The advent of bolsonarismo brought with it a deep sense of shame to those of us who believe steadfastly in human dignity and social justice. This essay explores different facets of Brazilian society in search of an explanation to the phenomenon.
Proverbs translate chapters of human experience into maxims, that makes them a great window into a country’s mindset. Here’s a few I believe give a good insight into the Brazilian mind.
” God writes straight by broken lines. The trees with the most leaves will not necessarily produce juicy fruit. Necessity makes the frog jump. One who does not look ahead remains behind. There’s no good that lasts forever nor evil that never ends. You cannot cover up the sun with a sieve. The one in a hurry will have a raw meal. In the house of a blacksmith the ornaments are made of wood. He who desires everything, gets nothing. The child of a fish is a little fish. Poverty is not a crime, but it’s better not to show it. Never poke a jaguar with a short stick. The hand that caresses is the same that stones. Passed waters can’t move the mills.”
© Daniel Botelho
