QUESTION AND ANSWER PROVERBS A certain person tied an ox. some water upon him.” get some out of the (Arabian). 66 "Sprinkle The animal fell. "Let us first,” replied one, well to sprinkle upon him.” The picture that is presented in this saying is that of an ox fallen to the ground from exhaustion and overwork while he remains tied to a water wheel. A man stands near who is advising the owner of the ox to throw some water on the prostrate beast to refresh it, whereupon the owner answers-"Let us first get some water out of the well to throw on it.' The saying is used in reference to people who give foolish advice. A crow exclaimed "God is the truth"; "Then," quoth one, "the dirt scraper has become a preacher." (Arabian). See Grouping Proverbs: "If your neighbour has made a pilgrimage to Mecca once, watch him; if twice, avoid his society; if three times, move into another street." "Young A monkey solicited hospitality from demons. gentleman," they replied, "the house is quite empty of provisions. (Arabian). Never seek benefits of those who are capable only of inflicting injury. It is useless to ask hospitality of the niggardly. "Bridegroom salute!" ern Greek). "May God be blessed!" (Mod Addressed to one who has waited long for some benefit and whose patience is nearly exhausted. "Because I lack a cash (Tamil). "Cake! Why so insipid?" worth of sugar." "The more "Crow, how goes it with your children? " they grow, the more they blacken." (Modern Greek). This may mean, as a child grows he will show more clearly the characteristics of his parents, or it may mean, the character of an evil-minded man becomes worse with advancing age. “Father,” he said, "the person who washes his hand, is he to eat with us?" "Neither he nor thou also," he replied. (Arabian). It is a common practice in the East to wash the hands before eating. Sometimes the right hand only is washed, that being the one used in handling the food. The proverb was used in referring to those who sought to prevent others from obtaining a benefit that they might secure it for themselves and found at last that neither of them were to have it. The proverb is now obsolete. "Get up, youngster, and work." "I am weak and cannot." "Get up, youngster, and eat something." "Where is my big pot?" (Kashmiri). "Good day, John." "I am sowing beans." (Modern Greek). Applied to people who are so engrossed in work that they are inattentive to others who ask them questions, and give only irrelevant replies. "He has seen pardon from a dry head." "What kind of pardon did he see?" (Osmanli). Favours granted by a bad man are worse than no favours, for they are sure to injure the recipient rather than benefit him. "Even quarter granted by the vile, is vile." "Wilt thou "That is thy run away?" (Arabian). He said, "O Slave, I have bought thee." He said to him, "Why are you crying while I am your uncle?" He said to him, "I am crying because you are my uncle." (Arabian). "I almost killed the bird!" "No one can eat almost in a stew." (Yoruba-West Africa). The proverb represents a colloquy between a sportsman and a companion. "Almost never killed a fly." (German). "Almost kills no man." (Danish). "A miss is as good as a mile." (English). I asked him about his father. "My uncle's name is Shayb," he replied. (Arabian). Similar to "Good day, John.' 'I am sowing beans,' being an irrelevant answer from one who is absorbed in some work. "I renounce thee, Satan!" cloak." (Spanish). "Thou shalt wear a shabby The first part of the proverb is supposed to be "It's a bauld moon," quo' Bennygask. "Anither pint," quo' Lesley. (Scotch). Used at a convivial party by one of the members who "Hout awa, Inverashalloch,' said Galbraith; SIR WALTER SCOTT: Rob Roy. It was asked of a woman, "Are you well?" She replied: “No, not at all. The child can just walk.” (Kash miri). When a child begins to walk it is constantly getting in its mother's way, often hanging on her skirts and giving her much annoyance, and is so frequently in mischief that she is compelled to be ever watchful. Her cares are thus increased and she is constantly wearied and in ill health. "A It was asked, "What is the wish of the blind?" basketful of horns," they replied; "if he does not see he may like butting." (Arabian). This proverb is now obsolete. "The blind men of Cairo, especially those quartered in the mosques, are notorious for their very quarrelsome temper. The multitudes of blind men daily fed in the Mosque el Azhar have frequently committed violent outrages in fighting one with another."-J. L. Burckhardt. "My Lord," he said, "the melon peels." "Man," quoth he," thy Lord eats the melon together with the melon peels." (Arabian). The picture here presented is that of a man eating a melon in a shop where they are on sale. A beggar at his side asks for the rind, whereupon he turns and answers the man, quoting the last part of the saying. "My service to you, uncle of the elephant foot"; "My child, I am honoured in your converse!" (Bengalese). A youth is here supposed to be jesting with a man who is much his senior and ridiculing him because of his large feet. The last part of the proverb is the man's sarcastic reply to the young man's insulting words. The saying is used when anyone covertly refers to the faults and failures of others when complimenting them on their virtues or achievements. "Neighbour, your house is burnt!" "Impossible, I have the keys." (Modern Greek). Applied to those who depend on inadequate measures, or who give trivial reasons for confidence, in times of danger or threatened loss. "Where you left "O blanket, where are you?" said he. Used as a sharp retort to one who has mislaid or lost "O camel, how do you, going up and coming down hills?" "Oh, both are a curse." (Kashmiri). “O friend, kill the snake." "I am the father of a family.” (Marathi). I cannot afford to do the dangerous thing that you ask. I have responsibilities and dependent interests, and people would suffer should I fail in the attempt. Do it yourself. "O Garuda, are you well?" "I would be well enough if I were in the place where I ought to be." (Tamil). One man said, "Let us go to the marriage"; the other replied, "Let us leave the country.' (Telugu). Applied to those who take the other side of every "Pray, Mr. Barber, how much hair is on my head?" "Sir, it will presently be laid before you." (Hindustani). 66 Applied to one who asks for information regarding results that will ere long be manifest or learned through experience. The following Persian proverb is similarly applied: "This is my hand, and this is the back of my hand." Sing, reverend sir." "My nail pains me." (Modern Greek). Applied to people who make a trivial excuse when asked to perform any task, or respond to any obligation. |