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Tout bèt nan lanmè manje moun, se reken ki pote move non

Every creature in the sea eats people, but it is the shark that carries the bad name

— Haitian proverb —

reputation, injustice, slander

A reputation, once fixed, does the accusing by itself. The known offender is blamed for what many do.

Also recorded as Tout pwason manje moun, reken sèl pote blam (1921)

Tout bèt nan lanmè manje moun, se reken ki pote move non — Every creature in the sea eats people, but it is the shark that carries the bad name
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The proverb belongs to the Haitian people. The translation and the note are our own.

Same themes

Bay kou bliye, pòte mak sonje

The one who strikes forgets, the one who carries the mark remembers

— Haitian proverb —

memory, injustice

Bourik travay, chwal galonnen

The donkey works, the horse shows off its trim

— Haitian proverb —

labour, injustice, class

Se sou chemiz blanch yo wè tach

It is on white shirts that stains are seen

— Haitian proverb —

reputation

Rayi chen, men pa di l fimen tabak

Hate the dog, but do not say it smokes tobacco

— Haitian proverb —

fairness, slander