proverbs

Success
645. Bukki bu daanee ponkal ca doxin wa la. (15)
Bukki, bu songee ponkal ca doxin wa la. (2)
646. Bu bukki dabee gaynde, ca doxin wa la. (9)
Bukki su yabee gaynde ca doxin wa la. (14)
If an hyena manages to defeat a giant/lion it is because of his (imposing)
appearance.
Mamoussé Diagne explains that the hyena is an animal characterised by cowardice. How
does a coward defeat a giant When the giant deprecates himself so much that the hyena
has the courage to attack. When a person acts in a way that is unworthy then he sets
himself up to be defeated by anyone who comes along. When you lie down somewhere, it
is your own fault if people step on you.
An imposing or frightening appearance can contribute to the success of a venture.
“Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring
lion looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)
Suffering
647. Boroom lal a xam i màttam. (2,6,13,20)
Tëddji lal, moo xam ay màttam. (11,12)
Boroom lal a xam màttu lalam. (7)
The owner of a bed is best placed to speak of his bedbugs.
“Before you criticize someone, walk a mile in his shoes.”
Only the person who experiences suffering knows the pain.
“For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathise with our
weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we
are—yet was without sin.” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)
Superiority
648. Garab gu la sutul, du la may ker. (4,9,14,15,19)
A tree, if it is not taller than you, won't give you shade.
Meaning, before you can teach someone or help someone, you must first have something
you have learned to offer them which will help them. Someone who has not surpassed you
in some domain cannot help you.
649. Ku la sut nee ko njool mi. (14,15)
Ku la sut, nga ne ko njool mi. (4,6,12,13)
You should call someone who is taller than you “tall”.
You should admit it when someone is better than you, and fall behind him in the areas
where he surpasses you.
650. Ku la jëkka yeewu ne la sàngul. (2,15)
Ku la jëkka yeewu, ne la sàngal say taat. (8)
The one who wakes up before you will tell you to cover your butt.
If someone has an advantage over you, he will manipulate you. Someone who applies
himself better than you, or has been working longer than you, who has contributed more
than you ends up with results or experience that you don't have. He therefore gains the
authority to highlight your insufficiencies if necessary.
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