_Ḥabîby bḥibhu walau kân ‛abd âswad_: “I would love my love even though he were a black slave,” illustrating constancy. _Lâ taḳul lil mughanny ghanny walâ lil raḳâṣ yarḳuṣ_: “Never tell a singer to sing nor a dancer to dance,” signifying natural obstinacy. _Tub il-jarreh ‛ala fimhâ, taṭla‛ il-bint mithl imhâ_: “Turn the jar on its mouth, the daughter comes up like her mother.” The first part of the saying is put in for rhythm, and the whole is one way of expressing family resemblances. _Labis el-‛ûd yajûd_: “Clothe a stick of wood and it will do well (or look well).” The ‛ûd is the wooden frame on which the bridal trousseau is rigged and carried in procession when the wedding garments are purchased for the bride. The proverb compares the clothing with the man who wears it and rather insinuates that clothing makes the man. _Idhkur idh-Dhîb wahayay lahu il-ḳaḍîb_: “If you think of the wolf, get the stick ready for him.” _Il-harîbeh thulthay il-marâjal_: “Running away is two-thirds of strength.” (Notice the dual, without ending _n_, in the colloquial.) _Yâmâ kassar hâ il-jamal baṭṭîkh_: “Oh, how often the camel broke melons.” It is said of one who, having done well, ends by spoiling all. It is also applied to one who, in making purchases, at last buys something quite beyond his means. Or it is used to indicate that the man is well known as a blunderer and that no one ought to be surprised at a fresh sample of his failing. _Ḳallil il-ḥaky tirtâḥ wakuththirahu faḍḍâḥ_: “Diminish the talk and you will have rest; increase it [and have] disgrace.”[193] ----- ----- _Mâl ḳalîl majmû‛a khayr min mâl kathîr mubaddad_: “A little wealth in hand (gathered) is better than much wealth scattered abroad [_i. e._, on loan].” _Kul shay ‛ind il-‛aṭâr illâ min ḳûl ḥabbany_: “Everything may be found at the spice-sellers’ except the saying ‘love me.’” This is to the effect that real love is the one thing that cannot be purchased.[194] ----- ----- _Ish-sharaf aḥsan min khazâyn mâl_: “Nobility is better than treasure-chests of wealth.” _Âb iḳṭa‛ il-ḳuṭf walâ tahâb_: “In August cut the bunch [grapes] and fear not [its being unripe].” Everything in its proper season. _Id-dâr ḳafrat wal-mazâr ba‛îd_: “The house is empty and the visiting place is far,” meaning we are out of whatever it is that is needed and the place where more may be had is far off. _Iṭlab il-jâr ḳubl id-dâr war-rafîḳ ḳubl iṭ-ṭarîḳ_: “Seek the neighbor before the house and the company before the route.” Make sure of good neighbors and companions, as they are more necessary to your welfare than the mere house or road.[195] ----- ----- _Ta‛allam il-bayṭarah fy ḥamîr il-âkrâd_: “He learned to shoe horses among the donkeys of the Kurds.” This is a contemptuous way of indicating that one’s preparation for the trade or profession followed was inadequate.