They said: Khidham was a humiliated man. This proverb is used to describe a weak person who is overpowered by someone weaker than himself.
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One of the closest English equivalents of this proverb, in the sense of being overpowered by someone weaker than oneself, is:
“He is weaker than the weak.”
Meaning: Even weaker than the weakest.
“Even the lowestliest can overpower him.”
Meaning: Even the most insignificant person can defeat him.
“If even a coward beats you, you are truly weak.”
Meaning: If a coward defeats you, you are extremely weak.
This is very close to the spirit of the proverb.
“A weak man is bullied by everyone.”
Meaning: Everyone bullies the weak.
“He is beneath contempt.”
Meaning: He has reached a state of extreme humiliation.
However, it doesn't fully convey the meaning of “weaker than him.”
The closest expression to the meaning of the Arabic proverb is:
“Even the weakest can dominate him.”
“Even the weakest person can defeat him.”
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قالوا: خِذَام كان رجلا ذليلا. يضرب للضعيف يَقْهره مَنْ هو أضعفُ منه.
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