The wolf is envied for its belly. الذِّئْبُ مَغْبُوطٌ بِذِي بَطْنِهِ‏.‏

It is also narrated, "The wolf is envied for something other than its belly." "What is in its belly" refers to what is inside it. It is also said that "the belly" is a name for excrement. And it is said, "He defecated," meaning he relieved himself. Abu Ubaid said: This is because it is never thought to be hungry; rather, it is thought to be well-fed, because it preys on people and livestock. The poet said:
And whoever dwells in the two seas, his spleen will be enlarged, and what is in his belly will be envied, even when he is hungry. Others said: This is said because he always has a large belly. (The word "belly" is pronounced with a short "u" sound followed by a long "u" sound.) The stomach), does not show signs of shrinkage, even if it is suffering from hunger. The poet said: Like a wolf, its belly is envied, even though it is hungry.
-This proverb is used to describe someone whom people perceive as living in comfort and prosperity, envying or belittling their situation, while in reality, they are suffering and struggling. Appearances suggest wealth or abundance, but the reality is quite different.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
“The grass is always greener on the other side.”
Meaning: People think others are better off than they actually are.
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
Meaning: Appearances can be deceiving.
This is very close in meaning to the proverb.
“Not all who seem happy are happy.”
Meaning: Not everyone who appears happy is truly happy.
“People envy the life they don't understand.”
Meaning: People envy a life they don't know the reality of.
“He is envied, but not understood.”
Meaning: He is envied and belittled, but people don't know what he is going through.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
“Appearances can be deceiving.”
Appearances can be deceiving.
To put it more precisely:
“He is envied for a happiness he does not have.”
“He is envied for a happiness he does not possess.”
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ويروى ‏"‏الذئب يُغْبَطُ بغير بطنة‏"‏ وذو بطنِهِ‏:‏ ما في بطنه، ويقال‏:‏ ذو البطن اسمٌ للغائط، ويقال‏:‏ ألقى ذا بَطْنِه، إذا أحْدَثَ، قال أبو عبيد‏:‏ وذلك أنه ليس يُظَنُّ به أبدا الجوعُ، إنما يظن به البِطْنَة، لأنه يعدو على الناس والماشية، قال الشاعر‏:‏
وَمَنْ يَسْكُنِ الْبَحْرَيْنِ يَعْظُمْ طِحَالُهُ * وَيْغُبَطُ ما فِي بَطْنِهِ وَهْوَ جَائِعُ
وقال غيره‏:‏ إنما قيل ذلك لأنه عظيم الجُفْرَةِ أبدا ‏(‏الجفرة - بضم فسكون - البطن‏)‏، لا يَبِينُ عليه الضُّمُور، وإن جَهَدَه الجوع، وقال الشاعر‏:‏
لكالذِّئْبِ مَغْبُوطُ الْحَشَا وَهْوَ جَائِعُ*