Malay Proverbs (Bidal Melayu) related to Poverty

1. Ênggang sama ênggang dan pipit sama pipit juga.
   Hornbills will with hornbills sport;
   Sparrows with their kind consort.
   Birds of a feather flock together;
   Rich and poor do not forgather.
2. Hilang bahasa kêrana mas, hilang budi kêrana miskin.
   Access of wealth may manners cost:
   Through poverty is prudence lost.
3. Hujan mas perak di-nêgêri orang, hujan kêris lêmbing di-nêgêri sêndiri, baik juga di-nêgêri sêndiri.
   Tho’ gold may pour from foreign skies,
   Whilst spears and daggers rain at home;
   Yet better off is he who lies
   On his own soil, than far to roam.

 

Source: Malay proverbs : bidal Melayu by Hamilton, A. W., 1944

 

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This post is part of Blog Action Day 08 – Poverty