Explore Arabic traditional proverbsReviewed 2026-09-27
Sense: Verified- English translation
Care for someone, and they may turn around and bring you down.
- Literal wording
Sow a son of Adam, and he will pull you up by the roots.
- Meaning and lesson
Someone who benefits from your kindness may answer it with harm rather than gratitude.
- When it is used
Used to express bitterness when a person helped by someone later acts against that helper.
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: Care for someone, and they may turn around and bring you down.