ضرب المثل  های افغانی

Afghan Persian Proverbs

– ۱ –

یک روز دیدی دوست، دیگر روز دیدی برادر.

The first day you meet, you are friends. The next day you meet, you are brothers

Meaning: A friendship grows into brotherhood

– ۲ –

دل به دل راه دارد.

There is way from heart to heart

Meaning: love finds a way to another’s heart

– ۳ –

دوست آن است که گیرد دست دوست، در پریشان حالی و در ماندگی.

A real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness

Meaning: A friend in need is a friend indeed

– ۴ ـ

خود گل باشی و عمرت نی.

Be like a flower, but May your life be longer

Usage: when one is offered some flowers

– ۵ –

هیچ گل بی خار نیست.

Nor rose without a thorn

Meaning: no one is perfect

– ۶ –

به یک گل بهاری نمی شود

One flower doesn’t bring spring

Meaning: one swallow doesn’t make a spring

Usage: said of a person who tries to do too much himself

– ۷ –

سالی که نکوست از بهارش پیداست

A good year is determined by its spring

Meaning: as goes the spring, so goes the year

Usage: character and quality show up early

– ۸ –

هرچه بکارند همان را میدروند.

What ever you sow you reap

Meaning: a person gets his just deserts

– ۹ –

کوه هرقدر که بلند باشد، بازهم سر خود راه دارد.

There is a path to the top of even the highest mountain

Meaning: God is more powerful than the proudest of persons

Or, where there is a will, there’s a way

– ۱۰ –

تا  شمال نباشد درخت شور نمی خورد.

A tree doesn’t move unless there is wind

Meaning: where there is smoke there is fire; or, every effect has a cause

– ۱۱ –

به لق لق سگ دریا مردار نمی شود

A river is not contaminated by having a dog drink from it

Meaning: one of good character is pure despite criticism

– ۱۲ –

بار کج به منزل نمی رسد

A tilted load won’t reach its destination

Meaning: honesty is the best policy

– ۱۳ –

خر خو همان خر است، لاکن پالانش نو شده

Its is the same donkey, but with a new saddle

Meaning: cloths don’t make the man

Usage: said of someone who has recently gained a high position unworthy

– ۱۴ –

پیش کلۀ خر یاسین خواندن

Reading scripture in front of a donkey

Meaning: casting your pearls before seine

– ۱۵ –

تا نباشد چوب تر فرمان نبرد گاو خر

Without a green switch the cow and donkey won’t obey

Meaning: spare the rod and spoil the child

– ۱۶ –

به خری که کار نداری ایشه مگو

Don’t stop a donkey that isn’t yours

Meaning: mind your own business

– ۱۷ –

گنجشکِ نا گرفته بسیا است، پیسه را بیست و پنج تاست

There are twenty-five uncaught sparrows for a penny

Meaning: a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush; or, wishes are a dime a dozen

– ۱۸ –

خارپشتک چوچۀ خود را میگوید: بخملی بچه ام

A porcupine speaking to its baby says, O my child of velvet

Meaning: one’s own child is especially dear to him

– ۱۹ –

عاقبت گرگ زاده گرگ شود، گرچه با آدمی بزرگ شود

A wolf’s pup will grow into a wolf even though it be raised among men

Meaning: training cannot change heredity; or, you cannot change a leopard’s spots; or, what is bred in the bone will come out in the flesh

– ۲۰ –

شیرِخانه، روباهِ بیرون

A lion at home and a fox abroad

Meaning: a big frog in a little pond becomes a little frog in a big pond: or, every dog is a lion at home

 – ۲۱ –

روبا را گفتند که شاهدت کیست؟

گفت دمم

They asked the fox, who is your witness? He said, my tail

Meaning: collusion is suspected; or, one witness for his own benefit

– ۲۲ –

روبا از دست پوست خود در عذاب است

A fox is I a trouble because of his pelt

Meaning:  a person’s own talents or possessions can involve him in trouble, thus becoming his own worst enemy

– ۲۳ –

سری خر سوار، خر را گم کرد

He is riding the donkey, but has lost the donkey

Meaning: if it had been a snake it would have bitten you; or, he has his hat on, but is looking for it

– ۲۴  –

مار گزیده از ریسمان دراز می ترسد

Having been bitten by a snake, he’s afraid of a rope

Meaning: once bitten, twice shy; or, not making the same mistake twice

– ۲۵ –

در خانه ای مورچه شبنم طوفان است

In an ant colony dew is a flood

Meaning: a little misfortune means much to one in need

– ۲۶ –

نان و پیاز پیشانی باز

If there is only bread and onions, still have a happy face

Meaning: be content with such things as you have

– ۲۷ –

خدا گفت کلو و شربو نه گفت گلو تا گلو

God said eat and drink, but he didn’t say, Gorge to the full up to your throat

Meaning: God wants us to eat and drink but not overeat; or, we are to eat to live and not live to eat

– ۲۸ –

غمی هر چیزی میرود لیکن غم شکم نی

Every anguish passes except the anguish of hunger

Meaning: one can forget other troubles, but not the need for food

– ۲۹ –

اَلو اَلو به از پهلو

A warm fire is better then delicious cooked rice

Meaning: warmth is more important than food

– ۳۰ –

کسی که قدر یک سیب را نه فهمد قدر باغ را نمی فهمد

One who doesn’t appreciate the apple, won’t appreciate the orchard

Meaning: if we don’t appreciate little things, we won’t appreciate great things

– ۳۱ –

دو تربوز در یک دست گرفته نمی شود

Two watermelons can’t be held in one hand

Meaning: if you have too many preoccupations, you will succeed at none of them

– ۳۲ –

گوشت که گنده شود نمک میزنند، نمک که گنده شد او را چه بزنند

Salt preserves meat, buy what can be done with salt if it is bad

Meaning: ordinary people can be corrected, but how can one correct teacher, leaders and preachers; or, if salt has lost its savor it is good for nothing

– ۳۳ –

تا که طفل گریه نکند مادر شیر نمیدهش

A mother won’t give milk to her child until he cries

Meaning: unless we ask for something, we don’t get it; or, a squeaky wheel gets the grease

– ۳۴ –

کار اگر از نقره هم شود کسی در دل خود نمی زنندش

Even if a knife is made of silver, a person won’t stab his own heart with it

Meaning: don’t side with your best friend or even with your son if he is in the wrong

– ۳۵ –

نوکری نو آهو را بدو می گیرد

A new servant can catch a running deer

Meaning: a person who is new at a job is overly energetic in an attempt to make a good impression

– ۳۶ ـ

من چه می گویم دنبوده ام چه می گوید

My drum doesn’t say what I say

Usage: used when a servant, child or student doesn’t do what you have told him to do

– ۳۷ –

پایت را برابر گلیمت دراز کن

Only stretch your foot to the length of your blanket

Meaning: cut your coat according to your cloth; or, don’t overstretch your bounds

– ۳۸ –

دیوار ها موش دارند، موش ها گوش

Walls have mice and mice have ears

Meaning: secrets told are spread abroad

– ۳۹ –

از زیر چکک گریخت و زیر باران نشست

He ran out from under the leaking roof ad sat in the rain

Meaning: our of the frying pan into the fire

– ۴۰ –

آب نادیده موزه را از پای مکش

Without seeing the water, don’t take off your shoes (to walk through it)

Meaning: look before you leap

– ۴۱ –

پنج انگشت برادر است برابر نیست

Five fingers are brothers but are not equals

Meaning: although people may be related by family or nationality each person nevertheless is different

– ۴۲ –

دست شکسته کار میکند ولی دل شکسته نی

A broken hand can work but a broken heart can’t

Meaning: a physical handicap can be overcome, but a wounded spirit cannot be overcome

– ۴۳ –

خدا یک دست را محتاج دیگر دست نکند

May God not make one hand dependent on the other

Meaning: each one should bear his own burdens and shoulder hi own responsibilities

– ۴۴ –

شندیه کی بود مانند دیدن

Hearing is never as good as seeing

Meaning: one picture is worth a thousand words

– ۴۵ –

زخم بد جور میشود گپ بد نی

A bad wounds heals, but a bad word doesn’t

Meaning: A cruel tongue does more harm than a sharp sword

– ۴۶ –

با ما شینی با ما شوی، با دیک شینی سیاه

If you sit with us, you will get like us; if you sit beside a cooking pot, you will get black

Meaning: You reflect the company you keep

– ۴۷ –

خواهی نشوی رسوا همرنگ جماعت باش

Not to be considered strange conform to the crowd

Meaning: If you don’t want to look silly, look like others

– ۴۸ –

برادر با برادر حسابش برابر

Between brother and brother accounts should be square

Meaning: Even among friends, business should be carried out on an exact basis

– ۴۹ –

بخشش به خروار، حساب به مثقال

One gives by tons, but takes accounts by ounces

Meaning: Give liberally, but do business exactly

– ۵۰ –

هیچ کس نمی گوید که دوغ من ترش است

No one says his own buttermilk is sour

Meaning: No one advertizes his own faults

– ۵۱ –

مشک آن است که خود بوید، نه آنکه عطار گوید

Good perfume is know by its own scent rather than by the perfumer’s advertisement

Meaning: A good tree is known by its fruit; or, the proof of the pudding is in the eating

– ۵۲ –

آهن بد شمیر برهان نمیشود

Poor iron won’t make a sharp sword

Meaning: You can’t get quality out of inferior raw materials

– ۵۳ –

ارزان بی علت نیست و قیمت بی حکمت

A cheap thing doesn’t lack defect, nor an expensive thing quality

Meaning: You get what you pay for

– ۵۴ –

سِرکۀ مفت از از عسل شیرین تر است

Vinegar that is free is sweeter than honey

Meaning: People love getting something for nothing

– ۵۵ –

قرض مقراض محبت است

Debt servers (is the scissors of) love

Meaning: Lend money to a friend, and he’ll become an enemy

– ۵۶ –

قصاب که بسیار شد گاو مردار شد

Too many butchers ruined the caw

Meaning: Too many cooks spoil the broth

– ۵۷ –

صد سر را تر کرده یکی را کَل نی

He has soaked a hundred heads (prepared them for shaving), but he hasn’t shaved one

Usage: Used of a person who starts a lot but doesn’t finish and so has many monuments to unfinished business

– ۵۸ –

کلال در تیکر شکسته آب میخورد

The potter drinks water from a broken jug

Usage: Used of a physician that doesn’t heal himself; or, of one who helps others but doesn’t help himself

– ۵۹ –

از سُرنیچی چه میرود غیر پُف

What’s a trumpeter’s job? To below

Literally: What comes out of a trumpet except breath?

Meaning: An adviser, teacher or preacher can only instruct, it is up to the hearer to act

– ۶۰ –

تا نکند حبیب، چه کند طبیب

Unless God does it, what can a doctor do?

 Meaning: If God doesn’t cure a person, a physician can’t; or, Man may plant and water, but God must bring the increase

– ۶۱ –

خون به خون شوشته نمی شود

Blood cannot be washed out with blood

Meaning: Two wrongs don’t make a right

– ۶۲ –

چغل به الک کهنۀ را می گوید سوراخی

The sieve says to the strainer, you have hole

Usage: Used of a guilty person who finds fault with others; or, the pot calls the kettle black

– ۶۳ –

صدا از یک دست نمی آید

You can’t clap with one hand

Meaning: (a) It takes two to make a fight

(b) Many hands make light work;

Or, in union there is strength

– ۶۴ –

دزد نباش از پادشاه نترس

Don’t be a thief and you won’t fear the king

Meaning: The righteous are as bold as a lion

– ۶۵ –

مالت را سخت بگیر، همسایه ات را دزد نگیر

Look after your property, and you won’t accuse your neighbor of a thief

Meaning: If one takes proper care of his possessions, he won’t have to suspect his neighbor of stealing

– ۶۶ –

کس ندیدم که کج شد از راه راست

I’ve never seen anyone go astray who followed along the right path

Meaning: You’ll never go wrong by doing right

– ۶۷ –

دروغ گو حافظه ندارد

A liar is forgetful

Meaning: A dishonest person can’t remember to be consistent

– ۶۸ –

زیر کاسه نیم کاسه است

Under his bowl is a little bowl

Meaning: A person smells a rat; or, there is a trick to his trade; or, there is something rotten in the state of Denmark

– ۶۹ –

قدر عافیت را کسی میداند

که به مصیبتی گرفتار شود

He appreciates prosperity who is caught in calamity

Meaning: Troubles make us appreciates our blessings; or, we never know the worth of water until the well runs dry

– ۷۰ –

جنگل که در گرفت تر و خشک می سوزد

If a forest catches fire, both the dry and the wet will burn up

Meaning: When trouble comes, it overtakes guilty and innocent alike

– ۷۱ –

آب که از سر پرید چه یک نیزه و چه صد نیزه

When water goes over your head, what difference if it’s one fathom or a hundred fathoms

Meaning: As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb; or, when you are in trouble, the quantity of difficulty doesn’t matter

– ۷۲ –

سرِ زخم نمک پاش مده

Don’t sprinkle salt on my wound

Meaning: Don’t aggravate a person’s trouble; or, don’t attack a man while he is down

– ۷۳ –

گذشته را صلوات آینده را احتیاط

Forget the past, but look at the future

Meaning: what has happened is water under the bridge, but don’t let it happen again; or, forgetting what is past, I press on toward the goal

– ۷۴ –

به جوئی که آب رفته باشد باز خواهد رفت

In a ditch where water has flowed, it will flow again

Meaning: previous prosperity will follow disaster; or, dry river beds can once again overflow with water

– ۷۵ –

دویدن، افتیدن هم دارد

One who runs will also fall

Meaning: calamity can come as well as prosperity; or, haste makes waste

– ۷۶ –

کار هول به سر نمی رسد

Hasty work doesn’t succeed

Meaning: haste makes waste; or, a watched pot cover boils

– ۷۷ –

برای سر خاریدن هم بیکار نمی شود

He hasn’t time even to scratch his head

Meaning: he is as busy as a one-armed paper hanger

– ۷۸ –

صبر تلخ است لاکن بر شیرین دارد

Patient is bitter, but its fruit is sweet

Meaning: all things come to him who waits

– ۷۹ –

قطره قطره دریا میشود

A river is made drop by drop

Meaning: Every little bit counts; or, Progress comes from accomplishing many small things

– ۸۰ –

جوینده یابنده است

The seeker is the finder

Meaning: seek and you shall find

– ۸۱ –

عاقلان به یک نقطه میرسند

Smart people get the point from a single hint

Meaning: a word to the wise is sufficient

– ۸۲ –

از یک کرده دو خوب است و از دو کرده سه

Two are better than one, and three than two

Meaning: two minds are better than one, and three than two

– ۸۳ –

از دوست نادان دشمن دانا بهتر است

A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend

Meaning: seek good advice no matter what its source

– ۸۴ –

جواب ابلها خاموشی است

The right answer to a fool is silence

Meaning: You will get into trouble if you argue with a fool and therefore silence is golden

– ۸۵ –

تا احمق در جهان است مفلس در نمی ماند

As long as there are fools in the world, no one will be penniless

Meaning: Fools are ready to spend their money on anything

– ۸۶ –

راستی را از طفل بپرس

Ask a truth from a child

Meaning: an innocent child will give a true answer

– ۸۷ –

نظافت نصف(جز) ایمان است

Being clean is the half of faith

Meaning: cleanliness is next to godliness

– ۸۸ –

دنیا به امید خورده میشود

The world lives in hope

Meaning: don’t get discouraged because we must have hope to live and work the right way

– ۸۹ –

عیسی بدین خود، موسی بدین خود

Let Christians practice their own religion, and let Jews practice theirs

Meaning: People should have freedom of religion

– ۹۰ –

سلام، سلامتی ایمان است

Saying salam (peace be with you) is a sign of true faith

Meaning: A sincere greeting is an expression of real religion

– ۹۱ –

بزرگی تنها به خدا میزیبد

Glory is fitting to God alone

Meaning: a person should not be proud

– ۹۲ –

خدا را اگر نمیشناسی به قدرتهایش بشناس

If you don’t recognize God, at least know him by His power

Meaning: a person who doesn’t believe in God should know He exists by His works in creation

– ۹۳ –

خدا که میدهد نمی پرسد که بچۀ کی هستی

When God gives, He doesn’t ask whose son a person is

Meaning: God blesses without partiality or without regard for rank or importance

– ۹۴ –

آنچه دلم خواست نه آن شد؛

آنچه خدا خواست همان شد

What my heart desired didn’t happen; what God wanted was really done

Meaning: Man proposes, God disposes

– ۹۵ –

خدا به عبادت ما محتاج نیست

God isn’t in need of our worship

Meaning: God blesses us out of His mercy alone

– ۹۶ –

خدا گفت که تو حرکت کن که من برکت کنم

God has said, start moving so that I may start blessing

Meaning: We must do our part for God to bless; or, God helps those who help themselves

– ۹۷ –

در خودری پستی، در جوانی مستی، در پیری سستی، پس خدا را کی پرستی؟

In childhood you’re playful,

In youth you’re lustful,

In old age you’re feeble,

So when will you before God worshipful?

Meaning: it is easy to find excuses for not worshiping God

­- ۹۸ –

بترس از کسی که او نمی ترسد از خدا

Fear the person who doesn’t fear God

Meaning: don’t trust the person that doesn’t trust God

– ۹۹ –

کابل بی زر باشد بی برف نی

MayKabulbe without gold rather than without snow?

Meaning: snow on the mountains around Kabul is more valuable to agriculture and life than gold

– ۱۰۰ –

برای هر کس وطن خودش کشمیر است

Everyone’s own country isKashmirto him

Meaning: there is no place like home