اللي ما بتزينه عروقه ما بتزينه خروقه-اللهجة السورية
كان يا ما كان، بحارة شامية، كان في شب اسمه سامر. كل يوم يلبس أغلى التياب، ويحط أطيب عطر، وساعته ما كانت بتفارق إيده. وكان مفكر إن الناس بتحترمه لأن شكله مرتب وشيك بس كل ما يحكي مع حدا، بيرفع صوته، وبيتهزء ع العالم، وما بيقول “لو سمحت” ولا “شكراً”، وإذا حدا احتاجه بيطنّشه أو بيردّ بوقاحة. بنفس الحارة، كان في شب اسمه أبو العبد. تيابه بسيطة، وشغله على قد حاله، بس إذا شاف حد كبير بالعمر بيسلّم عليه، وإذا شاف حدا محتاج بيساعده، وكلمته كانت طيبة مع الكل. مع الأيام، صاروا أهل الحارة إذا بدهم ينصحوا أولادهم بيقولوا: “كونوا متل أبو العبد، مو متل سامر.” استغرب سامر وقال: “معقول؟ أنا بلبس أحسن من الكل!” ابتسم المختار وقال له: “يا ابني… اللي ما بتزينه عروقه، ما بتزينه خروقه.” وسكت سامر، وفهم لأول مرة إن اللبس الحلو ممكن يلفت النظر، بس الأخلاق هي اللي بتكسب القلوب، وإن الزوق والاحترام والتربية أحلى زينة بيلبسها الواحد. ومن يومها، بلّش يغيّر طريقته، ومع الوقت، صارت الناس تحترمه لأنه تغيّر من جوّا، مو لأنه لبس أحسن
Fine Clothes Can’t Beautify Poor Character Once upon a time, in a neighborhood in Damascus, there was a young man named Samer. Every day, he wore the most expensive clothes, put on the finest perfume, and never went anywhere without his luxury watch. He believed that people respected him because he looked stylish and elegant. But whenever he spoke to someone, he raised his voice, mocked others, never said “please” or “thank you,” and if anyone needed his help, he would ignore them or respond rudely. In the same neighborhood lived another young man named Abu Al-Abed. His clothes were simple, and he lived a modest life. But whenever he saw an elderly person, he greeted them with respect. If he saw someone in need, he was always ready to help. He spoke kindly to everyone and treated people with courtesy. As time passed, the people in the neighborhood began telling their children, “Be like Abu Al-Abed, not like Samer.” Samer was surprised and said, “Really? But I dress better than everyone else!” The village elder smiled and replied, “My son… He whom his character cannot beautify, his clothes never will.” Samer fell silent. For the first time, he realized that fine clothes may catch people’s eyes, but good manners are what win their hearts. He understood that kindness, respect, and good upbringing are the finest things a person can wear. From that day on, Samer began changing the way he treated people. As time went by, the neighborhood finally respected him—not because he dressed better, but because he had become a better person from within.