"Teuk laong trei sii sramao-it, teuk hao-it sramao-it sii

trei"

"When the water is high, the fish eat the ants; when the water goes down, the

ants eat the fish." English equivalent, roughly: "What goes around, comes

around." The law of karma and impermanence is the central theme to this expression.

When things are going well for the big fish (i.e. the "water is high"),

they can eat the little ants with impunity. However, when the water recedes and the

situation changes in their favor, it is the ants who eat their fill of the hapless

fish. An excellent admonition for Khmer politicians. - By Jason Roberts