Page:Journal of the Straits Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society (IA journalofstrait121878roya).pdf/131

 "Wherever there is a field, there are grass-hoppers." Wherever there is a settlement there is of course population.


 * 14. Anjing dibri makan nasi, bila akank iniang [sic]?

"Will a dog ever be satisfied however much rice you may give him?" Kindness is thrown away upon coarse, unmannerly people, who are never satisfied but are always expecting fresh favours.


 * 15. Ayer tawar sa'chawan di tuang-kan kadalam laut itu bulih-kah menjadi tawar ayer laut itu?

"If a cup of fresh water be poured into the sea, will the saltwater become fresh ?" A serious offence or a great sin cannot be condoned or wiped out by any trifling means.


 * 16. Ayam itam terbang malam,
 * Hinggap di poko pandan;
 * Berkersah ada rupa-nia tidak.

"A black fowl which flies at night and settles in the pandan bush; there is a rustling but nothing is to be seen.”"

Applied metaphorically to any mysterious case in a Malay court of justice, the details of which are wrapped in obscurity. When it is impossible to get to the bottom of such a case a Malay will remark sententiously that it is "a black fowl whose flight is by night." On the other hand a case in which the facts are perfectly clear, and the guilt or innocence of the accused is proved to demonstration, is "a white fowl which flies by day," or, to give the phrase at full length,


 * 17. Ayam puteh terbang siyang.
 * Hinggap di halaman;
 * Malah kapada mata orang yang banyak.

"A white fowl which flies in broad day-light and alights in the court-yard, full in the sight of all the people."


 * 18. Apa lagi sawa iya berkahandak ayam lah.

"Of course the boa-constrictor wants the fowl." Applies to a certain class of persons who are contented enough as long as they get everything they require.


 * 19. Bukan tanah menjadi padi.

"Earth does not become grain." Another proverb illustrative of the hopelessness of attempting to elevate the worthless.

"You cannot make a silk purse out of a sow's ear."