"The hyena cannot smell its own stench." - Ethiopian Proverb

“The hyena cannot smell its own stench.”

- Ethiopianwisdom

Meaning

People are blind to their own faults while readily detecting others'.

Oromo animal proverbs use the hyena to illustrate human self-deception. Self-awareness requires external feedback from trusted friends.

Origin

Ethiopian

Language

Oromo

“The monkey does not see his own backside; he sees his neighbour's.”

Ghanaian

“The child looks everywhere but cannot see his own ears.”

Ghanaian

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