Part 1: On humility, self-control, self-knowledge, self-respect, and self-restraint

L

The butterfly likens itself to a bird, but it cannot do what a bird can do.

Ash mixed with water likens itself to indigo dye, but it cannot do what the dye can do; the large red bean likens itself to corn.

Were So-and-So alive he would transform himself into a brown monkey; did the person who preceded him ever transform himself into any kind of monkey?

A limp is no great asset for a person wishing to stop a fight; a masquerader's child is no easy playmate.

One does not wear ẹtù [67] cap as a matter of course; only certain people have heads suited for such a cap.

Cattle egrets never lay black eggs; only white eggs do they lay.

66. The proverb in all probability refers to alárìnjó (itinerant performing masqueraders) contests during which they claim to transform themselves into animals and reptiles. Oloyo is another name for the brown monkey.  [Back to text]

67. Ẹtù is a rich cloth cap that only the prosperous wear.  [Back to text]