ProverbHub
Arabic · Arabic scriptProverb: Verified

«اِلْعِرْيَانْ فِي الْقَفْلَهْ مِرْتَاحْ»

Meanings

Each meaning is reviewed on its own.

Meaning: Verified
English translation

In a caravan, the one with nothing to his name rests easiest.

Literal wording

The naked one in the caravan is at ease.

Meaning and lesson

A person who owns almost nothing travels lightly. With no baggage to load and unload and no goods that robbers might seize, the destitute traveler in a caravan escapes the toil and anxiety that burden companions who carry property.

More broadly, the saying observes that possessions bring their own burdens. Its 'naked' figure means owning next to nothing, not literal undress, so having nothing can amount to relief from property's labor and worry.

When it is used

Applies to situations where someone with few or no belongings is spared the effort of carrying and the fear of losing property, in contrast with companions whose possessions keep them laboring and anxious.

Register
Colloquial Arabic proverb
Cite or copy proverb