proverbs

Companions
52. Béy, bu àndul ak béy ya, ànd ak cere ja. (2,3,6,9,19)
If a goat is not with the other goats then it is with the couscous.
“Bad companions ruin good morals.”
A person must choose his companions carefully. He should stay with his relatives and not
go off on his own or with bad company for if you have problems which are beyond you
then you have no way of solving them.
Omar is a boy from a good family and a good student at high school. His best friend, Laiti
quit school and lives by his wits. Omar’s father is worried about the bad influence which
Laiti could have on his son and advises him not to frequent his friend, citing this proverb.
A person should stay with his friends. Going alone only leads to danger and problems.
53. Ginaar du am faru siiru. (2,3)
A chicken does not have a wildcat for a fiancé.
Mansor found a good way to earn a living through contraband. One of his friends is a
customs officer. They see each other often, but the customs officer does not know anything
about the activities of Mansor. One day Mansor’s elder brother tells him to be careful of
his friend because “a chicken doesn't have a wildcat for a fiance”.
54. Ku boot bukki, xaj baw la. (2,4,6,7,8,9,13,14,15,19)
Whoever carries an hyena on his back, the dogs will bark at you.
If you associate with bad people, others will despise you.
55. a. Ñax gu wow dina lakk gu tooy. (2,11,12,16)
b. Ñax mu wow dina lakk gu tooy, waaye it mu tooy dina wallu bu wow. (9)
a. Dry grass will burn wet grass.
b. Dry grass will burn wet grass but wet grass will save dry grass.
“One rotten apple spoils the whole barrel.”
A bad person can bring harm to himself, and at the same time harm innocent people
around him. One says this when someone has a bad companion, to indicate the dangers of
the bad influence; or to a person wanting something but whose character is unknown and
who belongs to a group who do not repay debts.
Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” (1Co 16:33 NIV)
56. Àndandoo sag maas, diir koo yemal mbagg. (2,3)
Àndandook say maas, diirook koo yemal i mbagg. (19)
Go with those of your own generation, choosing those who are equal with yourself.
If you try and keep up with those who are better and stronger than you, you only create
problems for yourself, as they will take you past your limits. It is better to surround
yourself with those on the same level as you are.
57. Béy wu ne, am nag déem. (3,19)
Béy wu ne am nag déem, (te yaay samag déem.) (2)
Bëy wu ne am na ag déem. (6)
Every goat has its jujube (red date) plant.
Everyone is privileged somewhere. Everyone has someone with whom he finds favour for
comfort, advice, help etc.
Massila has a reputation of living comfortably but not of being generous. One day at a
celebration a griot sings his praises and those of his ancestors. When the griot has finished,
Massila gives him a large note. The griot shows the note to everyone and proclaims he has
found favour with Massila, citing this proverb.
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