proverbs

Usefulness
723. Geenub géléem sàngul uw taat te dàqul i weñ. (2,3,6)
The tail of a camel cannot cover its rear nor chase away flies.
Diéri is short of money. He does the rounds of his relatives in the village but in vain. He
hopes that his best friend, Baidi, will be able to help him out of his difficulties. Even
though Baidi lives in a village far away, he goes to visit him. Baidi cannot do much to help
Dieri apart from giving him a little to help pay for his fare to return home. When Dieri gets
home he tells his wife that not only was Baidi unable to give him what he hoped for but he
could not even pay a half of his travel costs, and he cites this proverb.
Victory
724. Ku yëy yaxub bukki, yëy na yaxub yëykatu yax. (11,12)
Ku yëy yaxi bukki, yëy nga yaxi yëykat. (2)
Whoever chews on the bones of an hyena, you are chewing on the bones of
someone who chews bone.
Defeating a champion wrestler does not mean he is not a champion.
Waste
725. Lu sakkantalkat ba denc, sallaxkat ba sànni. (13)
That which the miser saves, the prodigal will fritter away.
Wisdom
726. Nit a ngay jëggaani lu ni gàññ ca péeyam. (19)
A person travels very far to seek for something which is in abundance in his own
capital.
There is no need to go very far if you want to learn wisdom.
727. Xel du doy. (7,14)
Benn xel doyul. (9)
One cannot have enough advice.
One mind is not enough.
728. Xel koomum boroom la. (19)
Wisdom is the resource/wealth of its owner.
Work
729. “Yàlla, Yàlla”, bey sa tool. (2,3,5,6,7,8,9,14,15,16,19,20,20)
Pray to God, but cultivate your field.
“God helps those who help themselves.”
It is not enough to simply rely on God, and ignore one's responsibilities. One must also
work.
730. Bala nga am dara, nga wiccaxndiku sa nàq.
Before you have something, you must shake off your sweat with your fingers.
One must be willing to work and make sacrifices in order to have something.
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