It is the reality of the bird..............إنه لواقع الطائر

 It is the reality of the bird.

Al-Asma'i said: This proverb is only used for someone described as patient and dignified.

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 The closest English expressions are:

“Calm and composed.”

Meaning: Calm and composed.

“Grave and dignified.”

Meaning: Sober and dignified.

“Still waters run deep.”

A well-known proverb meaning: Calm people are often wise.

“A man of poise.”

Meaning: A composed and dignified person.

The closest to the spirit of the Arabic proverb in terms of dignity and composure is:

“Grave and dignified.”

Or, if you prefer the literary expression that best captures the image and meaning:

“Still waters run deep.”

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قال الأصمعي: إنما يضرب هذا، لمن يوصف بالحلم والوقار 

If you scratch a sore, it bleeds.......... إذا حككت قرحة أدميتها

 

This is said about Amr ibn al-As, who had withdrawn from society at the end of the caliphate of Uthman ibn Affan, may God be pleased with him. When news reached him of Uthman's siege and subsequent execution, he said: "I am Abu Abdullah; if you scratch a sore, it bleeds." It is narrated that Amir al-Sha'bi used to say that the four most cunning men were: Mu'awiya, Amr ibn al-As, al-Mughirah ibn Shu'bah, and Ziyad ibn Abihi.

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The closest English expressions and proverbs are:

“Don’t scratch old wounds.”

Meaning: Don't reopen old wounds.

“Don’t reopen old wounds.”

This is the closest and most common.

Meaning: Don't reopen old wounds.

“Let sleeping dogs lie.”

Meaning: Leave old, dormant matters alone and don't stir them up.

“Picking at a wound only makes it worse.”

Meaning: Tampering with a wound only makes it worse.

And the closest to the meaning of the Arabic proverb directly is:

“Don’t reopen old wounds.”

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 يحكى هذا عن عمرو بن العاص، وقد كان اعتزل الناس في آخر خلافة عثمان بن عفان، رضي الله تعالى عنه، فلما بلغه حصره ثم قتله، قال: إنا أبو عبد الله إذا حككت قرحة أدميتها. روي عن عامر الشعبي أنه كان يقول الدهاة، أربعة: معاوية وعمرو بن العاص والمغيرة بن شعبة وزياد بن أبيه.

 

It is but a mirage......إنما هو كبرق الخلب

 It is but a mirage. It is said: "a mirage," and "a mirage without rain," both referring to lightning that is deceptive, like a flash of lightning. "A mirage" also refers to a cloud that brings no rain. So, when it is said, "a mirage of a cloud," it means a mirage of a cloud that is deceptive. This is said of someone who makes a promise and then breaks it.

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“All flash and no substance.”

Meaning: Just a shine without substance or benefit.

“All sizzle and no steak.”

A well-known American proverb, meaning: Much ado about nothing.

“Empty promises.”

Meaning: Empty promises.

“Much cry and little wool.”

An old proverb meaning: Much noise and little benefit.

“A flash in the pan.”

Said of something that shines quickly and then disappears without a trace.

And the closest to the spirit of the Arabic proverb in terms of deception by shine is:

“All flash and no substance.”

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 يقال: برق خلب وبرق خلب بالإضافة، وهما البرق الذي لا غيث معه كأنه خادع، والخلب أيضاً، السحاب الذي لا مطر فيه. فإذا قيل، برق الخلب، فمعناه، برق السحاب الخلب يضرب، لمن يعد ثم يخلف ولا ينجز.

If your people wrong you, the moon will not.......إن يبغ عليك قومك لا يبغ عليك القمر

 
Al-Mufaddal ibn Muhammad said: We have heard that the Banu Tha'labah ibn Sa'd ibn Dabbah, in pre-Islamic times, made a wager on the sun and the moon on the fourteenth night. One group said, "The sun will rise," so they agreed on a man to judge between them. One of them said, "My people are wronging me." He replied, "Justice is that your people wrong you, not the moon." This became a proverb, and "wronging" here means injustice. He is saying: If your people wrong you, the moon will not wrong you. Consider this, and the matter and the truth will become clear to you. This proverb is used for a well-known issue.

Some of the closest English expressions are:

“Facts are stubborn things.”

Meaning: Facts are stubborn and cannot be changed.

“The truth will come out.”

Meaning: The truth will eventually come to light.

“You can’t argue with the facts.”

“The moon doesn’t lie.”

Not a very common proverb, but a literary translation that captures the spirit of the saying.

And the closest English proverb in terms of popular meaning and usage is:

“Facts don’t lie.”

Facts do not lie.

 

قال المفضل بن محمد: بلغنا أن بني ثعلبة بن سعد بن ضبة في الجاهلية تراهنوا على الشمس والقمر ليلة أربع عشرة. فقالت طائفة: تطلع الشمس فتراضوا برجل جعلوه بينهم فقال رجل منهم: إن قومي يبغون علي؛ فقال: العدل أن يبغ عليك قومك لا يبغ عليك القمر. فذهب مثلاً هذا كلامه، والبغي الظلم. يقول: إن ظلمك قومك لا يظلمك القمر فانظر يتبين لك الأمر والحق. يضرب، للأمر المشهور.

If you hear someone praising you for qualities you don't possess.........

 If you hear someone praising you for qualities you don't possess, don't be surprised if he later criticizes you for faults you don't have. This was said by Wahb ibn Munabbih, may God have mercy on him. It is used to condemn extravagance in anything.

إذا سمعت الرجل يقول فيك من الخير ما ليس فيك فلا تأمن أن يقول فيك من الشر ما ليس فيك
قاله وهب بن منبه رحمه الله. يضرب، في ذم الإسراف في الشيء.