مطرح ما ترسى دق لها
Matrah ma tersi doqqelha
Translation: Wherever comes to the coast, anchor it.
Meaning: Go with the flow and roll with the punches. The imagery is of a sailing boat that is hard to steer, so when it comes ashore, throw your anchor. This is still a current saying, but generally only older people use it. However it is a melodic and succinct piece of wisdom that deserves to survive. Try it on friends who seem to be puzzled with life choices. Say it to mean: relax and let it be
Source: Egyptian Proverbs, (Al-Ahram Center for Translation and Publishing, 1986) by Ahmed Taymour Pasha
Translated by: Nabil Shawkat
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