proverbs

58. Nit ku bon jikko mat na moytu. (13)
A person of bad character is worth avoiding.
“Better be alone than in bad company.”
59. Ku am xaritu golo sa ngemb du tag. (2,3,6,18)
Kuy xaritook golo, bu sa ngemb tagee, mu àjjil la ko. (19)
The person who has a monkey for a friend will not find his loincloth caught in a
tree.
The person who has a friend or protector with power has nothing to fear in their company.
This proverb was used by Laurent to explain to his son that his fellow student who
received his baccalaureate the same year as he, and now had received a scholarship to
study overseas was the nephew of the rector of the university. Same meaning as Proverb
59.
60. Ku am kuddu, du lakk. (2,3,5,6,8,9,19)
Kenn du am kuddu di lakk. (13)
Ku am kuddu du lakk, walla bu lakkee, di cuune. (7)
He who has a spoon does not burn himself.
You can avoid doing things yourself if you have someone to do it for you. The person who
has a friend or protector with power has nothing to fear in their company.
A village is particularly affected by a drought. The majority of the village only eat once a
day, and a poor meal at that. From Madhior's the smell of fish and rice emanates. His
neighbours are surprised by such abundance. One of them tells the others that one of the
sons of Madhoir has just arrived in the village bringing him a sack of rice and some dried
fish, and that he is very lucky to have sons who provide for him. And he cites this proverb.
Competence
61. Gumba du jiite yoon. (5,9,15,16)
Gumba du jiiteew yoon. (2,3)
Gumba du jiitew yoon. (18,19)
Gumba du jiite aw yoon. (6)
A blind person does not lead anyone along the path.
Someone who is not competent should not be the leader. This proverb is often used just
before elections to draw attention to those who seek to be elected but do not have the
required capacity.
He also told them this parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man Will they not
both fall into a pit” (Luke 6:39 NIV)
62. Ku mënul, bawoo : lu yàqu yaw a. (2,12,15)
Ku mënul, bawul, lu yàqu yow a. (7)
The person who is not competent but does not renounce his place, is responsible
for any deterioration which occurs.
63. Ku mën te defoo lu yàqu yaw a. (2,7)
Ku mën lu bare te du ca def dara mooy ki yàq. (20)
The person who is capable of doing much but does nothing is responsible for
failure.
64. Mën ko, defoo ko, tëlee ko gën. (2,3,5)
It is better to be incapable of doing something, than to be capable and not do it.
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