5 Proverbs Used by Egyptians that Can Help You Make Good Entrepreneurial Decisions
In many challenging situations at work and in life, I resort to some of the proverbs I learned to make decisions — they actually work
I come from Cairo, Egypt.
Recently, I noticed that in many challenging situations at work and in life, I resort to some of the proverbs I unintentionally memorized by heart to make decisions.
What is interesting is that in many cases, they actually work.
So, I am happy to share with you five of the proverbs used by Egyptian and can help you in making good Entrepreneurial decisions
1. Creating a reputation is more important than creating an empire
الصيت ولا الغنى
Translation: Fame is more significant than richness.
My understanding and how to apply it:
Reputation is more important than reality. As the journalist, Abdallah AlHazem says in elaborating this proverb, “It is better for people to say you are rich than to be rich.”
In other words, fake it till you make it. And in the words of the modern world, show it on social media till you make it. As the Impact entrepreneur Mohamed Dahy tells us while we work together at Impact Circles “your website is your showroom”.
2. Choose the battels which will highlight your strengths, not show your weaknesses
اللي بيته من إزاز (زجاج) ميحدفش الناس بالطوب
Translation: If you live in a glasshouse, don’t throw others with stones.
My understanding and how to apply it:
Know thyself. Know your strengths and weakness and when you decide to take get into a battle, be aware to choose wisely. Do not attack others ignoring your vulnerabilities because when they respond, your house is fragile.
In a Quora discussion about this proverb, one of the simplest answers is by Miguel Corazao who says “It is a warning to be aware of reciprocity. The “glass house” is a metaphor for vulnerability. So in essence, don’t attack somebody in a way that you are similarly vulnerable. Usually, it means more specifically “Don’t criticize somebody for a flaw that you also have.”
3. It is ok to do mistakes, but do not repeat
اللي اتلسع من الشوربة ينفخ في الزبادي
Translation: Whoever stings from a soup, puffs into yogurt.
My understanding and how to apply it:
What is important is not doing a mistake, but rather is to learn from it. Notice the inputs to have an expectation of the outcomes. There is a line between taking a risk and not understanding the lesson.
Try at a small scale, and after trusting the process and persons involved, go ahead. Stay in a ‘trial’ state before ‘trusting’ what is going on.
4. Wait, you will know
يا خبر النهاردة بفلوس بكرة يبقى ببلاش
Translation: The news that you have to pay for to know today, you will know them for free tomorrow.
My understanding and how to apply it:
They say patience is a virtue on its own. It is also worth understanding that it just takes time to know what you wanted to know. Especially in today's age of information, it becomes easier to not only find news but also understand them from different perspectives.
Of course, time is money. The point here is to weigh what is to be paid versus what you will know any way for free.
5. Lock problems away
الباب اللي يجيك منه ريح سده واستريح
Translation: Block the door that brings you wind, to rest.
My understanding and how to apply it:
Starting a new business or working for one can involve many uncertainties. In order to be able to concentrate on what matters, do not be dragged by unnecessary issues or conversations.
It is ok to enjoy the wind in your hair, but take care, close the door before it blows you away.
PS: The mentioned proverbs may not be originally from Egypt, but I came to know them as I grew up in Cairo and I noticed that they are used a lot among Egyptians.
