proverbs

571. Mag, lu dal xelam a koy may yaram. (2,15)
Mag, lay dalum xelam, moo koy may yaram. (19)
It is only that which brings peace of mind which can permit him to put on weight.
Only that which inspires inner confidence will permit a person to develop personally. Take
sufficient precautions and not make commitments beyond one's capabilities in order to live
without too much worry, but rather with a tranquil and calm spirit.
A man’s spirit sustains him in sickness, but a crushed spirit who can bear
(Proverbs 18:14 NIV)
572. Su ñu la séddee ci gaalu xaj itam, nanga fexe ba bu ca lekk. (2)
Mën nañu la yekkal ci gaalu xaj, waaye bu ca lekk. (6)
Su ñu la yakkalee ci gaalu xaj, fexeel ba bu ca lekk. (6)
Ku la sédd ci gaalu xaj, bu mu fekk nga cay lekk. (18)
If they serve you a dog's bowl, make sure you do not eat from it.
People can credit you with a bad reputation but don't act in a way that proves them right.
Do not give he who denigrates you an opportunity to make fun of you. It is often used
when one wants to put someone on guard against traps put out by his detractors.
Proud men have hidden a snare for me; they have spread out the cords of their
net and have set traps for me along my path. Selah (Psalms 140:5 NIV)
Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge. (Psalms 31:4
NIV)
573. Ñu yemul i lor, duñu mëqandoo sunguf. (2,3,4,6,13)
Mëqandoo sunguf koo yemal i lor. (11,12,18)
Those who do not have the same amount of saliva do not compete to eat flour.
“Cut your cloth according to your coat.”
To face a rival it is best to have the same advantages as he. In life it is always essential to
know one's capabilities and one's limits before starting something.
Anta is a young school girl who would like to participate in a holiday program organised
by her school. The program costs 9,000 cfa and all her companions have already registered
and paid the fee. She begs her mother to give her the money. Her mother replies with this
proverb to remind her of their modest situation.
Mawa is a poor farmer. In spite of his meagre earnings, he invites all of his village and
half of the next village to a celebration of the birth of his latest child. To pay for this he
borrowed more than he could ever repay on time. He goes to find his principal creditor to
ask him to be patient. The man rebukes Mawa for imitating those who are richer than he,
quoting this proverb.
574. Raay gaynde, dee fa yomb na. (11,12)
Raay gaynde dee fa, ku nekk mën na ko. (19)
To stroke a lion and die there is easy.
It is easy to get into something that is beyond you. To get out of it again with honour is
difficult.
575. Wànnent ku mu bàyyi say bët nga bàyyiy bëtam. (19)
Wànneent ku mu bàyyi say get nga wara bàyyi yosam. (20)
If conjunctivitis leaves your eyes intact, you should leave its eyes alone as well.
“Let sleeping dogs lie.”
“Don’t beard a lion in his den.”
If someone stronger than you leaves you alone, you should leave him alone. Don't disrupt
a situation that is going well as it will only lead to problems.
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