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Se lè koulèv mouri ou wè longè l

It is when the snake dies that you see its length

— Haitian proverb —

hindsight, power

The full size of a thing shows only once it is over. Said of regimes and of people.

Se lè koulèv mouri ou wè longè l — It is when the snake dies that you see its length
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The proverb belongs to the Haitian people. The translation and the note are our own.

Same themes

Ravèt pa janm gen rezon devan poul

The cockroach is never in the right in front of the chicken

— Haitian proverb —

power, justice

Konplo pi fò pase wanga

A plot is stronger than a charm

— Haitian proverb —

conspiracy, power

Ti nèg fè sa l kapab, gwo nèg fè sa l vle

The small man does what he can, the big man does what he wants

— Haitian proverb —

power, class

Bat chen an, tann mèt li

Beat the dog, wait for its master

— Haitian proverb —

consequence, power

Si bèf te konn fòs yo, majoral pa ta lanse yo

If the oxen knew their own strength, the driver would not drive them

— Haitian proverb —

power, class, solidarity

Dan pouri gen fòs sou bannann mi

A rotten tooth has strength against a ripe banana

— Haitian proverb —

power, bullying