Kassem Hojeij and the Story Behind the Proverb: “Those Who Know, Know; Those Who Don’t, Say a Handful of Lentils”
“The Meaning and Context of the Proverb in Jabal Amel”
A popular proverb in the oral tradition of Jabal Amel states: “Those who know, know; those who don’t, say a handful of lentils.” This proverb is used to highlight ignorance about a situation and serves as a plea for the uninformed to refrain from commenting or interfering.
“The Origin and Story Behind the Proverb”
When asked about the origin of this saying, historian Kassem Hojeij explained:
“The story tells of a wife of a bountiful field owner who secretly met her lover at her husband’s threshing floor.
Suspicious of her frequent visits, the husband followed her one day and discovered her kissing her lover. Enraged, he attacked the lover with a pitchfork.
The lover, desperate to escape, grabbed a handful of lentils from the floor, justifying his presence there as innocent.
As he fled, he told anyone who asked: ‘He’s trying to kill me because I took a handful of lentils from his floor.’
When others tried to calm the husband, saying it was just a handful of lentils, he replied in frustration: ‘Those who know, know; those who don’t, say a handful of lentils.’”
“The Message of the Proverb in Contemporary Culture”
Hojeij clarified:
“Honor and commitment are core values of the Jabal Amel community, and this story is not reflective of our society.
However, the proverb is widely used across Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, and Palestine. It serves as a warning to those who speak without knowledge, a behavior that has become an unfortunate hallmark of our time.
Today, many people offer analyses and critiques without basis in logic or science, making this proverb a timeless reminder to think before speaking or judging.”
