«دَوَّرِ الْقِرْدْ فِي دَفَاتْرُهْ مَالْقَاشْ إِلَّا شَفَاتِيرُه وْضَوَافْرُهْ»

The image is of a monkey combing through its own figurative records, a self-inventory of its assets, in hope of finding something to boast about, only to discover its heavy, thick lips and long, unsightly claws. Self-examination turns up no hidden charms, just the very flaws that make the creature unappealing.

Applied to people, the saying targets someone ill-favored in appearance who goes looking for attractive qualities to display. The search backfires: rather than revealing merits, it exposes shortcomings. Because it mocks looks and likens a person to a monkey, it can land as a harsh personal insult.

Traditionally used mockingly about someone unattractive who tries to show off good qualities but only draws attention to defects. It is a sharp, teasing remark for informal banter; its body-shaming and animal comparison can wound, so it should not be taken as endorsing such judgments.