proverb · Words worth keeping
He who is unable to dance says that the yard is stony.
He who is unable to dance says that the yard is stony.
Historical period not yet established
Understand the thought
Meaning in plain English
A person unable to dance blaming a stony yard questions an explanation that shifts attention from ability to conditions. The saying criticises an excuse through a performance image.
What the words are saying
A responsible interpretation does not assume every reported obstacle is false. Access, environment and instruction can genuinely affect a task. A useful application examines both the claimed barrier and needed skills without treating inability as low worth or refusing support.
Everyday example
A teacher checks the actual conditions and what practice would help instead of dismissing a learner’s concern as an excuse.
When to use it
Use it to examine explanations without denying genuine barriers.
What it does not mean
No automatic dishonesty from a reported obstacle or inferiority from difficulty is established.
Agent-assisted editorial interpretation. This explains the words; it does not by itself verify their author or earliest origin.
Attribution & collection notes
- Author or tradition
- Traditional
Attribution: traditional - Country attributed
Kenya
A country attribution does not establish the earliest origin.- Historical period
- Historical period not yet established
No sufficiently supported historical placement has been established. Import and download dates are not treated as composition dates. - Recorded source
- Contributor-provided wisdom reference (2014 AD)
Supplied reference B; unit 682; PDF page 62; collection label: Kenya
A collection's publication date can be later than the words it records.
- Culture
- Kenya