In this Monday, Nov. 26, 2012 photo, Egyptian girls pose for a portrait in the Imbaba neighborhood of Giza, Egypt (AP)
اللي ما له خير في اخاه، الغريب ما يسترجاه
Elli malu kheir fi akhah, el gharib ma yestargah
Translation: He who doesn’t do good by his own brother will never help out a stranger.
Meaning: Do not expect to be treated well by someone who is not good to those closest to him. This saying warns against trusting those who have proven themselves to be untrustworthy. Although the proverb is awkwardly-worded and is no longer used, its message is still relevant.
Source: Egyptian Proverbs, (Al-Ahram Center for Translation and Publishing, 1986) by Ahmed Taymour Pasha,
Translated by: Nabil Shawkat
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