What it means
از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است (az in sotun be ân sotun faraj ast) literally says “between this pillar and that pillar, there is deliverance.” In plain English: don’t rush to a desperate move, time and small shifts often bring relief.
How to use it
- صبر کن، از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است (sabr kon, az in sotun be ân sotun faraj ast) “Be patient, things will work out”
- نگران نباش، از این ستون به آن ستون (negarân nabâsh, az in sotun be ân sotun) “Don’t worry, give it time”
- گفتم از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است، درست شد (goftam az in sotun be ân sotun faraj ast, dorost shod) “I said give it time, and it worked out”
The literal meaning
The image is a prisoner chained to a pillar in an old caravanserai or jail. Even being moved from one pillar to another, a tiny change in position, can bring some relief or chance of escape. Persian classical literature loves this kind of architectural metaphor.
The figurative meaning
Don’t take an irreversible action when stuck. Wait, observe, let circumstances rearrange themselves. Iranians say it as both reassurance and gentle resistance to panic.
When you’d say it
A friend is about to quit a job in a fit of frustration, or sign a bad lease because they’re tired of looking. You tell them از این ستون به آن ستون فرج است, slow down, things shift.
Cultural note
This proverb is often attributed to Sa’di’s Golestan in popular memory, though scholars debate its exact origin. Iranian grandmothers deploy it constantly during family crises. It pairs naturally with صبر داشته باش (sabr dâshte bâsh) “have patience.”
References
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