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Proverb and meaning
The Times of India presents the Arabic proverb "القرد بعين أمه غزال" (Al-qird bi-'ayn ummihi ghazal), describing it as a saying about how affection shapes perception.
“At first glance, the proverb sounds almost humorous”
It says the proverb means "The monkey is a gazelle in its mother's eyes," and uses the contrast between a monkey and a gazelle to express that those who love can see loved ones as beautiful and admirable.
The article adds that while the saying mentions a mother and her child, its meaning extends to anyone who overestimates the qualities of someone they are emotionally attached to, including a friend, a partner, an employee, or even one’s own work.
It frames the proverb as a reminder that love can influence perception, with a parent's pride and admiration able to overshadow flaws outsiders notice immediately.
Origins and cultural imagery
On origins, the article says the precise historical origin of the proverb cannot be traced to a single author or documented moment in history, noting it belongs to an oral tradition passed across the Arab world.
It describes a popular folk explanation linking the proverb to one of Aesop's fables, where a monkey presents her child in a beauty contest despite laughter, with different versions placing the contest before Jupiter.
The Times of India says historians have not established that this tale is the definitive source of the Arabic proverb, and instead treats it as one traditional explanation associated with the saying over time.
For the imagery, it says the gazelle (ghazal) has been celebrated in Arabic poetry as the ideal of beauty, while the monkey has rarely symbolized physical beauty in Arabic folk expression.
Modern relevance and caution
The article connects the proverb to modern psychology by pointing to the halo effect, described as a cognitive bias in which positive feelings toward a person influence judgment of their other qualities.
“At first glance, the proverb sounds almost humorous”
It also says studies of parenting have shown parents often display positive bias when assessing their children's abilities, personalities, or achievements, and that this tendency can strengthen emotional bonds and encourage children.
At the same time, it warns that excessive bias can prevent constructive criticism or realistic assessment, presenting the proverb as carrying both warmth and caution.
Finally, it says the proverb remains common in everyday conversations across the Arabic-speaking world, and notes it is often delivered with humour in situations like a business owner insisting a product is exceptional or a football fan refusing to acknowledge a team’s weaknesses.
