']. jjS~ 1. The illiterate person is blind. ^ o ^ ^ZrnJZm ^-*5** ^ break eggs in sonie one’s hat ( /. e. to disgrace him ). Note. This is an archaic and rare phrase. ^ O ^ w*«'^ ^ ■ Only God is perfect. ^ Said as an excuse in case when a person is said to have certain faults }. ^ O I M Ji) ^ Ois Oil ^jiu ' . Advice given from a good motive is sweet as sugar, but given from a bad motive* it siiackles the feet . Um ly jIT (yUK*> F. 7 . Give treatment to those out of health* and employment to those out of work. ^ < 3 - 8 ^ ^ * He {or it ) is not worth a penny. F\ote. or ‘^black money” was made of cop¬ per* and was in currency in Iran up to 40 or 50 years ago. ^ o ^ w*-*lc*—* I . He gets drunk with a single glass. (Some¬ times Said of a person who is satisfied with a small bribe^. ^ 3^ - 85 - {Same as ^)" viO b etc.) siA*i T. It is not worth a barley-corn. £. It is not worth a pennyi I would not have it at a gift. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ <> ^ • One cannot hold two quinces in one hand. £. Between two stools one falls to the ground Note. The pvb. wih U etc. is more frequent- ly used than the one here given. 3^ <3- O ^To pray facing two altars ( to be double-faced ). I". T. To cause a single nod (or wink) to serve two purposes, Cf, b etc f^. c. To kill two birds with one shot. yr 7 To shoot two ringdoves with a single shot (lit. dart) . Cf, the pre cedi fig pvb. and ni ^ b etc, j J oir i y, J‘ C-IU; JUlflT ^C.I T. They said to someone , “ Your father died of starvation ” . He said, “ Did he have (food) and not eat? ” (Cited in cases when indigence serves as an excuse for not spending) ■o 0; • t M:ir j <)L oi* ir^- jkiiip c*> <UU caA T. A per- son ) being asked whether he had some vinegar which was seven years oldi answeredi “I have got some? but I can’t spare any”. “Why.^” they asked him. “Because”, he said, had I given a little vinegar to every one who asked , it would not be seven years old. .^1 4) 7. Forced labour is better than unem¬ ployment ( or idleness ) . hJote. Those who d<j not believe in doing a/iy(hing for nothing turn around and cS-’K.) making the pvb. read c.-f which is what the British be- 86 - lieve y for I have seen the E. pvb, “Better sit idle than work for nought ’’ . T, To dash into the water without (looking for ) the ford. E. E. To leap before one looks. Note. This is gramhiatically adapted from the more usual form? “ Look before you leap” . His spade will take up a thousand maunds of water ( He is a man of great influence ) . A sick person needs attendance. Note, It is the riming words and which gives a proverbial shape to this saying. 40 jLo*^ T. When a sick man is being well tended ? his doctor comes uninvited ( /. e. he is not needed ) . OJ 4iU T. Where there is no yeast { i. e. leaven ) » the bread becomes unleavened. ( Freely ) Capital is the leaven of business. Note. 4)U or more fully means yeast) but ‘OU Originally means the capital or essential part of anything, ^. To give one the hang-over i but not the wine itself ( /. e. to cause one to suffer the evil consequences of anything without allowing him to be benefited by its advantages ) wb (JtLw-J (A.) T. Between friends ceremonies disappear ( lit. fall down ) . 2^ O 2^ If you blow liis nose » he will die. ( Said of a very weak person } ( - - O; 0 ^ • He whom nobody in the world envies is destitute of talents. - 87 - Cf, the E. A man’s greatness is measured hy the number of his enemies. A vain affair ( or an unreal matter ) would not need such a long discussion. ( Often meaning that the wonderful world with its creatures are a proof of the existence of a Creator ) . ^ ^ • To kick away one’s luck (/. c. to forfeit one’s chance ) . <!t ^ jUa.i ^ 5 ( j) U r. He sews footwear for the Devil he is very cunning ) . Note, As the figurative sense of is “entangle¬ ment or “difficulty ”5 the above phrase means really “He involves even the Devil into difficulty”. iSJ^ To put one’s foot into another man’s shoe. poke one’s nose into another man’s affairs. iSJ> ^ ^ To put one’s feet in one shoe (/. e, to take up an obstinate or uncompromising attitude ). Note, A near E. parallel would perhaps be “to harp on one ( or on the same) string” 3 ^ -0 { cgj- j\ w;-l 4) 0 r. Defer to walk oarefoot than to wear tight shoes. Note. By the expression “ tight shoes ” Motvlavi al¬ ludes to an ill-matched wifei and this is confirmed by the second hemistich which is 2Cr45lj.jju( 4 r 4 ) c.) ± i.Tn T. To talk with one’s feet in (or toward) the air. E. Not to have a leg to stand on. {\j c-jb ^ 1 ) \j l> (Same as etc, ) o f - 89 - th ^ ^ ” 1 -^ ’ ■ "'®‘^® "®®‘* advice from' the wise than the wise have of the company of kings , $ 82? i_-» oJ^U. fi u £ £ jjg cunning as a fox > he is a sly old fox i he is a slyboots. His crupper is worn out. JLtjU r. A. friend last year and an acquain- ance t is year ! { Said to a friend who is met for the irst time after a long period. The phrase is rather jocu¬ lar and not very polite } M — . O «• 828 ^IJT Ja- I, To trample on justice. serpent s) tail (t, .. to raise trouble. Cf. the E. Let sleep- ing dogs lie ) . ^ Note, The variant c 4 j Lj hoc 1 been heard. ^ ^ ^ has also b I\ T. He wins who persists. »• . 30? o aO? J Penelope’s winding-sheet. . The^ Saddle of Antichrist’s ass, ^ote, the Islamic Antichrist , is believed to possess an ass which has no saddle Evervdav h*^ ^ h n.self with making a saddle for the ass, but whatever has been done by him during the day is miraculously un¬ done overnight. ^ , 82? «• 82? ^ His {or her ) pack-saddle is askew. (This neans that such a one is ( inclined to be ) unchaste or heretical. Cl. c-( Ji •. £. She is a woman of easy virtue i she is loose in the hilts 1 she is a light-skirls, /■■. r.'ro step over the line ( i. e. to B ray from the path of duty; also to disobey ) . - 90 - { ^Ua; J E. E. a ) The darkest hour is just before the dawn, b) Every cloud has a silver lining. T. The black night has a white end. Nole. The first hemistich to this is CUmI i, e. There is much hope in despair. <> O Same as etc, 8^8 -O' CmkI jl) ^‘ ^' The leg of a lamp never receives the light. {This means either that men do not see their own faults ? or that the shoemaker’s wife goes the worst shod » or else “ The nearer to church » the farther from grace ” . \j ol A;l«uJb r. Tie your cock’s legs and don’t say that your neighbour’s hen is lewd. {Used when a man’s son has a liaison with his neighbour’s daughter) or in other similar instances} ■ (^b I. The ass’s foot may once slip info the ditch. {Caution against over - confidence } . 3^ O 5CS { ^lS)lg*)b <r <) ^5b E, Better in chains and with friends than in a garden and with enemies ( lit, strangers ) . wA^ b E, I. He cannot be tied down on his feet ( i. e, he cannot contain himself for joy ) . ^ sCs o Si^ \ ^ ^tt)b E. E. He has one foot in the grave. ^. His foot is on the verge of tlie tomb. ^ o ^ ->>> J jlc P. T. Til ree things which no one has seen : the snake’s feet ? the ant’s eyeS) and the //11 cl s bread. { The I^ullahs ( uv priests ) arc usually considered to be inhospitable } o ts, 0'^y*0 b.) ^^b i . To carry a grasshopper’s - 91 - leg to Solomon . # j grasshopper’s leg was, according to Islamic traditions , what the ant presented to King Solomon , and may be considered a parallel to the E. “ widow’s mite” Ct. 0-1 gtc '= ■ ■& ^-^4,1, 4,1, g £ g der IS chmLed. One must go up to the roof step by step. U> l* VU yi> ^ U JJU T. He won’t sit down at the bottom , and there is no room at the top. I Caution against arrogance* which will find no place) . («* h OVU Ij Same as \j oVb etc If you spit downwards your ear is there > and if upwards your moustache, f Used when some one is on the horns of a dilemma ) . T cause some one’s permit or ocument to float on water ( /. e. to divulge his secrets and put him to shame ) If you are a man* be your own ather ( t. e, stand on your own legs ) , 0-1 M L( J-.C r. The father as plenty of honey, but the son’s constitution is overheated. . t2. The father has a fine wine-cellar, but the son is allowed Only Witter. ^Vjli JM/I-. The parents are attached to the child, the child to his dog, Ci. the next pvb. JLJ 1 -M 3^ <r 2^ ^ (3*“ J jUJ 7. The father and mother are shame- ess overs ( /. e, they are unrequited and still persistent lovers of their child ) . - 92 - ..hAjUxp' \j\mS 'JijLo JjJi P. T, To disturb some one’s deceased # * parents ( /. to cause them to turn by cursing them). ) Jj oO^ri^ ^£jJj oMTi jI He whose daily bread is scanty has a distracted mind. Note, The beauty of the P. lies in that the same adjective is used for “ bread ” and “ mind ” . A near E. parallel would perhaps be “ He whose daily bread is scat¬ tered has a scattered mind ” > though a scattered mind is different from a distracted mind. O***^*^-/? ( a ) To let the cat out of the bag > (b) to throw off the mask. To unveil a matter. U T. Don’t tear another man’s veih and your own veil shall not be torn ( /. e. Do not put another man to shame by disclosing his secrets > lest you have the same fate ) . Note, The expressions and the more literary form J*re common idioms. 3 ^ < 3 - 3 ^ (^ ) T, By asking one’s way one can get to India. Note, The variant form 0^“*^ which is less often used> is a regular liemistich. Here Kaaba ” replaces ‘‘ India ” . “the ^ o / . 7 . Neighbours are answerable for one another. ( Quotation stressing the ties of neigh - bourhood } . - . . , ^ o ^ t—^ T. The eagle’s wing is a plague to him. Tliis is apparently adopted from a versified story attributed to Nasser - Khosrow. According to this story , an eagle boasting of his keen sight was shot down by an arrow, in which he could See a feather from a bird of hi>. Own kind, whereupon lie exclaimed, 1 toLo.^! i. e. “It is amongst us that is against us”. Cf. the latter pvb. - 93 - words than one go to a argain (or More than one word goes to the market) i . Too much talk is fit for (/. allowed only to) the Koran, r . i5-c-i ] JU I w 0^ <j Ci *1 T X* A 1 •/", - 15*^jj ^ ■ It does not become .i host to behave as a physician ( i. e. to advise as to diet). 45 ^ JJ £• £. (a) Great boast little toast. ( b ) He robs his belly to cover his back. 1 o ; He • A ^od personal appearance and an empty pocket. Ole, IS from the French “ pose ” . r . _ 2^ O 2 ^ iL-T . j £ o:#v X.. ^ ^. ji,ase must of neces- ily come after hardship. £. It is a long lane that has no turning. ^ «-rJ ^ When we are gone , let the ( whole ) world be flooded ■ . When we are gone, let happen what may. lent. following exact equiva- lent: ^pres tnoi le deluge ^ ‘^nllthe^u ^ r. He has bitten his reast. {Said of a wicked and characterless person). f^h^m ^ “> " “"'y be taken ' for her to lon.,y .„d 1”, ‘ '■ 3 ^ ■& ^ -’‘H ^ • When a son abandons his father’s ways , call him an alien) not a son^ the E, Like father j like son. t'^-^) Jm 0 T. Noah’s - 94 - son associated with bad people i ( thus ) the prophetship was lost to his family. ^ < 1 - 2 ^ jm S Boys and girls are ( like ) watermelons which have not been cut open ( /. their characters are unknown until after marriage ) . j^, O OfcAil* T. The cow’s leavings should be given to the ass. C/. etc, 2^ iV O C*«*J cJmt wJ'jj) c*^ 2 . He has been brought up behind the bin ( /. e, he has not been in society and has no ex - perience ) . Note. is a large earthen bin^ often built in the wall of a cellar! and used for keeping flour designed for gradual domestic use. * 0 - To make the back of one’s eyelids thin (/. to give oneself airsi also to act lackadaisically). T. To pray behind {or under the guidance of ) some one ( /. to have faith in him 1 to rely on him ) , <5'*^ ( C.-1J Same as ^sJiloT ^jT '■'A ^ ~ cjK) i . His back is against the mountain (/. e. he feels himself in a strong position ) ^ < 1 - C...J J E E. He is two - faced ( or double - raced) . 1. One cannot tell his back from his face. ^1/ /~f‘ ^ sheep’s dung with currants • ^^•''‘‘1 “f « low person) . n e, look how the sheep’s dung has mix'ed hTmseU S the currant ! - 95 - } c-jl at c.»>U j <U* U Ij oij) ai ^ . Gnats . when in great numbers > beat the elephant 'with all its fierceness and firmness. (This is intended to empha- size union » as well as strength or numher } < 3 - U «bt< T. To shoe a gnat in the air. E. To break fly on wheel. ^ r. He has been kicked hy a mosquito Of gnat ). ( Spoken in jest of one who exaggerates his indisposition }. . 2^ -O' ' F. T. Mo-avieh^s food is richer. (Quoted when one flatters or serves the rich classes}. Note. was the Ommiad caliph who opposed Ah, the Prophet’s successor, and around whom the populace gathered because he was influential and rich. cotton in one’s ears. ^ £. To turn a deaf ear. ( to some one ). T. The five fingers are brothers but not equals. c-.*5 I? J ^ h 4^^ • To grapple with a lion and to strike one’s fist against a Sword are not what wise men would do. . the E. There is no playing with edged tools. t- * 5!^ 2^^ ^ ^ * Advice to the foolish is like rain on brackish ground. Note. For ‘‘ rain on brackish ground ” the E. has “water on a duck’s back” for which JUif* j is a better equivalent. o Good advice beyond all price. • Each piece of advice for a hundred tomans . - 96 - j\ ' To pull a dog’s skin over one’s face ( t, e. to assume the most Brazen impudence ). ^ <y ^ '*^**'^1 Nothing but skin and bones ? bare- bone(d). ^ To tear some one’s sheepskin coat ( to spread scandal about him ). ^ O ^ j\ ^4? To carry steel to India. E. E. ( Same as for j j ). ^ o ^ o*>? o^-' <u T. It is money) not lifo that might be given easily. { Used humorously as a pro¬ test against) or an excuse foD stinginess }. O-H Jit- T. Spend money, and you can play the kettle-drum on the Shah’s moustaches. { Empha- sizing the power of money ). «• sSs boljj:.' I'.T. Why give the speech¬ less money to one who has the faculty of speech ? { Caution against giving one’s money to a plausible person who will pocket it O <}• 3^ a:C.«U.) hJjlJjl P. T. Money begets money. (C/7.) Money finds money ^ to earn money, but di'Tficuh to^ke''ep if’ -Tr-'’I/ •" ^ J { t. e, Jt 15 easy to earn money , but difficult to spend it ) ^u* Money unlawfully earned is spent for bwl • i ii- ^ prostitute. ^ Ill got) ill spent. Tl,. P. - 97 - has Been used chiefly to rime with , J T, Money is the resolver of diffi¬ culties. E. E. Money is a sword cut even the Gordian knot. "-oney i" tZflLnZ ^ -oe^^ive fidence and order prevailing in a country ). AUzanllra.^""' “"** *" P™--ce of Vm^***^ a ^ ‘=“‘ "f paper. £. E. Money doesn’t grow on trees. a*'^ V “** '^*‘h money. • • n ass IS hut an ass, though laden with gold. ijg * ^ SO mn^ J^l F. T. As dust goes on dust» so money goes on money. fhe^JhLTn""’' “* Sive to yhia'’u *** E. E. He is rolling in money. He is a money-bags. ^ P®""y eemes one^ K ^ makes house too small and one’s wife too ugly. l^ln^y ( t c ^ 1 ^ li market is wiH. ^ y®"*’ ’ tke market is me, or, if you refuse to give me such and such a thing, t can buy it myself in the market ). •» « «■ « A ♦ 7 - 98 - S iC- u T. Does my money ( lif* our money ) Bear the stamp of Otnaf ? { i. What is wrong with my money ? ) Note. Otnat and A.li are two opposing characters in the Islamic history i as the Shiites Believe that the latter was the true ^’uccessor of the Prophet? while the Sunnites Believe that the former was his true successor. The wrestler falls to the ground for the very reason that he knows too many tricks. P. E. (a) Good Swimmers are oftenest drowned. (B) Clever people often miss their way. aS * O The living athlete is to Be adored /. The one that has Been killed in wrestling needs not Be dreaded. This is said? or believed to Be said? By one whose employer or chief is dead or dismissed from office? and who does not care for him any more). aS? <3- 2^? To tread on dung spread to dry ( /. e, to Be unemployed or idle). f/ye E. to twiddle one’s thumbs. ^ ^ T. Dismount and let us walk together. E. E. Draw it mild. Cf, To come off one’s high horse. 4 . 5 ^^ ^ A rolling stone gathers no moss. T. The onion of him who never settles down does not take root. ^ o ^ has thought itself a fruit . Said of one who from pride or folly mixes with those greater than himself ). wUa -p grey hair is a message from Death. aIU T. Dead drunk {or Blind drunk) from the first glass ? ! C/. .sjj j Jj) - 99 - To make the cat lose its way. ( This is usually done by carrying the cat in a bag for some distance and then turning it loose }. E, To lead some one off the track. ^ T. He looks for a dead ass in order to take its shoes ( /. He tries to get a pro¬ fit from anything ). T. It is more visible than the mole on a beautiful face. B. E, It stares one in the face ; it is glaringly obvious. £. £. (1) To make capital of. (2) To make a faked evidence of. {From the historic incident of the opponents of Ali raising the blood-stained shirt of Osman on a banner , and demonstrating against Ali, whom they declared to be the murderer of Osman }. F. 7. To rend one’s shirt (i/7, to make a gbab 2 L out of one’s shirt ). ^ote, L§ vas a long garment open in front, worn by men. . _ O -O' 2^ 2”. Send not an old man to buy an ass, nor a young man to choose a wife. V The one is satisfied with any speed, and the other with any beauty ). ... - sC? 3^2 ^ C-.5 h i. The old woman could not reach the plums, so she Said, “Acids do not agree with me^’. Foxes, when they cannot reach the grapes , say they are not ripe. Cf, xiiT J«C Nofe. The wording of the pvb. , as given here, is grammatically correct , but since it sounds bookish, the vulgar change it to read cJfo) 2 ^ * 2^2 - 100 - ‘j3j woman did not die > and when she did> it was on a rainy day. 8 ^ * 2 ^ <U*)^ jfl.) T. The spiritual guide makes *( the vessel ) i the disciples put on the handle ( i. the spiritual guide forms the bare doctrines but the disciples add to it traditions and superstitions ). J sS^l taken to be the source of a thousand faults and weaknesses. T. To put stuffing in some one’s pack ' Saddle. E. E. (a) To stuff ( or load ) some one with flattery. (b) To lay it on thick ( or with a trowel ). F. T. O Fate i where wilt thou put me ? — on a golden throne? or in the ashes ? Note. (1) The original has ‘forehead’? which tit rimes with • A man s fate was believed to have been written on his forehead. (2) Sometimes this is shor¬ tened to ? I jc take the pulpit before the preacher ( /. e. to prejudge ). Note, is a theologian or preacher? who ascends a raised wooden structure called matnbaf. * ' ■ F. Do not open a shop in competition with your master { 1/t. a shop before your master’s ). F. To weep before the fowzek- khan ( the man who recites the tragedies of Karbela> and makes his audience weep ), E. E. To be more catholic than the Pope. ! sJ* F. T. Mourning ( lit. “Woe” ) before - 101 - the death ! (Said when one fears the worst, before the worst has come ). Everybody is speech¬ less before { . has no answer to give to ) the liar B. He that does not speak the truth to me does not believe me when I speak the truth. 2^ <5- aSs ^.7^. Seen from the front it is a mole > but seen from the back it is a hole (Lit, pit ). JjA T, Don’t go to a ( mere ) physician i go to an experienced man. Before a physician he is an astrologeri before an astrologer he is a physician i before both of these he is neither a physician nor an astrologer J while before none of these he is both a physician and an astrologer. ( Said of an impostor }. ojjf F, T. The squint-eyed is after all better than the blind. Notes, (1) means ‘ in comparison to ’ ? or ‘as compared to’. (2) The mute o at the end of jjT and ^jS corresponds to the E. definite article ‘the’? but its use is restricted to colloquial language. J:>ji ^ What ! will you turn somersaults before a tumbler ( lit. clown ) ? J ^ cTH the chaplain danceS) you may imagine what the congregation will do. Notes. (1) originally means one who leads others at prayeri standing in front of them? but is a word coined for use as a correlative of and is intended to mean one who follows the chaplain at prayer 9 standing behind him. .(2) ^9 or is moving - 102 - the waist or other parts of the body in dancing. JT To go to meet the wolf. H. E. (a) To Idck the bucket > (b) to go off the hooks. ti Kt ^jSS 1 J There is no pride with prophets. ( Vfom the following anecdote'] • A man once pretended to be a prophet. In order to verify his claim » his audience asked him to bid a certain tree to come forth. The man first made the attempt? but when it proved of no avail? he said? “Prophets have never been proud ? since the tree is not coming to us ? we will proceed toward it.” O *^A carry an elephant up a ladder {i. to try to do something impossible ). Cf, the E. To carry water in a sieve ? to flog a dead horse ? etc. jlIT 1) a>b <i \j oJliU T. To pull out an ele¬ phant stuck in the mud? a stronger elephant ( Ift^ a king- elephant ) is required. w.#nt 0 , 3 jr T, The elephant has remembered India ( i. e, such a one has become homesick ). Note. In quoting this phrase is usually changed ^ y His s measure is now full. Cf. ^ ^ w “nr E. E. His days are numbered. 2 ^ < 5 - 2 ^ anie as the preceding with a replace^ ment of ^ by y ^^overf lowing"*^ ). 3^ <3- 8^ oLmi T, To send ( some one ) to fetch black peas. Notes. (1) This message is given to a child when the sender wishes the recipient ? who understands the message? . to keep the child out of the way. Hence? the expression is - 103 - used to mean “ getting rid of some one by means of a subterfuge”. (2) The E. proverbs “To send (some one) for yard-wide pack-thread” and “to send ( some one ) on a fool’s errand” have been suggested for use as equivalents ? but I believe the first of these is more of an equivalent. ^JkJU (o^') <> 1 Jij^ O r. To rub one’s body with the tallow got from something ( To anticipate? or be ready to run? a risk? and stand the consequences thereof). <> O When a man has too much tallow? he uses it to rub on his heels ( f. e. an excess is used wastefully ). ^ When things get to the worst they will mend. T-, A fish is not caught till the water is muddy. Abf \} T. As long as there are fools in the world > the poor will not be helpless. C/. J ^jy‘ jljh, e^c. ^ote. In view of the general predilection for rimes> the words and liAiLoirf^ are usually changed respec** tively to and as allowed in colloquial language. b (j F. T, Until you take the risk of a plunge? you will never become a swimmer. Isyiifi-X) U* T. I advanced in knowledge to that extent that I knew that I did not know. Who knows he knows nothing knows much. Cf. <r I eU. C.-U IT T, So that he may un¬ derstand how much butter can be obtained from one man ( 3 kilogrammes ) of yoghurt. { i. e. I will serve him out and let him know where he stands ). ^ b IT T. Unless the dog is trodden on the tail ? it will not bite. { A pvb, indicating the necessity of provocation for evil acts ■X.j jUU Jg IT E. E. When things get to the worst they will mend. f . Until things fall^ into ^sorder > they will not assume good shape. Cf. * 53)1 - 105 - c^- \S E.E. To the ( very ) end. Note, literally means the t of tammaty ( J ) an Arabic word used at the end of a book to mean that it is finished. An E. parallel would be “to the s of fcA) jT \S T, By the time you have been brought) I shall have been taken away. Cf. ^ 2^ -O' 3^ oil) oOijr^U (I L ) JOjT JI^C j\ JbJ 1) T, By the time the antidote arrives from Chaldea ( lit, Iraq )> he whom the snake has bit will have died. E. E. While the grass grows the cow {or the steed) starves. Coii^ p JT" l> E, E, (a) Make hay while the sun shines, (b) Strike the iron while it is Hot. (c) Hoist your sail when the wind is fair. T. One must bake bread while the oven is hot. F. T. While I could I knew not i alas ! when I came to know l^had no ability. E. E. If youth only knew i if old age only could. 6 ,^ir Jjjb h^JS jI ^ T, So far as possible •> do not tear another man's veil ? so that your veil may not be torn by the veil-tearer> ( /. the betray¬ er of secrets ). ( This means freely “ Do not expose any one to shame) that no betrayer may put you to shame ]. (dJ-x-) oil} Ubju-oo joiir F. T. As far as you can do not hurt any one's feelings {or do not annoy any one )? for on this path you may tread on thorns. far as you can? gain some body's heart by kindness i it is no great feat to disappoint him. - 106 - jT o^v5**^ 4^*^^ ^ F. T. As much as you can) be bent on the soup » what matters if the bowl is not made of porcelaine ? {The con¬ tent is the essential thing > not the container }. 3^2 <1“ 2^ <><> ^ ^y> jS^ y If you think too long about my trousseau ? mother > my chance will be lost. Note, (1) which is a contraction of c.*S’c> cIam means ‘‘unlucky’\ (2) In spite of this contraction the rythm of this verse is unsound. By the time you tune we shall have ended the finale. E. E. So me would play a tune before you can tune your fiddle. Note. j is the last part of a musical performance) which? being of a quick tempo? is designed for dancing. ^ While there is life there is hope. F. T. A merchant who is too timid to take a risk will make neither profit nor loss. E. E, Nothing venture ? nothing h ave. {>!“i>} juba*« --jLO *• *4 • F. T. Behold kings y Cjyt oM* crowns and those who wear them? and behold who are occupying whose places ! { Regretting the tenure of office by unfit substitutes and successors Notes. (1) ^IT originally means the crown worn by the kings of the Key^fi Dynasty. (2) There is a pun on the word ^Lr which is both a plural of ^ key- a member of the Key-^n Dynasty, and a plural of*^^ kee, whicli means “who” . <01-0* A)L> 1 ) F.r. Neighbourhood goes as far as forty . houses ( /. e.^ He who lives even in the fortieth house from yours is considered as your neighbour ). - 107 - CmL«L> 4) 1) T. As soon as you bow down ■> they will put a load on your back. ( This indicates the nature of those who presume on the humility of others? which they use to serve their own ends }. (t^***-} ^ Ui^til you put it on the fire? ambergris will give no scent . [ This means that until a person is tested » his qualities do not manifest themselves ) . c-f fA T. While there is breath? there is life. Cf, ^ €t€. [iS^) ^j\ji j) No pains? no gains. T. Until you take pains ? you will not carry away the treasure-trove . 2^ * 2^ i3>. OiAi U T. Since he became a fox he has never been caught in such a hole. ( Said of a person who is in a bad fix ? such as he never expected ). •V') U T. As long as the roots have water ? one may hope for fruit. (Zf C .— 3^ -O' 3^ The dusk of the night is the collyrium of the bat’s eye. 2 ^ * 2 ^ ^ F. T. The new should (always) replace the old. e^U b y y ^ T. And now he asks? “ Was F,€yli male or female ? ” { Question which was asked by a stupid person after he had heard the whole love romance of Leyli & M.ajnoon by the poet F^ezsimi }. _ 3^2 <}■ 3^ (^3^) ^• The ( good ) hound takes to playing while the hunt is on. ^ Said of some one who allows himself to trifle while he is needed for se¬ rious work }. - 108 - jlay. JUjj Jjji AT F.T. A hound forced to hunt against his will* will bring dead game. ^ 1 -J <xJb jUjA) F. T. Throwing lucky dice makes every one a good player. E. E. He plays well who wins. Note, Sometimes the pvb. begins with ^ ^\^\S » but onowadays is used mostly for the “men > and not for the dice» used in backgammons. O ^ 2SS Unless you set out ( or tra¬ vel ) on the eve» you will not arrive at your destination on the ( next ) day . ^ be¬ came a jackal i he has never been caught in such a hole {1ft. an underground watercourse). C/. J.? 2^ * 2^ ^ ji jt'V j^y (^1**“?’ u T. By the time the fat man grows thin 9 the thin man will have died. . As long as peace can be made> do not knock at the door of war. Note. ^ji*j “ to knock at the door of something” has come to mean “to seek or search for? or betake oneself tO) something”, 2^ O 2^ J <)U "E. While the rational man was seeking a bridge » the fool took to the water and went on his way. ( To do a thing on the spur of the mo- # ment is often better than going about it through rational or logical channels }. y U F. T. Unless you worry about others j you will not be worried about by any one. ^ o ( } OJ Ui jl -jS* U F. T. Why risk one’s life if one can gain one’s end by money {lit. gold).^ - 109 - • By the time the bald man has considered his hair-dressingi the wedding will be over. jyt jA (^ib) Oit ^MTl) ■i . Since the crow had young ones j he has not been able to eat his fill of carrion. O * sCs j> P. Since I have had children? 1 have given up childish ways. 2 ^ * 8 ^ fcA>A <C) (^ Let him become blind who cannot bear to see ( others’ success ) . ( From the follow • ing story } : Two ravens happened to meet a tortoise with whom they made friends. One day the tortoise asked his new friends to lift him up in the air? so that he might get an idea of what the higher regions looked like. shall be willing to do SO ” 7 said the ravens > “ provided you keep consistently silent throughout the flight ” . When the tor¬ toise agreed to this > they took a stick and told him to hold it firmly in the middle by his teeth? while each one of them would hold one end of the stick by its bill. This agreed > all three friends flew into the air ? and passed on successfully for a time. All who saw the birds and the tortoise in the air ? expressed their wonder at the trick ? which had enabled the latter to fly ? but he paid no attention to them and managed to keep his mouth closed. At length? when certain children in a locality began to shout ? “Behold how nicely the tortoise is being carried in the air” ? the silly animal? whose patience had been exhausted by this time ? opened his mouth to say ? “ Let him become blind who cannot bear to see my success ” . Of course no sooner had he opened his mouth than he Cell to the ground. Note, The phrase ’ which means “ in spite of the enemy ” ? is of frequent use ? and the phrase 4,01 jto is now used to avert? so to speak? the evil eye of one who is jealous of others’ success? while it has no regard to the unlucky fate of the tortoise in the story ? which has been related - 110 - in the famous book of J Kalileh & Demneh. ^ 3 idAs long as £ools . are still found in the world » why should the poor be needing bread ? jj <1*1 1* etc, JU } ^Jix) ojIm J-llc oiU ->l <r IT T. Unless there is susceptibility ( tit, attraction ) on the part of the beloved j the efforts of the lover are in vain. C-ii^ jF. T. As soon as you say to some one» “ I am your slave ” j he will put you on sale. Notes. (1) The first hemistich to this is ^ J q. V. ( 2 ) CmS ^ is a contraction of ( they sell thee ) > which would destroy the rythm . It is also the colloquial way of pronouncing OJUmJ( 3) The meaning of this'pvb. is the same as that given for II etc. id^ 4U»iT. By the time the calf has grown into a cow) the farmer has given up hope. (Referring to the numerous sufferings of mothers in bring* ing up their children } . -a- 2^ ^3 jyj id^—i c-*-0 jLo IT T. Unless the snake makes it¬ self straight) it will never get into the hole. Cf, ^ jl* etc, E. E. (a) Honesty is the best policy. ( b ) Cheating play never thrives. ( ) wtitl) 4s^) 3 vAJ^L) ^5^ id^ ^ Until a man has spoken i his faults and virtues remain hidden. 2^ O 2^ P. T. So far as possible jump up ) when this is no longer possible » come down. (Practical lesson for making the best of our chances) . Not e. <^j3 & 4^^^9 are imperatives of and ^respectively j and ) taken together > make a compound word - <^3^j3 - which means “ gambol -Ill- or frolic *’ . if h cjO iSjiji (jtOO U" As long as you have some one who will bear your airs ? put on such airsi if you have none ? stretch your legs ( /. e, lie down and give up ) . 3 3^ ^ ^ ^• Where there is not a fresh-cut stick > the ox and the ass will not obey. It is the raised stick that makes the dog obey. Cf. A rod for the fool j a nod for the wise. NoSe. The P. phraseology given above seems to be corruption by the vulgar of j which is a regular hemistich. The word ^is too short to render the rythm of the hemistich sound. ^Ij E. E. (a) There is no smoke without fire. ( b ) Where there ore bees there is honey. T, Unless there were something ever so small in iu people would not Say things. Mote, The word is too long to go with the rythm of this hemistich. ir T. Do not say a word until you know it is exactly right. 3-^J I IT F. T, While there is respiration » there is aspiration. Cf, etc, C«w»t ^ ^It is allowable to give out ( part of ) what luck brings in (/. e, when one is lucky and richr he may be liberal ) . C/. ( iS^y> } ^ Jat? ^ ^ IT T-, Unless the clouds weep the meadow will not smile i unless the child cries it gets no milk. AjT c-.Iv aib C-.I J Jl^i U . One should straighten a shoot while it is green. {^Pointing out the importance of «j lU - 112 - training received in childhood } . P, P. Gambling losses are compensated by more gambling. Mote. I perfectly agree with Dehkhoda. in that this is a most noxious saying > as it encourages the ruinous habit of gambling. 2 ^ * 3 ^ ^ As long as I exist > I will cling to your coat-tails { lit. beard ) . (This is what a hanger- on would say ) . JLmI) <UC> S tjJ* jb Ui F. T. It remains to be seen who will be chosen by the Friend ( God ) 5 and to whom He will incline. (This is very much like the E. phrase ‘‘The matter is on the knees of the gods} . jC’ i-U> T. A very hot fever leads to quick perspiration ( /. c, a very ardent love is apt to cool down quickly and be turned to disaffection ) . ^ ^ axe? but goes in search of the needle (/. He cares less for the essential than for the non-essential ) . 4) ^Ir* <tlL) T. Such a one is like dried cow-dung ? which has neither scent nor virtue (?. €. He is good-for-nothing} . Note. As a matter of fact dried cow-dung is used for fuel? and hence the above remark is not strictly true. 2 ^ < 3 - 2 ^ T. Xo try to acquire the acquired is absurd. Cm-I 1^ I 7 . Its seeds have been eaten up by grasshoppers ( /. e. It is unobtainable or exceedingly rare). T. To sow seeds in brackish-ground (^. 0 . to waste one’s effort ) . -lU- jZm E. E, He that will steal an egg will Steal an ox. ®SS"®tcaler will hecome a camel'Stealer. { Efotn the Jollowing anecdote^: A child once stole an egg and took it home to his mother ? who admired his clever act and said , “ Well done, my brave son ! When the boy attained his adult age one day he stole a camel for which he was condemned to imprisonment. Before going to prison he requested to be allowed to meet his mother. This was granted , and the young man j on meeting his mother ^ asked her to stretch out her tongue for him to kiss it. But instead of kissing it» the youth bit it off angrily) and said* ‘*The egg-stealer will become a camel-stealer . r. Does he lay double - yolked eggs? \ Is he anything special ? ) Not*. A double - yolked egg is very rare, and hence much esteemed. ^ break an addle egg in some one s mouth (/. to inspire a vain hope in his mind by a promise ) . ^ ^ T, His eggs have no yolks (^e He is a very deceitful dealer i he is an impostor ) . r. The hen was not lay- jng, but one day when it did, it laid the egg i„ the straw- in. I bald of a person who does not do his duty , and if occasionally he does , he does it in a wrong way ) . • ■ ^ ^• Old men use prudence > vounc men fight . j b OkX-oLT^ ^ E T, The radish ranks itself among oranges and lemons. Cf. eU OJ?" J*' ^ P. T. The effect of 8 - 114 - cducfltion on the introctablc is as water on a duck s ]>aGk (lit, as walnuts on a dome ) . Training is always the same i but capacities differ. Nole^ is the pi. of “ nature ” . aJi JJld ^ J The fungus which I meant for a relish proved fatal to me. E. E, I have brought up a bird to pick out my own eyes. { Ad apt ed from the original pvh. He hath brought up a bird lo pick out his own eyes ) . Note. The first part of this pvb . literally means “ I sowed cress seeds > intending to eat the cress with my bread *’ . Note the quasi - rime between ( anything eaten with bread ) and fatal*) also > a murderer. E. Distinction without a difference is absurd. (ji ^IwX)^ jj j) ^J t . Mercy to the sharp-toothed leopard is cruelty to the sheep. E. He hurts the good who spares the bad. ^ < 3 - CUi-* jA T. Fear is akin lo { lit. the brother of ) death. ^ O c-( <) ^jjy>jS <r <uip See cSj-c* y etc. ^ <Sji ^ l\ T. Be it a fairy or a demon j it scares the timid man. OkX^ji r. He who fears is always safe. C . the E. He that fights and runs away » Will live to fight another day. ^ T. To break a habit makes one ill. - 115 - ^ J y T. Wet and dry burn together ( /. e. Good and bad suffer together ) . 4) ^y T, The leek resembles its seed and little Hass an takes after his father. Like father ) like son. * 2 ^ 6 vVi ^"^^y A chip of the old block. T. The thirsty dreams of water. Cf, pT etc. & etc. £. E. (a) The cat dreams of mice, ( b ) The lover dreams of his mistress. 3 ^ * ^8 JIpca w I O T. The thirsty person cannot possibly forget water. ^ iS ^ ^lo>’ wT T. Offering of water in a public bath ( /. e. a worthless compliment ) . 2^8 O 2^8 ‘AaU J OaT (JjUT F, T. If you say to a person > “ You may have this * or “ Help yourself ” ? by way of com - pliment i he may take it literally. . ^ ^ * 2^8 fS" tijUr F. T . Less of your courtesy and more of your purse. F. Diminish your compliment and increase the sum. 2 > 2 ^ (A.) F. Keep company like brothers ? and do business like strangers. ^ (A. ) T*. Things are recognized by their opposites. I . . 35 ? * jC 8 Praising one¬ self is ( like ) chewing cotton. E. E. Self-praise is no recommendation. yjj o,s0.> F. Too much praise is worse -116 than abuse. oW <-(r eSo w/■ ijiji JuClJ^5jU) F. r. When the dish is broken and the food spilt i the beggars come into their own. ( Lit, ) Let the bin ( Of tub ) be broken and the yoghurt spilt* ( and you will see how ) the world becomes as parasites would like it to be. J ^i) E. E. (a) Curses come home to roost, (b) Who throws mud on another soils his own hand, (c) Spit not against heaven* Hwill fall back in thy face. t . Spittle thrown high up falls back to the thrower’s beard ( or face ). ^ JT l\T, Azazil is a fallen angel on account of his arrogance. E. E. (a) Pride goes before a fall, (b) Pride breakfasted with plenty* dined with pov^erty* and supped with infamy, (c) Pride goeth before destruction ( Biblical ). 4Cr r. The morsel from a neighbour has goose fat in it ( i. c. Other people’s properties seem better than one’s own ). Cf. o-t jlc To lean on water (i. e, to rely on things which are not substantial i to have no support ). \j oj^i. F. T. Because some one has given him sour grapes , he revenges himself on a poor ( blind man. E. E. same as for ^ etc ) ^ote. The mute o at the end of jof corresponds to the definite article the , and causes to rime with . ^ 3 ^ 3^5 a:9i ^ jZb p j ^ acquires two pairs of trousers ( /'. e. gets rich ), he begi ins -in¬ to think of getting a new wife. Oj^ - Jt^“ “Lazy bones? move int*"* the shade”, • “The shade will come here of itself”. Note. Th is short dialogue clearly shows how sluggards think? the second part being what they would answer to One who invites them to work. sjg * sjg To grease one’s body ( /. e. prepare for some suffering or for a great expenditure ). I-ri^ etc. E. E. (a) He is itching for trouble i (b) he is eager for the fray. T. His body itches. ^ T. Being naked and playing with fire ! cf. -cU. <r \y etc. Note. I Nowadays means only “fireworks”. ^ o ^ t E- T. The trouble-maker had better be in the tomb. l^Ji To go alone to the judge { i. e. to have his ear in the absence of the other litigant party). T. He who eats alone is akin to the Devil ( lit. ig the Devil’s brother ). {^Showing Iranian hospitality and charitable disposition }. v5^ T, Singleness befits God ( /. e. Human beings should be married ). 8^ SC2 ^ j yb F. T. One always wants one’s habitual clothing and food. ( Lit. ) The body wants what it has been wearing ? and the lip what it has been drinking. 8^ * 8^ jt jm ^ ^ jl" jlJ" 118 P. P. The wisest man is modesti the fruitful branch bends toward the ground. P, E. The most fruitful branch is nearest the ground. ufy r. He who is wise is powerful. E. E. Knowledge is power. Note, The second hemistich to this is j ■^->1 An old man's heart becomes young through knowledge. {^5*^) til) jail ^^) F. T. A rugged bone may be swallowed somehow or other) but when it reaches the navel it will tear the belly. ( Caution against rashness by which one may commit any gross act » though he may be unable to stand its evil consequences }, ^ o ^ T, The rich are a till ( or mo¬ ney-box ) for the poor. E. E, The rich are trustees under God for the poor. cOJ' ai«<r ^C) I fSl Same as etc. y ( OAU J cJj) f jJ) ^^ y ^ ^ rich and vicious man is a clod overlaid with gold! a poor and pious man a beauty obscured by dust. 302-O 30? JU) <i c-l ja*; J JU <5 c-1 Jjj ^^ ij) ■ riches are spiritual j not material) and maturity a matter of intelligence > not of years . 30? O 20? iSlj eJ) y F. T. Just give me ( what you can ) > and I know myself how to get drunk. ( From the follow- tng anecdote ] : — A dissolute youth went to a tavern, and asked to be served some wine against what money he had, which con¬ sisted only of a few pence. The tavern-keeper said, “You can only have a small quantity of wine for your insigni¬ ficant sum > and what effect can it have on you ? ’’ Nevermind ” > said the youth i “ just give me what you can) and I know how to get drunk”. (The idea is that a rogue by nature may brawl and do wicked acts by drinking any amount of wine ). T. A beggar’s sack ( or bag ) { a mixture of different thing5> a medley or hotchpotch ) . S ^ 1^0 you know better than the prophet? {^From the following anecdote ) : - A man carried her decrepit old mother in a pannier to a certain prophet) to whom the old woman desired to pay a visit , The prophet advised the man in jest to have her mother married. “ It is neither possible nor decent)” said the man) “to have her married at this age”. Where¬ upon the old woman cried ) “ Do you know better than the prophet ? ” 3 ^ - 0 - ( j 5 j2aS" 4) jI) tIhose who recommend repentance—why do they seldom repent them¬ selves ? E, E. (a) Do as the priest sayS) not as he does, (b) Practise what you preach. jLeJ F. T. The gambler repents only when he has no money, Cf. the next pvb. •C3' 2^ s.r f 4) J) E, E. You may end himi but you will not mend him. T. The ( only ) repentance of the wolf is death. (tpw) J ^0 y F, T. Be clear of conscience) and fear none. E. E. (a) A clear conscience fears no accusation ( or laughs at false accusations ). (b) Speak the tr«tb and shame the Devil, cf, c—1 d)L aT 1^7 etc. “120 < ^* *** ^ J ^You will be asked what your virtues are> not who your father was. ^ ^ ( 4 i <r* \j F, T, This is no game to play in a house made of reeds. E, E. (Same as for (.1, j 4ry etc. ) O The “inner man” is being killed > while the “outer man” kills others with envy. c. E. He robs his belly to cover his back. Note. The “ inner man ” means “ a man’s soul or mind”, and jocularly “the stomach”, and “the outer man” has come to mean a man’s external appearance , such as clothes”. {See the Concise Oxford Dictionary). 2 ^ * V * T. How can you know the value of water—you who live by the Euphrates ? E-. E. (a) We never know the worth of water until the well runs dry. (b) Misfortunes tell us what fortune is. CT. etc. ^ f>{) j ij> <ijT ^^ <ry E. You who have glass on your roof, why do you throw stones at other people’s roofs ? E. E. They that live in glass houses should not throw stones. Cl. <;U <S'\jj7 r . c> • ^ * O: ^ I? <ry T. You who cannot see the lamp , what can you see by the ( light of the ) lamp ? . ‘ “ y°“ know the lullaby, why can’t you get to sleep Cf. etc. and etc. ^ . -r' E, E. Physician, heal thyself. Note. The pvb. also begins with f\ for <r aT - 121 - s u {<r) P, P. Have you died that we should prepare your bier ? ( A facetious answer to a complaint of neglect }. One need not teach the bereaved how to mourn . Note. For “bereaved” which originally means the P. has i. e. one whose mother is dead. jji Jj>i J> >6 J >0 ji P.T. You see the hair ) while I see the waves of the hair » you see the eyebrow » but I the signs of the eye¬ brow. ( Referring to the meanings and expressions read in the face of the beloved) as being worth more than mere* inexpressive beauty ). P. P. Shouldn’t you aid me as a friend > My aid from Heaven God will send. Note. The idiom as used in this pvb. means “ to arrange some one’s affairs ” > but nowadays it has a contrary implication) meaning to ruin some one » do his job ) do away with him ^ o ^ P> P- “Amidst the scuffle”) ( she says )) “pluck my eyebrows”, ( Used when a person wants a trifling affair to be done by another who has an important business on hand ). I" 3 quarrel they do not dis¬ tribute Sweetmeat. P. P. One can’t make war with rose water. iSJ^ He can go into a lion’s mouth ( /*. e. he is exceedingly brave ). loj ^SJi> P. You cannot find it in any druggist s drawer. { Said of a very rare object » or a very eccentric idea ) . - 122 - To get into a ewer ( Of pitcher ) i f. to creep into a hole ( from ^hame 7 fean etc. ) l> <>Ul? j)/ <<r jT •>• T. You are empty of wisdom because you are full of food. E. E. (a) Full paunches make empty pates, (b) Full bellies make empty skulls. Note. The P. ends with the phrase ^^* 5 ^ ^ up to the nose. T. Better o go barefoot than in tight shoes. Cf. O'^ ^ ^ etc, jrO F. T. Once the arrow has left the bow> it will not return to the thumbstall. E. E. (a) There is no overtaking the shot once fired, (b) Words once spoken cannot be recalled, (c) A woid spoken is an arrow let fly. To shoot an arrow in the dark ( /. e. to make a guess wide of the mark ). <^^ 3 ^ uSi-J F. (a) He missed the aim (or the point), (b) He failed. F. His arrow hit a stone. T. He shoots the arrow and hides the bow. {^Said of one who tries to conceal the traces of an act). c.-»( ^\Sj^ F. F. The awl is sharp at the head. (Pvb. attributing causes to those at the head of affairs }. Kt ^ 3 ^ L5^? T. To strike one’s own foot with an axe ( to be self-destructive ). ^3^ ^** 5 ^ E, 1 . To strike at one’s own foundation ( to be self-destructive ). - 123 - Notc. is an adze or chip-axe> and makes a rime with AJUj “root”. 4sl^ T. An adze facing itself. (Said of a one-sided or selfish person }. Note. This proverbial phrase may he read ^-1*) ( f, without the €ZaJah ) » which would then make it an adverbial phrase meaning ‘*with the adze toward one} self” » i, e. selfishly. Ci. the E. pvb. All men row galley way) /. c, every one draweth toward himself. U wwT <r4) hittajo F. T. Better a Sword in an Ethiopian’s hand than knowledge possessed by an ignoble person. F. E. Put not a naked sword in a madman’s hand. T. A curved sword must have a curved scabbard. E. E. Desperate diseases must have desperate cures , * 8 ^ AS' l^T Where there is water ablution with earth or sand is void ( /. e. When one has the origi¬ nal* why use the substitute ? ). T, One should not expect fruit from a willow-tree. Ci. jii etc. B. a) Figs do not grow on thistles, b) You can’t get blood out of a stone. oOwiy E. E. Virtue is its own reward, i . The reward for a good act goes to the doer’s house. \ Ip- F, T. Ripe wisdom saves one from snares. Not 6 , means also *‘mellow *’» and elp* literally means “ fallen into a pit ” . *-^******^ Ip* F' T. Sometimes one has to say ■^7^ “We serve Thee”) and sometimes ui*^‘tWe seek help from Thee ”) as the case may be. Notes. (1) In the first Surah (/. e. chapter) of the Koran there is a verso which reads JfUKuJ '^JUM '.ilO! “ We serve Thee > and we seek help from Thee ” ( addressing God in prayer ) . The letter ^ at the end of means in Arabic “ thee ” , but this is read so closely with the following words Oju and as to make it seem that these words are (2) This pvb.) which , though based on extracts from the Koran , seems to be vulgar, is used to show that everything is good in its own place) or to indicate the necessity of changing one’s acts and words as dictated by the “spur of the moment”. Ip- p. T. There is no trace of the baby save the wetting of its bed. (Cited in cases when one finds that something is missing in the very place it should have een while it has left certain traces } . (qa\ b" r After an attack by highwaymen ) a road is safe for forty days. . o ^ T. Spying is ( like ) pandering. Notes. (1) is a synonym of ,^rb- “ a pimp Or panderer . (2) If the attribute here given to spies seems to be exaggerated , we might extend the E rendering and - 126 - make it readi “Spying is pandering to others’ evil designs”. CxmI F. T. It is only a good fit that looks comely. ( Lit, ) Clothes to one’s measure are good. to F. T, O dear » you took the words out of my mouth. { You are complaining against me while it is I who should be complaining against you ). F. T. He will not give up his ghost to the Angel of Death. (Referring to a very stingy person }. Note, Azfsk-il , the Arabic name for the Angel of Death) seems to be of Hebrew origin? but iS not used by the Jews. O * ^ ^ i-uU T. The soul must leave one ? no matter if it be through one’s throat or side ( i. €. One must die? it doesn’t matter how ? ) oS^ F. T. Give your slave bread and he will offer you his head. To die hard ( as a Kurd ). Note, The Kurds are supposed to be tenacious of life. ^ F. T, Until one is in the agony of death? one’s .loul remains in one’s body ( /. e. One should not despair of life without good reason? or go to meet.death? prematurely Cf, c —a I' etc.), ^ ^ ^ o ^ J>Uj T, To rinse the prayer carpet ( i, e. to act hypocritically or prudishly) . :>» jJo) . When an ignorant person is confuted by his opponent in argumentation, he betakes himself to hostile measures. ■*> T. There is no room for a millet. P-- P-. There’s not room to swing a cat. - 127 - c-J There is no room to throw a needle. E, E. {Same as for the preceding ). ^ a) We missed you. b) We thought of you. T. Your place ( or seat ) was empty. Note, Sometimes the above phrase is replaced by F, Be a rose among roses and a thorn among thorns. C-^ 05^ >• iS^ He who has two wives will have to live in the mosque ( /. e, will have to beg ). Note, Homeless beggars are allowed to live in mosques. One cannot replace bread by stone { i. e, one must have bread i there is no substitute). jSt ^ oi^ F. Sit in a place from which they will not turn you out. entail ^ AT cij 4 ^^ F, E, (a) He went to Davy Jones’s locker, (b) He’ll come again* as Goodyer’s pigs did. T. He went where the Arab threw his reed. <r^.b- r. Where the sunlight does not enter* the doctor does. c-t Jbt c-»l sjT <r^’b. {Same as etc,) ^ s> ^ ^ ^ ^F. jf. Where the camel is worth one farthing* the ass is worth nothing. Note, or is a money of account worth half a dinar, 2^ {S' •»j*» <r Ail :»t Aji^j w-uc {Same as - 7 *^ etc, ) — 128 - c-t c-iy <»rWhere meat is lack¬ ing 7 beet is a champion ( /. gains importance ). E. E. (a) He is a Triton among the minnows, (b) In the land of the blind the one-eyed are kings ( Scottish } . Note, Th is pvb. is sometimes modified so as to rep¬ lace by 6 ^^ “ fruit ” > and for oLT “ the king of ( citrous ) fruits ” , wtUk) ^T, Where you have eaten salt 7 do not break the salt-cellar ( /. e. Do not be un¬ grateful to the salt eaten with another). See Note under cT ! etc. yf ^-) J crj:^ <r r. He wiii not sleep in a place which can get wet underneath ( i. e. He cannot be deceived; also> he need not be looked after). ^ -ts ^ jj^ osAji IT P. T. We know not the value of friends unless we part with them ; the man with a broken bone knows the value of mummy. E. E, ( Same as for ^^9 etc. ) Note, ^'U>o was a kind of mineral asphalt formerly used as a panacea^ and especially for healing broken bones. E. 7 . The man who overcharges deserves to have no buyers. oUKa a«Li jki jf 'a. r TK 1 ^ • , . ^ • The reward of an evil act is only evil. Cl, oLiiC. 31 I . .. . ^ 3^^ E T *t. ■ 1 ^ -/-V o J' ^ ^ . He IS Sick for such and such a thing. (} ^ 7^\^7 ^ means “his liver is spotted .1 ecayed) for such and such a thing. ^ <5“ will L k ■; 0 >> P. P. Many a . heart will be broken by the time a spn becomes likes his - 129 - father. Cf. ^ etc. j*^ ^ j*" T. At war while ploughing > at peace while reaping. To quake at work and sweat at meals. C-|( ji <i J^t F. T, Better to fight it out at once {or at the beginning) than have to make a late peace. F. E. (a) A word before is worth two after, (b) Better an ounce of discretion than a pound of cure. Cf, A stitch in time saves nine. S J ^ uC;>- F, T. Can one attack an alligator and stay in the river ? ( Lit. ) Fighting with an alligator and staying in the sea ? Cmwi I ^ T. War appears easy to on-lookers. O O F. r. It is with a sword that one makes war » and with money that one does business. Cr. c^\ jdii <iU-* La u^;p- T. No need of a peacemaker ( lit. mediator) in a sham fight. 2 ^ * 2^ fcAiwb bUA However powerful a warrior may be? he cannot do without a stratagem- ^ o ^ ^ The ( only ) answer to fools is silence. 2^8 iJ’ 2^ T. Force is the (only) answer to force. 2^8 * 2^8 F. T. The answer to “ bah *’ is “ boo ” ( Harshness should be answered by harshness ) . o sQg "->■ JS. Oji as jPti ij ^ etc. ame 9 - 130 - jkjCiXj The generous {or brave) youth is he who doesn’t speak but acts. ^ 9 -S c.-' P. T. This is youth » hence all airs and graces. ! oMS^ j'^ oT. The chicken hatched in the autumn tries to deceive the one hatched in the spring ! (Said of a stripling trying to deceive a person older and more experienced than himself ) . P^ote. jmt oMf and j\ oMf* are both common idioms meaning “ to defraud some one”. JOvUJ^ ^' Chickens should be counted in autumn. £. P. Don’t count your chickens before they are hatched. Note. For they say sometimes .,j»^ the latter meaning “ at the end of autumn” . ^ o ^ T, Chickens do not always remain in the coop ( DC under the basket ) , (This means that children will not always remain ignorant (especially of sex matters ) and innocent. P. He cannot divide the barley allotted for two asses. (Referring to an incapable and inef¬ ficient person ) . ^“*^0*^ T, True generosity is to give unasked. o sjg ( ^ T. A harsh teacher is better than a tender father. A teacher’s oppression is better than a father’s kindness ) . Note. nowadays means ‘‘ professor ” ? where ‘Meacher ” is Lc.) I . (One) who shows wheat and sells barley ( C double-dealing or a double-dealer) . P. P. ( One ) who cries wine and sells vinegar. - 131 - j3'j j* yj P, T. Better an ounce of gold than a hundred pounds of force. Nole. A variant form of this hemistich substitutes “ fifty ” for “ seventy ” . ^ iS.^ An ounce of luck is better than a ton of virtue ( or good qualifications ) . Note, means barley i and > which literally means ‘an ass load’? is now equivalent to 300 kilogrammes. C-**^ OiAfc)U T, Who seeks will find. ( (jlsw ^ P- T. As in the world there are eyes and eyebrows > also ) pencilling and beauty - spots i so everything is good in its own place (or season ) . C-l •>* ^ ^ri e s e t c, C He who has seen the world ( /. travelled in it ) tells many lies. P, P, (a) Travellers tell fine tales, (b) Old men and tra¬ vellers may lie by authority. ( c ) They who come from afar have leave to lie. Note, The phrase “ travellers’ tale ” is very much used in £. c.-( :»< <> Same as etc. C jLmA 4 ^jH ji ^A man with his wits about him finds room in the world. ‘^■>1— viW ) C-.1 ^ I* Acto j\ T. Ig - norance of one’s own faults is the worst fault of all. yM Even hell is not so hot as this (/. You are drawing the long bow ) . - 132 - T. His pocket is cleaner than a Moll^h'^s skirt ( i. it is empty ) . Notes. (1) VU (Mollah) is a person versed in theology and Sacred law. (2) By ^‘clean skirt** is meant chastity) and hence the compound adjective “chaste”. (3) A vari- • ant form of this proverbial expression is hJT :;! C—/. e. His pocket is cleaner than a looking- glass used by brides. .^1) \j T. His pocket is covered by spider’s web { /. e. it has not been used for having been empty ) . Cf, the preceding item. Ij F, T. I will ex¬ cuse you from Being a jockey if you can only hold on to the pommel. Said to one who» though unworthy of a small position) claims a higher one } . Within one’s own four walls one’s own free will ( /, c, A man is master in his own house) . t UjmT F, T. The pound of an acquaintance is only 13 ounces { /, The shopman who knows you gives you underweight) . Notes, (1) which literally means one-fourth (of a man)'*'* y is an obsolete weight equivalent to 7 50 grammes* and jrj- which was one-tenth of a > is now 7 5 grammes. ( 2 ) Some people make this pvb. read C-I djU UiT ciJC- * 25 ^ * ^ jT 4sAr f^jT oji^ Same as etc. t ^T****^ F, T, Nothing but a pack-saddle for a dull horse. Note. nowadays is used for persons in the sense of “stupid” . F. The knife does not cut its own handle. Cf, \j < 1 SC^ <*C^ F. E. There is honour among thieves. Note, { 1 ) Some people use this pvb. to mean also “The shoemaker’s wife goes the worst shod”. (2) is sometimes replaced by - 134 - jS" 4i«ia To fold in a knife ( i. e. from cold ) . » is. to. crouch y t ejT;*! olf F. T. It is the mountain that furnishes the well with water. {This stresses the importance of rain which falls first on the mountain ] . {' The well-digger has no rest from digging. Note, An E. parallel to the’ above would be “ The porter has no rest from his loads ” . ^ T. The well-digger is ( already ) at the bottom of the well ( /. The trap-layer is caught in his own trap). Cf, the next pvb. and <r ^ a. etc. 2 ^ < 3 * ^ ^g~S' Oiji- J^l ^ ^Co eb- f*. T. Do not dig a pit for another? lest you fall into it first.. Note, This may well be said to be a vulgar pvl>, ? as the rime and the grammatical construction are both unsound. owUO See Note under b Jjl etc. A>ij 1) .jvU yT 4r T. If the well hus no water of itself? it is no use to pour water into it. {Re¬ ferring to a person who is void of natural talent » or who cannot use his own intelligence } . Cf. cjI etc. ^:>LLuJ 7. Not to know one’s left hand from one s right. { Referring to one who has not reached the age of puberty or discrimination ) . 4si:iy(^ <r j j f,jT \j^ F.T. Why sleep under a crumbling wall and have disturbed dreams ? Note. It would even be better to say “ disturbed sleep > because under the circumstances it is hard to get to sleep. - 135 - T. Why should men consider each other under obligation ? when they are all in need of one another ? ? ^Why did you not become an artillery¬ man ? ( Said in irony to a person who is alarmed by the slightest noise } . j> T. Why should the wise man do that which he will rue ? Note. The first hemistich to this is c^J j' ^\‘Ji j e. Zoieikha - Potiphar’s wife- died of grief when Joseph was imprisoned ( > the imprisonment having been arranged by herself ) . * 3 ^ F. T. Keep the lamp for dark hours. E. E. Put by something for a rainy day. Note. The first hemistich to this is >*- j)jU j! / e. Do not annoy the doctor (who has treated you ) after you are recovered. This is the way the vulgar have it i but Sa’di has for the second hemistich <r ^ c)iy /. e. because illness may come again. light to a lamp j but too much oil extinguisher it. Cf. etc. E. E, A little wind kindles i much puts out the fire. ^L) E. The lamp does not give light to its own leg. <i—Ci etc. E. Zi. The shoemaker’s wife goes the worst shod. Also) the nearer to church t the farther from grace. ^ ^ liJj ,^j> E. A lamp held behind one gives no light (/. e. Good deeds done by a man before his death are better than prayers for him after his death ) . C w->l.sdT The lamp will not show light in the sun. ( More freely ) A rushlight will “ 136 - not show in presence of the sun. 1 ^ c«m( ^* The lamp has gone out and the mill is still turning. { Quoted in cases when things have their circulation in the absence of a roanaser 1 .... . ^ lamp of falsehood gives no light. Note. Sa^di has versified this thought as follows : - aiu u juu <r ij^ He who has a false tongue J The lamp of his heart has no light. -0-1 The watchman’s sleep is the thief’s lantern. Note. is the modern word for “policeman ” . [j T. The lamp of the oppressor will not hum till dawn. Cf. the next pvb. T. No one’s lamp hums U\\ dawn ( /. No man’s happiness will he permanent or JS ever completed ) . ^ '{J ( wUT ^ Ur F. r. There can be no compaiuon between the extinguished lamp and the (glo- nous ) candle of the sun. T, The lamp of indigence gives no light. -O 3^ cr^.j MS' ^ I y . ..I . ^ , F. T. Who tries to extinguish God’s fi, his own hand. Cf. jliS' lai F. E. It is no use striving against Fate. a lamp that lightens my night than a candjf ;Jich burns my clothes. Cf, ojy*-etc, ourns Note. The candle gave more light than the primi- p) hums - 137 - tive lamps. SS* -H- ^8 { ^1} ^IS*OsSjl aJLJ- jI <5" My. . The lamp which gives light to the houses should it fall on one’s garments} will act as an enemy. 2^8 -a- E. E. Charity begins at home. Ct, Jjl etc. The lamp that is allowable to one’s home is not al¬ lowed for use in the mosque. T. A glib tongue is next to sorcery. _ ^ ^ 2^ ■{5‘ 2^ ^* 4 ^ ^T. Fat cannot be extracted from a stone. One can’t get blood out of a stone ‘^y‘ T. He slumbers better than his spiri- tual guide. * I^ote. here translated “spiritual guide”, is ei- lu ® certain order of dervishes, or that of the uTis or Mystics , who usually seem to be sleepy in their contemplation or ecstasied state , but who are also in the habit of smoking opium, which causes them to doze. ^ o ^ T. To in^ikp / J to importune , harass , or worry some one ) ‘^1’^ ^ ^ has been spoiled by too much kindness is worse than an heir ( /. e. niay in the end claim more than one’s heir ) . Cf. the E. Give him an inch and he will take an ell. Note, < 2 ^ is food given to hunting animals , but means also a whet , or a little food as a taste. Hence One who has been spoiled by receiving such food more than once. ^ To divine with open eyes ( /. e (o say what everyone knows or foretell what everyone else can - 138 - foretell ) . ^ ^ , Note, Most people say divine with closed eyes. 0 ,> rtr-^ To look at the instep of one’s foot y' w If J* V y \ { i. s. to have a feeling of shame or modesty ) . T. Great men’s Great men look so proudly on their do not often recognize them ) . eyes are narrow inferiors that they -■li Jlxdf ji The enemy only sees your faults. T. His eyes pick cherries (i. do not see properly enough to distinguish one thing from another ) . Note. jUKijH J is black cherry and is ( white ) cherry ^ and hence perhaps the idea that “his eyes cannot distinguish one variety from the other ” , W.-1 ojLSi oLi ,$ji P. P. He has seen a ray of light ( P He has scented or suspected signs of wealth some - where i also 7 he has been promised a share of such wealth). h 'i'. Look into his eyes and read his heart. (The eyes often betray one’s thoughts) . ^ • May the Devil’s eyes become blind ! (Used in the sense of “ Touch wood ” to avert evil eye) . ji\ <r T, His eyes can do a thousand things of which his eyebrows know nothing (i. He knows how to keep things secret ) . ( 9 ^^ P- T. To show some one a ray of light ( /, e. to inveigle or allure some one ) . Cf. ? ^ (>s^ P- P- Did I have evil eyes ? (Said by one - 139 - who » as soon as he meets a person i finds him on the point of leaving. Hence the phrase means? “ Why do you want to leave on my arrival ? I have no evil eye to hurt you thereby ” } . Jijj VU J Same as J jijn etc. 3 ^ < 3 - ^ I F. T. A true spring is that which gives j)ut water of itself. Cf. 0 ^ etc. & jjlx ^1 aT etc. carry a spring to the sea. E. E. ( Same as foT ^^ 3 ^ -a- 3^ JX; T. To plaster the sun’s fount of light by mud ( /. e. to try to hide the truth ) . Cf. Jti i^UiT etc. 3^ o 3^ Aji ^lau> j&.Jb Oj^ Aji cjtgJ *Ais>- T. When the sun s fount of light is obscured > the bat becomes a tumbler in the arena. E, E. When the cat is away > the mice will play. .S T. The beetroot does not become meat » nor does an enemy turn a friend. J jp- \j jJik^ T. The beetroot thinks itself a fruit. Cf. jU etc. F. E. Every Sprat nowadays calls itself a herring. 3 ^? < 3 * 2 ^ E. E. He is at the end of his tether. His bag ( Of satchel ) has become empty. ^ under Cj^ etc. JiS^ T. Hear now a few words from the bride s mother. This is a contemptuous way of draw“ ing the attention of a crowd to the unwelcome remarks - 140 - of a person! and amounts to “It is now his ( Of her) turn to make remarks }. ‘i-Vd ^ c-turuf ^, * . Such are the ways of this rough world : it puts you on the Saddle one dayi and puts the saddle on you the next day. (Showing the vicissitudes of times) . JS juT f (J-> jl ^ P. T, Where there is water! ablution with earth {or sand) is out. of question) when day comes the lamp should be taken away, *^1 etc, ^harp is in tune it will not receive chafing by the musician’s hand. Notes. The word which has come to mean “ ( a slight punishment by way of ) reproof ” i literally means “ rubbing the ears ” . And since the peg of a mu¬ sical instrument resembles an ear , for which reason it is called > the poet has actually used a delicate pun. wtiS" I ( ci-u- ) »Jlp. J pf. When the pure soul IS about to depart , what matters if one dies on a throne or on the ground ? 8 ^ ^8 J OwU I T. The stick ( /. e. the teacher’s rod ) comes from Paradise. P. P, Spare the rod and spoil the child. • <r J&> jr ( h ) ^ F. T. The teachers rod is a flower ( /'. f. a blessing)', which must be given to any one who does not wish to P. P. { SaT/?e us foT the precedttig ) - • ^ 5 ^ o cT A C-JU T. It is easy to give the stick to the bear , but difficult’ to get it remain a fool. - 141 - back. ( The stick allades to a pretext which must not be given to a rough or stupid fellow ) . ijU (Jj (5- F. T. The beating K rod ) of God is noiseless; he who receives it will find no remedy for the pain. E. E. Though the mills of God grind slowly , yet they grind exceedingly small. .>( ( Same as oJuT Jt ) . tSt * 8S8 • . . "E. It is the asses and cows that need to be beaten by a stick {i.e. Men should be ashamed to commit an act which is punishable by beating ) tS «■ JJ &:>&<> J‘ AS-T. When you take the Stick in your hand i th^ guilty cat runs away. Cf, ^-5" l^T ^ etc. Sc t I etc, E. E. When the noose is prepared , the thief takes warnine For o Ij ® T - O ® *" pickle for him. ^ • His stick is in water, -O' sS? j(.>u {See under etc,) The treacherous shepherd is a wolf. • T, ( Same as etc ) ^ o sSs ** * <r jr j <s.^T c-J oJLj-a ^ rr^wh • . When you have no income . be cautious in spending; for . as the sailors’ song goes , “ If no rain falls on the mountains , the Tigris will dry up in a year. ” E. ( a ) Make both ends meet. (b) One is never rich until he commences . To keep ahead of his expenses. C/. (jii.jtf'.-T ,> etc - 142 - jyj 4> JUil) 0^1^ \j oJuiUbj jja JA T. When the ant has fallen into the ant - hill > he who comes to its rescue must use tact 5 not violence. (Referring to delicate affairs which need to be handled by tact and prudence » rather than by violence and rough treatment) . ^ o ^ ‘ When you cannot bite a hand) kiss it. E. E. What cannot be cured must be endured. Note, jjbi is a contraction of but some manu¬ scripts have replaced this word by hA>Ll> (^j.5^) T. When happiness dwin¬ dles) the soul flags. J^j ^shall think about to¬ morrow when it comes. E, E. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof, o-*Ci wSi-, *( T. If you are contented» you will find stone and silver to be one. <Juji uP <1 Jjf / jjS 4j jPj^ P. T. Cherish the cat and it will snatch the pigeon, fatten the wolf and it will devour Joseph. E. E, If you Save a rogue from the gallowS) he will rob you that same night. Note, The second hemistich alludes to the tradition that Joseph’s brothers told Jacob that Joseph had. been devoured by a wolf. ji E. T, Strike the ball where ( or when ) you have a wide field. E. E. {Sa/ne as for w-1 ^ etc,) <s ^ T, When you have eaten your fill of fruit ) don’t break the branch. ^ tiU; etc. and etc. - 143 - L) J( c-O) J> (.&» T. When you men¬ tion the name of a dog» you should procure a stick, c. H. Talk of the devil and he will appear. (<.U ol- F. T. When evil comeS) fear the worse. jij£> mJja 4ST jS jl cJj J F. T. You cannot be possessed of a creed until you are re- lieved of greed. ^iaiU} Since you are now oldj Hafez) you should leave the tavern. (Cited when¬ ever an old man does youthful acts) . 2^8 * O (jLW) ^j:> j) ^js>^ {Same as ^yly Ir etc ) 2SS O 2^ F, T, When you cannot cure some one’s disease) don’t he so oppressive as to aggravate it. Cf. J^\ etc. 3^ 2^ VIS" tAiSdl OS^ When thie ves quarrel with one another) stolen goods are discovered. c-A --<s^J oJT i . If a cord is torn it can he joined at the end , hut be¬ hold there is a knot in the middle. F, a) A broken friendship may he soldered ? hut will never he sound, h) Though the sore be healed* yet a scar may remain. 2^ * 2^ ^ 03^ "F . What difference is there between sweet and hitter > once a thing has been Swallowed ? F^ote. For “sweet and hitter” the P. has “sweetmeat and poison”. s& •» 0.9‘>^ OS^ F T. If you - 144 - cannot swim* keep away from the Oxus. F. T. Where love enters? the master and the slave are alike ( or there is no question of master and slave ). bAiii ObtMtfhAx ^ ^' ^^hen a man rs bi¬ ased? he sees no virtue. (tSy>*} 4Jbl JO ( Liid F, T. When Fate approa¬ ches? the physician is helpless. ( Litt, ) When Fate com^s ? the plysician becomes stupid. ■>' > Ji- ‘"J F. T, When the new year comes? I regret the departure of the preceding year. (Each year seems to be worse than the preceding year}. Notes. 1) 3 synonym of “to regret” » but *• to express one’s regret by saying? “What a pity ! alas ! etc.”. (2) Most people only Say Jl.- 0)1) j .ilidojJTj jMt 1) f . When you have to deal with a child? you have to use childish language { /. €. Speak to a child according to his understanding ). 3 ^ -O* sjt C—'f O*^ T. When the hun¬ dred comes we are sure we have the ninety. ( This means (1) that the whole includes its parts? and (2) that when we have the essential? we don’t need to care for trifles}. jC J <So o! <tr j\ \j T, When the rose is gone and tire garden is perished ? in what shall we seek . the scent of the rose .^“in the rose-water. Note. The first hemistich is usually changed to S"*yoS^ The unclean becomes fouler by getting wet. C>. <;LCiiA ciC- etc. Notes, (1) Jdy “unclean” as used here is meant * 145 - “ccremonially unclean according to the Islamic rites (2) What gives a proverbial beauty to the above is the use of the pun on the word J ‘‘wet” which is also the P. suffix for the comparative degree. { J c-f J«-. Jg JA( j[j T. When the party with whom one has to deal is amenable, the affair is easy. jjT F.T. When the ser- pent’s time comes> it approaches wayfarers ( it goes to meet death ). I P T. It remains to be seen whether the soup is worthy of its tureen. ( Said when it IS doubtful whether a person deserves the honours expec- ted by him ). Cf, etc. 3 ^ ^ . Dig a well where you expect to produce wateri bleed a vein which will give out blood. Cf, the E You can’t get blood out of a stone. <*" 2->6 j( <s. F. T. One needs not fear the waves if Noah is the ship’s captain. ^ ^ Piping for the deaf and dancing for the blind are useless efforts. Note, The E. proverbial expressions “To play a lyre to an ass ” and “ the sound of a flute to a deaf man ” should be adapted into an equivalent for the P. , .a 2 ^ < 1 ^ 2 ^ 0V*y? ^ As well beat a log as a thick- skinned man. ( hit,) Whether you beat me or the leathern bag ( it is all the same ). Cf. the next pvb, 4^ F. T. Whether you speak to me, or to the door, or to the ass ( , it is all the same ). i You cite this when some one turns a deaf ear to your 10 - 146 - remarksj or is too stupid to understand* or respond to them). Ap>’ (j) It is six of one and half a dozen of the other. J ^ l^otc is the Arabic » and is the Persian * « word for Friday. h T. There is no need of hearing an explanation^ on what is self-evident ( or visible). Cf, 0-1 ^ § ^^ ^' Why > my ass has not stuck in the mud ( i, I am not in such a bad fix as to pre¬ pare myself for such a rough task* or to stand the evil consequences thereof ) . 8^ {J- 8^ J.Sj^ yUiA C-< ui> <r F. T. How nice it is to sell syrup ! For one can drink it himself if it remains unsold . Ji <tr F. T. How pleasant it is wlien a single nod ( or wink ) serves two purposes ! Cf, <iXi I etc, E. E. To kill two birds with one stone (is a great success). Note. The second hemistich to this is going to Shfih-Abdol-Azhn ( a village south of Teh* ran ) * where one not only performs his pilgrimage > but meets his sweetheart as well. jto ^ <? bL^ <r T\ T. How sweet it is when kindness is mutual* and how troublesome when it is one-sided ! E. E. (a) Love on one side only means misery on both sides, (b) Courtesy on one side can never last long. ^ote. is a provincialism for J^-l) “It is” or It may be”. - 147 - wW I y^S l^ ^ ( i-w l^> T-. There is no happiness in the house ( or family ) when the hen crows like a cock { /. e, where the house¬ wife is quarrelsome ). Note. The other meanings of jro- are “welfare” and “blessing”. 2^ O 8^ ? h pijj jjU jjTMh<f F. T. One who is Lorn blind knows not the value of the eye sight. O-y-U <0 <r4> ^. T. No twos but threes. Third time never like the rest. <U9v mT :>l; 7 . What use is there in water coming back to the river after the fish is dead? Cf. j\ ju. etc. E. E. a) After death the doctor, b) Shutting the stable door after the steed is stolen ( or after the horse has fled). ^ o O ! oiU ..Aoi <r As- F. T. I should hardly call it a jest r if it were not half in earnest. (Said in case when a joke is carried too far ) . _ 8^ O 2^? AT J\^ Aa- F, r. The mourning is SO sorrowful that it brings even the undertaker to tears. No/a. ^ (Of vulgarly means literally one who washes the dead. Kt ^ As. £. £. It is six of one and half a dozen of the other. C/. jjCS jfjjjl ,, , is a masculine proper name; and aj^ is an honorific title for a man of distinction > though it has come to mean also a eunuch. In any case the original meaning of the pvb. is that it makes no difference whether you call a man Khajeh ~Ali or Alt - Kha\eh. • iXmVJ 4^ P.T. . Call her not a mother who is not kinder ( to the child ) than the nurse. Note, This is not so common as the proverbial - 148 - escpression ^ the equivalent of which is “ More Catholic than the Pope ” . 4^ Cal * who is inferior to a woman. ( Said of cowardly or effe - minate men } . * $ Jl JL> <r^CA a> [Saf?ie as <r^^Cx> a>) * aS* OJb <p- ^ ^ 4^ F. T. A single man who can fight well is worth a whole field full of soldiers. 8^8 <!■ aC? 4i) oJU F. Eat a part » give a part » and leave a part (of what you have ) . 3^ o aS? JML^} aT <S}^ under etc. 8^ * 3^ conceal from man what is not hidden to God ? C Often used as an introduction to a confession } . ^ <s ^ 6jtjU*jy) <L^J ©^U F, What is torn will not allow of being patched up . Note. This is rather humorous and cannot be genera¬ lized for all cases. It is also based on the rime between ojw and *) ” a colloquialism for ji ^jljo 4jlf' 45o F. E. Exchange is no robbery, F. T. So long as replacement is possible j there is no ground for complaining. ^ Note. The pvb. also substitutes 4;j;i I for 40jj^ o ^ (ci-*,-) crti j?’’ *" saying a thing when you have not been asked to say it. E. E. Speak when you are spoken to. P. T. Beauties have no need of tirewomen, P. E. (a) Fair f aces need no paint. (b) Beauty unadorned is adorned the most. 2^ -O 'P' is dead and the camel is relieved. Note, or pilgrim ( to Mecca ) i who often used a camel for the pilgrimage. Hence the death of a meant the liberty of the creature ? and the pvb. may be extended to masters and servants ? or the like. 2 ^ <}• 2 ^ P. T. Be it known to you ? since you are plundering all » That there’s some money under the saddle (in the hall). [Pfom the following anecdote ^ : A number of thieves raided a certain house one night. The owner of the house ? seeing that they were carrying away everything) pointed to a pack-saddle under which he had hidden some money? and said to them hopeless- ly » “ Now that you are determined to plunder the whole house) I must tell you that there is also a hundred totJiAUS under the pack-saddle ” . Cf, the E, In for a penny > in for a pound. ^ U ^^ b" ^ AT VU»- P. T. Indeed they have agreed with each other in making away with me. ( Prom the following anecdote } ; A certain person fell ill after he had eaten melons and honey together > which ? according to popular belief > make the eater sick. One of his friends ) who went to visit him ) Said ? “We told you that melons and honey do not - 150 - agree with you . “ Indeed ” j said the sick man ? “they have agreed with cack other in making away with me ” . ^turn to mew. { From the following anecdote'} : - A hungry cat went to a table at which a man was eating i and began to mew in search of food. For every morsel that he ate > the man served another to the cat. But the greedy animal disposed of its morsel quicklyj and mewed again > while the man was still chewing his morsel. When this was repeated several times the man rose and took the cat’s seat > saying> “ It is now my turn to mew”. ((^^) T. Now it is my turn to dance. [From the following anecdote} i A camel and an ass were livin comfortably together in the country. One day when they had come too near the residential part of the villagei the ass began to bray. “Stop braying) dear friend”) said the camel) ‘*lest the inhabitants hear and give us burdens to bear ” . The ass answered ) “I can’t forbear from doing it) for this is my usual hour for singing ”, So he went on braying until the villagers ) following the noise ) came and led both of them into captivity. The next day they had to cross a deep river) and since it was impossible for the ass to cross it) the villagers put the ass on the camel’s back to be carried across. When the camel reached the middle of the river) he began to caper. “Stop capering at this untimely moment”) beseeched the asS) “or I shall be thrown into the river”. “Not so” » retorted the camel) ^‘just as it was your turn yesterday to sing in that untimely hour ) it is my turn to-day to dance at this untimely moment”) and he went on capering until the ass fell into the river and was drowned. { Arabic tradition ) F, 1 . Patriotism ori¬ ginates in faith. -151 though it n>ay he a furnace. c. E. Be it ever so humhle} there’s no place like home. Notes. ( 1 ) \J^ is an A. word rarely used in P.i and means ‘‘Well done” 5 “What a great , , etc. Its P. syno¬ nym is . (2) is the stove or furnace by which a public bath is heated? and is often used in P. literature to mean an uncomfortable place? being an antonym and correlative of “ a flower-garden ^E. E. To make mountains out of mole-hills. T. To make a knob {or dome) of a grain of corn. Note. This is a rare pvb.? the commoner correspon¬ ding pvb. being ^ (sJJ>} ) ^ o ^ ^ Ill-gotten ? ill spent. E,T. What has been illicitly gained goes out of the very door by which it has come. Note. is a religious term meaning “ forbidden or declared unlawful by religious law ” ? and its antonym is JM^ • f ^Why commit a theft for just a turnip ? See Note in the preceding pvb. E. E, As well be hanged for a sheep as for a lamb. ^ o ^ E. T, Roguishness is not expensive ( or difficult ) . Note. jSf means literally illegitimacy ? and figuratively roguishness or knavery. ftjA- y>- F. F. Be a robber ? if you want ? but do not rob the table ( i. €. Do not eat so much that little or nothing is left for othexS) . ^ ^words and a dog’s pocket- knife ( are the same ) . ( This means that you cannot rely on his words } , O- -152- a trade ( Of profession) > and you will not have to burn in the flames of poverty. C-*(! ^jjb T. A man’s profession ( Of trade ) is his ornament. 8 ^ * 8 ^ ^^ Words are but wind. ( Lit, ) Words amount to air. 8^ <3- 8^ i5 ^ cici T, Talk brings on talk. E. E. One word leads to another. o ^ .ijOi ^ ^^ logical ( or rea¬ sonable ) remark has no answer, { Said by one who admits that the remarks made by another are all right } . j\ 3^ ^^• Truth is Spoken spontaneously. (Lit,) True words come to (or are uttered by) the tongue ( spontaneously ) . 8^ O 8^ c—t ^ ^ iSj>. Same as ",3^^ 8^ <3- 8^ \j o oy 3^^ T. Do not say the truth lest your head may be cut off. ( Meaning ( a ) Not every truth may be revealed » ( b ) Am I to blame because I have spoken the truth ? ) . Note. This will become a regular hemistich if is changed to •> and pronounced* O which is the collo¬ quial way of Saying U O .« sC? <3- 8^ O L:^)T ? \j F. T. What you heard about others was really aimed at yourself. Cf, etc. ^JiO J ^' The tongue is fearless ( lit, loose ) in saying a truth. 8 ^: 8 ^ I <) L, E. (a) A word to the wise -153- (is sufficient), b) A nod for the wise i a rod for the fool. Cf, <jU. etc, P,T, He who is a man must be spoken to once. P. P• Rather gulp down your words seven times than have to swallow it. Note, The idioms ‘‘to gulp down one’s tears or sobs” is commonly used in E. j and I found myself obliged to extend it to one’s “ words ” as well > and > incidentally i a similarity arises between “gulp” and “ swallow whereas the latter means to “ withdraw ( one’s statement ) as er¬ roneous”. At any rate the pvb. recommends a thorough exa¬ mination of one’s words before uttering them > so that one needs not swallow or regret them afterwards. J^, O O-O T. Ask the truth from the child. ( Children ? drunkards ( See , and insanes (See the next pvb,) usually speak the truth } . T. The truth must be heard from the madman. j,:; P. T. Obscene talk is better suppressed ( or concealed ) . Notes. (1) I have heard this phrase only from the Persian Jews j and doubt if it is used by the rest of the Iranian population. ( 2 ) is a sun-dried brick ? and rimes with “ obscene ” . c-l courtesy. . 8^ “O’ 8^ P. P. Listening to others ’ advice is hA)L) Ij ^ P. What is past must not be talked over. P. Let bygones be bygones. P. A man’s word is one (/. c. A man should not change > or go back from? his word ) . Note. Sometimes this is changed to ^ which gives an opportunity to perjurers and turncoats » -154- though in jest) to expand the pvb. and say <> VL^ <b b" C—t r What a man says con¬ sists of 0 P 2 e word i hitherto I used to say ) “ Yes ” > but hereafter I shall say» “ No ” . P. Man chats as the ox chews the cud. 8 ^ * 3 ^ J*JU F. T. There is many a word that strikes deeper than a sword. E. E. ( Same as for ) > j! ci^j) ^ kzS^ Same as ^ y jl €tc. F. T. The world will not satisfy the greedy » while a loaf of bread will Satiate the contented man. ^ b 4;^b ow T, The party who has lost always quarrels with himself. sCs o sS? ou j>' oi> ,>■ F. T, Opponents know each other too well. F. E, (a) When Greek meets Greek? then comes the tug of war. (b) Set a thief to catch a thief. F. T. To give pounds ? one must save the pence. F. F, A hard gathering > a wide scattering. F. E. (a) Short accounts make long friends, (b) Even reckonings make lasting friends, (c) Fair and square keeps friends together. f . An account is an account j a brother a brother. See U; etc. Note. 1S*U* is a provincial word for y F. T. Claim neither less nor more than your due. - 1S5 - ^ 4.kailscej>l Jji) S ante as ^Uo- <ri^T etc ij>if «Xm£>’ T. Jealousy is a remediless disease. ^ <3- 3^2 <r ^^3 ci^ C^JL--p- r. Little Hassan would not go to work} and when he would? it was on Friday. ^^ote, Friday is the weekly rest-day of the Moham¬ medans. P. T. My beauty lies in my outward appearance ? while underneath my hair there are signs of baldness. Note, (1) originally means scalp ringworm or scalp disease* but is often rendered as “baldness” » which properly means . (2) A variant form of this pvb. sub¬ stitutes jif L 6, “ the essential thing ” for . (3) The pvb. is cited when some one conceals his essential faults or real poverty by a good appearance. Ct, the E, To save appearances. jT'ytb 7. The jealous never had tranquillity. 8^ <3- 2^ is due to men is more Serious than what is due to God ( or Sin against mankind is worse than sin against God) . 8^ <3- 2^2 E. E, In the long run right will out. The rightful {Of entitled) party will enjoy his right. ^ <3- aSt j <u U-ckA 3 y?- 'P~ The great God sees and covers it * your neighbour who doesn’t see it roars about it. { The pronoun “ it ” refers to a sin or transgression } . .0^ T. Truth is a sharp sword. »«^* ^q^3j oLm E, E. The baby is the king of the house. T, A baby’s order is better executed than a king’s. -156- u>il Cominandments are based on the acts of the majority. Mofe. One example is the Islamic commandment that forbids the drinking of wine to everybody because the majority of people who get drunk brawl and commit sins. laic ^ J T, It is wrong to teach .^Esop wisdom. See etc. and the Note under it. E. E. Don’t teach your grandmothers to suck eggs. Sjg -O' 2^ ‘ ' olp'Ujo wf®The governor’s order is ( like ) a sudden death ( i. it must be executed unfailingly) . vCl) oJIa t ^ ^' The best physician is he who has experienced illness. Notes. ( 1 ) which is a sage has come to mean a physician as well t its modern synonyms being and w*** «^ . (2) hAitfU OhXo Iis colloc|uial for oXxi 1 3 ^ < 3 - 3 ^ XjiT T. “ Lay down the head - physician. ” {^Frorn the following anecdote^ : A Tu rkish prince was once affected with colic > and the head - physician in his court prescribed for him an enema. But when the prince was told the manner of ap¬ plying the enema y he got angry > and asked the doctor j “ Whom are you going to have treated in this way ? ” ? and the frightened physician immediately said i “ Me The prince then said to his attendants i “ Lay down the head - physician and have him injected in the prescribed manner The story goes that as soon as this was done? the prince was relieved of his pain » and from that time on j whenever he fell ill » no matter what the illness was > he used to order his attendants to “lay down the head- physician ” . The phrase (^5^^ bas now become proverbial inasmuch as there is usually a certain unfortu¬ nate man who is always to blame for anything that happens. —I . The doctor has recom - - 157 - mended a cockerel for her. ( Cited in case when an old woman has married) or wishes to marry? a young husband) . F, T. Seek not the way to have rosy cheeks from a pale- faced physician. F, £. Physician ? heal thyself. Cf. etc, jt Jt Allowed to the wise ) but forbidden to the foolish. (Said of wine) . C/. ^ and y jLl«T 2^3 -O' 2^ ^XmI) ^^What is lawfully gained by a person is hardly expected to be faithful to him j much less what is unlawfully gained by him. ^^Same as l>b- etc, sS? * T, One may make sweetmeat with chalk (lit. lime ) ? but it cannot be eaten (/. e. Severe measures may be planned out ? but may not succeed in practice ) . (Sf, i3l»“ etc. Note. This pvb. seems to be in use among the Jewish population of the country. kS'^3^ ^ The proof of the pudding is in the eating. P, 7 . Until you eat of the sweetmeat ) you will not know (how it tastes) . Note. is of obscure meaning ? but a shrewd friend of mine believes means sweetmeat eaten between two (^^ ) ’* - alluding to sexual intercourse. f»* c#*/’ F. A Turkish bath - house is not ( after all ) so hot (/. e. You are drawing the long bow) . T. There can be no hot bath without sweating ( f. e. You have to give a bribe to attain such - 158 “ and such an aim ) . No^e. is a Turkish hath or a sweating-hath. tT— T, The hath-house is not a place to tie an ass in ( A place for everything and everything in its place ) . (juju; k ) JUJU^ O Where there is too much henna ) they use it to tinge their heels ( t. e. An excess is used wastefully) . Ci. \j Si ^ <y ^ T. His henna is colourless ( i. His words have no effect or weight i I know him too well to think much of him ) . ^ o ^ T, A draft (or cheque) due at harvest time, ( Referring to an evasive reply or a false promise given by one to his creditor ) - cit jC,\ ^ ji !j To the nymphs of Paradise the Purgatory is hell. Nofes, ( 1 ) Although collective for houri “ nymph of paradise ” » the Persians further plura- lize it in the form . ( 2 ) .cl a^af is a wall between paradise and hell ? and hence it is rendered “pur¬ gatory” ) which » according to the Roman Catholic Church> is a place of temporary punishment for the souls of those who have committed venial sins. 1*^ T. Once you have constructed a pool > frogs will of themselves come into existence. A pvb. of various meanings j of which one is the necessity of giving priority to essentials ) . t) T. A pool that has no water needs no fish ( or frogs ) ^ o ^ U«*«l T. He has eaten his modesty (/. He is impudent ) . - 159 - Note. This expression is sometimes humorously ex> tended so as to read o^j J U 1 j He has eaten his modesty with bread and yoghurt i but Dehkhodo^ only adds to it C^JJ^ U (and) has swallowed his honour ” . Shamefacedness is an obstacle to earning one’s daily bread. ( This is intended to mean that where earning one’s daily bread is involved i one should put away modest reserve ) . Co-f A T, Men’s menstruation comes when they meet their creditors. (y \ J \ T, Alas for those who died before having heard your voice. ( Said in derision to one who sings badly } . ks^ oj* vlua <r Mt? :^( u<Lp- f* r. it would be a pity {of waste) to use gold for gilt objects. C/. c—i LiT F. F, The game is not worth the candle. He has plenty of excuses who is in search of tricks. ^ U No rose without a thorn. Cf, jUw JT F. T. Where dates are » thorns are to be seen. To have a thorn in one’s liver (/. to be restless i also> to be sore at heart or afflicted ) . To break a thorn in some one’s liver {of soul) i. to render him restless or afflic¬ ted. Cl. the preceding expression. <t O JJ) oli J o*-'■i ^ T■ He sees the mote in his brother’s eye and not the timber in his own eye. cf. Matthew 7:5. * 8 ^ ^ j\ ^LtL> T. Even a mote (or straw) will pass by the sea - side ( i. e. Great men should not be inaccessible to their inferiors ) . U"" V? ^ • May not the dust carry the news to him ! Said as an introduction to a ( bad ) remark about some one who is dead » wishing the latter to remain una¬ ware of what is being said ) T. To throw dust in some one’s scales ( i, e. to scoff at » or revile him ) sjs *0 ^ <Ci I jl ^L> F. T. Humble yourself as the dust , before you are turned into dust. ISote. The first hemistich to this is c>^lc —.**i1 _)L> e. O brother > since in the end there is noth- -161 ing but dust. ^C:> T, The dust in the street is a remedy against tetter ( or eczema ) . ( Ironical remark about women who are accustomed to gad about) , F, 1 , Once buried j soon forgotten. { It is believed that the bereaved family of the dead will start to quiet down and get comfort when they have actually seen their dead buried ) . I\ T. Dust has an attraction. {It is believed that the place of burial of every person has been predestined , and hence > if a person has been buried in a certain place? it is the grave dust of that place that haSf so to speak ? drawn ( or attracted ) him. The territory of one’s mo¬ ther country is more pleasant than Solomon’s dominion. ^ {^5 "S {^5 ^See ^1.5 e(c, — IjOls- T, If the aunt had t — Si she would have been an uncle. F. E. If my aunt had been a man? sh’d have been my uncle. Flole. A commoner pvb. for this idea is etc. 7 but the one given here is a regular hemistich. <0 J‘\ jubi\j <jU. F. T. The aunt is wanted to help in needlework {or sewing) i otherwise an aunt and a panther are one. { Relatives are expected to help one another ) . Fsote. The rime between the words and ex¬ tenuates the exaggerated comparison of “ an aunt who does not help in sewing ” to a panther. 11 l6i- F. T. Lady Beetle, fondling her child, says to her , “ I adore your crystalline limbs ” . Cf. Notes, ( 1 ) is a common phrase used by a mother in fondling her child and means literally, “May I be sacrificed to thee ” , (2) “ crystalline must, of necessity, imply “whiteness ” , as the insect in the pvb. is assumed to belong to the family of blade beetles. [ ^ T. Silence is better than idle talk . h jt^ JU^fjd jli F, T, Though they refused milk to the mistress , she sent the maid for cream. Note. means “churned sour milk”, and is consi¬ dered inferior to CxmLo which means “ yoghurt ” . IT jiib Jir* t F. E. (a) What is every man’s business is no man’s business. (b) Too many cooks spoil the broth. F. 1 . In a house managed by two mistresses dust is heaped up as high as the knee. Cf. 0 . 2 - L' <r etc. and U UU etc. jJtKi ( ‘ICjj! ) U* c.i-1 iXtl) <jl> T. Better a house full of enemies than one which is empty. £. E. A full cabin is better than an empty castle. sSs * sCs C Ij ^ F. T, A single stone is enough to do damage in a house full of glass. C^f_ c—»l 4:U.<S^|j_^ etc. 2 ^ 2 ^ ^ O** F. T. Do you expect to find copper vessels in a bear’s den ? Note, , which is erroneously changed to , means “ a bowl in which soup is served ” . 2^ O 2^ fSj^ 2-^ F, T. The idegroom’s house shows signs of wedding , while there *- 163 - is no excitement in the bride’s house ( i, e. A man may be cocksure that he will marry a certain woman j while the latter has not yet expressed her consent to the marri¬ age. The pvb. is a caution against premature hopes ) . Note. The reverse of this pvb. also exists , that is Ails- C.-J ^5ijU- or o-J jt (j-J jc. Ail> tf- <t iu. r. The liar’s house was set on fire? but none would believe it. { From the story of the man who falsely cried “Fire” so often that on one occasion when his house was really on fire', his genu - ine cry for help was ignored } . Note, The E. proverbial expression “ to cry wolf too often” should be so modified as to be adapted to the P, pvb. { s 45 L> T. Ransack a friend’s house . but do not (even) knock at your enemy’s door ( to beg ) . C.J o^J" 4iL> E. E. It is a lightening before death, f. He has lightened the house. iSt * iSt . (H* ojUi Ul c-.( Jls-J JAy=^.>l9 4iU. r. You will find plenty of walnuts in the Cadi’s house, but all is kept ac¬ count of. (You have no share, or are not concerned in, the properties possessed and controlled by other people). Note. A variant form of this pvb. gives li-l jUil (which rimes with C.-UL-J) for ejUi 4)1^ T, We never went to the Jew s house, but once when we did it was on Saturday. Note. Since the Jews are religiously forbidden to work 5 or to light fires , on Saturday , which is the Jewish Sabbath , or rest-day , they cannot very well entertain vi¬ sitors or guests on this day. F. T, The mistress stays in the house from poverty (not from piety) . -164 Note. literally means ‘‘want of a veil” > and Moslem women never came out of their houses wi¬ thout covering themselves with the See expla~ nation on Page 69. < 3 - ^ F. T. The household will be ruined if housekeeping is entrusted to a child. (Emphasizing the serious nature of housekeeping and domes¬ tic economy). -Cf jSb ^U).^ 4)1^ F. T, The unexpected guest* whoever he be* must take pot-luck. C-*-^ oy P* The traitor is always apprehensive. Note. This is apparently not original* as it seems to be a translation of the A. pvb. ^1:^1 (J, v, cr-^ Jji ^13- E. E. To perform a Herculean task. To cringe before* or fawn upon* some One. Natural meanness is not revealed even after many years. • Bad news travel fast. Cf. the E. Ill weeds grow apace. Note. Other variants are ^ h) 2^ -a- ^ . It you have a heart-rending piece of news* keep silence and let others tell it. ^r. God holds grey hair in reverence. {Lit.) (Even) God is ashamed of the grey hair. (Stressing the necessity of honouring aged people) , JT<) \j F, T. God fordid that one eye should depend on ( lit, he in need of ) the other eye ( friends or relatives had better be independent of one another ) . fcAif* ^ jcS' May God cleanse us before burying us (/, May we die after having repented and being cleansed from our sins). ol^^PiA F. T. Do not expect regard for God from him who has regard for himself. UmU Om»F. T. One Can eit'ier serve God or serve his belly. {Lit, ) ffe who worships God is not gluttonous. OmI oJ^ ,$U the five f 2 ^ < 3 - 3 ^ ^' God has not created ingers alike. Cf. sZ^JLCi] etc. OlSLxxi Jasd U( tjks- F. r. God may minimize one’s daily bread but will not reduce it to no¬ thing. Cf. ^ etc. T. God knew ( the nature of) the assi therefore^ He wouldn’t give it horns. Cf. \etc, ^ o ^ cilt» \j Us- r, God sends the illness aceor- ding to one’s power to stand it. Cf, Ij L* ^ U^- etc and its E. E, ' 4 ? < 3 - 2 ^ b \j < 25 ^r j See under etc, _ ^ <s F. I . God may call us to account very late? but will punish us severely. Though the mills of God grind slowly » yet they grind exceedingly small. . _ -O' Ljr^L. 'I. Thank God that we bled him. {Lit.) Xt was God’s mercy which made us bleed him. {Said in case when a preparatory measure has prevented tlic aggravation of a circumstance} . - 166 - ^ Vb jJaJ \j KtijM P. T. God tempers the cold weather according to our clothing. £. £. God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb. . \j l-*>- etc, Notes, ( 1 ) The other senses of VL> are “overcoat” and “quilt ” . (2) Another form of this pvb. reads JUbJU* \j^ where ( go»j ) means “ volume ” or “amount” , ^ •AiT May God cause a great wall to fall so as to fill up these ditches. (By “ditches ” is meant sundry expenses ? and “ a great wall” alludes to' a round sum of money to cover them. c«-l P. T, God befriends those who are alone in the world. E. E, The nest of the blind is made by God. SSS -C> 2^8 ^ ji <Ul> Iwt^U J I IbA^ P. T. God guides the ship where He willi though the cap- tin rend his clothing ( in despair ). E, E. No use striving against Fate. Note. This verse has been tampered with by some people who make it read' j) <UL> ^J IjL^ JJbi <r I ^j> ^ <s ^ P.T. God never gives us a second life. [ j ta_:> F. T. Where God’s divine wisdom closes one door> His grace will open another. E. E. (a) Where one door shuts ? another opens, (b) God never closed one gap that He did not open another. ^ O ^ ^bt X. God is not a carpenter) but can properly join together the door and the board, ( Ffeely ) God mates the door and the doorway. V Cited in case when a man and wife are good matches^. sjs <3- sjg -167 - ^ F. T. When Fortune conies one’s descent ( or personality) is ignored. ij 4 Sj1 Uloi- ? <CjTj 2\ o Lord* what hast Thou withheld from him whom Thou hast granted wisdom •> and what hast Thou given to him whom Thou hast deprived thereof ? F. T. God assists the lazy man. 2^ -O' 3^8 IfcA^ F. T. If only God gives a grain of luck. Cf, ^ ^ etc. & the E, It is better to be lucky than wise. <r ^ i-tAfcA) F. r. God send you more wit ? and me more money. 2^ O 2^ F, f. One God and one spouse. htote. vb means “ sweetheart j partner? or friend ” ? and in the pvb. under reference it must be taken to mean spouse or wife ” . { ‘^-^*^** } wtAwtj iaXc uA^^ 4 ^jto ^(uA'>’ F. 7 . God makes no mistake in giving ( /. e. He gives to every man what he deserves ) . 2^ <3- 2^ F. T. No taxes are claimed on ruined properties. 2^ <5- 2^ T. The ass will not lose its manger (^. Every one knows enough about his own way of living}. ^ j\ p T. An ass is an ass though clothed in satin. See E. E. under etc. 2 ^ 2 ^ 115****' } ^ -j^ that carries a load is better than a lion that devours men. -16 8 - F. T. The ass which carries loads ( willingly) is always sure to be loaded. E. E. A willing horse is run to death. Nole. It is doubtful whether the pvb. is of Iranian Origin j rather it seems to have been adopted from the E. pvb. here given. t ^ P. 1. The ass will not drink by a kiss or message. ( Indicating that harshness and force are needed for doing certain things ) . O *^^ carry asses to Khora^Sa^. E, E, {Same as for } C jl >> <r iSjm ^7 j\ P. 7. The man who » like an ass > has an eye to grass > Is far inferior to an ass. ts, ^ ts. T. A sweet melon falls to the lot of the hyena. {One example is the marriage of a beau¬ tiful girl to an ugly man } . ^ ‘ The ass’s foot goes into the ditch only once, (Even an ass is warned by the first lesson}. ^ ^ jS^ i . An old ass and a coloured bridle ! I\ote, The E. pvb. “ Old mares lust after new crup¬ pers is quite a different thing i but we may refashion it into ‘‘An old mare and a new crupper ! ” so as to find an equivalent for the P. ^ ‘ The ass that goes before another ass serves as a bridge for the latter (P e, Predeces- sois usually give lessons of warning to their successors). 7'. Though the tliief is a person whom you knowi it is better to tie your ass. F. E. 1 ) Caution is the parent of safety. 2 ) Fast bind i fast find. - 169 - Cf. --! Up 1,^ i»l^| ^ \j C-KU etc SC? -0- o*^«^ ^5^->* If the expense comes out of the guest’s pocket , it is easy to become t-l^t am ~ I - 1 ai ( /. e. It is easy to be liberal with another person’s money. l^otes, (1) Hritavi , or more correctly Ha.t€m^ was a man Iroin the Arabian tribe He is proverbial for his liberality and hospitality. ( 2 ) A variant form of this proverbial verse has for <r 3^1 jt? If you seek to obtain an assj seek to obtain barley as well. { He who marries and wishes to have children, must think about their food and clothing} . uS. to be mad ) . ^ . To have a crab in one’s brain ( /. c\ ^ E. E. Do not cast pearls bef ore swine. I", t * The ass will never know the value of sugar and candy. Note, A variant form of this pvb. is b <?- -> where means “sugar-plum ” , but this hemi¬ stich has a different rythm froni that of the preceding. Jr*; A P- ’ • Better to hear the death-rattle of one’s mother-in-law than the warbling of the nightingale. Note. “ Mother-in-law ”, as used here, means “ one’s wife s mother , and E)ehk,hoclsi observes that the saying is not true in the majority of cases , where “ the mother of one’s wife is one’s second mother ” . Personally , I have noticed that grievances against wives’ mothers are more prevalent among the Moslems than among the Jewish por¬ tion of Iran’s population. p. <> J F , L . The ass is tired , while the Owner is not yet content. The sleeping ass will not get its corn - 170 - ( i//. barley) . '^•**1 etc, *:c ^yJuUwW* Jj O ^ . To cause one’s ass to cross the bridge ( /. to attain one’s aim i also? to get over one’s difficulties ) . t?. j\ O T. Drive your own aSS ( /. So long as you can attain your aim ? don’t care about other people’s faults), a. the preceding proverbial phrase, J exchange one’s ass for another’s cucumber. Note, If the E. proverbial expression to throw a Sprat to catch a herring ” could be reversed » we should have a near parallel for the above P. phrase. ji wf"c.«t ojl^ P. T. He is that proverbial ass? which? through stubbornness? endangers its own life in order to cause a loss to its owner. Note, is an ass marked with a stripe extending from the head to the tail. ^ o ^ jA 0 h T. He eats the ass with the manger ? the dead with the tomb. Said of an impious glutton ) . wOb . o ■: <r w.**) U An ass must be tied where the master will have him. Note, A variant form of this pvb. is D <r aju:, ^ o^3^'> ^-1 J> T. The ass cannot be turned into a horse by beating. Cf, the E, You cannot wasli a blackamoor white. F. I , They take the ass to the wedding only in order to load it. I\ote. This pvb. seems to liave its origin in the fol¬ lowing versified story by Khaghsini : 171 - c-aT' a free translation of which in prose is as follows : A little ass j heing invited to a wedding » laughed until he became quite weak. He said ? “ I do not dance well j nor am I a good minstrel i ( surely then ) they call me for drudgery j for I can draw water well > and am good for carrying fuel. ” oi js*- \j F. T. Asses kept together do not become of the same colour » but as¬ sume a common odour. E. E. (a) Tell me the company you keep j and I will tell you what you are. (b) A man is known by the company be keeps. Mote. “ Odour ’’ in this pvb. alludes to character » and hence some would replace by which means “ of the Same habits> congenial 5 etc. ” «0>< (^1^ OiCjo O jS- F.T. An ass is killed by an overload j and a youth by encouraging flattery. Mote. ^pl which originally means “ what God has willed” is used as an exclamation to mean? (1) “Well done ! ” i (2) “ May God preserve you from evil eye ! ” j etc. The idea is that a young man w ho is about to carry a load may allow to be overloaded if the on-lookers encourage him to do so and admire his strength by saying Cf. the E. The last feather broke the earners back j also^ A willing horse is run to death. ^ <r F . T. The satisfaction of an ass means that of its owner. 2 ^ * 2 ^ ^‘ The ass which is taken to a wedding is expected to drudge ( lit, draw water ) j not to have a good time. Cf. < 3 - - 172 ^ ^ He has lost his ass » and he searches for its shoe. ( Referring to one who is looking for the non-essential after he has given away the essential}. cf, ^ S-—1 etC’ Note. Some replace J*** for which means “pack- saddle ” . C <^^j T. To paint an ass ( /. e. to take in a fool or to dupe a simpleton ) . Note, From the expression j comes the adjective ^5^ ^ which designates showy? but worth' less objects. 2^ <3- P. T. The ass walks fast wKe n going jyb Jj to the stable. ^ <> ^ 2 , The bear is Avicenna in the mountains. P, P. ( a ) In the land of the blind the one-eyed are kings (Scott 'lsh) , (h) He is a Triton among the minnows, (c) The fool is wise where there is scarcity of wisdom. 2^ O 2^ ^ ^ Contentment is next to wealth. Cf. I jr (^Iq % P. P. (a) A man is only as rich as he is contented, (b) The contented man is a rich man, (c) 1o be poor and conten¬ ted is riches enough. r. He doesn’t reckon the ass he is nding. ( The following anecdote will show the purpose of this pvh, } : - Molln-Nassrec/it/;/ had ten asses. One-day it occurred to liim to count them? but since he was riding on one of them at the time ? he failed to take notice of that one , and so he counted only nine asses. On getting down from the asS) and counting the asses again? he found them to 1)0 ten in nuniLer. ^ P> N Riding an ass is - 173 - not much, of a crediti so much less falling down from an ass. means “ a fault or defect ” . I . An ass worth 300 dinars^t and a pack-saddle worth 700 dinars, Cf. the E. pvb. The game is not worth the candle. Note, and iX^xaA meant formerly 3 tenths and 7 tenths of a R^al respectivelyi andj according to the new monetary system? they are 3 and J respectively. U**j^ has now crossed over the bridge. (Though we have assisted him to get over his difficulties , now that he has attained his aim ? he is too ungrateful to remember us } . Cr ^' Make an ass of him and load him. (By flattering and cajoling a person? you may induce him to do anything for you } . Note. A variant form of this pvb. is jU vUdl ^ Make him an ass ? and furnish him with a bridle. In this case a rime is produced between .,r ^ and^r^> ^ o <) ^ T. The ass of Jesus will not go to Heaven ( /. e. It is not relationship with the great that makes one great ) . i_<S } ^'d!. Though the ass of Jesus is taken to Mecca ? on its return it is still an ass. An ape is an ape? a varlet’s a varlet ? Though he be clad in silk and scarlet. Note. Pilgrimage to Mecca is considered? according to the Mohammedans ? to enhance a person’s greatness or hoi iness. <)Li. 1) T. One should ride a hired horse to the very door of his house ( /. e. One should make the best of his money’s worth ) “ 174 - ^ grease the palm of a person ( j typically Karim) . T. To shoe Karimas ass. ^ o ^ olf wW.^ ^ T. Once an ass has had ( or seen ) barley j it will not eat straw. ph ^ jP- F,T. Once an ass has fallen into a ditch> it will no longer go the way where the ditch is. (Experience teaches even an assi so much more a man } . ^ • To load oneself as an ass (i. to overeat oneself \ to guzzle ) . j*i etc- under ^ O >> etc, wCIm T. The ass which carries gypsum is made to carry stones from a quarry on Friday( ) which is the weekly rest-day). (Pvb. showing how the weak and defenceless people are treated) . ^ o ^ ji ij U F. T. From a bare ass none can take a pack-saddle. Cf ^ etc. F. E, ( a ) Where nothing is? nothing can be had. (b) ‘ Tis very hard to shave an egg. ( c ) You can’t draw blood out of a stone. Not e, T, he sentence is grammatically wrong on account of the double direct object; (j and C-itji p'.5 u.> T. My ass never had a tail from the time it was a foal. (A statement to free oneself from a diffi¬ culty or commitmenti and meaning? “ I have no pretensions whatsoever to begin with). [From the following story']-: A man who owed a certain sum to another was once urged by the latter to pay off his debt forthwith? or else go with him to the judge. The debtor agreed to go with liim? but on the way it occurred to him to run away? and so he fled into a house? which happened to be open? and -175- climbed the stair? leading to the house-top. Meanwhile he was being pursued closely by the creditor j who was about to catch him? but he threw himself down to the court-yard, because the roof afforded no outlet to escape. Un¬ fortunately, however, he fell right on the landlord’s wife who was lying on the ground, and the woman, who was pregnant, met with an unhappy miscarriage. Her husband, who was present, immediately took the man by the collar, and sued him for damages. The man said, I am already going to the judge with the creditor^ so let all three of us go to¬ gether On the way they saw an ass, which had fallen down under its excessively heavy load, and the owner of which was entreating the passers-by to help him raise the animal on its legs. They decided to help the poor man, and while the other two men were removing the load and the pack- saddle, the debtor tried to raise the ass by its tail, which he held near the root. The first exertion, however, caused the tail to be plucked off, and the owner of the ass started a row and claimed damages. Nevermind , said the debtor, in for a penny in for a poundi since we are going to the judge for other mat¬ ters, you may join us as well”. So they proceeded - all four of them-to the house of the judge, whom the debtor managed to meet first, and to whom he made a sign, which meant a greasing of his palm. On hearing the several cases the corruptible judge said to the creditor, “The burden of the proof lies with the plaintiff,and hence you have to produce adequate evidence to prove your claim against this man.” Now, the creditor was unable to do this, so he was pronounced guilty of a ca¬ lumny, and adjudged to pay a penalty on that account. To the Second man the judge said, “ Since this man has been the cause of your wife’s miscarriage, you will have to send your wife to his house, where he would make her pregnant, and, furthermore, you will have to arrange for her alimony for the time she will remain in his house ”. No sooner had the judge pronounced this judgment that the owner of the ass betook himself to his heels, 176 - Saying) “ My afls had no tail from a foal T. To carry dates to BaSra( h ), E. E. ( Same as for ) JUC) T. He who has eaten dates will not ( or cannot ) forbid eating them. ( From the following tradition } : - Once a woman) whose child was in the habit of eat¬ ing dateS) took him to the Prophet? whom she asked to command the child to abandon the habit/ The Prophet told the woman to bring the child in his presence on the mor¬ row) which she did. When on the next day the Prophet’s campanions asked him the reason for the postponement* he said that on the preceding day he himself had eaten dates? and could not? therefore? forbid the child from eating them. Note. Sa^di has versifed this thought as follows*. AS'j\ ^^’ Sde cannot eat d'ltes out of the thistles sown by us. Cf. 31 etc. As a man sows? so shall he reap. Note. The second hemistich to 'the above is o).>^ Oil3i /. e. Silk cloth cannot be woven out of the wool spun by us. ^ o ^ { oaiLoi ^ My ass has not stuck in the mud { e. \ am not in such a distress as to. . . . ) . Cf etc. ^ce under _ 2^ 2CS ^ ^ 3jl 7 . He whose stack of wheat is burnt fears not a thunderbolt ( /. He who has been utteily ruined does not fear anything worse ) . U F. I. He whose stack of wheat has been burnt wishes others to have a like fate. - 177 - E, A company in distress makes sorrow less. ( ©Lii-I k ) yjy, b ^E, E. To take eggs for money. T, To compare cowries to pearls ( or to take glass beads for pearls). *"^*^5* 'E. An ass will break its halter to join its fellows . Cf. etc. E-, E. Birds of a feather flock together. <UX, F, r. The ass which habitually pilfers ( Of picks ) happens to be one of good taste. Note. This may well apply to men? and may? there¬ fore? be allowed to read etc. J-b wT< 0 ^ T, I am not an ass to have an eye to water and grass. Adapt the F. T. given for (c-l) siUi ^ JlSi« F. T. Salt is salt whether a ton Or a pound. Note. ( 1 ) and Jl^ are roughly equal to 300 kilogrammes and 5.62 grammes respectively? the former li¬ terally meaning an “ ass - load ( 2 ) This pvb . ? though approaching in sense v. , is mostly used to mean that one should be grateful