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

Gb

“Put this above (ashore)” equals “Put this in the boat”; it is what one throws ahead that one finds in one's path.

No snake dancer dances with a cobra.

No animal pilferer ever pilfers a leopard.

The path along which a log will be rolled must be made wide enough.

All dogs eat excrement, but only those that smear their mouths with it are described as rabid.

Every way of fighting is a legitimate way of fighting. If you are strong enough to throw me, I will fight back by looking at you with absolute disdain.

All women are unfaithful; only those who know no moderation are put down as whores.

Just one utterance by the masquerader Agán is sufficient to effect a great deal of wonders.

One solitary statement muddies an entire affair; one solitary statement clears all the confusion.

One asks only one question of the palm-oil seller, but she rambles endlessly on.

45. Agán is one of the more formidable Yoruba masqueraders; he was traditionally employed to execute witches.  [Back to text]