proverbs

Courage
99. Ku bëgg akara, ñeme kaani. (2,3,5,6,7,14)
Ku bëgg akara, dangay ñeme kaani.
100. Ku bëgg lem, ñeme yamb. (2,4,5,6,19)
Ku bëgg lem, war a ñeme yamb.
Ku bëgg lem, dangay ñeme yamb.
101. Ku ñeme yamb, lekk lem. (2,3,13,20)
99. Whoever wants (to eat) a bean fritter must brave the hot chili sauce.
100. Whoever wants honey must brave the bees.
101. Whoever braves the bees can eat the honey.
There are often unpleasant or undesirable steps which must be faced with courage and
determination before one can achieve one's goals.
[akara is a kind of fritter made with pounded beans and eaten by dipping into a hot chili
sauce.]
Cowardice
102. Woññ bëñu gaynde, day fekk mu dee. (18)
It is not possible to count the teeth of a lion unless it is dead.
There are certain people that others do not risk attacking except behind their back or if
they have come into a very weak position. It is an act of cowardice.
During a reunion the treasurer of an organisation made serious allegations concerning the
president who was absent. The secretary rebukes him for his lack of courage and loyalty
using this proverb.
Credibility
103. Caga du digleb séy. (2)
A prostitute does not give advice on marriage.
Someone who is not an participant in something cannot give advice in that area.
104. Deñ-kumpa baaxul. (20)
It is not good to be curious.
“Curiosity killed the cat.”
Curiosity
Day of Rest
105. Njàng mu ne am na àllarba. (2,20)
Every course has a Wednesday.
Every week has one day of rest, no matter what your work.
106. Dee du jaas. (2,7,6)
Death is inescapable.
107. Kenn du gàlli dee. (6,13)
No one can avoid death.
No one is exempt from death.
Death
17