- English translation
When people asked Antar whether he could really take on a thousand men, he replied: 'I can, because another thousand stand at my back.'
- Literal wording
They said to Antar: 'You strike a thousand?' He said: 'I strike a thousand, and behind me is a thousand.'
- Meaning and lesson
Even the bravest fighter does not stand on personal valor alone. Antar, the celebrated Arab warrior famed for his bravery, can fight and overpower a thousand foes because he knows another thousand are ready to come to his aid. The saying does not belittle his courage; that support reinforces it and makes enemies fear him.
More broadly, the saying holds that a person who can rely on kin, a clan, or loyal supporters gains an aura of strength. Others are intimidated by the backing they sense, so the person can accomplish feats that would otherwise seem impossible.
- When it is used
Use it when someone's bold achievements or fearless stance depend partly on the family, clan, or allies backing them, or to remind a seemingly self-made champion that visible support behind a person makes opponents wary and emboldens action.
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: When people asked Antar whether he could really take on a thousand men, he replied: 'I can, because another thousand stand at my back.'