Title: 100 Afghan Proverbs - IPA

Persian: یک روز دیدی دوست،‌ دیگر روز دیدی برادر.
IPA: jak rʊz didi dost, dega rʊz didi bjʌdar
English: The first day meet, you are friends.
The next day you met, you are brothers.
Meaning: Meaning: Friendship grows into brotherhood.

Persian: دل به دل راه دارد.
IPA: dɛl ba dɛl rʌ dʌra
English: There is a way from heart to heart.
Meaning: Meaning: Love finds a way to another's heart.

Persian: دوست آن است که گیرد دست دوست در پریشان حالی و درماندگی
IPA: dost ʌn as ke girad dest-e dost da preʃʌn hʌli o darmʌndagi
English: A real friend is one who takes the hand of his friend in times of distress and helplessness.
Meaning: Meaning: “A friend in need is a friend indeed.”

Persian: خودت گل باشی و عمرت نه
IPA: xʊdɛt gul bʌʃi o ʊmrɛt ne
English: Flourish like a flower, but may your life be longer.

Persian: هیچ گل بی‌خار نیست
IPA: etʃ gʊl bexʌr nes
English: No rose without a thorn.
Meaning: Meaning: No one is perfect.

Persian: به یک گل بهار نمی‌شود.
IPA: ba jak gʊl bahʌr nameʃa
English: One flower doesn't bring Spring.
Meaning: Meaning: “One swallow doesn't make a spring.”
Usage: Usage: Said of a person who tries to do too much himself.

Persian: سالی که نیکوست از بهارش پیداست
IPA: sʌle ke nikos az bahʌreʃ pajdʌs
English: A good year is determined by its Spring.
Meaning: Meaning: “As the spring, so goes the year.”
Usage: Usage: Character and quality show up early.

Persian: هر چی بکارند همان را می‌دروند
IPA: har tʃe bekʌran (h)amʌn-a medarawan
English: Whatever you sow you reap.
Meaning: Meaning: A person gets his just deserts.

Persian: کوه هر قدر که بلند باشد، باز هم سر خود راه دارد
IPA: koh har qadar ke beland bʌʃa, bʌz am sarɛ xʊd rʌh dʌra
English: There is a path to the top of even the highest mountain.
Meaning: Meaning: God is more powerful than the proudest of persons; or, Where there is a will, there's a way.

Persian: تا شمال نباشد درخت شور نمی‌خورد
IPA: tʌ ʃamʌl nabʌʃa daraxt ʃor namexora
English: A tree doesn't move unless there is wind
Meaning: Meaning: Where there is smoke there is fire; or, Every effect has a cause.

Persian: به لق لق سگ دریا مردار نمی‌شود
IPA: ba laq laq-ɛ sag darjʌ mʊrdʌr nameʃa
English: A river is not contaminated by having a dog drink from it.
Meaning: Meaning: One of good character is pure despite criticism.

Persian: بار کج به منزل نمی‌رسد
IPA: bʌr-ɛ kadʒ ba manzel namerasa
English: A tilted load won't reach its destination.
Meaning: Meaning: “Honesty is the best policy.”

Persian: خر خو همان خر است، لاکن پالانش نو شده
IPA: xar xʊ hamʌn xar ast, lʌkɛn pʌlʌnɛʃ naw ʃʊda
English: It's the same donkey, but with a new saddle.
Meaning: Meaning: “Clothes don't make the man.”
Usage: Usage: Said of someone who has recently gained a high position unworthily.

Persian: پیش کلهٔ خر یاسین خواندن
IPA: peʃ-ɛ kale xar jʌsin xʌndan
English: Reading Scripture in front of a donkey.
Meaning: Meaning: Casting your pearls before swine.
([jʌsin] is a sura in the Qur'an.)

Persian: تا نباشد چوب تر فرمان نبرد گاو و خر
IPA: tʌ na-bʌʃa tʃob-ɛ tar farmʌn na-bara gaw o xar
English: Without a green switch the cow and donkey won't obey.
Meaning: Meaning: “Spare the rod and spoil the child.”

Persian: به خری که کار نداری ایشه مگو
IPA: ba xar-e ke na-dʌri eʃa mago
English: Don't stop a donkey that isn't yours.
Meaning: Meaning: Mind your own business.

Persian: گنجشک ناگرفته بسیار است
پیسه را بیست و پنج تا است
IPA: gʊndʒɛʃk-ɛ nʌgɛrɛfta bɛsjʌr as, pajsa-ra bist o pandʒ tʌs
English: There are twenty-five uncaught sparrows for a penny.
Meaning: Meaning: “A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush”; or, “Wishes are a dime a dozen.”

Persian: خارپوشتک چوچهٔ خود را می‌گوید:‌ «بخملی بچه‌ام»
IPA: xʌrpʊʃtak tʃutʃe xʊd-a mega: “baxmali batʃem”
English: A porcupine speaking to its baby says, “O my child of velvet.”
Meaning: Meaning: One's own child is especially dear to him.

Persian: عاقبت گرگ زاده گرگ شود
گرچه با آدمی بزرگ شود
IPA: ʌqʊbat gʊrg zʌda gʊrg ʃawad
gartʃe bʌ ʌdami bʊzʊrg ʃawad
English: A wolf's pup will grow into a wolf even though it be raised among men.
Meaning: 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.”

Persian: شیرِ خانه، روباهِ بیرون
IPA: ʃer-ɛ xʌna, robʌ-jɛ birun
English: A lion at home, and a fox abroad.
Meaning: Meaning: A big frog in a little pond becomes a little frog in a big pond;
or, Every dog is a lion at home.

Persian: رباه را گفت که شاهدت کیست؟
گفت، «دمم»
IPA: robʌ-ra gʊftan ke ʃʌhɛdet kis? gʊft “dʊmʊm”
English: They asked the fox, “Who is your witness?”
He said, “My tail.”
Meaning: Meaning: Collusion is suspected;
or, One witness for his own benefit.

Persian: روباه از دست پوشت خود در عذاب است
IPA: robʌh az dɛst-ɛ post-ɛ xʊd da azʌb as
English: A fox is in trouble because of his pelt.
Meaning: Meaning: A person's own talents or possessions can involve him in trouble, thus becoming his own worst enemy.

Persian: سر خر سوار، خر را گم کرد
IPA: sar-ɛ xar sawʌr, xar-a gʊm kad
English: He is riding a donkey, but has lost the donkey.
Meaning: Meaning: If it had been a snake it would have bitten you; or, He has his hat on, but is looking for it.

Persian: مار گزیده از ریسمان دراز میترسد
IPA: mʌr gazida az resmʌn-ɛ darʌz metarsa
English: Having been bitten by a snake, he's afraid of a rope.
Meaning: Meaning: Once bitten, twice shy; or, Not making the same mistake twice.

Persian: در خانهٔ مرچه شبنم طوفان است
IPA: da xʌne mʊrtʃa ʃabnam tufʌn as
English: In an ant colony dew is a flood.
Meaning: Meaning: A little misfortune means much to one in need.

Persian: نان و پیاز پیشانی باز
IPA: nʌn o pjʌz peʃʌni wʌz
English: If there is only bread and onions, still have a happy face.
Meaning: Meaning: Be content with such things you have.

Persian: خدا گفت، «کلو وشربو»؛
نه گفت، «کلو تا گلو»
IPA: xʊdʌ gʊft, “kʊlu waʃrabu”
na-gʊft, “kʊlu tʌ gʊlu”
English: God said, “Eat and drink”; but He didn't say, “Gorge to the full (up to your throat)”.
Meaning: Meaning: God wants us to eat and drink but not overeat;
or, We are to eat to live and not live to eat.

Persian: غمی هر چیزی می‌رود لیکن غم شکم نی
IPA: ɣam-e ar-tʃizi mera lʌkɛn ɣam-ɛ ʃɛkam ne
English: Every anguish passes except the anguish of hunger.
Meaning: Meaning: One can forget other troubles, but not the need for food.

Persian: الو الو به از پلو
IPA: alaw alaw be az palaw
English: A warm fire is better than delicious cooked rice.
Meaning: Meaning: Warmth is more important than food.

Persian: کیسیکه قدر یک سیب را نفهمد قدر باغ را نمی‌فهمد
IPA: kase ke qadr-ɛ jak seb-a na-fʌma qadr-e bʌɣ-a na-mefʌma
English: One who doesn't appreciate the apple, won't appreciate the orchard.
Meaning: Meaning: If we don't appreciate little things, we won't appreciate great things.

Persian: دو تربوز در یک دست گرفته نمی‌شود
IPA: du tarbuz da jak dɛst gɛrɛfta na-meʃa
English: Two watermelons can't be held in one hand.
Meaning: Meaning: If you have too many preoccupations, you will succeed at none of them.

Persian: گوشت که گنده شود نمک می‌زنند.
نمک که گنده شود او را چه بزنند
IPA: goʃt ke ganda ʃawa namak mezanan.
namak ke ganda ʃawa u-ra tʃi bɛzanan
English: Salt preserves meat, but what can be done with salt if it is bad.
Meaning: Meaning: Ordinary people can be corrected, but how can one correct teachers, leaders, and preachers;
or, If salt has lost its savor it is good for nothing.

Persian: تا که طفل گریه نکند مادر شیر نمی‌دهدش
IPA: tʌ ke tɛfɛl gɛrɛja na-kʊna, mʌdar ʃir na-meta
English: A mother won't give milk to her child until he cries.
Meaning: Meaning: Unless we ask for something, we don't get it;
or, A squeaky wheel gets the grease.

Persian: کارد اگر از نقره هم شود کسی در دل خود نمی‌زندش
IPA: kʌrd aga az nʊqra am ʃawa kase da dɛl-ɛ xʊd na-mezanɛʃ
English: Even if a knife is made of silver, a person won't stab his own heart with it.
Meaning: Meaning: Don't side with your best friend or even with your son if he is in the wrong.

Persian: نوکری نو آهو را بدو می‌گیرد
IPA: nokar-e nau ɑhu-ra badaw migira
English: A new servant can catch a running deer.
Meaning: Meaning: A person who is new at a job is overly energetic in an attempt to make a good impression.

Persian: من چه می‌گویم دنبوره‌ام چه می‌گوید
IPA: ma tʃi megʊm dambur-ɛm tʃi mega
English: My drum doesn't say what I say.
Usage: Usage: Used when a servant, child, or student doesn't do what you have told him to do.

Persian: پایت را برابر گلیمت دراز کن
IPA: pʌjɛt-a barʌbar-ɛ gɛlamɛt darʌz ko
English: Only stretch your food to the length of your blanket.
Meaning: Meaning: “Cur your coat according to your cloth”; or, Don't overstretch your bounds.

Persian: دیوارها موش دارند،‌ موش‌ها گوش
IPA: dewʌlʌ muʃ dʌra, muʃʌ goʃ
English: Walls have mice and mice have ears.
Meaning: Meaning: Secrets told are spread abroad.

Persian: از زیر چکک گریخت و زیر باران نشست
IPA: az zer-ɛ tʃakak gʊrext o zer-ɛ bʌrʌn nɛʃɛst
English: He ran out from under the leaking roof and sat in the rain.
Meaning: Meaning: “Out of the frying pan into the fire.”

Persian: آب را نا دیده موزه را از پای مکش
IPA: aw-a nʌ dida moza-ra az pʌj makɛʃ
English: Without seeing the water, don't take off your shoes (to walk through it).
Meaning: Meaning: “Look before you leap.”

Persian: پنج انگشت برادر است برابر نیست
IPA: pandʒ angʊʃt bjʌdar as barʌbar nes
English: Five fingers are brothers but are not equals.
Meaning: Meaning: Although people may be related by family or nationality each person is nevertheless different.

Persian: دست شکسته کار می‌کند ولی دل شکسته نی
IPA: dɛst-ɛ ʃɛkasta kʌr mekʊna wali dɛl-ɛ ʃɛkasta ne
English: A broken hand can work but a broken heart can't.
Meaning: Meaning: A physical handicap can be overcome, but a wounded spirit cannot be overcome.

Persian: خدا یک دست را محتاج دیگر دست نکند
IPA: xʊdʌ jak dɛst-a mʊtʌdʒ-ɛ dɛga dɛst na-kʊna
English: May God not make one hand dependent on the other.
Meaning: Meaning: Each one should bear his own burdens and shoulder his own responsibilities.

Persian: شنیده کی بود مانند دیده
IPA: ʃʊnida kaj bʊwad mʌnand-ɛ dida
English: Hearing is never as good as seeing.
Meaning: Meaning: One picture is worth a thousand words.

Persian: زخم بد جور می‌شود گپ بد نی
IPA: zaxm-ɛ bad dʒor meʃa gap-ɛ bad ne
English: A bad wound heals, but a bad word doesn't.
Meaning: Meaning: A cruel tongue does more harm than a sharp sword.

Persian: با ما نشنی ما شوی، با دیگ نشنی سیاه
IPA: bʌ mʌ nɛʃini mʌ ʃawi, bʌ deg nɛʃini sjʌ
English: If you sit with us, you will get like us;
if you sit beside a cooking pot, you will get black.
Meaning: Meaning: You reflect the company you keep.

Persian: خواهی نشوی رسوا همرنگ جماعت باش
IPA: xʌ(h)i na-ʃawi raswʌ (h)amraŋg-ɛ dʒamʌʔat bʌʃ
English: Not to be considered strange conform to the crowd.
Meaning: Meaning: If you don't want to look silly, look like others.

Persian: برادر با برادر حسابش برابر
IPA: bjʌdar bʌ bjʌdar (h)ɛsʌbɛʃ barʌbar
English: Between brother and brother accounts should be square.
Meaning: Meaning: Even among friends, business should be carried out on an exact basis.

Persian: بخشش بخروار، حساب به مثقال
IPA: baxʃɛʃ ba xarwʌr, (h)ɛsʌb ba mɛsqʌl
English: One gives by tons, but takes accounts by ounces.
Meaning: Meaning: Give liberally, but do business exactly.

Persian: هیچ کس نمی‌گوید که دوغ من ترش است
IPA: (h)etʃ kas na-mega ke doɣ-ɛ ma tʊrʃ as
English: No one says his own buttermilk is sour.
Meaning: Meaning: No one advertises his own faults.

Persian: مشک آن است که خود ببوید، نه که عطار بگوید
IPA: mʊʃk ʌn az ke xʊd bʊbuja, na ke attʌr bugoja
English: Good perfume is known by its own scent rather than by the perfumer's advertisement.
Meaning: Meaning: A good tree is know by its fruit;
or, The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Persian: آهن بد شمشیر برهان نمیشود
IPA: ʌhan-ɛ bad ʃamʃer-ɛ borhʌn na-meʃa
English: Poor iron won't make a sharp sword.
Meaning: Meaning: You can't get quality out of inferior raw materials.

Persian: ارزان بی‌علت نیست و قیمت بی‌حکمت
IPA: arzʌn be ɛllat nes o qimat be hɛkmat
English: A cheap thing doesn't lack defect, nor an expensive thing quality.
Meaning: Meaning: You get what you pay for.

Persian: سرکه مفت از عسل شیرینتر است
IPA: serka-jɛ mʊft az asal ʃirintar as
English: Vinegar that is free is sweeter than honey.
Meaning: Meaning: People love getting something for nothing.

Persian: قرض مقراض محبت است
IPA: qarz mɛqrʌz-e mʊhabat as
English: Debt severs (is the scissors of) love.
Meaning: Meaning: Lend money to a friend, and he'll become an enemy.

Persian: قصاب که بسیار شد گاو مردار شد
IPA: qasʌb ke bɛsjʌr ʃʊd gao mʊrdʌr ʃʊd
English: Two many butchers ruined the cow.
Meaning: Meaning: “Too many cooks spoil the broth.”

Persian: صد سر را تر کرده یکی را کل نی
IPA: sad sar-a tar kada jaki-ra kal ne
English: He has soaked a hundred heads (prepared them for shaving), but he hasn't shaved one.
Usage: Usage: Used of a person who starts a lot but doesn't finish and so has many monuments to unfinished business.

Persian: کلال در تیکر شکسته آب می‌خورد
IPA: kolʌl da tikar-ɛ ʃɛkɛsta ao mexora
English: The potter drinks water from a broken jug.
Usage: Usage: Used of a physician that doesn't heal himself;
or, of one who helps others but doesn't help himself.

Persian: از سرنیچی چه می‌رود غیر پف؟
IPA: az sʊrnajtʃi tʃi mera ɣair-ɛ pʊf?
English: What's a trumpeter's job? To blow.
Literally: What comes out of a trumpet except breath?
Meaning: Meaning: An adviser, teacher or preacher can only instruct, it is up to the hearer to act.

Persian: تا نکند حبیب، چه کند طبیب
IPA: tʌ na-kʊna habib, tʃi kʊna tabib?
English: Unless God does it, what can a doctor do?
Meaning: Meaning: If God doesn't cure a person, a physician can't;
or, Man may plant and water, but God must bring the increase.

Persian: خون به خون شوشته نمی‌شود
IPA: xun ba xun ʃʊʃta nameʃa
English: Blood cannot be washed out with blood.
Meaning: Meaning: “Two wrongs don't make a right.”

Persian: چغل به الک کهنه می‌گوید «سوراخی»
IPA: tʃeɣel ba alk-ɛ kona mega, sorʌxe
English: The sieve says to the strainer, “You have holes.”
Usage: Usage: Used of a guilty person who finds fault with others;
or, The pot calls the kettle black.

Persian: صدا از یک دست نمی‌برآید
IPA: sadʌ az jak dɛst na-mebrʌja
English: You can't clap with one hand.
Meaning: Meaning: (a) It takes two to make a fight.
(b) Many hands make light work;
or, In union there is strength.

Persian: دزد نباش از پادشاه نترس
IPA: dʊzd na-bʌʃ az pʌdʃʌh na-tars
English: Don't be a thief and you won't fear the king.
Meaning: Meaning: “The righteous are as bold as a lion.”

Persian: مالت را هوش کن، همسایه‌ات را دزد نگیر
IPA: mʌlɛt-a uʃ ko, hamsʌjɛt-a dʊzd nagir
English: Look after your property, and you won't accuse your neighbor of being a thief.
Meaning: Meaning: If one takes proper care of his possessions, he won't have to suspect his neighbor of stealing.

Persian: کس ندیدم که کج شد از راه راست
IPA: kas na-didʊm ke kadʒ ʃud az rʌh-ɛ rʌst
English: I've never seen anyone go astray who followed along the right path.
Meaning: Meaning: You'll never go wrong by doing right.

Persian: دروغ‌گو حافظه ندارد
IPA: dʊroɣgo hʌfɛza na-dʌra
English: A liar is forgetful
Meaning: Meaning: A dishonest person can't remember to be consistent.

Persian: زیر کاسه نیم کاسه است
IPA: zɛr-e kʌsa nim kʌsas
English: Under his bowl is a little bowl.
Meaning: Meaning: A person smells a rat;
or, There is a trick to his trade;
or, “There is something rotten in the State of Denmark”

Persian: قدر عافیت را کسی داند
که به مصیبتی گرفتار شود
IPA: qadr-ɛ ʌfijat-a kase dʌna ke ba mʊsibati gɛrɛftʌr ʃawa
English: He appreciates prosperity who is caught in calamity
Meaning: Meaning: Troubles make us appreciate our blessings;
or, We never know the worth of water until the well runs dry.

Persian: جنگل که در گرفت تر و خشک می‌سوزد
IPA: dʒaŋgal ke dar gɛrɛft tar o xʊʃk mesoza
English: If the forest catches fire, both the dry and the wet will burn up.
Meaning: Meaning: When trouble comes, it overtakes guilty and innocent alike.

Persian: آب که از سر پرید چه یک نیزه چه صد نیزه
IPA: ao ke az sar parid tʃi jak najza tʃi sad najza
English: When water goes over your head, what difference if it's one fathom or a hundred fathoms.
Meaning: Meaning: As well be hung for a sheep as a lamb;
or, When you are in trouble, the quantity of difficulty doesn't matter.

Persian: سر زخم نمک پاش مده
IPA: sar-ɛ zaxm namak pʌʃ made
English: Don't sprinkle salt on my wound.
Meaning: Meaning: Don't aggravate a person's trouble;
or, Don't attack a man while he is down.

Persian: گذشته را صلوات آینده را احتیاط
IPA: gʊzaʃta-ra salawʌt ʌjɛnda-ra ehtijʌt
English: Forget the past, but look out in the future.
Meaning: 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.”

Persian: به جوی که آب رفته باشد باز خواهد رفت
IPA: ba dʒuj-ɛ ke ao rafta bʌʃa bʌz xʌt raft
English: In a ditch where water has flowed, it will flow again.
Meaning: Meaning: Previous propserity will follow disaster;
or, Dry river beds can once again overflow with water.

Persian: دویدن، افتیدن هم دارد
IPA: dawidan, ʊftidan ham dʌra
English: One who runs will also fall
Meaning: Meaning: Calamity can come as well as prosperity;
or, Haste makes waste.

Persian: کار هول به سر نمی‌رسد
IPA: kʌr-ɛ hawl ba sar na-merasa
English: Hasty work doesn't succeed.
Meaning: Meaning: Haste makes waste;
or, A watched pot never boils.

Persian: برای سر خاریدن هم بیکار نمی‌شود
IPA: barɛ sar xʌridʌn ham bekʌr na-meʃa
English: He hasn't time even to scratch his head.
Meaning: Meaning: He is as busy as a one-armed paper hanger.

Persian: صبر تلخ است لاکن بر شیرین دارد
IPA: sabɛr talx as lʌkɛn bar-ɛ ʃirin dʌra
English: Patience is bitter, but its fruit is sweet.
Meaning: Meaning: “All things come to him who waits.”

Persian: قطره قطره دریا می‌شود
IPA: qatra qatra darjʌ meʃa
English: A river is made drop by drop.
Meaning: Meaning: Every little bit counts;
or, Progress comes from accomplishing many small things.

Persian: جوینده یابنده است
IPA: dʒojɛnda jʌbɛnda s
English: The seeker is the finder.
Meaning: Meaning: “Seek and you shall find.”

Persian: عاقلان به یک نقطه می‌رسند
IPA: ʌqɛlʌn ba jak nʊqta merasan
English: Smart people get the point from a single hint.
Meaning: Meaning: A word to the wise is sufficient.

Persian: از یک کرده دو خوب است و از دو کرده سه
IPA: az jak kada du xub as o az du kada se
English: Two are better than one, and three than two.
Meaning: Meaning: Two minds are better than one, and three than two.

Persian: از دوست نادان دشمن دانا بهتر است
IPA: az dost-ɛ nʌdʌn dʊʃman-ɛ dʌnʌ bɛhtar as
English: A wise enemy is better than a foolish friend
Meaning: Meaning: Seek good advice no matter the source.

Persian: جواب ابلهان خاموشی است
IPA: dʒawʌb-ɛ ablahʌn xʌmuʃi s
English: The right answer to a fool is silence.
Meaning: Meaning: You will get in trouble if you argue with a fool and therefore silence is golden.

Persian: تا احمق در جهان است مفلس در نمی‌ماند
IPA: tʌ ahmaq da dʒahʌn as mʊflɛs dar na-memʌna
English: As long as there are fools in the world, no one will be penniless.
Meaning: Meaning: Fools are ready to spend their money on anything.

Persian: راستی را از طفل بپرس
IPA: rʌsti-ra az tɛfɛl bʊpʊrs
English: Ask the truth from a child.
Meaning: Meaning: An innocent child will give a true answer.

Persian: نظافت نصف ایمان است
IPA: nɛzʌfat nɛsf-ɛ imʌn as
English: Being clean is half of faith.
Meaning: Meaning: “Cleanliness is next to godliness.”

Persian: دنیا به امید خورده می‌شود
IPA: dʊnjʌ ba ʊmmed xorda meʃa
English: The world lives in hope
Meaning: Meaning: Don't get discouraged because we must have hope to live and work in the right way.

Persian: عیسی بدین خود، موسی بدین خود
IPA: isʌ ba din-ɛ xʊd, musʌ ba din-ɛ xʊd
English: Let Christians practice their own religion, and let Jews practice theirs.
Meaning: Meaning: People should have freedom of religion.

Persian: سلام، سلامتی ایمان است
IPA: salʌm, salʌmati imʌn as
English: Saying salam (peace be with you) is a sign of true faith.
Meaning: Meaning: A sincere greeting is an expression of real religion.

Persian: بزرگی تنها به خدا می‌زیبد
IPA: bʊzorgi tanhʌ ba xʊdʌ mezibad
English: Glory is fitting to God alone.
Meaning: Meaning: A person should not be proud.

Persian: خدا را اگر نمی‌شناسی به قدرتهایش بشناس
IPA: xʊdʌ-ra aga na-miʃnʌsi ba qʊdrathʌjaʃ bɛʃɛnʌs
English: If you don't recognize God, at least know Him by His power.
Meaning: Meaning: A person who doesn't believe in God should know He exists by His works in creation.

Persian: خدا که می‌دهد نمی‌پرسد که بچهٔ کی هستی
IPA: xʊdʌ ke meta, ne-mepʊrsa ke batʃe ki asti
English: When God gives, He doesn't ask whose son a person is
Meaning: Meaning: God blesses without partiality or without regard for rank or importance.

Persian: آنچه دلم خواست نه آن شد؛
آنچه خدا خواست همان شد
IPA: ʌntʃi dɛlam xʌst na ʌn ʃʊd;
ʌntʃi xʊdʌ xʌst hamʌn ʃʊd
English: What my heart wished didn't happen;
what God wanted was really done.
Meaning: Meaning: Man proposes, God disposes.

Persian: خدا به عبادت ما محتاج نیست
IPA: xʊdʌ ba ɛbʌdat-ɛ mʌ mʊtʌdʒ nes
English: God isn't in need of our worship.
Meaning: Meaning: God blesses us out of His mercy alone.

Persian: خدا گفت که تو حرکت کن
که من برکت کنم
IPA: xʊdʌ gʊft ke tu harakat ko ke ma barakat kʊnʊm
English: God has said, “Start moving so that I may start blessing.”
Meaning: Meaning: We must do our part for God to bless;
or, God helps those who help themselves.

Persian: در خوردی پستی، در جوانی مستی، در پیری سستی، پس خدا را کی پرستی؟
IPA: da xʊrdi pasti, da dʒawʌni masti, da piri sʊsti, pas xʊdʌ-ra kaj parasti?
English: In childhood you're playful,
In youth you're lustful,
In old age you're feeble,
So when will you before God be worshipful?
Meaning: Meaning: It is easy to find excuses for not worshipping God.

Persian: بترس از کسی که او نمی‌ترسد از خدا
IPA: bɛtars az kase ke u na-metarsa az xʊdʌ
English: Fear the person who doesn't fear God.
Meaning: Meaning: Don't trust the person that doesn't trust God.

Persian: کابل بی‌زر باشد بی‌برف نی
IPA: kʌbʊl be zar bʌʃa, be barf ne
English: May Kabul be without gold rather than without snow.
Meaning: Meaning: Snow on the mountains around Kabul is more valuable to agriculture and life than gold.

Persian: برای هر کس وطن خودش کشمیر است
IPA: barɛ har kas watan-ɛ xʊdɛʃ kaʃmir as
English: Everyone's own country is Kashmir to him.
Meaning: Meaning: There is no place like home.

Persian: خود کور، بینای مردم
IPA: xʊd-ɛ kor, binʌ-jɛ mardʊm
English: Blind to himself, seeing people.
Meaning: He can't see his own faults, but he can see them in others.