proverbs

Good deeds
322. Duñuy fàttaliku laaxu daaw/démb, cifaay ba tax. (14)
Laaxub daaw, bu ñu ko dee nettali cafaay laa taxe. (2)
Laaxub daaw, bu ñu koy nettali, cifaay laa tax. (12,19)
If they remember/talk about yesterday's millet porridge, it is because of the sauce
which is added to give it flavour (usually curdled milk).
When people remember events of the past, it is because of significant events that occurred
then.
Gratitude
323. Donn sa tabaxub baay, donn ngërëmam a ko gën. (19)
It is better to inherit the gratitude of your father than his building.
324. Ku iñaanul ne Yàllaak diw. (15)
He who is not jealous should say, “It is because of God and so-and-so.”
We owe gratitude to someone for whatever we have. After thanking God, we should also
thank the person through whom the blessing has come.
325. Ku gërëmul nit ñi doo gerëm Yàlla. (15)
The person who is not grateful to man will not be grateful to God.
If one is not grateful for benefits which are received from people whom he can see, he
certainly will not be grateful for blessings which he receives from God whom he cannot
see.
326. Lu mana am, gërëm Yàllaak sa ndey.
Whatever happens, thank God and your mother.
Without God and one’s mother a person would be nothing.
327. Purux du gërëm ñamu daaw. (2,6,7,12,14,19,20)
The throat is not grateful for last year's meal.
Favours of the past are quickly forgotten by an ungrateful person. Said to a person who has
forgotten what others have has done for him in the past; one who isn't grateful to those
who have helped him a long time ago.
328. Bu lëg lekkee aloom, na ko gërëme coy. (5,6,7,9,12,14)
Lëg su lekkee aloom war na koo gërëme coy. (2,3)
Bu lëg mosee alom, na ko gërëme coy. (10)
Bu lëg ñamee aloom, na ko gërëme coy. (19)
When the hare eats jackal berries, it should thank the parrot.
When one enjoys something, one should be grateful to the person who made it possible.
As a result of a strike, the employees had obtained rise in salary. One of the workers, who
had not participated in the strike was very happy. A union representative remarked to him
that he had benefited from advantages won by others and quoted this proverb.
329. Su tan gore woon, bu ñuy gubal mbaam, mu ëpp caw say. (2,3,6,14,17,19)
Tan dafa gàtt xel nde kon bunuy gubal mbaam mu ëpp caw say. (9)
Bu tan gore woon, bu nuy gubali mbaam kenn du ko ca jiitu. (12)
If the vulture was honest, when they go to cut grass for the donkey, it would cut
the largest sheath.
This proverb has the same meaning as Proverb 328.
[Wolof do not eat donkey meat. A dead donkey will be left for the vultures.]
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