This quote is shared online as a Turkish proverb, but experts say there is no confirmed original source in old Turkish proverb books. The line talks about two stages of life — childhood and old age — to show how life changes over time.
In the first part, a father bathing his children shows a happy moment when kids are small and need care. Both laugh because children enjoy water and the father feels joy taking care of them. This moment represents innocence, love, and early family bonding. In the second part, a son bathing his father shows the father has become old and weak. Both cry because the roles have changed and the son now sees his father aging. On social media, this emotional video of a son caring for his father is going viral, about love and life coming full circle.
The crying also shows sadness, gratitude, and deep emotional connection. The proverb explains that life comes full circle, where children later care for their parents. It highlights that time changes everyone, and strength turns into dependence. The quote is often used to remind people to respect and care for parents. Many people share this proverb on social media to talk about family values and aging parents.
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The English version is widely circulated online as: “If a father bathes his children, both will laugh, and if a son bathes his father, both will cry.” Since there is no fixed original Turkish version, different translations exist.
One common Turkish rendering is: “Bir baba çocuklarını yıkarsa ikisi de güler; bir oğul babasını yıkarsa ikisi de ağlar.” (as per Google translation)
Turkish proverb of the day
“If a father bathes his children, both will laugh, and if a son bathes his father, both will cry.” - via FacebookIn the first part, a father bathing his children shows a happy moment when kids are small and need care. Both laugh because children enjoy water and the father feels joy taking care of them. This moment represents innocence, love, and early family bonding. In the second part, a son bathing his father shows the father has become old and weak. Both cry because the roles have changed and the son now sees his father aging. On social media, this emotional video of a son caring for his father is going viral, about love and life coming full circle.
The crying also shows sadness, gratitude, and deep emotional connection. The proverb explains that life comes full circle, where children later care for their parents. It highlights that time changes everyone, and strength turns into dependence. The quote is often used to remind people to respect and care for parents. Many people share this proverb on social media to talk about family values and aging parents.
ALSO READ: Russian proverb of the day: “Without effort, you can’t even pull a fish out of a pond” shows hard work leads to success
The English version is widely circulated online as: “If a father bathes his children, both will laugh, and if a son bathes his father, both will cry.” Since there is no fixed original Turkish version, different translations exist.
One common Turkish rendering is: “Bir baba çocuklarını yıkarsa ikisi de güler; bir oğul babasını yıkarsa ikisi de ağlar.” (as per Google translation)
Word meanings in simple English:
- baba = father
- çocuklarını = his children
- yıkarsa = if washes/bathes
- güler = laughs
- oğul = son
- ağlar = cries
