“Rags are better than nakedness.” “Half-a-loaf’s better than no bread.”—[Hayti.]
146. Haï moune; main pas ba yeaux pañèn pou châïer dleau. (Hais les gens; mais ne leur donne pas des paniers pour charrier de l’eau.)
“Hate people; but don’t give them baskets to carry water in.”—that is to say: Don’t tell lies about them that no one can believe—stories that “won’t hold water.”—[Trinidad.]
147. * Jadin loin, gombo gaté. (Jardin loin, gombo gâté.)
“When the garden is far, the gombo is spoiled.”[58]—[Martinique.]
[58] This appears to be a universal Creole proverb. If you want anything to be well done, you must look after it yourself: to absent oneself from one’s business is unwise, etc.
148. * Jamais di: Fontaine, mo va jamais boi to dolo. (Ne dis jamais—Fontaine, je ne boirai jamais de ton eau.)”
“Never say—‘Spring, I will never drink your water.’”[59]—[Louisiana.]
[59] The loftiest pride is liable to fall; and we know not how soon we may be glad to seek the aid of the most humble.
149. Janmain guiabe ka dòmi. (Jamais le diable ne s’endort.)