- English translation
The one people can't stop talking about with envy is the one they end up mourning.
- Literal wording
Whoever they went on about, they offered condolences over him.
- Meaning and lesson
The proverb warns that persistent envious talk about a person and what he owns is dangerous; it does not refer to neutral mention. Within the saying's belief in the evil eye, dwelling on someone's good fortune brings ruin, and the person once fussed over soon becomes someone mourned.
Beneath the warning lies an argument for discretion. In this traditional view, being widely admired and envied is not safe. Covetous eyes and tongues do not leave their target untouched, so it is wiser to keep one's blessings out of public conversation.
- When it is used
Suitable as a warning to someone who displays good fortune openly, or as a rueful comment after a much-envied person suffers sudden misfortune. It reflects a traditional belief in the evil eye and counsels discretion about one's blessings in informal speech.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: The one people can't stop talking about with envy is the one they end up mourning.