«فَوِّتْ كِلْمَه تْفُوتَكْ أَلْفْ»

When someone throws a hurtful word at you, the wise move is to let it drift past without answering. Ignoring that single remark spares you the many harsher words that would follow if you struck back; the 'thousand' is hyperbole, not a literal count.

The saying treats a quarrel as something that grows with every reply. Each retort invites a fiercer answer, so holding your tongue at the first offence cuts the conflict off before it multiplies.

Say this to someone tempted to answer a rude or wounding remark, encouraging them to stay calm and let it go. It fits family spats, neighbourly friction, or workplace sniping, where one reply would likely draw a sharper one back. It urges restraint toward insults, not silence everywhere.