- English translation
The man who belts up and heads out after supper is bound to trade his wealth for want.
- Literal wording
Whoever girds himself after his supper, oh, his poverty after his riches!
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb treats a man who tightens his belt once the evening meal is over as someone getting ready to leave home under cover of night. Such an outing is assumed to be for theft, not honest work or travel, so the small act of girding himself marks him as a would-be thief.
Its exclamation laments his coming ruin rather than addressing anyone: stealing does not make anyone rich. Whatever comfort the thief once had will slip away, and he will end up destitute and in a sorry state. Dishonest pursuits are presented as a sure path from plenty to want.
- When it is used
Use it as a warning or a disapproving remark about someone who slips out after dark for suspicious ends, or who chases dishonest gain. The point is that crooked earnings lead to loss, not prosperity.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
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