Libyan Proverbs Poem by Eliza Griswold

The naked man in the caravan
has peace of mind. He whose covering
belongs to others is uncovered.
He who has luck will have the winds
blow him his firewood.
He whose trousers are made of dry grass should not warm himself at
the fire.
He howled before going mad.
He led the lion by the ear.
Like the sparrow, he wanted to imitate
the pigeon's walk but lost his own.
Walk with sandals till you get good shoes.
Where the turban moves, there moves
the territory. Men meet
but mountains don't. Always taking out
without giving back, even the mountains
will be broken down. Penny piled on penny
will make a heap. Only the unlucky coin
is left in the purse. As long as a human being lives
he will learn.
Learn to shave by shaving orphans.
He who is to be hanged can insult the Pasha.
In the house of a man who has been hanged
don't talk of rope.
The small donkey is the one that everybody rides.
Fish eat fish
and he who has no might dies.
My belly before my children.