MALAY PROVERBS. 147 



the troops of the Hollanders raised the siege after great 

 expense had been incurred in the expedition. The failure 

 of this particular enterprise has ever since been quoted in 

 the above form to signify failures in general. 



117. Pelakat api cliatas humbling. 

 To light a fire on the roof. 



To destroy a thing on purpose, pretending all the time to 

 be of use. 



It is a common thing to light a fire on the ground in front 

 of a Malay house to keep away mosquitoes. The proverb 

 supposes the case of a man professing to light such a fire, but 

 really setting fire to the house. 



118. Peti yang berisi mas per ah itu tiada di-MMk-kan 

 or any. 



People do not pour out the contents of the box in which 

 they keep their gold and silver. 



Men do not give away their best for nothing, whether, 

 literally, their most valuable possessions, or figuratively, 

 their wisdom, experience, discoveries, etc. 



119. Putus benang dapat di ubong, 

 Fatah arang sudah saJcali. 



The thread severed may be joined again; 



If a piece of charcoal be broken, it is all over. 



Near relations or intimate friends do not quarrel irrecon- 

 cileably, but between strangers or mere acquaintances a col- 

 lision may end fatally. 



120. Pipit tuli makan ber liujan, 

 Ta halau padi habis 

 Handak halau kain basalt. 



The deaf pipit is feeding in the rain, 



If it is not driven away the padi will all be finished, 



To drive it away one must wet one's clothes. 



Said of a person in a dilemma ; each course open to him 

 presents difficulties. 



