Pashto Proverbs
پشتو متلونه

S. S. Thorburn

From "Bannu: Our Afghan Frontier"

Topic: Custom
دستور

Hindus consider "the breach of custom is the breach of all", and Pathans, though by no means servile followers of it, do not readily break through its shackles, as the sayings here given, which fairly represent public opinion, will demonstrate. On the whole, however, except on subjects connected with their religious beliefs, most Pathans are liberal minded and will discard an old practice for a new, when convinced they will, gain by so doing.

• Forsake your village, but not its ancient usages.
  له کلي وتښته، له نرخه ئي مه تښته
• Innovations, through an old way (are best)
  نوي چارې په زړې لارې
  Though you introduce something new, stick to the old procedure, so that the change may be less perceptible.
• Wherever you live, you will observe their customs.
  چې چېرې اوسې، په مزهب به د هغو شې
  The meaning is not "Do in Rome as the Romans do," but that if a man leaves his home, he will, through the force of circumstances, adopt the manners and customs of those with whom he lives, which is to be regretted. A Muslim in this District (Bannu and environs) seldom misses praying five times in the day, and always does so in as public a manner as he can; but once well sway from his own people, where he thinks no tale-bearing eye is upon him, he forgets his beads and his genuflexions.
• Don't go on that road on which neither your father nor your mother goes.
  مه ځه په هغه لار، چې نه دې مور پرې ځي نه پلار
• A different country, its customs different.
  بيل وطن، بيل ئي چلن
  So we say, "So many countries, so many customs."
• Go with many, eat with many.
  له ډيرو سره ځه، له ډيرو سره خوره
  That is, don't be singular, do as others of your tribe do.
• You have now followed a novelty, which neither your father nor your grandfather knew.
   نه دې د پلار او نه دې د نيکه ؤو، اوس دې نوې ونيوه
  A wrathful father is lecturing an erring son, and this is the climax of the address.
• Though the head should go, a habit goes not.
  سر که لاړ شي، عادت نه ځي
  Habit is a second nature, and so strong in a man that he would lose his head rather than break off from it.
• One camp's migration draws another
  يوه کډه د بلې کډې زړه کاږي
  Said with reference to the force of example. When one Pathan clan seeks a new home, temporary or permanent, others are sure to follow it.