ProverbHub
Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«زَي مَا تْكُونْ لِي أَكُونْ لَكْ مَانْتَشْ رَب أَخَافْ مِنَّكْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

I'll treat you exactly as you treat me. You're no god, so I have no reason to fear you.

Literal wording

Just as you will be to me, I will be to you; you are not a lord that I should fear you.

Meaning and lesson

The speaker offers a plain bargain of reciprocity: treatment will be returned in kind, whether good or bad. Respect earns respect and coldness earns coldness, because both parties stand on the same level and neither is owed special submission.

The second half punctures arrogance. The word for lord can mean God or a human master; here it names a power that would deserve fear. The other person is only a fellow creature, not such a power, so their attempt to rise above an equal footing carries no weight and creates no duty to obey.

When it is used

Say it to or about someone who acts superior and expects deference without giving respect in return. It announces that you will match their treatment measure for measure and refuse to be intimidated. The tone is defiant and can sound confrontational when aimed at a specific person.

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