Part 3: On cageyness, caution, moderation, patience, and prudence

T

“Ta á sí i” kì í báni wá ọfà.
“Shoot at it” does not help one find arrows.
(People are ever eager to goad one to action, but never to help one carry out the task.)

Ta ní rán Abẹ́lù wọ ọkọ̀, tó ní ọkọ̀ọ́ ri òun?
Who sent Abẹ́lu into a boat, as a result of which action he says he was drowned in the boat?
(People who get into trouble by their own actions should complain to no one.)

“Tàná là ńjà lé lórí”, ló pa Baálẹ̀ẹ Kòmọ̀kan.
“It is yesterday's matter that we are fighting over” is what killed Chief Know-Nothing.
(It is wise to let the past alone.)

Tantabùlù, aṣòróówọ̀ bí ẹ̀wù àṣejù.
An unbecoming thing, as unpleasant to wear as the garment of disgrace.
(Disgrace is not a pleasant thing to live with.)

Tìjà tìjà ní ńṣe ará Ọ̀pọ́ndá.
Incessant proneness to fighting is the affliction of Ọ̀pọ́ndá people.
(Said of people who are always out for a fight.)

Tọ̀sán tọ̀sán ní ńpọ́n ìtalẹ̀ lójú; bílẹ̀-ẹ́ bá ṣú yó di olóńjẹ.
It is the persistence of daylight that imposes suffering on the mud-floor worm; when night falls it will find food.
(Patience will bring what one lacks to one.)