“An intelligent enemy is better than a foolish friend.”
A capable rival can be dealt with wisely, but a foolish ally's mistakes can cause even greater harm.
— Traditional Senegal Wisdom, Senegal
Source: Traditional Senegal proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Senegal
He who knows how to swim does not die in the water.
Skill and preparation protect a person from the dangers they are equipped to face.
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The voice of truth is easily known.
Honesty carries a recognizable ring that falsehood cannot truly imitate.
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A shepherd does not strike his own sheep.
Those entrusted with the care of others act gently toward them, not with cruelty.
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'Go' is better than 'don't go.'
Taking action, even imperfectly, is worth more than refusing to act at all.
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A razor cannot shave itself.
No one can fully correct their own faults alone; everyone needs an outside perspective.
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To bring the dead back to life is easy for God.
Nothing is too difficult for divine power, however impossible it may appear to people.
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