Monday Proverb

Proverbs have tremendous cultural value here and matching local proverbs with key scriptures is a wonderful tool to starting a conversation about the Gospel.

Wolof proverb:
Nebbon bi ci dënnu tuabéer, ba tax ko tëbëntu, mungi ci xàbban te mu ne tekk ak moom

(translation) The hump of animal fat which hangs from the chest of the ram, and incites it to manifest its power is also found on the steer, which however remains calm.

(explanation) Modesty is something to be valued. When one boasts of something whether it be knowledge, strength or fortune, there is always someone else who has far more yet without feeling the need to boast or show up the vanity of others.

“This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD.” Jeremiah 9:23-24 NIV

Reprinted in part with permission from "Wisdom of the Wolof Sages: A Collection of Proverbs translated and explained in English" by Dr. Richard Shawyer (c) 2009