يحلفلى اصدقه، اشوف أموره استعجب
Yehlefli asaddaqu, ashuf omuruh asta’geb
Translation: I believe his words until I see his actions.
Meaning: Actions speak louder than words. This proverb, still in use, is about people who misrepresent themselves for their own advantage. Only once you look closely at their actions, you realise that their word cannot be trusted.
Source: Egyptian Proverbs, (Al-Ahram Center for Translation and Publishing, 1986) by Ahmed Taymour Pasha
Translated by: Nabil Shawkat
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