- English translation
One little spark can burn down the whole neighborhood.
- Literal wording
A spark burns the quarter.
- Meaning and lesson
The saying warns against dismissing small beginnings. Its fire image is figurative: a tiny spark looks harmless, yet left alone it can set an entire residential quarter ablaze, so what starts as a trifle may grow into widespread harm.
Socially, it cautions that a petty dispute or slight provocation can draw in more and more people until a whole community suffers. The wise response is to deal with trouble while it is still small.
- When it is used
Use this as a warning about escalation, not literal fire safety, when a minor quarrel, insult, rumor or careless act seems trivial but could spread among many people. It suits advice to calm things early, before others get drawn in.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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