Specimens of Tagal Folklore
By Doctor J. Rizal
Proverbial Sayings
Malakas ang bulong sa sigaw, Low words are stronger than loud words.
Ang laki sa layaw karaniwa 'y hubad, A petted child is generally naked (i.e. poor).
Hampasng magulang ay nakataba, Parents' punishment makes one fat.
Ibang hari ibang ugail, New king, new fashion.
Nagpuputol ang kapus, ang labis ay nagdurugtong, What is short cuts off a piece from itself, what is long adds another on (the poor gets poorer, the rich richer).
Ang nagsasabing tapus ay siyang kinakapus, He who finishes his words finds himself wanting.
Nangangako habang napapako, Man promises while in need.
Ang naglalakad ng marahan, matinik may mababaw, He who walks slowly, though he may put his foot on a thorn, will not be hurt very much (Tagals mostly go barefooted). Ang maniwala sa sabi 'y walang bait na sarili , He who believes in tales has no own mind. Walang mahirap gisingin na paris nang nagtutulogtulugan, The most difficult to rouse from sleep is the man who pretends to be asleep.
Ang may isinuksok sa dingding, ay may titingalain , He who has put something between the wall may afterwards look on (the saving man may afterwards be cheerful).-The wall of a Tagal house is made of palm-leaves and bamboo, so that it can be used as a cupboard.
Labis sa salita, kapus sa gawa, Too many words, too little work.
Hipong tulog ay nadadala ng anod, The sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current.
Sa bibig nahuhuli ang isda, The fish is caught through the mouth.
