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Comparisons are odious.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Concerning the Fate of Essido and his Evil Companions
Public-domain English source text from Elphinstone Dayrell’s 1910 collection. This colonial-era retelling is preserved as a historical source, not presented as a contemporary or exhaustive account of Nigerian culture.
Concerning the Hawk and the Owl
Public-domain English source text from Elphinstone Dayrell’s 1910 collection. This colonial-era retelling is preserved as a historical source, not presented as a contemporary or exhaustive account of Nigerian culture.
Concerning the Leopard, the Squirrel, and the Tortoise
Public-domain English source text from Elphinstone Dayrell’s 1910 collection. This colonial-era retelling is preserved as a historical source, not presented as a contemporary or exhaustive account of Nigerian culture.
Constant dropping wears the stone.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Covetousness brings nothing home.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Custom is second nature.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Cut your coat according to your cloth.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Daub yourself with honey, and you'll be covered with flies.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Daylight will peep through a small hole.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Delays are dangerous.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Desideria
Surprised by a moment of joy, the speaker turns instinctively to share it with someone buried in the grave, and the return of that knowledge—together with the discovery that he had briefly forgotten—becomes the worst pang except the moment of the loss itself.
Difficulties increase the nearer we come to our aim.
A maxim in Life and Character in the 1906 edition of T. Bailey Saunders' English translation of Goethe. It is presented as a historically attributed text, not as present-day fact, diagnosis or advice.
Do not put all your eggs in one basket
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Do not rip up old sores.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't buy a pig in a poke.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't halloo till you are out of the wood.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't reckon your chickens before they are hatched.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't tell new lies to old rogues.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't tell the devil too much of your mind.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Don't wake a sleeping dog.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Draw not your bow till your arrow is fixed.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Drawn wells are seldom dry.
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.
Drawn wells have sweetest water
A main proverb preserved in Walter K. Kelly's British-centered 1859 comparative collection. The exact oral origin is not asserted, and the historical saying is not presented as present-day fact or advice.