Frank J. Wilstach, comp. A Dictionary of Similes. 1916.

Osmanli Proverb

Additional, like the cipher on the left.

Changeable, like the sparrow, who stops not on one twig.

Like a chameleon, he changes.

His work is as clean as silver lace.

As difficult as for a slave girl to please a slave-dealer.

With disgust … like one who draws out a hair from fresh butter.

He flits like a bee.

He flies like a dog that has burnt his paw.

A profitless friend is like a fleece without hair.

Like a camel’s guide, he always keeps in front.

He growls like a bear that has burnt his paw.

The ignorant person is like a cock out of season, which crows at midnight.

Like a broker’s mouth, he speaks incessantly.

Limpid as the eye of a heron.

Noisy as women bathing in a river.

He pierces like a lady’s needle.

He reels like a ship that has met with waves raised by the southeast wind.

Rich as an alum seller.

They scattered like a brood of partridges.

He sings like an empty water jar.

Smudged, like a shopkeeper’s account-book.

He stings like a scorpion.

Sullen as an Algerine colt.

His tongue is like a biscuit-seller’s shovel—long tongued.

Upright, like a taper.

Vain as to strike an axe on a rock.

He vanishes like a man who has caused his property to be snatched from a swindler.

Voracious as a camel, swallowing his leaven.

Waddles like a Armenian bride.

He whines like a Jew whose house is burnt.

The world is like a tree trunk full of ants; he who comes into it knows nothing; he who goes from it, comes not again.