Page:Hausa Proverbs.djvu/25

Rh 19 Da kuka'n kura, da batchewa'n akwia duka daia ne.
 * The cry of the hyena and the losing of the goat are one and the same.
 * Give a dog a bad name.

20 Gurgu ba shi koiya gurgu taffia.
 * The blind leading the blind.

21 Rama ba mutua ba.
 * Being thin is not dying.
 * Appearances are deceptive.

22 Rijia ta bayes, gugaa ta hanna.
 * The well gives, but the bucket refuses.
 * The great man orders a distribution of food, money, &c., but his agent does not issue it.
 * Might be used when an official, who is dependent on an interpreter, gives an order; meaning "he may give an order, but I doubt whether it will be carried out."

23 Ya zamma wandu dei dei da gatto'n kowa.
 * He is (a pair) of trousers that fit every one's thighs.
 * He is so powerful that every one fears him.

24 Mai abu kan san barra.
 * A man with wealth will always get a servant.
 * San, a contraction of samu.

25 Mai akwia ya yi taffia derri, balé mai kura.
 * If the owner of a goat is not afraid to travel by night, why should the owner of a hyena be (seeing that night is the usual time for a hyena to move about)?