«عَدُو زَمَانْ مَالُوشْ أَمَانْ»

The saying holds that hostility rooted in the past does not simply fade with time. Someone who was your adversary long ago may still carry the old grudge, even if they now seem friendly or harmless. Their apparent goodwill should be treated with suspicion.

The key word أمان covers both safety and trustworthiness, so the line can be read two ways. One reading says you are never truly safe around such a person. The other says their promises and gestures of peace cannot be trusted. Both lead to the same advice: keep a cautious distance.

Fitting when someone is tempted to lower their guard toward a person who wronged or opposed them long ago. For example, a former rival might suddenly offer help or friendship. Said as a brief warning that long-standing enmity rarely vanishes.