72 MALAY PROVERBS. 



'• single human being (a woman) is not to be understood." 

 Kl. 171. 



See M. 148. 



" Car, voyez vous, la femme est, comme on dit, mon maitre, 



Un certain animal, difficile a connaitre."' Moliere. 



218 Oj^lQU^jl^^ pXS \^j^y^ jUfJ tfb J*> jfi jjtijtf' 



Kalau Tcena tampar biar dengan tang an gang pa Tcei chin-chin, 

 kalau hena tendang biar dengan ItaTci yang pdkei kasut. 



" If you receive a slap let it be from a hand which wears a 

 " ring, if you receive a kick let it be with a foot which wears a 

 « shoe." Kl. 9. 



Let correction or punishment come from some one of superior rank. This 

 proverb is, I believe, borrowed from the Tamil language. 



219 (jjaU djjj^ +%»\ JmjU Ijdbfe jxS J'U L^fJ^ 



Kalau Touching pahei tandolo icolanda masoh islam baliaru bulihjadi. 

 " When cats wear horns and Dutchmen turn Muhammadans it 

 " will come to pass." 



This is a common expression (modern), but it is rather an imprecation than 

 a proverb. Another version is : Ber-tandok Mda, " when horses have horns.*' 

 " The Greek kalends." 



220 Jfr* c^" 5 u^-*^ *tyf. iff a**^ jJJ^* o^V Jo 

 Kalau langit handak menimpah bumi byleh-kah di-talian-Toan 



dengan ielunjuTo. 

 " If the sky were about to fall on the earth, could one keep it 

 " off with the forefinger ?" Kl. 12. 



Can the oppression of a raja or chief be successfully resisted by one in a 

 humble position ? 



221 rj^ jQ a)j1 if lo aL£U. jJIiJ <j\j> Jjl ^lo^o jl^** £ r ~«j)lS' 

 Kalau mengaberany sungei biar di-telan uleh buaya tetapi jangan_ 



lah di-pagut uleh ikan hechil-hechil. 

 " If you are crossing a river, rather be swallowed by a 

 " crocodile than nibbled at by the little fishes." Kl. 11. 



Death at the hands of a fitting antagonist is better than insults from moan 

 and vulgar adversaries. 



