«اِلْعَاقِلْ مِنِ اعْتَبَرْ بِغِيرُهْ»

The saying holds that real good sense shows in learning from what befalls other people. A sensible person takes heed of others' outcomes, usually as a warning, and adjusts their own conduct rather than suffering the same consequences personally. The point is drawing a lesson, not imitating others.

It carries an implied contrast with the foolish person, who learns only through painful firsthand experience. Used as counsel, it encourages caution and reflection; used as a remark, it commends someone who avoided a mistake simply by noticing where it led another.

It fits moments of advice or gentle reproach, such as urging someone to avoid a risk after watching it harm a friend, or praising a person who changed course before trouble reached them.