Monday, June 8, 2026

Let the ugly trait or shameful word pass you by. دَعِ العَوْرَاءَ تَخْطَأْكَ.

(The word "pass you by" is used here with a hamza, as in the expression: "I intended you, but I missed you," meaning I overstepped my bounds.) It is said that this is the wisest proverb the Arabs have coined.
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The Arabic proverb “Let the blind man miss you” is one of the most eloquent proverbs of the Arabs. Its meaning is: Leave aside ugly words, disputes, and shameful behavior, and do not expose yourself to them, for they will pass you by and their harm will not befall you. In other words: Do not stir up trouble, and it will avoid you.
The closest English proverbs to this meaning are:
Let sleeping dogs lie.
— Do not stir up trouble. This is a very common and well-known equivalent.
Ignore it and it will go away.
— A direct expression.
Don't bring trouble upon yourself.
Leave well enough alone.
If you don't stir up trouble, trouble won't find you. (Explanatory formulation)
The best English equivalent of the Arabic proverb "Let the blind man miss you" is:
Let sleeping dogs lie.
Because it perfectly captures the meaning: Leave evil or ugly words alone, without provoking or engaging with them, and they will pass you by unharmed.
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أي الخصلَةَ القبيحة، أو الكلمة الشنعاء وتخطأك - بالهمزة - من قولهم: أرَدْتُكم فخَطِئْتكم، أي تجاوزتكم. قيل: هذا أحْكَمُ مثل ضربته العرب.

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مميزة

His rooster is pecking at the grain. دِيكُهُ يَلْقُطٌ الْحَبَّ.

It is also said, "Picking at the pebbles." This is said of a gossip. ------------------------------------------------------------...