“The salt never says that it is salty.” True virtue never
boasts.--[_Mauritius._]
348. Zaureille pas tini couv éti. (Les oreilles n’ont pas de
couverture.)
“There is no covering for the ears.”--[_Martinique._]
349. Zié beké brilé zié nèg. (Les yeux du blanc brûlent les yeux du
nègre.)
“The white man’s eyes burn the negro’s eyes.”[145]--[_Martinique._]
[145] _Béké_ is translated by _blanc_ in Turiault’s work; but the
witty author of _Les Bambous_ writes: _Nèg_ se dit pour _esclave_, et
_béké_ pour maître. Therefore perhaps a more correct translation would
be: “The master’s eyes burn the slave’s eyes.” The phrase recalls a
curious refrain which used to be sung by Louisiana field-hands:
_Tout, tout, pays blanc--Danié qui commandé,
Danié qui commandé ça!
Danié qui commandé._
[“All, all the country white” (white-man’s country); “Daniel has so
commanded,” etc.] I do not know whether the prophet Daniel is referred
to.
350. Zié rouge pas boulé savann. (Les yeux rouges ne brûlent pas la
savane.)
“Red eyes can’t burn the savannah.” A better translation might be:
“Red eyes can’t start a prairie-fire.” The meaning is that mere anger
avails nothing.[146]--[_Martinique._]
[146] In the Guyane patois, they say: “_Ça qui gadé gran boi yé kôlé
pa brûlé yé_.” (_Celui qui regarde les grands bois avec des yeux
colères ne les brûle pas._)