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

P

Stockfish is not a meat one eats without repercussions; keep on drinking herbal remedies.
(One pays for one's indiscretions by and by.)

The grassland that proposes to burn into the river is asking for a lecture.
(Abstain from actions that will provoke others' ire.) [92]

The serpent refuses to be trifled with.
(Certain situations are not to be taken lightly, lest they result in painful repercussions.)

It is very carefully and patiently that a snake climbs the coconut palm.
(Dangerous and difficult tasks should be attempted with care and patience.)

The soiling caused by speech; it stains a person and cannot be removed.
(Injury once spoken cannot be recalled.)

It may take long, but the coop will eventually cover the chicken.
(One may put it off a while, but one cannot avoid one's fate.)

It may take long, but the stammerer will eventually manage to say “Papa.”
(With perseverance the most difficult task will be accomplished.)

It may take a while, but the palm-wine tapster will descend from atop the palm-tree.
(All is takes is patience; what one desires will eventually happen.)

It may take a while, but the under-water swimmer will eventually surface.
(If one is patient, what is bound to happen will eventually happen.)

It may take a while, but the deceitful person will not be undiscovered.
(Truth will unfailingly triumph in the end.)

It may take a while, but the person who went to the stream will return home.
(There is no journey that does not end some time.)

It may take a while, but Ọ̀rúnmìlà will surely eat corn.
(What one deserves will unfailingly come one's way in the end.)

92. If the bush were to burn into the river there would be a hissing sound when the water puts the fire out.  [Back to text]