“Wood may remain ten years in the water, but it will never become a crocodile.”
A person's true nature does not change no matter how long they stay in a different environment.
— Traditional Gabon Wisdom, Gabon
Source: Traditional Gabon proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Gabon
You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla.
Do not try to instruct someone who already has deep experience in a matter.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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He who is free of faults will never die.
No living person is entirely without flaws; perfection does not exist among mortals.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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No matter how full the river, it still wants to grow.
Desire and ambition rarely feel satisfied, however much one already has.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.
People who are individually weak can accomplish great things by joining together.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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The witness of a rat is another rat.
Those who share the same interests or faults will vouch for one another, so their testimony should be weighed with caution.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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When the bee comes to your house, let her have beer; you may want to visit the bee's house some day.
Treat visitors generously, because you may one day depend on their hospitality in return.
Traditional Gabon Wisdom
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