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Kurdish Proverbs

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

Destê xebiti li ser zikê têre.
A working hand rests upon a full stomach.
Deste xwarinê dirêje
The hand that reaches for food is always long.
Destikê bivir ne ji darê be dar nakeve
If the axe handle were not made of wood, the tree would not fall.
Dev dixwe rû fedî dike
The mouth eats, but the face bears the shame.
Deve rovi ne geha hersim go çi tirşa.
The fox says the grapes it cannot reach are sour.
Devsa şêra roviya, kirina gera mera.
The fox took the lion's place and threw everything into disorder.
Di nava her gunehekî de, rêyek ku diçe kufrê heye
Within every sin lies a path that can lead to disbelief.
Dibêjin tu li rê qede û bele li rê.
They say that when you set out on the road, trouble sets out with you.
Digo mirî miriyê min e ez zanim çi gorî gore
The dead one is mine; I know what kind of grave he belongs in.
Dikana Bekiro, du qalıb sabûn û çar torbe xwê
Bekir's shop contains two bars of soap and four sacks of salt.