«قُط خُلْصْ وَلَا جَمَلْ شِرْكْ»

The saying holds that a modest thing belonging wholly to oneself is worth more than a large, valuable thing whose ownership is split with others. The humble cat, kept outright, is preferred over the far grander camel held jointly.

Two contrasts work together here: small set against large, and sole possession set against partnership. Undivided ownership is presented as outweighing size or value, though the saying itself does not spell out why a shared holding is less desirable.

Suitable when someone weighs a small thing they would own alone against a bigger prize shared with partners, or when commending a person who chose the modest, unshared option. It voices approval of the smaller, undivided holding over the larger joint one.