Pashto Proverbs
پشتو متلونه

S. S. Thorburn

From "Bannu: Our Afghan Frontier"

Topic: Cooperation
ملا تړون

The maxim, "Union is Strength" is so generally admitted to be a truism, even by the less intelligent classes of natives, that were an observant agriculturist asked the secret of our strength in India, he would reply, he supposed it was "Ittafak" and "Intizam", two very expressive words, the former meaning union or concord, and the latter management or organization. Were a thoughtful Pathan asked why his country was poor and torn with domestic dissensions, he would tell you it was owing to their want of the first of the above two requisites for strength, without which the second cannot exist. Though the advantages of cooperation are acknowledged, as well in the every day business of life as in matters which affect the general weal, no attempt to practice it in anything is made - custom, want of energy, and any special incentive, such as competition, combining to prevent it.

• When they take their meals apart, their aimes and objects become separate
  چې نسونه ئې ګوښي وي، نيتونه ئي ګوښي وي
  That is, when men cease to eat together, which here means dissolve partnerships, they fall out.
• What dust will rise from one horseman ?
  د يو سواره به څه دوړه وي؟
  Another like this is, "One horseman does not raise a dust cloud." Similarly, we say, "One swallow makes not a spring, nor one woodcock a winter."
• The ox works on the strength of the grass, and the plough on the ox's neck
  غوئيې د وشو په زور چليږي، او هل د مټ په زور
• If you and I agree, what is the lawyer wanted for ?
  چه زه او ته راضي، نو څه دې قاضي؟
• Though a month be a unit, its days are many
  مياشت که يوه ده ورځې ئې ډېرې دي
  Said to remind a man that his greatness depends on the support his friends give him.
• One can be kept well by a hundred, not a hundred by one.
  يو په سلو لرلې کيږي، نه سل په يوه
• You cannot clap with one hand alone.
  د يوه لاس ټک نه خيژي
  That is, great results cannot be obtained without cooperation. Similar is, "One hand may wash the other, but two the face."
• When thatch huts are being run up, there is a great hubbub.
  چه څپرونه درېږي، غوريږونه کېږي
  That is, no great work can be done by one man unassisted or quietly