Collectanea . 473
brought this upon him. Because he took the meat he brought bad luck upon him.
A. J. N. Tremearne.
Manipuri Proverbs.
The following twenty proverbs in use among the Manipuris have been collected by Mr. H. J. Wince, Headmaster of the Johnstone School, Imphal. An exact translation and the nearest English equivalent or an explanation follow each proverb.
J. Shakespear.
1. Cheiren chaphubu kainaba yeibra ?
Are the Cheiren pots beaten to break them? {i.e. Spare the rod and spoil the child. Cheiren is a place in Manipur where the best pottery can be obtained, and pots are beaten to shape them, not formed on wheels as in England).
2. Nungshit sittana una lengbra ?
Without the breeze blowing can the leaves tremble ? {i.e. There is no smoke without there being a fire).
3. Leppa challaga phamba challi. Phamba challaga hippa challi.
After providing standing room [he] wants sitting room ; after sitting room he desires sleeping room, {i.e. The more he gets the more he wants).
4. Huinan macha challaga leiton leki.
If you show much affection for a pup he will lick the tip of your tongue, {i.e. Give him an inch, he'll take an ell. The Manipuris do not love dogs, but regard them as causes of defilement. This proverb is used when a mean or low man is encouraged and does not know where to draw the line).
5. Khong chotlaga chin chotli.
If you wet your feet (or legs) you wet your mouth. (The staple food of the Manipuris is fish, and to get it they have to get into water with their traps or nets.)
