- English translation
They grumbled that melons have worn out plenty of camels; he shot back that camels have crushed plenty of melons too.
- Literal wording
They said: 'Oh, how many times the watermelon has broken camels!' He said: 'And oh, how many times the camels have broken watermelon!'
- Meaning and lesson
The saying pictures a two-way exchange of damage. Heavy loads of watermelon wear down and exhaust the camels that carry them, yet the camels in turn crack and smash a good share of the fruit. Neither side escapes unharmed, so a one-sided complaint misses half the story.
Framed as a complaint answered by a retort, it expresses requital in kind: the harm one party inflicts tends to come back to it in matching form. The reply counters a grievance by pointing out that the complainer has dealt out as much harm as they received.
- When it is used
Use as a pointed reply when someone complains only of the harm they have suffered from another party, reminding them that the other side has also been hurt, or that the damage they did is now being returned in kind.
- Register
- colloquial
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: They grumbled that melons have worn out plenty of camels; he shot back that camels have crushed plenty of melons too.