proverbs

286. Ñetti lonk, benn du ca fàq : lunku jigéen, lunku buurfari, lunku jinne. (13)
Ñett ñu lunku duñu fàq : lunkum jigéen, lunkum buurfari, lunkum malaaka. (1)
There are three attachments which are difficult to break: the attachment of a
woman, the attachment of a great king, and the attachment of a genie.
287. Su Mbul bañee, Làmbaay nangu. (2,3,5,6,11,12,19)
Su buur bañee lambaay nangu. (14)
If the king of Mboul refuses, the king of Làmbaye will accept.
You can refuse something, and your peers accept it, or certainly hate you while others like
you.
A farmer goes to a business man to sell a portion of his millet crop. The business man
offers a price which the farmer considers too low. They discuss the price but each holds
his position. Someone observing the discussion whispers this proverb in the ear of the
farmer to suggest to him that he try another business man.
[Mboul was the capital of the ancient Wolof kingdom of Cayor and Làmbaye was the
capital of ancient Baol. The two kingdoms were rivals.]
288. Xalam demoon na bay neex, buum ya dog. (2)
Xalam demoon na bay neex, buum ga dog. (11,12)
Xalam demoon na bay neex, buum ya dogandoo. (19)
The sound of the xalam was so beautiful but the strings broke all of a sudden.
Sometimes some business will proceed to the point of bringing hope, then that hope will
vanish. It is the same also with people.
“Don't count your chickens before they hatch.”
289. Xarum waay, gayndeg waay. (2,15)
Gayndeg waay, xarum waay. (19)
One is at the same time the sheep of someone and the lion of someone else.
In whatever domain of life there are always those who surpass you (which invites
humility) and those whom you surpass (a reason for consolation, not for self-deprecation).
The proverb is illustrated by a story recounted by Mamousse Diagne. There was once a
man in such dire poverty that he was on the verge of committing suicide. He was in such
dire straits that all he had to wear as he walked to the edge of a cliff to throw himself off
was a loincloth in rags. The moment he was about to jump off he heard someone
whispering from the bushes nearby. The man was completely naked and obliged to hide in
the bushes. He asked the other man in the name of God, to give him his loincloth before he
jumped off the cliff. On realising that he wasn't the most miserable creature on earth, the
first man reconsidered his decision to kill himself.
Generosity
290. Bul sa loxo ubbiku ndax nangu te téju ndax maye. (13)
Do not let your hands be open to receive and closed to give.
“There will always be poor people in the land. Therefore I command you to be
open-handed towards your brothers and towards the poor and needy in your
land.” (Deuteronomy 15:11 NIV)
291. Ku bëgg yaa baax, dangay maye sa alal. (2)
Whoever wants to hear “you are good” should give of his wealth.
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