Why would a woman allow herself to be treated like a doormat? Why would she do anything to just get married? Why would she settle for anyone just to get that ring? Why would she bend over backwards to win a trophy husband? I am sure we were not created like that … but wait … they made us like that … they made us like that with their so-called wise words, proverbs, quotes, and a heavy heritage of superstition.
Because of my father I was humiliated; because of my husband I was honored
ابويا وطانى وجوزى علانى
So basically getting a husband is an ideal escape from a controlling father
I'll wed a handsome man even if we live in a graveyard
اخد الغندور ولو سكنى وسط القبور
Who cares what a man is made of as long as he is a pretty sight!
The least of men is good enough for the best of women
اقل الرجال يغنى النسا
Oh yes of course! Those unworthy creatures called women … what rights have they to be choosy!
Break a woman's rib (to discipline her) and she will grow 24 (after she is disciplined)
اكسر للبنت ضلع يطلع لها 24
Right! Beat her up to get her to obey you! Who said anything about domestic violence … this is called domestic discipline.
In the absence of male supervision women go loose
الرجالة غابت والستات سابت
Oh those women … they do not know how to run their lives … yes! Keep them on a leash … like dogs … and cows … and donkeys.
A good bride thinks well and eats little
العروسة بعقلها وقلة اكلها
Don't you dare eat WOMAN!
She who disobeys her husband does not deserve to eat his food
اللي تعصي جوزها وما تسمع كلمته ما تستاهل تأكل لقمته
Is that why you do not want to get a job, a career, a life? Remind me what slavery means?
She who has a husband shall rule the world
اللى جوزها معها تدور الدنيا بصباعها
And without a husband you are a pathetic crippled thing!
She who sleeps on her back (passive in bed) is not worth the money he paid for her
اللي نايمه على ظهرها ما تستاهل مهرها
He did pay for you, right?!
He who confides in his wife shall be ridiculed for the rest of his life
اللي يفضح سره لمراته تعايره طول حياته
Of course … tell your mistress … this is the way it went in all the classics!
Scorned by her husband; scorned by all
اللى يقول لمراته يا عورة تلعب بها الناس الكورة
How many times do you need to hear the fact that you are nothing without him? He gives you value, definition, and status!
Cherished by her husband; cherished by all
اللى يقول لمراته يا هانم الناس تقابلها ع السلالم
Yes … we just talked about that!
The sun shines upon those who are loved by their husbands
اللى جوزها يحبها الشمس تطلع لها
One more time … you do not exist in the absence of a man!
(To Men) With your money you shall marry the sultan's daughter
بفلوسك بنت السلطان عروسك
And my dear woman … you are to be sold to the highest bidder!
Marry a sugar daddy not a heartbreaker
خدى شايب يدلعك ولا تاخدى صبى يلوعك
Those are your only options; a good decent compatible guy is not to be aspired to!
Get married: he will be a guard at night and a handyman in the morning
خدى لك راجل بالليل غفير وبالنهار اجير
What more do you want in a husband?!!
A woman's honor is like a match; lit only once
شرف البنت زى عود الكبريت ما يولعش غير مرة واحدة
You are nothing but a piece of skin deep inside where every man longs to be!
(To Fathers) Shackle her with iron chains to get her a husband and a happy home
قيدها بقيد حديد وجوزها فى بيت السعيد
Now you know why your father smothered your freedom … if you get too comfortable at his home you will never want to get married and he will be stuck with your responsibility forever.
Better live in the shadow of a man than in the shadow of a wall
ضل راجل ولا ضل حيطة
Anything is better than being single … anything!
Better my husband's hell than my father's heaven
نار جوزي ولاجنة أبويا
Women look much better when they are dangling from a man's arms; put up with all kinds of abuse to stay married.
Sought by many; truly sought by none
من كتر خطابها بارت
Just say yes to the first guy who knocks on your door … and be grateful!
(To Parents) Having a daughter will bring shame, disgrace, and enemies to your doorstep
البنت تجيب العار والمعيار والعدو لباب الدار
That explains it all; that's why one day you are your father's property and the next day you are your husband's property.
(To Mothers) If you have a daughter you will worry until you die
يا مخلفة البنات يا دايخة للممات
Of course; girls are a burden – minors until they die
(To Fathers) Your daughter: get her married or get her buried
البنت ياتسترها يا تقبرها
Career? What career! Success? What success! Life? What life! Married or buried … those are your options!
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