«اِللِّي يْحِب نَفْسُهْ تِكْرَهُه النَّاسْ»

The saying warns that vanity and excessive self-satisfaction repel other people. Its reference to “loving oneself” is idiomatic here: it does not condemn healthy self-respect, but conceited self-admiration and preferring oneself over others.

Historically, it was explained as a warning about self-conceit and its social cost. When someone continually praises, favors, or elevates himself, others may respond with resentment or dislike; its prediction of rejection can sound harsher than a general call for humility.

Use it to caution someone against boastfulness, self-importance, or acting as though he deserves special admiration. It may also comment on conspicuous vanity that has alienated others. Because it predicts dislike or rejection, it can sound severe rather than merely advising modesty.