Leave him to his own devices. خله درج الضب

خله درج الضب
يضرب لمن شوهد منه إمارات الصرم، أي دعه يدرج درج الضب، أي دروجه، ويذهب ذهابه. والهاء، في خله، ترجع إلى الرجل. قال أبو سعيد الضرير: معناه خله ودعه في حجره، وذلك أنه يحفر حجره درجاً بعضه تحت بعض فإذا دخل فيه لم يدرك، فهذا درج الضب. قلت: فعلى ما قال، الهاء، في خله، للسكت، إلا إنه أجراه مجرى الوصل، أي خل درج الضب فلا تبحث عنه فإنك لا تجده، كذلك هذا الرجل فخله ودعه فإنه لا سبيل لك إلى وداده. وقال غيره: يجوز أن يراد به التأييد، أي خله ما درج الضب، أي أبداً. ويجوز انتصابه على الظرف أيضاً، أي خله في طريق الضب. ويقال أيضاً: خل درح الضب، أي خل طريقه لئلا يسلك بين قدميك فتنتفخ. يضرب في طلب السلامة من الشر
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Leave him to his own devices.
This proverb is used for someone who shows signs of greed, meaning let him go his own way, like a lizard. The pronoun "he" in "leave him" refers to the man. Abu Sa'id al-Darir said: It means "leave him and let him stay in his burrow," because the lizard digs its burrow in a series of steps, one under the other, so that if someone enters it, they cannot reach him. This is like a lizard's burrow. I say: According to what he said, the pronoun "he" in "leave him" is for emphasis, but he treated it as a conjunction, meaning "leave the lizard's burrow and do not search for it, for you will not find it." Likewise, leave this man alone, for there is no way for you to befriend him. Others said: It can be interpreted as support, meaning "leave him as long as the lizard burrows," i.e., forever. It can also be interpreted as an adverbial phrase, meaning "leave him on the path of the lizard." It is also said: "leave the lizard's path," meaning clear its way so that it does not pass between your feet and cause you to swell. This proverb is used to seek safety from harm.
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المثل العربي «خَلِّه دَرَجَ الضب» يُضرب في معانٍ متقاربة، أهمها: دعه وشأنه ولا تتبعه إذا بان منه الصَّرم والجفاء.
اتركه ولا تحاول استصلاحه أو استعادته.
اطلب السلامة بترك من لا خير في مخالطته أو من يُخشى شره.
ومن أقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية: “Let sleeping dogs lie.”
أي: دع الأمور كما هي ولا تُثر ما قد يجلب المتاعب.
وهو أشهر وأقرب مثل إذا كان المقصود تجنب الشر.
“Leave well enough alone.”
أي: اترك الأمر وشأنه ولا تعبث به.
“Let him go his own way.”
أي: دعه يذهب في طريقه.
“Leave him be.”
أي: اتركه وشأنه.
“Don't go looking for trouble.”
أي: لا تبحث عن المتاعب.
“Good riddance.”
أي: حسنٌ أنه رحل.
ويستعمل إذا كان المقصود أن التخلص منه خير، لكنه لا يطابق جميع استعمالات المثل.
وأقرب المقابلات بحسب المعنى:
إذا كان المقصود طلب السلامة من الشر:
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
«دع الأمور كما هي ولا تُثر ما يجلب المتاعب.»
وإذا كان المقصود ترك من قطع المودة وعدم السعي وراءه:
“Let him go his own way.”
«دعه يذهب في طريقه.»
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The Arabic proverb “Leave him alone” is used to convey several similar meanings, the most important of which are:
Leave him alone and don't pursue him if he shows signs of estrangement and coldness.
Abandon him and don't try to reform or win him back.
Seek safety by avoiding those whose company is not beneficial or whose harm is feared.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
Meaning: Leave things as they are and don't stir up trouble.
This is the most common and relevant proverb when the intention is to avoid harm.
“Leave well enough alone.”
Meaning: Leave the matter alone and don't interfere.
“Let him go his own way.”
“Leave him be.”
Meaning: Leave him alone.
“Don't go looking for trouble.”
“Good riddance.”
Meaning: It's good that he left. It is used when the intention is that getting rid of someone is better, but this doesn't apply to all uses of the proverb.
The closest equivalents, according to meaning, are:
If the intention is to seek safety from harm:
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
“Let things be and don't stir up trouble.”
If the intention is to leave someone who has severed ties and not pursue them:
“Let him go his own way.”
“Let him go his own way.”

A hidden virtue is better than a wicked youth خبأة صدق خير من يفعة سوء

خبأة صدق خير من يفعة سوء

الخبأة، المرأة التي تطلع ثم تختبئ. ويقال: غلام يافع ويفعة وغلمان يفعة أيضاً في الجمع أي جارية خفرة خير من غلام سوء. يضرب للرجل يكون خامل الذكر فيقال لأن يكون كذا خير من أن يكون مشهوراً مرتفعاً في الشر.
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A hidden virtue is better than a wicked youth. The word "hidden" here refers to a woman who appears and then hides. It is also said that a young, modest boy is better than a wicked boy, and the plural is "young boys." This proverb is used to describe a man of obscure reputation, implying that it is better for him to be so than to be famous and elevated in wickedness.
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المثل العربي «خَبْأَةُ صِدْقٍ خيرٌ من يَفَعَةِ سُوء» يُضرب لمعنى أن الخمول مع الصلاح خير من الشهرة مع الفساد، أو أن قلة الذكر في الخير خير من علو الذكر في الشر.
ومن أقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية: “Better an honest nobody than a famous rogue.”
أي: خير أن تكون مغمورًا شريفًا من أن تكون مشهورًا فاسدًا.
وهو أقرب مقابل للمثل العربي.
“Better be unknown than infamous.”
أي: خير أن تكون مجهولًا من أن تكون سيئ السمعة.
“A good name is better than great riches.”
أي: السمعة الطيبة خير من الغنى.
وهو قريب في تفضيل الصلاح على المكاسب الدنيوية، وإن لم يركز على الخمول.
“Better obscure and honest than notorious and wicked.”
أي: خير أن تكون مغمورًا أمينًا من أن تكون مشهورًا بالشر.
“Better no fame than bad fame.”
أي: عدم الشهرة خير من الشهرة السيئة.
وأقرب مقابل للمثل العربي هو:
“Better be unknown than infamous.”
«خير أن تكون مجهولًا من أن تكون سيئ السمعة.»
أو بصيغة أكثر مطابقة لمعناه:
“Better an honest nobody than a famous rogue.”
«خير أن تكون مغمورًا شريفًا من أن تكون مشهورًا فاسدًا.»
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The Arabic proverb “A hidden good deed is better than a youthful wickedness” is used to illustrate that obscurity with integrity is better than fame with corruption, or that little recognition for good deeds is better than widespread notoriety for evil.
A close English equivalent is:
“Better an honest nobody than a famous rogue.”
Meaning: It is better to be an unknown but honorable person than to be a famous but corrupt one.
This is the closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb.
“Better be unknown than infamous.”
Meaning: It is better to be unknown than to have a bad reputation.
“A good name is better than great riches.”
Meaning: A good reputation is better than wealth.
This is similar in its preference for integrity over worldly gains, though it doesn't emphasize obscurity.
“Better obscure and honest than notorious and wicked.”
Meaning: It is better to be an unknown but honest person than to be famous for evil.
“Better no fame than bad fame.” In other words: Being unknown is better than being infamous.
The closest equivalent to this Arabic proverb is:
“Better to be unknown than infamous.”
“It is better to be unknown than to have a bad reputation.”
Or, in a more accurate way:
“Better an honest nobody than a famous rogue.”
“It is better to be an honest nobody than a corrupt celebrity.”

He was given a choice between mutilation and castration. خير بين جدع وخصاء

خير بين جدع وخصاء

يضرب لمن وقع في خصلتين مكروهتين.
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He was given a choice between mutilation and castration.
This proverb is used to describe someone who has fallen into two undesirable situations.
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المثل العربي «خُيِّر بين جَدْعٍ وخِصاء» يُضرب لمن وُضع أمام خيارين كلاهما مكروه أو ضار، بحيث لا يوجد خيار حسن.
وأقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية هي: “Caught between a rock and a hard place.”
أي: عالق بين صخرة ومكان صعب.
وهو أشهر وأقرب مقابل للمثل العربي.
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
أي: بين الشيطان والبحر العميق.
مثل إنجليزي قديم يُقال لمن اضطر للاختيار بين شرين.
“To choose between two evils.”
أي: يختار بين شرَّين.
“On the horns of a dilemma.”
أي: واقع في معضلة لا مخرج سهل منها.
“Damned if you do, damned if you don't.”
أي: سواء فعلت أم لم تفعل فأنت خاسر.
وأقرب مقابل للمثل العربي هو:
“Caught between a rock and a hard place.”
«عالق بين خيارين أحلاهما مرّ.»
ويليه في الدقة:
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
«بين شرَّين لا مفر من أحدهما.»
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The Arabic proverb “He was given a choice between mutilation and castration” is used to describe someone faced with two equally undesirable or harmful options, with no good choice available.
The closest English equivalents are:
“Caught between a rock and a hard place.”
This is the most common and closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb.
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
This is an old English proverb used to describe someone forced to choose between two evils.
“To choose between two evils.”
“On the horns of a dilemma.”
“Damned if you do, damned if you don’t.”
Whether you do it or not, you lose.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
“Caught between a rock and a hard place.”
“Caught between two bitter choices.”
Next in terms of accuracy is:
“Between the devil and the deep blue sea.”
“Between two evils, one of which is inevitable.”

Take the share of his father's slave.خذ حظ عبد أباه

خذ حظ عبد أباه
الهاء ترجع إلى الحظ أي أن ترك رزقه وسخطه فخذه أنت
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Take the share of his father's slave. The pronoun "his" refers to the share, meaning that he left his livelihood and was displeased with it, so take it yourself.
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المثل العربي «خُذْ حَظَّ عَبْدٍ أَبَاهُ» يُضرب لمن ترك نصيبه أو زهد فيه أو سخطه، فيُقال لغيره: خذه أنت، فهو قد أضاعه بنفسه.
ولا يوجد مثل إنجليزي مطابق حرفيًا، لكن توجد أمثال وتعابير تؤدي المعنى، منها: “One man's loss is another man's gain.”
أي: خسارة شخص هي مكسب لآخر.
وهو أقرب مقابل للمثل العربي.
“If he doesn't want it, someone else will.”
أي: إذا لم يرده، فسيريده غيره.
“Another man's trash is another man's treasure.”
أي: ما يراه أحد بلا قيمة قد يكون كنزًا لغيره.
وهو قريب إذا كان المقصود التفريط فيما ينفع.
“Use it or lose it.”
أي: استعمله وإلا فقدته.
وهو قريب من فكرة التفريط في النصيب.
وأقرب مقابل للمثل العربي هو:
“One man's loss is another man's gain.”
«خسارةُ شخصٍ هي مكسبٌ لآخر.»
فهو يوافق المعنى المقصود: أن من فرّط في حظه أو تركه، انتفع به غيره.
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The Arabic proverb “Take the share of a slave’s father” is used to describe someone who has neglected, disdained, or become dissatisfied with their share. It is said to someone else: “Take it yourself,” as they have already lost it themselves.
There is no exact English equivalent, but there are proverbs and expressions that convey the same meaning, such as:
“One man’s loss is another man’s gain.”
Meaning: One person’s loss is another man’s gain.
This is the closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb.
“If he doesn’t want it, someone else will.”
Meaning: If he doesn’t want it, someone else will.
“Another man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”
Meaning: What one person considers worthless may be a treasure to another.
This is similar if the intention is to describe the squandering of something beneficial.
“Use it or lose it.”
Meaning: Use it or lose it.
This is similar to the idea of ​​neglecting one’s share.
The closest equivalent to the Arabic proverb is:
“One man’s loss is another man’s gain.”
“One person’s loss is another’s gain.”
This perfectly captures the intended meaning: that whoever squanders or abandons their opportunity benefits another.

Wine gives to the miser الخمر تعطي من البخيل

الخمر تعطي من البخيل
أي أنه يكون بخيلاً فيجود، وحليماً فيجهل، ومالكاً للسانه فيضيع سره.
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Wine gives to the miser, meaning that he is miserly and he gives generously, and he is patient and he becomes ignorant, and he controls his tongue and he loses his secret.
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هذا المثل «الخمر تعطي من البخيل» يُضرب لأن الخمر تُغيّر طباع الإنسان؛ فتجعل البخيل جوادًا، والحليم سفيهًا، والكَتوم مُفشيًا لأسراره.
ومن أقرب المقابلات الإنجليزية: “In wine, there is truth.” (Latin: In vino veritas)
أي: في الخمر تظهر الحقيقة.
ويُقصد أن الخمر تُذهب التحفظ فيكشف الإنسان ما في نفسه، وهو قريب من جانب إفشاء السر.
“Wine loosens the tongue.”
أي: الخمر تُطلق اللسان.
وهو قريب جدًا من قولهم: يضيع سره.
“Drink changes a man.”
أي: الشراب يغيّر طباع الإنسان.
“When wine is in, wit is out.”
أي: إذا دخلت الخمر خرج العقل.
ويُراد به أن الخمر تُفسد الرأي وتغيّر السلوك.
“Alcohol makes people do things they normally wouldn't.”
أي: الكحول يجعل الناس يفعلون ما لا يفعلونه عادةً.
وأقرب مقابل يجمع معظم معنى المثل العربي هو:
“Wine loosens the tongue.”
«الخمر تُطلق اللسان».
أما إذا أريد إبراز تغيّر الطباع عمومًا، فأفضل تعبير هو:
“Drink changes a man.”
«الشراب يغيّر طباع الإنسان».
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The proverb "Wine makes even a miser give" is used because wine changes a person's character; it can make a miser generous, a gentle person foolish, and a secretive person divulge their secrets.
Some of the closest English equivalents are:
"In wine, there is truth." (Latin: In vino veritas)
That is, in wine, the truth is revealed.
This means that wine removes restraint, causing a person to reveal their innermost thoughts, which is similar to divulging secrets.
"Wine loosens the tongue."
That is, wine loosens the tongue.
This is very similar to saying, "He loses his secret."
"Drink changes a man."
That is, drink changes a person's character.
"When wine is in, wit is out."
That is, when wine enters, reason departs.
This means that wine corrupts judgment and alters behavior.
"Alcohol makes people do things they normally wouldn't."
That is, alcohol makes people do things they wouldn't normally do.
The closest equivalent that captures most of the meaning of the Arabic proverb is:
“Wine loosens the tongue.”
“Wine loosens the tongue.”
However, if the intention is to highlight a change in character in general, the best expression is:
“Drink changes a man.”
“Drink changes a person’s character.”