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Straitness is in the heart, or The narrows is in the heart is a translation from the Arabic الضيق في القلوب.

It means the "strait" is not real, it's just in our hearts. It means that we have to make more room in our hearts to accept and love people, that our hearts are the ones that need widening and accepting.

Teacher: Adam you come sit next to Steve.
Steve: There's no space, it's already strait here with barely any room for elbow space.
Teacher: Straitness is in the heart.

It's meaning has evolved to say that one is most welcome.

A: Please come in. B: No thank you, it's all right. It looks too crowded in there; I don't want to be more strain.
A: Strainness and straitness is in the heart.

Any similar sayings/idioms?

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  • 5
    What is the question?
    – Zaid
    Dec 27, 2015 at 12:27
  • @user151577 You'd better edit your question soon.
    – Afsane
    Dec 27, 2015 at 12:31
  • @Zaid from the tag I assume they want to know how to phrase this sentiment in English.
    – Martin Smith
    Dec 27, 2015 at 12:35
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    A strait is a narrow body of water connecting two wider bodies. Do you mean straight?
    – Steven Littman
    Dec 27, 2015 at 14:36
  • @user151577 "Where there's room in the heart, there's room in the house [...even for a mouse]"
    – Elian
    Dec 27, 2015 at 15:09

2 Answers 2

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Consider a Danish proverb brought to the US by early immigrants, Where there's room in the heart, there's room in the house (or home). Google

From Nebraska stem such proverbs and sayings as "Where there's room in the heart, there's room in the house," "Don't holler before you're hurt," and "As safe as a cow in the stockyards."

Encyclopedia of the Great Plains

A: Please, come in.

B: No, thank you. It's all right. It looks too crowded in there, I don't want to be more strain.

A: Where there's room in the heart, there's room in the house. Come on in.

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When there’s a will, there’s a way.

A proverb that fits your context.

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