"Only a fool tests the depth of the water..." - South African Proverb

“Only a fool tests the depth of the water with both feet.”

- South Africanwisdom

Meaning

Recklessness is the hallmark of foolishness; wisdom demands caution.

River crossings in South Africa are dangerous. Zulu warriors learned to test fords carefully before committing their forces.

Origin

South African

Language

isiZulu

“No one tests the depth of a river with both feet.”

Ghanaian

“Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.”

Liberian

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