proverbs

Disputes
140. Ku la xeexe daw. (19)
The person who uses you to fight will run away (to joke with a friend).
You are of no use to anyone.
141. Coow la ca teen ba, ña amul baag a ko waral. (2,3,6,20)
Xuloo ba ca teen ba ña amul baag a. (20)
Coow la ca teen ba gaaya amul baag a. (12)
An argument at the edge of the well will be caused by those who do not have a
well bucket.
A fight breaks out between two students in the schoolyard. A teacher separates them and
asks them what the fight was about. It turns out that Assane had borrowed the pen of Salif
and then lost it. Assane often comes to school without a pen or notebook and takes those
of others. When the teacher returns to the staff room and talks about the incident he quotes
this proverb.
Downfall
142. Njalbéenug toroxte dey neex. (2,15)
A downfall starts with things that are pleasant.
“A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty
will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man.” (Proverbs
6:10-11 NIV)
Dress
143. Lekkal lu la neex, waaye solal lu neex nit ña. (2,15)
Eat whatever you like but wear clothes that please others.
One should always behave in a way that is pleasing to society.
Ease
144. Bu for yombee, sëgg jafe. (2,8,15)
When picking up is easy bending is hard.
A man of honour should refuse on principle easy and lazy solutions which are a source of
corruption.
145. La ngeen tàyyi toppleen ko, la ngeen sawar bàyyileen ko. (1,6,13,15)
Follow that which tires you and leave what you are enthusiastic about.
Don't turn up your nose at those things which are hard, but rather at those things which are
easy.
146. Daw du may i taalibe. (4)
Running about does not result in disciples.
“A rolling stone gathers no moss.”
People always moving, with no roots in one place, who avoid responsibilities and cares,
will not accomplish anything of significance. A teacher who does not sit still will not have
any disciples.
22