“One who fell into a pit at night does not fall into the same pit again in daylight.”
A wise person learns from a past mistake and takes care not to repeat it.
— Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom, Sri Lanka
Source: Traditional Sri Lankan proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Sri Lanka
A pot that is completely full makes no noise when shaken; a pot only half full rattles loudly.
People with little real knowledge tend to talk the loudest, while those who are truly wise and well-informed stay calm and say little.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →
You cannot swallow a medicine pill without your own throat knowing it.
A person cannot hide the truth about their own actions from themselves.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →
Whatever is thrown up into the air must come back down to the ground.
Anything, or anyone, that rises too high or too fast will eventually fall back down.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →
To the slender loris, her own baby looks like a precious gem.
What appears worthless or plain to others can be dearly precious to the one who loves it.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →
The bird that keeps jumping from branch to branch to escape the rain ends up soaked through and dies.
Constantly running from a problem instead of facing it directly usually causes greater harm in the end.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →
What use is the light of a lamp to a person who cannot see?
A gift or piece of advice is wasted on someone who has no way to make use of it.
Traditional Sri Lanka Wisdom
Read more →