“To love the king is not bad, but a king who loves you is better.”
Loyalty flowing only one way is worth less than a bond of genuine, mutual affection.
— 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.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →
The voice of truth is easily known.
Honesty carries a recognizable ring that falsehood cannot truly imitate.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →
A shepherd does not strike his own sheep.
Those entrusted with the care of others act gently toward them, not with cruelty.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →
'Go' is better than 'don't go.'
Taking action, even imperfectly, is worth more than refusing to act at all.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →
A razor cannot shave itself.
No one can fully correct their own faults alone; everyone needs an outside perspective.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →
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.
Traditional Senegal Wisdom
Read more →