Talk:Malay proverbs
Sesal dahulu pendapatan, Sesal kemudian tiada gunanya Literal translation: being regretful early will be advantageous, being regretful later is of no use.
The literal translation is not precise. It should be: Prior remorse is useful, regret thereafter is pointless. Meaning: Repentance before an event or action takes place is useful, otherwise regret thereafter is pointless.
Compare: Hind sight is 20/20.
In English, the concept regretting before an action is illogical. Regretting a crime before committing the crime is illogical, but you can be remorseful and therefore repent from committing the crime. One can regret only after the crime. Pendapatan means profit, or in this context, "is of profit" or profitable, meaning useful.
~ miamidot
[edit] Seperti bumi dengan langit
i'm not sure of "Seperti bumi dengan langit". i'm used to hearing "Bagaikan langit dan bumi". Which ever comes first (bumi or langit) does not change the meaning of the proverb, only the former sounds unfamiliar and awkward. "seperti" and "bagaikan" is used interchangeably. Kerina yin 16:13, 18 June 2008 (UTC)
