Part 2: On perspicaciousness (good judgment, perceptiveness), reasonableness, sagacity, savoir-faire, wisdom, and worldly wisdom

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“Máa jẹ́ ǹṣó” lọ̀yà fi ńju ẹmọ́ lọ.
“Go on feeding” is what makes the cane rat fatter than the Tullberg's rat.
(Excessive consideration for others can be disadvantageous.) [81]

“Màá kó ẹrú, màá kó ẹrù” là ḿbá lọ sógun; ọ̀nà lẹnìkẹta ḿbáni.
“I will capture slaves and I will capture loot” is what one has in mind on departure for a war; the third one comes upon one only along the way.
(Too often one is so preoccupied with the good aspects of a proposition that the bad aspects sneak up on one.) [82]

Màjèṣín dóbò àkọ́kọ́, ó sáré yọ okó síta, ó ní Olúwa-á ṣeun.
The tender youth has sex for the first time ever, pulls out his penis prematurely, and says “God be praised!”
(A novice knows not how to relish good things.)

Mójú-kúrò nilé ayé gbà; gbogbo ọ̀rọ̀ kọ́ ló ṣéé bínú sí.
Judicious forebearance is the wise approach to the world; not every matter deserve to be angry at.
(The best way to live is to ignore petty annoyances.)

81. The Tullberg's rat is supposed to have told the cane rat (also known as cutting grass) to eat first of their common food. The latter fed rather well, leaving little for the former to eat.  [Back to text]

82. The third thing that surprises the soldier along the way is death.  [Back to text]