- English translation
Better a foe close at hand than a loved one far away.
- Literal wording
An enemy who is near, and not a beloved who is far.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying values presence over sentiment. It holds that someone within reach, even a person you count as hostile, can serve you better than a dear one who lives too far away to make any practical difference in your daily life.
The contrast is intentionally extreme to make its point. Proximity creates chances for small kindnesses: a rival living next to you may still lend a hand or ease a burden when needed, while an absent loved one's goodwill cannot reach you in time. Its wording is colloquial rather than formal written Arabic.
- When it is used
Use it when weighing practical closeness against distant affection, such as preferring a less-liked person who lives nearby over a cherished one far away. It suits wry or rueful remarks about relying on whoever is physically present, and should not be read as a literal endorsement of enmity.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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