Harry Terhanian.com

Two tight rope walkers cannot perform on the same rope.

This proverb conveys the thought that it is difficult for two con artists to con each other.

yes aghah, toun aghah, mehr aghoun ohv agha

[If] You are a master, [and] I am a master.
who then is our master

This proverb conveys the meaning “If you are a boss and I am a boss, ” then where are the workers.
In English, “Too many chiefs and not enough indians,” or “If everyone is a supervisor, none of the work will get done.”

keeoughun havakvee keranuh guh godree

Literaly, a large crowd of villagers gathers, the rafter (or beam) will break. This proverb implies that when a large crowd assembles there is no obstacle that can stop it.

One hand cannot clap and make noise. This proverb implies that cooperative work is necessary to get a job done.

One hand (clapping) makes no noise. This proverb indicates that it takes two people to fight. There is wisdom in exercising patience and tolerance in the wake of provocation. It is often encountered that people will try to provoke or incite others with hurtful remarks. It is the sign of a great person who remains serene in the face of provocation and can objectively address issues without resorting to abusive retort or quid pro quo, thus maintaining the high ground of decent and respectful behavior. There is a rule of thumb that I follow in normal dealing which is, “answer a fool with silence.” (Ahnkhelkin khouskeh mee badaskaneh)

Socrates, the great Greek philosopher, had a shrewish wife.

This proverb has another meaning. It implies that one hand alone cannot clap and make noise. Cooperative effort is required to get a job done well.

Story of Socrates and his shrewish wife.

Touk polorut ahl eerahrou gohknek
Yev mezi hamar beedanee kordz guhnek

All of you work cooperatively and help each other

So that you do valuable work

(All for one and one for all)

One day the scissors, sewing needle and the thread had an argument. The thread told the scissors, “You are bad. We fix things and you cut them up.”

“You speak the truth”, said the needle to the thread. “We sew and mend and the scissors takes our work apart.”

The thimble also put its two cents into the argument. The argument heated up until the housewife arrived and said, “Don’t vent empty words that confuse each other’s good sense. You are all good because you perform work that is appreciated and valuable. The thread follows the needle, the thimble helps the needle, and the scissors cuts the cloth to be worn. Without the scissors the rest of you would not be able to sew shirts, pants and coats. All of you work cooperatively and help each other so that you do valuable work.

Meesht tebikez, meesht tebi kez
Ayhl yegheer soghotzee bes mehg tebi kez, mehg tebi mhez

Don’t be like the axe always striking in one direction

Rather be like the saw that goes back and forth

The implication is that the axe (that always strikes in one direction) represents an egotistical person always endeavoring to bring everything to center about him. The saw (which goes back and forth) is compared to a balanced person who will share as much as he takes for himself (one for you and one for me).

The man’s suit said keep me in the closet and I shall keep you (well groomed) among men.