مَنْ يهُنْ يَسْهل الهوان عليه مالجرح بميت إيلام

Abu al-Tayyib al-MutanabbiArabic1 lines1 public analyses
Original Poetry
Translation
مَنْ يهُنْ يَسْهل الهوان عليه مالجرح بميت إيلام
Whoever accepts humiliation, humiliation becomes easy for him. For a wound does not pain a dead person.
 

Explanation

This verse by Al-Mutanabbi conveys a profound message about the nature of dignity and the human spirit. It suggests that when a person allows themselves to be humiliated, they become accustomed to it, and it no longer affects them. The metaphor of a dead body not feeling pain from a wound illustrates the idea that repeated humiliation can numb a person's sensitivity to it. Al-Mutanabbi uses this imagery to emphasize the importance of maintaining one's dignity and not succumbing to disgrace, as doing so can lead to a loss of self-respect and emotional resilience.

Word Dictionary9

WordIn ArabicIn EnglishPron.
مَنْالذيwhoman
يَهُنْيذلis humiliatedyahoon
يَسْهليصبح سهلاًbecomes easyyash-hul
الهوانالذلhumiliational-hawaan
عليهفوقهon himalayhi
ماليسnotmaa
لجرحللجرحfor a woundli-jarh
بميتلشخص ميتto a dead personbi-mayyit
إيلامألمpaini'laam

Poet & Context

Era10th century

Al-Mutanabbi was a renowned Arab poet of the Abbasid era, known for his eloquent and powerful poetry. He is considered one of the greatest poets in the Arabic language.

View on Wikipedia
When10th century
WhyThis line reflects Al-Mutanabbi's philosophical views on dignity and resilience. The poem emphasizes the idea that those who accept humiliation easily become desensitized to it, much like a dead body feels no pain from a wound.
FormClassical Arabic poetry

Themes & More

dignityresiliencehumiliation
metaphor: Comparing a person who accepts humiliation to a dead body that feels no pain.imagery: Vivid depiction of a wound and a dead body to illustrate numbness to humiliation.
مَنْ يهُنْ يَسْهل الهوان عليه مالجرح بميت إيلام by Abu al-Tayyib al-Mutanabbi — Poem, Translation & Meaning