Part 4: On perseverance, industry, resilience, self-confidence, self-reliance, resourcefulness, daring, fortitude, and invulnerability

D

Dàńdógó kì í ṣe ẹ̀wù ọmọdé.
Dàńdógò is not a garment for the young.
(Certain feats are beyond certain people.)
Compare Dàńdógó kọjá ẹ̀wù àbínúdá.

Dídán là ńdán ọ̀ràn wò; bí olówó ẹní kú, à lọ ṣúpó.
One should give everything a try; if one's owner dies one goes to claim his wife.
(One should attempt even the impossible.)

Dídán lẹyẹlé ńdán kú.
A perpetually shining appearance is what chracterizes the pigeon even until death.
(An observation that a person's reputation cannot be tarnished, or a wish that it never be tarnished.)

Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ leku ńjawọ.
It is bit by bit that rats eat leather.
(With slow and steady application, even a difficult task will be done.)
See the following two entries.

Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ lẹyẹ ńmu ọsàn.
It is bit by bit that a bird eats an orange.
(Easy does it.)
See the preceding and the following entries.

Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ ní ńtánṣẹ́.
Gradual efforts complete a task.
(The biggest task is accomplished with gradual and steady attention.)
See the previous two entries.

Dùndún fọ̀ràn gbogbo ṣàpamọ́ra.
The talking drum endures all matters without complaint. [15]
(It is best to be stoically resilient.)

15. A reference to the cords, bells and bands tied around the drum, as well as to the beating it takes from the stick used in playing it.  [Back to text]