مقدي وخنجرة بحزامة beggars can't be choosers

I found a very interesting thread on wordreference giving Arabic equivalents for the English proverb "beggars can't be choosers". This Iraqi version is my favorite:


  مقدي وخنجرة بحزامة
(muqadi wakhanajara bihazaama)
Literal meaning: a beggar with a dagger in his belt.
Meaning: describes someone who tries to get his own way when he doesn't really have a choice.


Unlike the English proverb, most of  these Arabic proverbs describe behavior: طرّار و يتشرّط (Tarraar wiyitsharraT), "a beggar and he sets conditions" (Saudi);  شحات ونزهي (shaHaat wiyinazee) "a beggar but acting like a rich man." (Egyptian); شحات وعايز رغيف shaHaat wi'aayiz righeef -- a beggar and he wants a (whole) loaf (Egyptian).


I guess it's a universal sentiment

عشب ولا بعير

Another Arabic proverb from www.muslima.ru:

عشب ولا بعير

Literal meaning: There is grass, but no camel.

Meaning: Describes rich man who does not use his property or for the benefit of themselves or others.

إِيشْ مَا طَبَخِت الرَّعْنَة بِيَاكْلُهْ جُوزْهَاالأَعْمَى

An Egyptian proverb from http://www.egyptianarabic.com:


إِيشْ مَا طَبَخِت الرَّعْنَة بِيَاكْلُهْ جُوزْهَاالأَعْمَى
(aish ma Tabakhat ir-ra'ana biyakul goozha il-'ama)
Literal meaning: Whatever the crazy wife cooks her blind husband will eat.
Meaning: To get away with bad behavior, as in the English saying "To get away with murder"