«صَبَاحِ الْفَوَّالْ وَلَا صَبَاحِ الْعَطَّارْ»

The saying sets the morning of the bean seller, who sells slow-simmered breakfast fava beans, above that of the attar, here a perfume seller rather than a druggist, because a hungry person at dawn wants breakfast far more than fragrance. Plain necessity comes ahead of refinement.

More broadly, it tells the listener to attend to what is truly needed before reaching for what is only ornamental. It ranks by urgency, not worth, and does not belittle perfume or perfumers. It can justify the humble, useful option or quietly mock chasing luxuries first.

Use it when choosing between two options where one meets an immediate, basic need and the other is merely pleasant, such as covering food before treats or repairs before decoration. It suits informal speech and gently teases a misplaced priority without dismissing the pleasant option's worth.