That True Saying
There are living proverbs that have lived the taste of time and they have been a source of inspiration, direction, and courage to many who sincerely adhere to them. In my home country, proverbs or what we commonly call adages have been symbolic, especially for the elders, to communicate wisely with the young.
They are mostly classified as words of wisdom and outlive human existence. We grew up hearing, knowing, and adhering to many of them as a path of obedience. I am privileged to have known some of these and for the contest guidelines, I will be sharing one of them. Let's get started with guidelines.
| What are/those Proverbs or adages you believe to be true, and how did you get to hear or know about them? |
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"Aturu na ayukasi ődu ya chere na ọ na megide onye nwe ya."
literal translation - "The sheep that keep causing trouble thinks it is acting against its owner."
This is one adage that has continued to flow from my mom to us (the children). An evergreen adage that has instilled in us the desired consciousness to always do the right thing. It is not only a reality before us but one that directs our path each time it flows through our consciousness.
As kids, we tend to behave like one and throw caution to the wind. We do not believe that anything matters at that time, and we get away with the belief that we are kids. But mom made us understand that we shouldn't continue in any path that would undue us because of its futuristic effects.
Some of our actions at that time were to get back to mom for the corrective discipline we never liked as kids but for our own good. I still remember different scenarios where she used this adage to remind us that we shouldn't think that what we are doing will only affect her now, but a greater part of us in the future.
| Why do you believe that saying is true? Do you know of or have any experience that confirms this proverb or adage |
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It is absolutely true, and I have shared one of the incidents here in my storyline. I remembered when I was cautioned about going to the river to swim. I was bitten by an insect in this river, which got me treated for a week due to its health implications.
But because of peer pressure and the need to align with my friends to have fun, I sneaked out again and went swimming. Behold, I was bitten again by the same insect. It was a bitter experience because of the flogging and the rest I received. This was not only a health challenge concern, but also a financial one.
She told me that she may not know when I go there to swim, but the result, which is usually the unfortunate infestation, is a testament to my disobedience. She will say, "A sheep that will continue to do as it likes, thinking that it is undoing its master, is gradually harming itself".
| Do you think the relevance of this proverb will be preserved in the next few generations to come |
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DEFINITELY YES. It is practical for our everyday living. It has a direct effect on how we live as humans and the need to be conscious of actions. As kids, we may not be knowledgeable enough to understand the harm we face, which can undermine our future.
So, it tries to teach us the importance of doing the right thing, believing that we are responsible for our actions, if not immediately, but when we are grown-ups. We can only blame the adults around who didn't prevent the occurrences but the damage or incapacitation is on us.
Thank you, for reading