MALAY PROVERBS. 143 



A contemptuous expression for a common person dressed 

 more finely than becomes his position. The broom is the 

 most base of all domestic utensils among* Malays, and this 

 acids bitterness to the comparison. 



101. Seperti lemukut di tepi gantang. 



Like the rice-dust (broken grains of rice) on the sides of 

 the measure. 



Something of which the presence or absence is equally 

 inappreciable, masok pun trCpenoh, terbit pun ta'luah. The 

 fifth wheel to the coach. 



102. Seperti sayur clengan rambut. 

 Like vegetables (compared) with hair. 



The difference between an undertaking which promises 

 a reasonable prospect of support and one which does not. 



103. Sayangkan kain b'uangkan baju. 



Out of concern for the Sarong, to throw away the jacket. 



A second line, which is sometimes added, 



Sayangkan lain buangkan aku. 



(if you are fond of another, cast me off,) explains the 

 application. 



The proverb refers to the dilemma in which a Malay hus- 

 band is placed, when he proposes to take a second wife, and 

 finds that each lady wishes to be the sole object of his affec- 

 tions. 



104. Sapuloh jong masok pun anjing ber-cltawat ekor juga. 



Ten junks may come in, but the dogs still tuck their tails 

 between their legs. 



Euler may succeed ruler, or other important changes in 

 the government of a country may take place, but the con- 

 dition of the lower classes will remain the same. 



This proverb is to be found in Klinkert's collection and in 

 Favre's dictionary, but the former gives no explanation and 

 that given by Favre is hardly satisfactory. It is best exem- 

 plified by another Malay saying, "Siapa jadi raja pun tan- 

 gan aku ka dajii jug a" 



