Makaku sa kua palu e ta subi.
“The monkey knows which tree to climb.”
A person looking for advantage always knows exactly whom or what to target.
— Traditional Papiamento Wisdom, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba
Better late than never.
Acting late is still worth more than never acting at all.
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You sing so badly you have spoiled the water.
Said to someone singing badly out of tune — a light-hearted way of mocking a poor performance.
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With only two hands, the funchi cannot come out right.
A single pair of hands is rarely enough — real work goes better with the help of others.
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The chicken washes with the water it has.
Make do with what is available to you rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
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A clean conscience is the best pillow.
Living honestly brings peace of mind and untroubled sleep.
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To jump out of the pot and fall into the fire.
Escaping one bad situation only to land in a worse one.
Traditional Papiamento Wisdom
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