Part 6: On consideration, kindness, and thoughtfulness

O

There you ate, there you drank, and there you fouled.

“Greetings to you at work” cannot invite people's anger.

“Its impression on me is tremendous,” such is Arogun's corn meal; I bought only one, but she gave me two hundred as makeweight (or extra measure).

A small kolanut is superior to a large stone.

A woman who bears a child that requires only cold water for all cures has saved her husband much worry; he will never again go searching for medicinal leaves, nor will he go digging roots.

A woman has a child by you and you still say you do not see her inside “know her mind”; would you have her expose her intestines?

Ògún [11] does not fashion ivory, the blacksmith does not make shoes; were farming not a difficult pursuit the blacksmith would not manufacture hoes for sale.

What will help a miser spend his money is right there in his/her pocket.

The rain beats the coco-yam leaf; if it will tear, let it tear.

It is out of regard for onlookers that one sings in praise of the dead; the dead did not prescribe a song before departing this life.

Eyes are what see look on eyes and fill with kindness.

Only the king of this earth is blind; that of heaven is wide-eyed, watching evil doers.

Òkulu asks to whom should he lodge his complaint? Did anybody lodge his complaint with Òkulu?

The goitered person going in front ruins the fortunes of the one coming behind.

A good deed does not go for nought; a wicked deed is never lost; drowning while doing a favor is what makes the good person lose out on the rewards for his goodness.

The favor one does a chicken is not for nought; in due course it will make stew to delight one's mouth.

Only a person who thinks of the future commiserates with an orphan; otherwise, who would show kindness to an Ègùn person?

An ill-natured woman will not give birth to twins; only good-natured people give birth to twins.

Money is what calls for spending money.

11. Ògún is the god of metals.  [Back to text]

12. The Ègùn are a branch of the Yoruba; they suffer from a good deal of detraction.  [Back to text]

13. Ẹdun is the colobus monkey, but the Yoruba, who greatly favor twins, associate them with the animal.  [Back to text]