Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
Do not put all your eggs in one basket.
Do not put in more warp than you can
weave.
Do not put off till tomorrow what you can
do today.
Do not put the cart before the horse.
Do not put your foot further than you can
draw it back again.
Do not put your head in front of your
words.
Do not put your spoon into the pot which
does not boil for you.
Do not put your spoon into the pot which
does not boil for you.
Do not rake up old grievances.
Do not refuse the body what it asks for.
Do not rejoice at my grief, for when mine is
old, yours will be new.
Do not rejoice over what has not yet
happened.
Do not remove a fly from your friend’s
forehead with a hatchet.
Do not remove a fly from your friend's head
with a hatchet.
Do not reprimand the alien, do not praise
your own.
Do not respond to a barking dog.
Do not ridicule the thin-bearded when you
yourself have no beard.
Do not roast baobab kernels and leave those
who have teeth chewing.
Do not roll up your trousers before reaching
the stream.
Do not run after a cart that will not take you.
Do not run away from a pond of water.
Do not run into debt with a rich man, or
promise anything to a poor one.
Do not say the first thing that comes to your
mind.
Do not scare the birds you are going to
shoot.
Do not search for a calf under an ox.
Do not see him dirty. (Don’t despise a
person because of their appearance)
Do not seek the truth, only cease to cherish
your opinions.
Do not sell sun in July.
159
Do not ship all in one bottom.
Do not shoot a glass arrow into a painted
deer.
Do not show a stick to a dog that has been
beaten.
Do not show your teeth until you can bite.
Do not sigh, for your enemy will hear and
rejoice.
Do not slaughter a calf before its mother’s
eyes.
Do not speak about a thing, or wish it done,
but do it.
Do not speak badly of a crocodile when
your leg is in the river.
Do not speak of a rhinoceros if there is no
tree nearby.
Do not speak of evil for it creates curiosity in
the hearts of the young.
Do not speak of secret matters in a field that
is full of little hills.
Do not speak of the rhino if there is no tree
nearby!
Do not spit in the well, you may be thirsty
by and by.
Do not spit into a well it may be useful to
drink water.
Do not spit into the well that you might
need to drink out of.
Do not spit into the well you may have to
drink of.
Do not spread your corn to dry at an
enemy’s door.
Do not spur a free horse.
Do not spur a willing horse.
Do not stand in a dangerous place trusting
in miracles.
Do not start if afraid, once begun do not be
afraid.
Do not stay too long when the husband is
not home.
Do not steal a loaf from him that kneads and
bakes.
Do not step on the dog’s tail, and he will not
bite you.
Do not strip before bedtime.
Do not stuff your servant with bread, and he
won’t ask for cheese.