يدى الحلق للى بلا ودان 

Yeddi el halaq lilli bala wedan

Translation: Fortune gives the earring to the person without ears

Meaning: This humorous saying, still in use, is the second part of a longer proverb. The first part goes “He (God) gives the beans to the toothless.” It is about the mismatching of fortune. If you hate animals, you’ll be bequeathed a horse ranch, and if you hate staying up late, you’ll inherit a night club, etc.

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

Translated by: Nabil Shawkat