- English translation
I made you my refuge and my shelter, my weapon against those who blamed me, and in the end the only one I defeated was myself.
- Literal wording
I took you as a refuge, I took you as a shelter, I took you to outwit the reproachers, and I ended up outwitting myself.
- Meaning and lesson
The speaker chose someone to be a refuge and a defender against enemies, and also as a way to silence those who were finding fault. That chosen protector instead took the opponents' side, so the plan collapsed and the speaker became the victim of their own choice.
The saying expresses bitter disappointment in betrayal by a trusted person, mixed with regret for one's own poor judgment. Its sting lies in the reversal: the means meant to frustrate rivals and detractors became the means of the speaker's own harm. The rhyming words عواز and لواز mean seeking refuge and shelter, not standard عوز, need.
- When it is used
Say it ruefully when someone you chose as an ally or defender ends up helping your critics or causing your downfall. The saying combines resentment at betrayal with self-reproach for trusting the wrong person; its tone suits a bitter private complaint.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: I made you my refuge and my shelter, my weapon against those who blamed me, and in the end the only one I defeated was myself.