22 profound Arabic sayings that will clear your mind

From a historical perspective, the Middle East was the cradle of civilization and remains unfamthomably rich in its huge cultural heritage. With its warm colors, narrow streets, scorching sun, beautiful dresses, and caravans moving peacefully over the hot burning sands of the desert, it attracts anyone who is eager to learn the secrets of its ancient wisdom.

We at Bright Side decided to present you with some brilliant Arabic proverbs and sayings that express the philosophical thought, worldview, and morality of the Arab world.

• Open your mouth only if what you’re going to say is more beautiful than silence.
• An army of sheep led by a lion would defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.
• A single mistake ensures a double misfortune.
• The wise with a wink, the fool with a kick.
• Believe what you see and lay aside what you hear.
• Ask the experienced rather than the learned.
• With a sweet tongue and some kindness, you can drag an elephant by a hair.
• Winds blow counter to what ships desire.
• If you’re an anvil, be patient; if you’re a hammer, strike hard.
• Whoever seeks a faultless friend remains friendless.
• Sunshine all the time makes a desert.
• Stay away from evil, and instead sit and watch it.
• The necessary connection of movement and time is real, and time is something the soul constructs in movement.
• Keep a green tree in your heart, and perhaps a singing bird will come.
• Defeating pride makes you good. Overcoming anger makes you cheerful. Overcoming passion makes you successful. Overcoming greed makes you happy.
• No one is fit to command another who cannot command himself.
• If you’re afraid — don’t do it; if you’re doing it — don’t be afraid!
• Victory shows what you’re capable of; defeat shows what you’re really worth.
• Don’t open a door that you won’t be able to close.
• Men who do not forgive women for their little faults will never enjoy their great virtues.
• If you reveal your secrets to the wind, you should not blame the wind for revealing them to the trees.
• If you can’t get it all, don’t leave a little.