ProverbHub
Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«حُمَارْتَكِ الْعَرْجَهْ تِغْنِيكْ عَنْ سُؤَالِ اللَّئِيمْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

Better to ride your own limping donkey than to go begging from a scoundrel.

Literal wording

Your lame she-donkey spares you from asking the mean-spirited one.

Meaning and lesson

A flawed thing that truly belongs to you is worth more than a better one you must beg for. Even a limping animal gets you where you need to go without forcing you to approach an ungracious person for help.

The saying weighs dignity against convenience. Asking favors of the mean-spirited invites a harsh refusal or a gift paid for in endless reminders, so modest self-sufficiency is presented as the wiser and more honorable choice.

When it is used

Fits moments when someone chooses to make do with a worn tool, old car, or modest income instead of borrowing from a person likely to grumble, refuse rudely, or remind them of the favor later. It praises self-reliance and dignity over convenience.

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