You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
Anger<br />
16. Bul mere li ci kaas bi, mereel ki ko xelli. (18)<br />
Don't get angry with what is in the cup. Rather get angry with the person who<br />
poured it.<br />
It is good to distinguish between an annoying situation and the author of that situation,<br />
between the cause and the effects of a situation.<br />
During a meeting in the office of a bank, the president reacts violently against his<br />
collaborators because of a situation brought about by the non payment of debts. The<br />
secretary, wanting to indicate to him that he should call the bad debtors rather than the<br />
employees, cites this proverb.<br />
17. Mer, noonub boroom la. (19)<br />
Anger is the enemy of his owner.<br />
Anger makes you do things that you regret later.<br />
18. Mere màndiõ, mën a waaxoo ko gën. (17,18)<br />
Mere màndiõ, dox bu gaaw a ko gën. (4)<br />
There is no point in raving against the desert; better to lengthen your stride.<br />
“If you gently touch a nettle it will sting you for your pains. Grasp it like a man of mettle,<br />
it as soft as silk remains.”<br />
“Don't curse the darkness, light a candle!”<br />
It is better to face up to the situation one is in than to be slowed up by the event itself.<br />
There are certain things that lie beyond our control. It is better to find an intelligent<br />
solution to each situation.<br />
See also Proverb 67.<br />
Appearances<br />
19. Bul xeeb nit ndax tuutaayam. (18)<br />
Do not scorn someone because of his small size.<br />
“Don't judge a book by its cover.”<br />
“Appearances can be deceptive.”<br />
“All that glitters is not gold.”<br />
“Handsome is as handsome does.”<br />
We should not scorn someone who does not seem to be much in our eyes because of his<br />
small size or limited means.<br />
20. Bu sol mànto doon maye daraja, kon géléem du tëdd biti. (9)<br />
If merely wearing a coat gave dignity and presence, then a camel would not sleep<br />
outside.<br />
A camel is sometimes covered with fine drapes which give it a grand appearance, but of<br />
course does not change the fact that it is a camel.<br />
This proverb is used for someone who carries on in an ostentatious manner to draw<br />
attention to himself with the sole intention of impressing people willing to be taken in by<br />
his game.<br />
5
Change language