پاتو به اندازهٔ گلیمت دراز کن
pâto be andâze-ye gelimet derâz kon
“Stretch your legs only as far as your rug.”
Live within your means.
Heard in the wild
قسط این گوشی از حقوقت بیشتره! پاتو به اندازهٔ گلیمت دراز کن.
The repayments on that phone are more than your salary! Cut your coat according to your cloth.
More grandmother's advice
هر کسی به فکر خویش است، کوسه به فکر ریش است
har kasi be fekr-e khish ast, kuse be fekr-e rish ast
“Everyone thinks of himself; the beardless man thinks of beards.”
Everyone is wrapped up in their own concerns.
تخممرغ دزد، شتر دزد میشه
tokhm-e morgh dozd, shotor dozd mishe
“An egg thief becomes a camel thief.”
Small misdeeds grow into big ones, so nip bad habits in the bud.
خربزه خوردی، پای لرزش هم بشین
kharboze khordi, pâ-ye larzesh ham beshin
“You ate the melon, now sit through the shivers.”
You made your choice, now live with the consequences.
با حلوا حلوا گفتن دهن شیرین نمیشه
bâ halvâ halvâ goftan dahan shirin nemishe
“Saying "halva, halva" won't sweeten your mouth.”
Talk is cheap: you have to actually do it.