proverbs

Politeness
521. Ku yaru, falu. (1,6,15)
The person who is polite will be elected.
“All doors are open to courtesy.”
Politeness brings respect.
522. Sukk du tee yóbbu say wóom. (2,6,8,9,11,12,18,19,20)
Kneeling will not prevent you leaving with your knees.
“Courtesy costs nothing.”
Humility and politeness do not take anything away from anyone. So you have nothing to
lose from being polite, and showing your respect for the other person.
The proverb refers to the African traditional etiquette of genuflection or curtsy as a sign of
respect.
523. Baadoolo dafay yemale bëgg-bëggam. (20)
The poor must limit his desires.
Poverty
524. Kuy reere pann, boo woppee fande. (1,6,13)
Whoever eats the leftovers from the night before for dinner, when you are sick you
will go hungry that night.
If you means are limited when you are well, things will be even worse when you are sick.
525. Baadoolo bu ragal naaj ragal na njariñam. (6,15)
Baadoolo bu bañee naaj, bañ nak mbokkam. (1)
A peasant who fears the sun fears what is useful to himself.
A peasant who refuses to work under the sun, distances himself from the only means of
escaping his poverty.
A little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest— and poverty
will come on you like a bandit and scarcity like an armed man. (Proverbs 6:10-11
NIV)
Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth. (Proverbs 10:4
NIV)
He who loves pleasure will become poor; whoever loves wine and oil will never
be rich. (Proverbs 21:17 NIV)
He who gathers crops in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during harvest
is a disgraceful son. (Proverbs 10:5 NIV)
Preparation
526. Ku xarfa fuufawul, fuufa xarfa la. (15)
He who fails to prepare, prepares to fail. [xarfa and fuufa have no meaning in
Wolof.]
527. Lu ni këtt, lu ne jonn a koy faj. (2,6,9,19)
The unexpected can only be solved by what is on hand and available.
If you want to solve unexpected problems, you need to put something aside in advance.
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