158 MALAY PROVERBS. 



171. Matahari itu hulilikah ditutop dengan nyiruV 



" Can the sun be covered up with a winnowing sieve ?" 



It is impossible to conceal what is patent to all. A great 

 crime will almost certainly be discovered. 



Another version (given by Klinkert) has bangkei gajah, 

 the carcase of an elephant, instead of mata liari, the sun. 



172. Melepaskan anjing ters&pit. 



"To extricate a dog caught (in a hedge.)" 



To meet with an ill return for doing an act of kindness, 

 the chances bring, that the dog will bite its rescuer. 



173. Merdjuk ayer di ruwang. 



" To be out of temper with water in the hold." To sulk 

 and do nothing when the boat has sprung a leak. 



The ryot cannot afford to shew temper with his chief, on 

 whom he depends for support. His means of livelihood 

 disappear if he does. 



174. Miuum ayer saWasa duri, 

 Makan sa'rasa lilin, 



Tidor ta'lena, mandi ta'basah. 



" To taste thorns in water, 

 To taste was in food, 



To take rest without sleep and to bathe without being 

 wetted." 



Describes the restless and uneasy condition of a man 

 whose mind is preoccupied with some plan or project which 

 he does not see how to put into execution. The first line 

 will be found in Klinkert' s collection and in Favre's dic- 

 tionary, sub voce " minum," but the meaning there given is 

 hardly satisfactory. 



175. Musang terjun lantei terjongket. 



"When the wild cat j.umps down the flooring laths (split 

 bamboo) stick up." 



The evil reputation of a criminal will cling about the 

 scene of his misdeeds long after he has disappeared. 



