Wisdom No. 24

Iraqi style
English

Wisdom No. 24

Crush the snake's head with your enemy's hand, for you cannot lose either way: if your enemy wins, the snake is dead; if the snake wins, you are rid of an enemy. On the day of battle, do not feel safe from a weak foe, for once he gives up on his life, he can smash even a lion's skull.
Explanation: The Arabic phrase 'ihda al-husnayayn' means 'one of two good outcomes', a win-win situation. The point: let your enemies destroy each other.

Original · Persian

حکمت شمارهٔ ۲۴

سر مار به دست دشمن بکوب که از اِحدَی الحُسنَیَین خالی نباشد: اگر این غالب آمد، مار کُشتی و گر آن، از دشمن رَستی.
به روزِ معرکه ایمِن مشو ز خصمِ ضعیف که مغزِ شیر برآرد چو دل ز جان برداشت