451 Nigerian Proverbs / Page 3
41. A man who lives on the bank of a river does not use spittle to wash his hands.
42. A man who walks alone carries a load of palm-fronds.
43. A masquerade does not perform to an outside audience until he performs well at the home base.
44. A masquerade is not a spirit only because of its mask.
45. A mother is gold, a father is a mirror.
46. A mouse that removes the palm-nut that turns out to be the bait of a trap, would already have known that the palm-nut does not ripen on the ground.
47. A one-eyed person does not thank god until he meets a blind person at prayer.
48. A pad that breaks a pot of water does not remain on the head.
49. A performing masquerade who tries too hard to outclass his colleagues may expose his anus.
50. A person always breaking off from work never finishes anything.
51. A person is a guest for one or two days, but becomes an intruder on the third.
52. A person on whose head lice are being removed, must be grateful.
53. A person who does not bathe, must know it of himself that he is dirty.
54. A person who has children does not die.
55. A person who picks something and decides to make it his own, ought to think how he would feel if he was the person who lost the property he picked.
56. A piece of iron can only become what the blacksmith says it should become.
57. A pig that is used to wallowing in the mud looks for a clean person to rub against.
58. A pot that build attracts the cook.
59. A rat is not born a rabbit.
60. A single man can not build a house.