Pashto Proverbs
پشتو متلونه

S. S. Thorburn

From "Bannu: Our Afghan Frontier"

Topic: Beggars
ملنګان

Though a man who begs is looked upon as degrading himself, as having lost all sense of shame, still the beggar seldom asks in vain, for go where he may, he is sure of securing a meal and a night's lodging. Those who gain their bread in this way are fortunately few in number and those who do indulge in it throw into the profession a touch of religion, calling themselves Fakeers or religious mendicants, as an additional incentive to the charitable to give. I can however recall to mind no instance of a Marwat, and only very few cases of Bannuchis asking alms from me.

• Wherever he is "welcome", the beggar passes the night
  د فقير چه چيري ښه هلته ئي شپه
  A man's home is where he finds his livelihood, or daily "morsel" as the natives say
• If the beggar would not wander in another's courtyard, the dog would not have designs against him
  که ګدا د بل په غولي غرض نه کړه - سپي به نه که په ګدا باندي غرض
  That is, if a man minds his own business only, none will interfere with him. We have a saying, "Sit in your place, and none can make you rise." The Pashto couplet is, I am told, from Abdul Hamid.
• Though dogs fight amongst themselves, still they are at one against the beggar man.
  سپي که په خپل منځ کښي سره خوري خو فقير ته ئي يوه وي
  This is literally true; and if we may regard Bannuchis, forty years ago, as dogs, and Wazirs as beggars, though certainly rather aggressive ones, it would apply to them also, for Bannuchis were never at peace amongst themselves except when fighting their common enemy, the Wazirs
• Food obtained through begging is licking the blood of the nose
  د سوال خواړه د پوزي ويني څټل دي
  Meaning that begging is a low business
• To the devil with a brother, who asks a loan from "dums"
  ورک شه هغه ورور چه له ډمانو غواړي پور
  The dum is a minstrel and jack of all trades. In most villages one or more are to be found, maintained at the expense of the community, as village servants. Native gentlemen also generally have one or two in their service.
• One dog was licking a hand-mill, another was licking himself
  يوه سپي ميچن څټله بل ئي کونه څټله
  Said of a beggar who begs from a man as needy as himself
• If you have, eat; If you have not, die
  که د وي خوره، که نه د وي مره
  We have cold hard un-sympathizing philosophy here. Let a man enjoy what he has, while may; and when the day of adversity comes, let him bear it without murmuring, not stoop to cringe and beg. Who would help him if he did?
• A Pathan begs not; if he do, well, he'll beg from his sister.
  پشتون سوال نه کوي او چه کوي ئي نو خور ته هم دريږي
  Means that if he beg at all he will have no shame
• A hardened beggar is worse than a creditor
  روږدي له پوروړي ګنده ده
  That is, he is more importunate than a creditor