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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

Power sets the limits of everyone else's choices.

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
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The proverb belongs to the Haitian people. The translation and the note are our own.

Same themes

Bourik travay, chwal galonnen

The donkey works, the horse shows off its trim

— Haitian proverb —

labour, injustice, class

Ravèt pa janm gen rezon devan poul

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

— Haitian proverb —

power, justice

Pale franse pa vle di lespri

Speaking French does not mean intelligence

— Haitian proverb —

class, language, pretension

Konplo pi fò pase wanga

A plot is stronger than a charm

— Haitian proverb —

conspiracy, power

Se lè koulèv mouri ou wè longè l

It is when the snake dies that you see its length

— Haitian proverb —

hindsight, power

Bat chen an, tann mèt li

Beat the dog, wait for its master

— Haitian proverb —

consequence, power