«ضَبِّة خَشَبْ تِحْفَظِ الْعَتَبْ»

The saying holds that protection need not be costly or elaborate to be worthwhile. Here ḍabba names a wooden lock or bolt, not the similar-looking word for a lizard, and ʿatab means thresholds, not reproach. A humble wooden bolt still secures the entrance, so a person should make use of whatever safeguards are within reach.

As advice, it pushes against carelessness and against the excuse of waiting for ideal means. Sensible precaution, taken with ordinary resources, is presented as enough to keep one's household and interests reasonably secure. The Arabic rhyme of khashab and ʿatab is normally lost in English renderings.

Fits moments when someone dismisses a simple safeguard as too weak to matter. The speaker uses it to argue that a modest protection on hand beats none, and that ready, everyday means deserve to be put to use.