Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
You should lie down with the lamb and rise
with the lark.
You should make a new bucket whilst you
still have the old one.
You should mend a hole in a likishi costume
when it is still small.
You should never stop the plough to kill a
mouse.
You should not call in a cat to settle the
argument of two birds.
You should not demise what you get for
free.
You should not hoard your money and die
of hunger.
You should not only know what is right but
also do it.
You should not paint the devil on the wall.
You should only talk of your own hunting
skills. (mind your own business)
You should see a guinea fowl’s spots, you
throw away the partridge.
You shouldn't eat valium before going out.
You shouldn't leave your own fire ablaze to
go and put out your neighbour's fire.
You shouldn't saw off the branch you're
sitting on.
You shouldn't speak for one who is present.
You shout in vain when you're calling the
deaf.
You snooze, you lose.
You sometimes forget the harm that was
done to you, but never the harm you
have done to others.
You spoke with your own mouth.
You stored your milk in a straining metal . . .
and now you are complaining about bad
luck?
You surrender your freedom where you
deposit your secret.
You surround your vineyard with thorns -
place doors and locks on your mouth.
You take a bull by the horns and a man by
his words.
You talk sweet like the bulbul bird.
You think you are strong like the corn plant,
yet the bean vine is already choking you.
You think you lost your horse? Who knows,
765
he may bring a whole herd back to you
someday.
You think you've lost your horse? Who
knows, he may bring a whole herd back
to you someday.
You tie the horse at the will of the master.
You try to trade at a deserted place.
You used to be a baker, though now you
wear gloves.
You walk so long with a jar for water, until
the handle breaks off.
You want a grumpy dog and a lively horse.
You want better bread than wheaten.
You want no one to know it? Then don't do
it.
You warm up something for ten days and it
goes cold in one.
You will always be lucky if you know how
to make friends with strange cats.
You will break the bow if you keep it always
bent.
You will catch more flies with a spoonful of
honey than with a gallon of vinegar.
You will catch no birds with a club.
You will discover your true friends in mo-
ments of crisis.
You will find enough of brushna in every
wood to burn it.
You will find out what Hili of the
Amambalu experienced.
You will get furthest with honesty.
You will get no nourishment from the flesh
of a woman.
You will hate a beautiful song if you sing it
often.
You will know what something is really
worth, when you loose it forever.
You will lack nothing if you think privation
is always with you.
You will mix what is sacred with what is
profane.
You will never be punished for making
people die of laughter.