The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-06-02
FILIPINO PROVERBS.

(By Jorge Bocobo,e Member of the Phillipine Mission, and Dean, College of Law, University of the Philippines)
 The longing of the Filipino people for independence is nourished by very deep and earnest desire to devel- op their own Individuality as a nation. When the Spaniards came, the Filiptn- os already had a culture of their own. Almost every Filipino could read and write. Although Spanish civilization has greatly influenced the Filipinos, and although the young generation is being educated in American ideas. yet Filipino culture remains at bottom indigenous. It is the unfolding of this soul of the Filipino race that tusti- fies the long-standing fight of my people for freedom. Indicative of the existence of Fili- pino national genius are the purely Filipino songs, legends and proverbs which have been handed down by word of mouth from generation to generation. I have picked the follow ing Filipino proverbs at random from my collection of several hundred, which were all obtained from actual conversation with Filipinos, mostly old men. l have translated them from the Philippine languages as closely as possible, thus preserving not only the sense but also the mode of express sion. Lord Bacon said: The genius, wit, and spirit of a nation are dis covered in it's proverbs" Knowledge of Filipino proverbs therefore gives an insight into the psychology of the Filipino race.
 Bravery-1. A hero is braver for his wounds. 2. It is too late to with draw when you are already wounded.
 3. This Is what you wished my heart, so be brave.
 Caution-1. A fish is caught by the mouth. 2. Repentance never comes first. 3. Courage is of two sorts: one goes forward, the other retires. <. Haste creates delay.
 Character-1. Whichever side a tree leans, there it falls. 2. 'Tis easy to be born, 'tis hard to be a man. 3. He who is raised in ease is usually des- titute
 Choice-IIe who Is hard to suit will choose the worst.
 Compensation, Law of. The mushroom always grows with a. coun- terpart. 2. You laugh today. I laugh tomorrow.
 CounseI-1. He who despises counsel is on the way to misfortune. 2. Who ever believes everything said has no mind of his own.
 Disdain-You may dislike, but never despise.
 ult-finding-The fau1t-finder has the biggest faults.
 Fools-1. A wise mans joke is be- Iieved by a fool. ?. Fools earn for the wise. 8. It is foolish to argue with
 .ool.
 Foresight-1. Strength yields to pain. 2. Working early is better than working hard.
 Forgetfulness-He who is happy is forgetful
 Frfendship-Let us fight, then be friends.
 Good Deeds-1. Good deeds are more precious than gold and silver. 2. Kindness is a great capital. Gratitude-Kindness is with kind ness to be paid, not with gold and silver.
 Tome, Love of-The pain of finger Is the suffering of the whole body. Honor-1. Even the poor love hon or. ?. Break your head but not your word.
 Hope-1. It may be mere mud, but above it is a. piece of heaven. 2. I should not grieve over my misfor- tune, for what muddy water did not become clear?
 spitality-Though my house is small, my heart is large. Industry-1- A sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current. 2. A lazy dog does not even get bones. 8. Work put off ends in nothing 4. If you sleep, brother, the crocodile will eat you up. 5. He who is always pre- pairing to do something, never does anything.
 Merit-The quality of gold is known | by rubbing it against stone. Modesty-1. He who is high suffers | a great fall. 2. Boast not of your self l sufficiently, for there are many rich | men who have become servants. 3. The | fly that rests on the back of a cara | bao (water buffalo) thinks it Is high CT than the carabao. 4. Boastfulness