Explore Arabic traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-10-23
Meaning: Verified- English translation
A family’s own daughter is seen as unattractive.
- Literal wording
The daughter of the household is one-eyed.
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb says that people may disparage what is already theirs, treating a possession as less desirable precisely because they own it.
Its figurative image links a household daughter with visual impairment and reflects demeaning assumptions about women and disability; it is not a valid judgment of appearance, worth, or disability.
- When it is used
Use it, if at all, to comment on the tendency to undervalue one’s own possessions. Because its imagery is harsh and stereotypes women and people with visual disabilities, avoid using it to assess any person’s appearance or disability.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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