Vakabula ika levu.
“The big fish got away.”
A major opportunity was within reach but was ultimately lost.
— Traditional Fiji Wisdom, Fiji
Source: Traditional Fiji proverb (iTaukei), public-domain oral tradition
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The coconut falls close to its own roots.
Children tend to grow up resembling the home and upbringing that shaped them.
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You will reap the flowers of the bua you planted.
Everyone must live with the consequences of their own actions.
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First go past the forest before you start whistling.
Finish the task at hand before celebrating or boasting of success.
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As the waves rise higher, the swimmer tries to rise higher still.
A warning against arrogance in the young who ignore the advice of their elders and overreach their own limits.
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The parrot will not fly off and leave its tail behind in the nest.
A leader should never set out without the essential support and counsel needed to succeed.
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At the edge of the rock, the shellfish are gathered and protected.
Young women are watched over and protected by their families.
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