«إِنْ أَقْبَلِتْ نَامْ وِالنُّومْ فِيهَا تْجَارَهْ وِإِنْ أَدْبَرِتْ نَامْ وِالْجَرْيْ فِيهَا خْسَارَهْ»

The saying pictures an unnamed thing that either moves toward a person or moves away from them. While it is on its way, sitting still does no damage; even rest counts as a kind of profit, because the approach continues whether or not one stirs.

The second half reverses the picture. Once the thing has turned and is withdrawing, hurrying after it brings no reward and only adds to the cost. Set side by side, the two lines treat the direction of events, rather than the amount of effort spent, as what decides the outcome.

Used to advise against expending effort on something that is already receding, while noting that stillness need not be harmful when it is approaching.