26 MALAY PROVERBS. 



You cannot make the African white. A person of low 

 origin will always carry about the evidence of it with him. 



229. Buat nasi tambali. 



" To provide a supplementary dish of rice." 



To have concubines as well as the lawful number of 

 wives. At a Malay feast the guests are helped to rice by the 

 attendants, but a large dish of rice is set before them as well, 

 from which they are at liberty to help themselves when 

 they feel inclined. This is called nasi tambali. 



230. Bir puteh tulang jangan puteh mata. 



" Let the bones whiten, but not; the eyes !" 

 Death before dishonour. 



231. Bir alali meniabong asa akan menang sorak." 



" Covering defeat in the cock-pit by making the greatest 

 noise." Carrying off defeat by swagger. 



Said of any one who attempts to conceal his feel- 

 ings of chagrin or disappointment consequent on grief or 

 loss, by insincere boasting or expressions of satisfaction. 



232. Bung a bersunting sudah akan layu. 



" A flower worn as an ornament withers when done with." 



The usual trite comparison between flowers and feminine 

 charms. The same idea in different language will be found 

 in Favre's Dictionary sub voce bunga. 



233. Badannia bnlih dimilik hatinia tiada dimilik. 



" The body may be possessed, but the affections cannot be 

 coerced." 



234. Bir badan penat asakan liati suka. 



"Never mind the fatigue of the body so long as the heart 

 is cheerful." 



A slave will do twice as much work if kept in good 

 humour by considerate treatment. 



235. Bir j atoh terletak jangan jatoh terampas. 



" Let it fall as if set down, not as if thrown down " 



