



MALAY PROVERBS. 



20. Bongkokbharu betid, buta bhani chelik. 



" The hunchback has become straight, and the blind has recover- 

 ed his sight." A very common proverb, used ironically of a man 

 who has risen from obscurity to a good position, and in his pros- 

 perity turns his back on his old friends. 



21. Begimana bunyi gendang, begitulah tari-nya. 



" As is the cadence of the tabor, so must the measure of the 

 dance be." The idea intended to be conveyed is, I believe, that u 

 man has to regulate hi« conduct according to the orders he gets 

 from his superiors. As the step has to be adapted to the music, 

 so the influence of those in power necessarily affects the conduct 

 of their subordinates. Among- the Malays, as 'among other 

 Eastern nations, a small drum beaten by the hands is a prominent 

 feature in all musical entertainments. Two kinds in common 

 use are called gen dang and robdna. Sometimes the time (in 

 dancing) is marked by clapping the hands (tepuk) or striking two 

 pieces of bamboo togther [kerehap). 



A common version of this proverb is " Begimana tepuk fjvgitu 

 fari/' 



22. Bunga dipetek, perdu dHendang. 



(i The flower is plucked, the stalk trampled under foot." To 

 take the sweet and leave the sour. Said of a man who ill-treats 

 his mother-iti- law. 



2«3. Bi'uii nia a, i yang Inula kena hujan. 



" Were is the spot on the earth that does not get moistened by 

 rain ?" 



There is no mortal who does not commit sin at some time or 

 other. A common repartee of Malay wives scolded for some 

 short-coming; it amounts to " Pm no worse than anybody else, 

 " every one must do wrong' sometimes." 



24-. Burong tetAang dipipis hula. 



" To grind pepper for a bird on the wing." One of the first 

 processes of Malay cookery is to grind up the spices, etc. with 

 which the dish is to be seasoned. The proverb ridicules making 

 preparations for the disposal of something not yet in one's power. 

 It is strongly suggestive of the old injunction " first catch your 

 hare." 



25. Bergantong Had a bertali. 



"To hang without a rope." To be without visible mums of 

 support; e. g. a Malay woman, deserted but not divorced by her 

 husband, who cannot remarry and has no one to support her. 



