Thursday, May 21, 2026

The camels took up their weapons. أخذت الإبل أسلحتها

  Or, as some say, their spears. This is because they grew so fat that their owner could not bring himself to slaughter them.

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 The English equivalent is:

Too valuable to sacrifice.

Meaning: The thing has become so precious and valuable that it is difficult for its owner to part with it.

It can also be said:

He can't bring himself to part with it.

Meaning: He cannot bear to part with it.

However, if a more fitting expression is desired, closer to the spirit of the Arabic proverb, a similar one is:

Fine cattle make poor butcher's meat.

Meaning: Valuable livestock is difficult for its owner to slaughter; this is very close in meaning to: The camels have taken up arms, meaning they have become so fat and strong that their owner is hesitant to slaughter them.

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ويروى، رماحها. وذلك أن تسمن فلا يجد صاحبها من قلبه أن ينحرها.

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