List of Lebanese Proverbs Sayings
Lebanese culture boasts a rich tradition of proverbs and sayings that have been passed down through generations. These gems of wisdom offer timeless insight into the Lebanese way of life, often reflecting the values, beliefs, and experiences that have shaped the country's history. Here are some noteworthy Lebanese proverbs and sayings that continue to resonate with profound meaning:
1. "Men jibal ba'adna rijal" - "From mountains, we have men."
This proverb highlights the resilience and strength of the Lebanese people, metaphorically comparing them to the unwavering mountains that have stood the test of time.
2. "Ilmuh bil daftar, fara'uh bil ma'" - "His knowledge is in the book, and his understanding is in the water."
This saying emphasizes the distinction between theoretical knowledge and practical wisdom, underlining the importance of both academic learning and real-world experience.
3. "Chou bi hazzik ma tsharrik" - "What doesn’t break you, doesn’t make you split."
This proverb conveys the idea that facing challenges and overcoming adversity are essential for personal growth and resilience.
4. "El mar' ma byukhlas" - "A person does not get old."
This saying suggests that individuals never truly outgrow their desires, dreams, and aspirations, emphasizing the timeless nature of human ambition and spirit.
5. "Aynak ma tirtah" - "Wherever you throw your eyes, there lies fortune."
This proverb reflects the belief in the power of positive outlook and determination, encouraging individuals to seek opportunities and make their own luck.
These Lebanese proverbs and sayings capture the essence of the country's culture and offer valuable insights into its traditions and values. They serve as a testament to the wisdom inherited from the past and continue to inspire and guide people in their daily lives.
Do you have a favorite Lebanese proverb or saying that you'd like to share? Feel free to leave a comment below!
A bite from a loving mouth is worth more than a kiss from any other. |
We taught them how to beg, they raced us to the gates. |
Have faith in a stone and you will be healed by it. |
The day will come for the despot to pay. |
No matter how fast the poplar grows, it will never reach heaven. |
When the angels arrive the demons leave. |
If someone puts their trust in you, don't sever it. |
A cemetery never refuses a corpse. |
Two things cannot be hidden: being astride a camel and being pregnant. |
Lock your door rather than suspect your neighbor. |
If you fall in love let her be a beauty; if you should steal, let it be a camel. |
Beware of the man to whom you have done a good turn. |
If you beat my drum, I will blow your whistle. |
Ticks, bedbugs and a crying child are unendurable. |
Lower your voice and strengthen your argument. |
He who has money can eat ice cream in hell. |
We traded in shrouds; people stopped dying. |
If you spit in the face of a coward he'll tell you that it's raining. |
Only your nail scratches your skin. |
A wretched year has twenty-four months. |
If anyone is not willing to accept your point of view, try to see his point of view. |
The worst ache is the present ache. |
You become like that which you own. |
Nights of pleasure are short. |
Whatever your uncle gives you, take. |
Some men build a wine cellar after only finding one grape. |
When they came to shoe the horse of the sultan, along comes the beetle and sticks out her foot. |
Do today what you want ro postpone until tomorrow. |
If at first you don't succeed, try, try, try again. |
He who has money can eat sherbet in hell. |
If you are too sparing with the cat's food, the rats will eat your ears. |
When a mouse makes fun of a cat, there is a hole nearby. |
A clear conscience shines not only in the eyes. |
The son of an old man is an orphan, and his wife is a widow. |
Some men will build a wine cellar when they have found just one grape. |
If a rich man eats a snake, people call it wisdom; if a poor man does the same thing, people call it derangement. |
When you're out of luck in the coffin making business, no one dies. * |
Flies know well the sweet seller's beard. |
He who took the donkey up to the roof should bring it down. |
Talking is not like doing. |
If you follow the lead of the cockerel, you'll be led to the poulterer. |
When you come back from a long journey, offer your family something though it be only a stone. |
A dog will always be a dog, even if he is raised by lions. |
The son of a son is dear, the son of a daughter a stranger. |
It is easier to be a happy bachelor for a year than a widower for a month. |
He who slaps himself on the face should not cry ouch. |
The person who knew you when you were young will seldom respect you as an adult. |
If summer had a mother, she would weep at summer's passing. |
Good advice once was worth a camel; now that it is free of charge, no one takes it. |
Hygiene is two thirds of health. |
He who wants to eat honey should endure the stings. |
A donkey is a donkey though it may carry the Sultan's treasure. |
It's normal for a sieve to have holes in it. |
He who gossips to you will gossip about you. |
The pot always reveals its contents. |
Better to have one thousand enemies outside the house than to have one single enemy inside it. |
Do good and throw it into the sea - if it is not appreciated by an ungrateful man, it will be appreciated by God. |
His brains hang at the top of his fez. |
A dressed up lie is worth more than a badly told truth. |
He is like a deaf man at a wedding procession. |
A polite devil is more agreeable than a rude saint. |
He who knew you when you were young will not respect you when you grow up. |
When you come back from a trip bring something for the family even if it is only a stone. |
Love overlooks defects; hatred magnifies them. |
God hears things upside down. |
You cannot cook your eggs with wind. |
No one can give what he does not have. |
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