Rodgers Dictionary of Proverbs
When a single grass falls from a grass-
thatched house it doesn't leak.
When a single hair has fallen from your
head, you are not yet bald.
When a slave mounts a camel he wants to
ride on both humps.
When a slippery ground lies ahead, do not
laugh at those who have fallen.
When a snake gets warm on ice, then a
German will wish well to a Czech.
When a son attends to his father, it is a
twofold joy for both; when wise things
are prescribed to him, the son is.
When a son gives to his father, they both
weep.
When a soup is unpalatable, and the paste
of the pounded yam that goes with it is
not smooth, that is the time to know a
man who loves to eat pounded yam.
When a stepmother moves in, the father
becomes a stepfather.
When a stiff-necked bull stands with its four
legs planted firmly and refuses to move,
you cannot make it go ahead only by
pulling it by the reins and using your
whip.
When a stone hits glass, the glass breaks.
When glass hits a stone, the glass breaks.
When a stone is identified it cannot destroy
a hoe.
When a thief finds nothing to steal he will
steal a dagger made of sand.
When a thief kisses you, count your teeth.
When a thing is done, advice comes too late.
When a thing is done, make the best of it.
When a tiny toe is hurting the whole body
stoops down to attend to it.
When a tortoise embarks on a journey he
doesn't ask for directions, because he
does not want his enemies to know
where he's going.
When a tree is falling, every one cries, down
with it.
When a twig grows hard it is difficult to
twist it, every beginning is weak.
When a very short man causes the market to
break up in a big fight, bystanders ask
690
him to stand up so that they can see how
short he really is.
When a warrior dies, his spirit escapes.
When a warrior goes to a battle, he does not
abandon his friends.
When a whore repents, she becomes a
matchmaker.
When a wife sins, the husband is never
innocent.
When a wolf is mentioned, he is already
walking round the garden.
When a woman cannot have good palm-
nuts to give her rich oil, she still has to
maintain decency in order to remain one
of those that sell good quality oil.
When a woman has ten children, there is
nothing that happens in the night that
she does not know about.
When a woman is hungry, she says, "Roast
something for the children that they may
eat."
When a woman is not singing, she is not
working much either.
When a woman knows no more how to
answer, she must be dried up.
When a woman laughs, an experienced man
will know how much it will cost him.
When a woman prepares a dish which
others find unpalatable, she says that she
prepared it to suit her own taste.
When a woman talks to you, smile but do
not listen.
When a yam doesn't grow well, we don't
blame it; it is because of the soil.
When Adam delved and Eve span, who was
then the gentleman?
When ae door steeks anither ane opens.
When ale goes in, the wit goes out.
When all candles be out, all cats be gray.
When all fruits fails, welcome haws.
When all is wet to the skin, hold out yet.
When all men say you are a dog, it is time to
bark.
When all men say you are an ass, it is time
to bray.