Meaning: Even the gazelle seeks the grassy hill near water

Context: Everyone seeks comfort and survival — needs are universal

Meaning: The buoy jumps only on the water's surface

Context: Some people only act on appearances — shallow and noisy

Meaning: Don't dig a trap — you might fall into it yourself

Context: Evil schemes backfire — harm returns to the doer

Meaning: A hundred years of bad government is better than one night of anarchy

Context: Order, even if poor, is better than chaos

Meaning: Flowing water stirs stagnant water

Context: Active people inspire the idle — progress influences others

Meaning: One drinks water only with their own hands

Context: Everyone must take responsibility for themselves — self-reliance

Meaning: Water gathers where the ground is low

Context: Humility attracts goodness — pride repels it

Meaning: Flowing water gathers in a low place

Context: Wisdom and wealth flow to the humble

Meaning: If the beginning of the water is muddy, how clean can the end be?

Context: Bad beginnings lead to bad outcomes

Meaning: Water swallowed carelessly and words spoken thoughtlessly both hurt the ribs

Context: Rash actions and careless speech cause pain — think before acting

Meaning: Water that rises is waited for

Context: Patience brings results — good things take time

Meaning: Adultery leads you to men, but no man will save you

Context: Immorality brings shame and isolation — actions have consequences

Meaning: Between ripeness and rawness lies confusion

Context: Growth stages bring uncertainty — maturity takes time

Meaning: Hard iron is softened by fire

Context: Tough people or situations yield under pressure — patience and firmness win

Meaning: Iron cuts iron

Context: Only strength can match strength — equals contend equally

Meaning: Three months after marriage, your wife leaves your clan but doesn't join another

Context: Marriage changes loyalties — it bridges but doesn't erase identities

Meaning: A looter is an enemy of peace

Context: Greed and theft destroy harmony — peace requires fairness

Meaning: A promise is harder than iron

Context: A repetition of the earlier saying emphasizing the strength of a vow

Meaning: Evil enters you silently

Context: Trouble comes unnoticed — stay vigilant

Meaning: When disaster spares you, it's with someone else

Context: Everyone faces their turn — life spares no one forever