Do not walk behind us, we may not lead; do not walk in front of us, we may not follow; walk besides us, so that we may guide each other.
Proverbs and old sayings West African
There are three things that a man must know to survive in this world: what is too much for him, what is too little, and what is just right.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about rightness, world, things, man
How come that when I lost my sheep and could not find it, I was questioned; but the hyena who was found with the sheepskin is not questioned.
Proverbs and old sayings West African
If a bachelor who uses firewood for cooking runs away in the morning to avoid removing the ash; he will have to deal with it when he comes back.
Proverbs and old sayings West African
Let a wrong-doing repeat itself at least three times: the first may be an accident, the second a mistake, but the third is likely to be intentional.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about mistake, bad
Be careful of the words you say each day, make sure each is nice and sweet, because may be in the days ahead, there will be some you'll have to eat.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about day, word, contentment
A marketplace is not the pace for a husband and wife to argue. However long the night may last, there will be a morning. Daylight follows a dark night.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about night, dark, husband, wife
As long as a cock lives, it is said to have belonged to the child of the house; but when it is slaughtered for super, it is then that the real owner emerges.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about real estate, children, home, house
If you can't distinguish how to whistle a festival alarm from a warning alarm, then better not alarm and let s/he who knows the difference to do the alarming.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about contentment
A severely under paid hungry teacher in a renovated, well-equipped classroom, can perform just as well as a bird without feathers can do in a hanging, decorated cage.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about teachers
When a stiff-necked bull stands with its four legs planted firmly and refuses to move, you cannot make it go ahead only by pulling it by the reins and using your whip.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about contentment
When you're a stranger in a land, if good comes to it may you have you share and if bad comes let it go to the owners of the land who know what gods should be appeased.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about gods, bad luck, contentment, bad, good, good luck
If you knock your head against a wall, then a coconut tree and pillar and your head still remains undamaged my child, go and hide that head of yours; it is a good head.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about heads, children, good, good luck, contentment
It is not right to ask a man with elephantiasis of the scrotum to take on small pox as well, when thousands of other people have not had even their share of small diseases.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about rightness, people, man
Negotiate with your enemy whilst you are a strong and formidable force, and he will always fear and respect you, but negotiate at the brink of defeat, and he will trample you down.
Proverbs and old sayings West African about defeat, force, police, respect, fear, enemies, contentment
This world is a harsh place, this world. [Sulu, Lomhlaba Unzima, Lohmhlaba. ]