He was a man from the tribe of Taym al-Lat ibn Tha'labah, a skilled guide. This proverb was related by Abu Ubaidah. And so they say.
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The proverb "More knowledgeable than the one who knows the way" is used to describe a man who is extremely knowledgeable, skilled, and adept at guiding people through various paths and matters.
It is very similar in meaning to the saying, "More knowledgeable than the one who knows the way," as both describe someone experienced and expert who is intimately familiar with every detail and nuance.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
He knows it like the back of his hand.
An expert in the field.
A seasoned guide.
He knows every nook and cranny.
A walking encyclopedia. (If the expression refers to vast knowledge).
The best equivalent for the Arabic proverb is:
"He knows it like the back of his hand."
This conveys the meaning of complete mastery over something, including its details and intricacies, which is the intended meaning of the Arabic expression, "More knowledgeable than the one who knows the way."
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هو رجل من بني تيم اللات بن ثعلبة كان دليلا ماهرا بالدلالة حكى هذا المثل أبو عبيدة . وكذا يقولون
Friday, June 5, 2026
More knowledgeable than a sand dune أدل من دعيميص الرمل
This is the name of a man who was a skilled and cunning guide. He is used as a proverb, and it is said: "He is a master of this matter," meaning he is knowledgeable about it.
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The proverb "More knowledgeable than a sand dune" is used to describe someone who is extremely knowledgeable about a matter, an expert in its intricacies and hidden aspects, and who neither gets lost nor is ignorant of it.
The origin of the proverb is that a sand dune was a skilled and experienced guide (i.e., adept at navigating paths and deserts), and its name became a metaphor for knowledge and expertise. Hence the saying, "He is the dune of this matter," meaning he knows its secrets and details.
The closest English proverbs and expressions are:
He knows it like the back of his hand.
An old hand at it.
He is an expert in it.
He knows every inch of it.
A walking encyclopedia.
An expert guide.
The best equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"He knows it like the back of his hand."
Meaning: He knows the matter perfectly and precisely; no detail is hidden from him.
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هو اسم رجل كان دليلا خريتا داهيا . يضرب به المثل فيقال : هو دعيميص هذا الأمر أي عالم به
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The proverb "More knowledgeable than a sand dune" is used to describe someone who is extremely knowledgeable about a matter, an expert in its intricacies and hidden aspects, and who neither gets lost nor is ignorant of it.
The origin of the proverb is that a sand dune was a skilled and experienced guide (i.e., adept at navigating paths and deserts), and its name became a metaphor for knowledge and expertise. Hence the saying, "He is the dune of this matter," meaning he knows its secrets and details.
The closest English proverbs and expressions are:
He knows it like the back of his hand.
An old hand at it.
He is an expert in it.
He knows every inch of it.
A walking encyclopedia.
An expert guide.
The best equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"He knows it like the back of his hand."
Meaning: He knows the matter perfectly and precisely; no detail is hidden from him.
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هو اسم رجل كان دليلا خريتا داهيا . يضرب به المثل فيقال : هو دعيميص هذا الأمر أي عالم به
More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr أدهى من قيس بن زهير
He was the chief of the Abs tribe, and many things were said about his cunning: Among them, when he passed through the land of Ghatafan and saw wealth and a large number of people, he disliked it. Al-Rabi' ibn Ziyad al-Absi said to him, "What pleases people displeases you." He replied, "My nephew, you do not know that with wealth and blessings come envy, hatred, and betrayal, while with scarcity comes mutual support, cooperation, and solidarity." Another of his sayings to his people was: "Beware of the pitfalls of injustice, the scandals of treachery, and the slips of the tongue in jest." He also said: "Four are unbearable: a slave who is a king, a satiated scoundrel, a slave woman who inherits, and an ugly woman who marries." He also said: "Speech is public, silence is private." And he said: "The fruit of obstinacy is confusion, the fruit of haste is regret, the fruit of conceit is hatred, and the fruit of procrastination is humiliation."
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The proverb "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr" is used to describe a man of exceptional shrewdness, wisdom, sound judgment, and foresight.
Qays ibn Zuhayr was a leader of the Abs tribe, renowned among the Arabs for his intelligence and shrewdness, to the point that his name became synonymous with cunning.
Some English equivalents include:
As cunning as a fox.
Wise as a serpent.
A master strategist.
He is nobody's fool.
Sharp as a tack.
If the proverb emphasizes political acumen or sound judgment beyond mere intelligence, the best equivalent is:
"A master strategist."
But if the intention is to convey both cunning and shrewdness, then the closest equivalent is:
"As cunning as a fox."
This is a well-known English proverb that corresponds to the Arabic saying: "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr."
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هو سيد عبس وذكر من دهائه أشياء كثيرة : منها أنه مر ببلاد غطفان فرأى ثروة وعديدا فكره ذلك فقال له الربيع ابن زياد العبسي : إنه يسوءك ما يسر الناس فقال له : يا ابن أخي إنك لا تدري أن مع الثروة والنعمة التحاسد والتباغض والتخاذل وأن مع القلة التعاضد والتوازر والتناصر . ومنها قوله لقومه : إياكم وصرعات البغي وفضحات الغدر وفلتات المزح . وقوله : أربعة لا يطاقون : عبد ملك ونذل شبع وأمة ورثت وقبيحة تزوجت . وقوله : المنطق مشهرة والصمت مستترة . وقوله : ثمرة اللجاجة الحيرة وثمرة العجلة الندامة وثمرة العجب البغضة وثمرة التواني الذلة
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The proverb "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr" is used to describe a man of exceptional shrewdness, wisdom, sound judgment, and foresight.
Qays ibn Zuhayr was a leader of the Abs tribe, renowned among the Arabs for his intelligence and shrewdness, to the point that his name became synonymous with cunning.
Some English equivalents include:
As cunning as a fox.
Wise as a serpent.
A master strategist.
He is nobody's fool.
Sharp as a tack.
If the proverb emphasizes political acumen or sound judgment beyond mere intelligence, the best equivalent is:
"A master strategist."
But if the intention is to convey both cunning and shrewdness, then the closest equivalent is:
"As cunning as a fox."
This is a well-known English proverb that corresponds to the Arabic saying: "More cunning than Qays ibn Zuhayr."
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هو سيد عبس وذكر من دهائه أشياء كثيرة : منها أنه مر ببلاد غطفان فرأى ثروة وعديدا فكره ذلك فقال له الربيع ابن زياد العبسي : إنه يسوءك ما يسر الناس فقال له : يا ابن أخي إنك لا تدري أن مع الثروة والنعمة التحاسد والتباغض والتخاذل وأن مع القلة التعاضد والتوازر والتناصر . ومنها قوله لقومه : إياكم وصرعات البغي وفضحات الغدر وفلتات المزح . وقوله : أربعة لا يطاقون : عبد ملك ونذل شبع وأمة ورثت وقبيحة تزوجت . وقوله : المنطق مشهرة والصمت مستترة . وقوله : ثمرة اللجاجة الحيرة وثمرة العجلة الندامة وثمرة العجب البغضة وثمرة التواني الذلة
Adam is from Ba'rah and Adam is from Wabara. أدم من بعرة وأدم من الوبارة
This is the plural of Wabar, which is a small, cat-like, gray-colored, tailless creature.
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The proverb "Adam from dung, and adam from wool" is used to describe two things or people who are very similar in nature, appearance, or origin, to the point that one seems to be derived from the other.
Here, "adam" means color or resemblance, implying a striking similarity.
Some English proverbs that are close to this are:
Like father, like son.
This cub is from that lion. (If the resemblance is between close relatives.)
Two of a kind.
They're cut from the same cloth.
This is one of the closest equivalents to the Arabic proverb.
Birds of a feather flock together.
If the intended meaning is similarity in character.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
If the similarity is between children and their parents.
The best general equivalent for the Arabic proverb is:
"They're cut from the same cloth."
Meaning: They are of the same ilk, or very similar in character and temperament.
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وهي جمع وبر وهو دويبة مثل الهرة طحلاء اللون لا ذنب لها
For those born under the letter D مولودون حرف الدال
The mind's support is dreams.
Your world is what you experience.
A curious person entered the fire and said: "The wood is moist."
This indicates a wise person's choice.
Leave off blame, for blame is an aid to misfortunes.
The cure for time is patience.
Leave off arguing, even if you are right.
Leave off slandering chaste women, and mothers will be safe for you.
Money is like flowing souls.
A beast is worth a whip.
The world is a bridge.
Money is like ointments.
The world is loans and rewards.
A step is more reliable than a ladder.
This is said when choosing what is safest.
A short dinar is worth many dirhams.
This is said of something that is despised but whose benefit is great.
Money is earned with money.
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فيما يلي أشهر المقابلات الإنجليزية المناسبة لهذه الأمثال والأقوال التي تبدأ بحرف الدال:
المثل العربيالمقابل الإنجليزي الأقربدعامة العقل الحلم Patience is the companion of wisdom.
دنياك ما أنت فيه Live in the present.
دخل فضولي النار فقال: الحطب رطب Curiosity killed the cat.
دل على عاقل اختياره A man is known by his choices.
دع اللوم فإن اللوم عون النوائب Don't add insult to injury.
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه Time and patience heal all things.
دع المراء وإن كنت محقًا Choose your battles wisely. أو Avoid arguing even when you're right.
دعوا قذف المحصنات تسلم لكم الأمهات What goes around comes around.
الدراهم أرواح تسيل Money makes the world go round.
الدابة تساوي مقرعة Spare the rod and spoil the horse. (تقريبًا؛ أي أن الأداة المناسبة تحفظ المنفعة)
الدنيا قنطرة This world is but a bridge; pass over it, but build not upon it.
الدراهم مراهم Money talks. أو Money is a great healer.
الدنيا قروض ومكافآت As you sow, so shall you reap.
الدرجة أوثق من السلم The safest way is the surest way.
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة Good things come in small packages.
الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب Money makes money.
ومن بين هذه الأمثال، هناك مقابلات إنجليزية شائعة جدًا ومباشرة: الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب → Money makes money.
الدراهم مراهم → Money talks.
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه → Time and patience heal all things.
دع المراء وإن كنت محقًا → Choose your battles wisely.
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة → Good things come in small packages.
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دعامة العقل الحلم
دنياك ما أنت فيه
دخل فضولي النار فقال : الحطب رطب
دل على عاقل اختياره
دع اللوم إن اللوم عون النوائب
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه
دع المراء وإن كنت محقا
دعوا قذف المحصنات تسلم لكم الأمهات
الدراهم أرواح تسيل
الدابة تساوي مقرعة
الدنيا قنطرة
الدراهم مراهم
الدنيا قروض ومكافآت
الدرجة أوثق من السلم
يضرب في اختيار ما هو أحوط
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة
يضرب للشيء يستحقر ونفعه عظيم
الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب
Your world is what you experience.
A curious person entered the fire and said: "The wood is moist."
This indicates a wise person's choice.
Leave off blame, for blame is an aid to misfortunes.
The cure for time is patience.
Leave off arguing, even if you are right.
Leave off slandering chaste women, and mothers will be safe for you.
Money is like flowing souls.
A beast is worth a whip.
The world is a bridge.
Money is like ointments.
The world is loans and rewards.
A step is more reliable than a ladder.
This is said when choosing what is safest.
A short dinar is worth many dirhams.
This is said of something that is despised but whose benefit is great.
Money is earned with money.
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فيما يلي أشهر المقابلات الإنجليزية المناسبة لهذه الأمثال والأقوال التي تبدأ بحرف الدال:
المثل العربيالمقابل الإنجليزي الأقربدعامة العقل الحلم Patience is the companion of wisdom.
دنياك ما أنت فيه Live in the present.
دخل فضولي النار فقال: الحطب رطب Curiosity killed the cat.
دل على عاقل اختياره A man is known by his choices.
دع اللوم فإن اللوم عون النوائب Don't add insult to injury.
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه Time and patience heal all things.
دع المراء وإن كنت محقًا Choose your battles wisely. أو Avoid arguing even when you're right.
دعوا قذف المحصنات تسلم لكم الأمهات What goes around comes around.
الدراهم أرواح تسيل Money makes the world go round.
الدابة تساوي مقرعة Spare the rod and spoil the horse. (تقريبًا؛ أي أن الأداة المناسبة تحفظ المنفعة)
الدنيا قنطرة This world is but a bridge; pass over it, but build not upon it.
الدراهم مراهم Money talks. أو Money is a great healer.
الدنيا قروض ومكافآت As you sow, so shall you reap.
الدرجة أوثق من السلم The safest way is the surest way.
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة Good things come in small packages.
الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب Money makes money.
ومن بين هذه الأمثال، هناك مقابلات إنجليزية شائعة جدًا ومباشرة: الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب → Money makes money.
الدراهم مراهم → Money talks.
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه → Time and patience heal all things.
دع المراء وإن كنت محقًا → Choose your battles wisely.
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة → Good things come in small packages.
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دعامة العقل الحلم
دنياك ما أنت فيه
دخل فضولي النار فقال : الحطب رطب
دل على عاقل اختياره
دع اللوم إن اللوم عون النوائب
دواء الدهر الصبر عليه
دع المراء وإن كنت محقا
دعوا قذف المحصنات تسلم لكم الأمهات
الدراهم أرواح تسيل
الدابة تساوي مقرعة
الدنيا قنطرة
الدراهم مراهم
الدنيا قروض ومكافآت
الدرجة أوثق من السلم
يضرب في اختيار ما هو أحوط
الدينار القصير يسوى دراهم كثيرة
يضرب للشيء يستحقر ونفعه عظيم
الدراهم بالدراهم تكسب
Yesterday is gone with all that it contained. ذَهَبَ أَمْسِ بِمَا فِيهِ.
The first to say this was Damdam ibn Amr al-Yarbu'i. He was in love with a woman and pursued her with every trick, but she refused him. Ghur ibn Tha'labah ibn Yarbu' used to visit her. Damdam followed them and found them together in one place. He sat in a wine cellar beside them, seeing them but not being seen by them. Ghur said: "Once she came to me, yet she herself refused me, / For the man, the wanderer of the hill, Damdam." Damdam attacked him and killed him, saying: "You will know that I am not safe from my enemies, / And that you will be far from her if you distance yourself." He was asked: "Why did you kill your cousin?" He replied: "Yesterday is gone with all that it contained." And his saying became a proverb.
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The proverb "Yesterday is gone with all that it contained" is used to describe something that has passed and is finished, so there's no point in going back to it or clinging to it. Its meaning is: what happened yesterday is gone, with all its good or bad, and cannot be changed now.
The closest English proverbs and expressions to it are:
"Let bygones be bygones."
This is the most common and closest equivalent.
"What's done is done."
"Yesterday is gone."
"The past is the past."
"Don't cry over spilled milk."
This means not to dwell on the past.
The best equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"Let bygones be bygones."
Or:
"What's done is done."
Both convey the meaning: the matter is over and there is no point in digging up what has passed or talking about it again.
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أول من قال ذلك ضَمْضَم بن عمرو اليَرْبُوعي، وكان هَوِىَ امرأةً، فطلبها بكل حيلة، فأبت عليه، وقد كان غر بن ثعلبة ابن يربوع يختلف إليها، فاتبع ضمضمٌ أثَرَهما وقد اجتمعا في مكان واحد فصار في خَمَر إلى جانبهما يراهما ولا يريانه، فقال غر:
قديماً تُوَاتِيِني وتأبى بنفسها * على المرء جَوّاب التَّنُوفَةِ ضَمْضَمِ
فشد عليه ضمضم فقتله، وقال:
ستعلم أني لست آمن مبغضا * وأنَّكَ عَنْهَا إن نأيْتَ بمَعْزِلِ
فقيل له: لِمَ قتلت ابن عمك؟ قال: ذهب أمس بما فيه، فذهب قولُه مثلاً
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The proverb "Yesterday is gone with all that it contained" is used to describe something that has passed and is finished, so there's no point in going back to it or clinging to it. Its meaning is: what happened yesterday is gone, with all its good or bad, and cannot be changed now.
The closest English proverbs and expressions to it are:
"Let bygones be bygones."
This is the most common and closest equivalent.
"What's done is done."
"Yesterday is gone."
"The past is the past."
"Don't cry over spilled milk."
This means not to dwell on the past.
The best equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
"Let bygones be bygones."
Or:
"What's done is done."
Both convey the meaning: the matter is over and there is no point in digging up what has passed or talking about it again.
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أول من قال ذلك ضَمْضَم بن عمرو اليَرْبُوعي، وكان هَوِىَ امرأةً، فطلبها بكل حيلة، فأبت عليه، وقد كان غر بن ثعلبة ابن يربوع يختلف إليها، فاتبع ضمضمٌ أثَرَهما وقد اجتمعا في مكان واحد فصار في خَمَر إلى جانبهما يراهما ولا يريانه، فقال غر:
قديماً تُوَاتِيِني وتأبى بنفسها * على المرء جَوّاب التَّنُوفَةِ ضَمْضَمِ
فشد عليه ضمضم فقتله، وقال:
ستعلم أني لست آمن مبغضا * وأنَّكَ عَنْهَا إن نأيْتَ بمَعْزِلِ
فقيل له: لِمَ قتلت ابن عمك؟ قال: ذهب أمس بما فيه، فذهب قولُه مثلاً
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