MALAY l'KOVEKBS. 



15 



1<5(>. Minyak dengan ayer adakah berchampiir? 

 " Will oil mix with water" ? 



Distinctions in rank should be observed and upheld. 



167. Mati-mati berminyak biar lechuk. 



If you use oil let the hair be thoroughly greased." 



Do a thing thoroughly whether it be a good or bad action. 



Similar proverbs are given by Klinkert in his collection ; 



Mati-mati mandi biar basah; mati-mati berdawat biarlah hitam. 



The idea seems to be similar to that expressed by the 

 familiar saying u One may as well be hanged for a sheep as 

 for a Iamb." The Perak Malays say " Pala-pala aku 

 handak mati biarlali aku mati ber-kapan chindei." "Suppos- 

 ing that I must suffer death let it, at all events, be for a silk 

 robe. ,? In other words, let me have the satisfaction of 

 attaining notoriety by having killed some important person- 

 age and let me not be slain as a punishment for a vulgar or 

 common offence. 



168. Malu berdayong prahu hanyut. 



" ( He is ) ashamed to row, (so) the boat drifts." 



The man who is ashamed to put his own Land to his work 

 will make nothing of it. 



109. Mati segan Mdup ta'malm. 



"Disinclined to die but get not willing to live." 



Said of a person avLo is a burden on his family and is too 

 lazy to do anything for his own support. 



Sometimes the phrase is inverted, Kidup segan mati 

 ta'mau ; but the meaning is much the same. 



17n. Mahukah orang menghvjankan garamnya. 



"Will a man put Lis salt out in the rain?" 



Will a man publish Lis own dishonour, or put himself to 

 open shame and discredit by exposing the faults of his 

 own household ? 



