Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
If you go into a goat stable, bleat; if you go
into a water buffalo stable, bellow.
If you go only once round the room, you are
wiser than he who sits still.
If you go out a lot at night, you will
probably meet ghosts.
If you go to a rat's village and it is eating
palm nuts, you eat some too.
If you go to bed hungry, you'll wake up
without having slept.
If you go to court leave your soul at home.
If you go to look for poles, you should not
start looking for long nosed mice as well.
(concentrate on what you are doing)
If you go to sleep with the blind, you'll wake
up squinting.
If you go to war pray once; if you go on a
sea journey pray twice; but pray three
times when you are going to be married.
If you go to your in-laws you do not come
back empty handed but with a cock.
If you go too near your relatives, they will
not respect you.
If you had all the wit in the world fools
would fell you.
If you had an opinion you better be
determined.
If you had teeth of steel, you could eat iron
coconuts.
If you hate a man, let him live.
If you hate your ancestors then assume your
dead than you will love the hereafter.
If you have a bulldozer, you don't need a
snow shovel.
If you have a business you have to smile at
everyone.
If you have a dog to worship you, you must
have a cat to ignore you.
If you have a dog, don't throw away bones.
If you have a friend who is a doctor, make
your bow and send him to the house of
your enemy.
If you have a friend who is a doctor, then
send him to your enemy's house.
If you have a good case, try to compromise;
if you have a bad one, take it to court.
If you have a good cellar at home don't go
326
drinking at the tavern.
If you have a good friend, you don't need a
mirror.
If you have a lemon, make lemonade out of
it.
If you have a loitering servant, set his dinner
before him and send him on an errand.
If you have a lot, give some of your
possessions; if you have little; give some
of your heart.
If you have a poor father that is destiny; if
you have a poor father-in-law, that is
your mistake.
If you have a roving eye, it's no use having
the other one fixed on Heaven.
If you have a sore eye wipe it with your
elbow.
If you have a tail of straw, then keep away
from the fire.
If you have butter on your head, don't go
out into the sun.
If you have decided to eat a dog, eat a fat
one.
If you have eaten the morsel on Wednesday,
do not look for it on Thursday.
If you have escaped the jaws of the crocodile
while bathing in the river, you will
surely meet a leopard on the way.
If you have escaped the jaws of the crocodile
while bathing in the river, you will
surely meet a leopard on the way
If you have figs in your knapsack, everyone
will want to be your friend.
If you have five wives, then you have five
tongues.
If you have given away much of your
wealth, then you have given a little of
your heart.
If you have ground nuts in your room
expect rats.
If you have health you have hope you have
everything.
If you have honey, don't lick the pot clean.
If you have learnt to wait, you may be
Queen of Sweden.