Proverb of the day: The sleep of the tyrant is worship نوم الظالم عبادة

The sleep of the tyrant is worship

Ahram Online , Saturday 21 Nov 2015

A much-maligned urban fox sleeps beside autumn leaves in a garden in London (Reuters)

نوم الظالم عبادة

Nom el zalem ‘ebada

Translation: The sleep of the tyrant is worship

Meaning: Let sleeping dogs lie. This proverb is still used humorously to refer to family members who are dozing off. “Let your brother sleep, we can use some peace for now.” Or “go sleep, nom el zalem ebada.” The wording is erudite and terse, suggesting a nineteenth century origin.

Source: Egyptian Proverbs, (Al-Ahram Center for Translation and Publishing, 1986) by Ahmed Taymour Pasha

Translated by: Nabil Shawkat

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