“Don't wait until the drum beats before you grind your axe.”
Prepare for challenges ahead of time, not after they have already arrived.
— Traditional Cayman Islands Wisdom, Cayman Islands
Source: Traditional Jamaican proverb, shared West Indian oral heritage with the Cayman Islands (a dependency of Jamaica until 1962), public-domain oral tradition; documented by the National Library of Jamaica.
More Proverbs from Cayman Islands
Finger never say 'look here,' it says 'look yonder.'
People are quick to point out faults in others while avoiding a look at their own shortcomings.
If you get your hand in the devil's mouth, take it out slowly.
When you find yourself in a dangerous or difficult situation, use caution and care to get out of it safely.
The peacock hides its foot when it hears about its tail.
A proud person is quick to hide their flaws once those flaws are pointed out.
It isn't wanting to be fat that makes the nightingale's foot stay so thin.
Do not judge a person's circumstances only by outward appearance; there is often a deeper reason behind it.
Every day the devil helps the thief; one day God will help the watchman.
Wrongdoing may seem to succeed for a time, but justice and faithfulness are eventually rewarded.
A coward man keeps a sound bone.
A strategic retreat from danger preserves your strength for another day.