Page:Hausa Proverbs.djvu/25

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Hausa Proverbs
13

19 Da kuka'n kura, da batchewa'n akwia duka daia ne.

The cry of the hyena and the losing of the goat are one and the same.
Give a dog a bad name.

20 Gurgu ba shi koiya gurgu taffia.

The blind leading the blind.

21 Rama ba mutua ba.

Being thin is not dying.
Appearances are deceptive.

22 Rijia ta bayes, gugaa ta hanna.

The well gives, but the bucket refuses.
The great man orders a distribution of food, money, &c., but his agent does not issue it.
Might be used when an official, who is dependent on an interpreter, gives an order; meaning "he may give an order, but I doubt whether it will be carried out."

23 Ya zamma wandu dei dei da gatto'n kowa.

He is (a pair) of trousers that fit every one's thighs.
He is so powerful that every one fears him.

24 Mai abu kan san barra.

A man with wealth will always get a servant.
San, a contraction of samu.

25 Mai akwia ya yi taffia derri, balé mai kura.

If the owner of a goat is not afraid to travel by night, why should the owner of a hyena be (seeing that night is the usual time for a hyena to move about)?