proverb
It is the buttocks we use to sit, never the head
Philosophical Summary
Governed by Òdí Méjì, this teaching warns against inverting natural order. The head (Orí) is sacred for governance and cannot support the physical weight of the body. You must respect the foundational base (elders, home, earth) because it is engineered to hold everything up safely. Forcing the head to act as a seat leads to pain and disaster.
Meaning
Everything in the universe has a specific function; trying to bypass the foundation results in collapse.
Usage Context
Used to check the ego of those attempting to bypass elders or upend established protocols.
Sacred Verses
isese
Yorùbá
Ìdí ni a fi ń jókòó, kì í ṣe orí.
English
It is the buttocks we use to sit, never the head. Respect the foundation that holds you up; do not try to invert the natural order.
Tradition Perspectives
isese