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Kurdish Proverbs

The wit and wisdom of Kurdish sayings — each proverb with its translation and meaning.

Hêkira he mekî, te hekir deng mekî
Do not get people accustomed to something; if you do, do not complain afterward.
Hem ji dêrê bû hem jî ji mizgeftê
He ended up belonging neither to the church nor to the mosque.
Hem serê xwe dişkîne hem jî xercê xwe dide
He gets his head broken and still pays the cost himself.
Hemî çêlek tên dotin, hemî gotin nayên gotin
Every cow can be milked, but not every word should be spoken.
Her dar sîyê ji koka xwe re nake
Not every tree gives shade to its own roots.
Her giya li ser koka xwe şîn tê
Every plant grows from its own roots.
Her kezîzerek simbêlsorek li himbere
Beside every fair-braided girl stands a mustached suitor.
Her tişt ji ziravî mirov ji stûrî diqete
Things break from being too thin; people break from being too coarse.
Here ba wî însanî go te bi girîne, te ne kenenê
Better to be with the one you sometimes cry with than the one who only ever makes you laugh.
Here miletan, bigre adetan
Travel among nations and learn their customs.