- English translation
When the wind favors a man, he winnows his grain even if the chaff lands on his neighbor's pile.
- Literal wording
Whoever has a good wind winnows onto someone else.
- Meaning and lesson
The image comes from the threshing floor, where ريح means a favorable wind, not a pleasant scent. A farmer whose breeze is blowing just right goes ahead and winnows his grain, tossing it so the wind carries off the chaff, even though the flying husks settle on the heaps beside his. The neighbors end up with spoiled, dusty piles.
As a comment on people, the proverb describes someone who, once luck turns in his favor, looks after his own advantage and does not care who suffers for it. It points to the selfishness that good fortune can bring out, and to the costs that others pay quietly. It is a criticism, not praise for seizing opportunity.
- When it is used
Use it to criticize someone who takes full advantage of good fortune while ignoring the harm to the people around them. It fits complaints about a lucky or favored person whose gains leave a mess for neighbors, colleagues, or rivals.
- Register
- Colloquial Arabic
Cite or copy proverb
How this record reached us: Editorially sourced.
Report an issue with this meaning: When the wind favors a man, he winnows his grain even if the chaff lands on his neighbor's pile.