474 Collectanea.
6. Hi ani tonglaga karang segai.
When going in two boats, [one leg in each], you tear the fork [of the leg], {i.e. Between two stools one comes to the ground).
7. Nung anigi marakta ha onba.
You become a yam when placed between two stones, {i.e. When a man acts as a go-between for two enemies he is in danger of becoming unfriendly to both).
8. Tingkhangbu tingkhanghanba.
To get out one thorn [that has pierced you] by inserting another [into the flesh], {i.e. Set a thief to catch a thief).
9. Ngaprum makhunda ngaprum thajinba.^
To set one eel into the hole of another eel, {i.e. Set a thief to catch a thief).
10. Uchi kallaktuna yum mei thaba.
Setting [one's] house on fire to spite a rat, {i.e. To cut oif one's nose to spite one's face).
11. Sabina mama noknaba.
A young mole laughing at its mother, {i.e. The pot calling the kettle black).
12. Haudong tuminleiba chaphu ngammi.
A quiet cat can [slyly] come and eat what the [rice] pot con- tains, {i.e. Still waters run deep).
13. Sendang nganna tabana machangchai.
The early sparrow gets the best rice to eat, {i.e. The early bird catches the fattest worm).
14. Khumdrabadi yarabani.
If you do not reply, you are agreeable, {i.e. Silence gives con- sent).
15. Una mahei yallaga maru luki.
A tree that bears much fruit droops its head, {i.e. A big or
^ This is found also in Primrose's list of Meithei proverbs, Grammar, pp. 91 ■et seq. T. C. H.
