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

N

Ng w kgb, hn-in r ni y fi ln.
I will drag you through the bush will have to clear a path with his own back.
(Whoever is determined to make trouble for others must be prepared to take some trouble himself.)
Compare m t n k y un m sn . . .

Ntor ara il la e d kt ar oko dra.
It is with the town dweller in mind that one makes the bush person's trousers well.
(One's products are one's advertisement, regardless of whether the recipient knows its quality.)
Compare Ntor lgbn la e d w-u aiwr kanl.

Ntor-i k l simi la e e -simi.
It is so that one would be able to rest that one forgoes rest.
(One labors in the present to provide for one's future.)
Compare the following entry and also Ntor la . . .

Ntor-i k m jy la e y Mjy lf.
It is so that one would not have to suffer that one pawns Mjy.
(One should not suffer the misfortune one has done everything to avoid.) [63]
Compare the preceding entry and also Ntor la...

Ntor j t b ma drn la e sm lrk.
It is in anticipation of the day a child will get into trouble that one gives it a name.
(Each individual has a name and is therefore an independent agent responsible for his/her actions.)

Ntor la la e n lore.
Its is with tomorrow in mind that we do favors for today.
(What one sows determines what one reaps.)
Compare Ntori k l simi . . . and Ntori k m jy . . .

Ntor lgbn la e d w-u aiwr kanl.
It is with the wise person in mind that one makes the idiot's garment full length.
(If one cares about one's reputation, one will perform one's obligations well even when the recipient has no power over one.)
Compare Ntor ara il la e d kt ar oko dra.

Nkan mta la k p n kker: a k pe in n kker; a k pe j n kker; a k pe sn n kker.
Three things one must never treat as of little consequence: one must never treat fire as of little consequence; one must never treat a quarrel as of little consequence; and one must never treat an illness as of little consequence.
(One must attend to every potential problem early before it gets out of hand.)

63. The name Mjy means Suffer not. The suggestion is that the speaker has either taken Mjy as a pawn to work for him, or has sent Mjy away as a pawn to perform the obligations the speaker had taken on.  [Back to text]