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

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“I will drag you through the bush” will have to clear a path with his own back.

It is with the town dweller in mind that one makes the bush person's trousers well.

It is so that one would be able to rest that one forgoes rest.

It is so that one would not have to suffer that one pawns Májìyà.

It is in anticipation of the day a child will get into trouble that one gives it a name.

Its is with tomorrow in mind that we do favors for today.

It is with the wise person in mind that one makes the idiot's garment full length.

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.

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