إن وقعت البقرة تكتر سكاكينها
En weq’et el baqarah, tektar sakakinhah
Translation: When the cow falls down, the knives multiply.
Meaning: A cow that has fallen needs to be killed on the spot so as to remain edible. So everyone who sees the fall would run home to get a knife and before long, there were more knives than needed. The saying applies to politicians, but it is also used for any person who might have done something worthy of criticism, but is skewered on all sides for it. The saying can indicate some sympathy for the victim, as well as disapproval of those eagerly brandishing the proverbial knives.
Source: Egyptian Proverbs, (Al-Ahram Center for Translation and Publishing, 1986) by Ahmed Taymour Pasha,
Translated by: Nabil Shawkat
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