Proverb in the local language
Bona oki'okala nk'akwela tsa; ok'afeka oek'ekela.
Protect a child from fire
Proverb's direct translation
The first child fell on the fire (and died); for the next one you make a fire screen to protect the child.
Proverb's meaning
We learn from experience. Preventing a bad thing from happening trumps letting it happen and then stopping it.
Equivalent proverb
Prevention is better than cure. Once bitten, twice shy. A fence at the top of the cliff is better than an
ambulance at the bottom.
From: Mongo in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
