Meaning
The one who avoids a fight keeps his bones whole — better to be a live coward than a dead hero. A proverb in praise of discretion and self-preservation: there is no shame in stepping back from needless danger, because the person who walks away lives on unhurt.
Examples
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Mi nah get inna dat fight — coward man keep sound bone.
I'm not getting into that fight — the one who avoids trouble stays unhurt.
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Him walk weh from di argument; coward man keep sound bone.
He walked away from the argument; discretion keeps you whole.
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Mi walk weh from di argument; coward man keep soun bone.
I walked away from the argument; the cautious man stays unhurt.
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Nuh badda prove nutten inna dat fight — coward man keep soun bone.
Don't bother proving anything in that fight — better safe than sorry.
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Him retreat an live fi see nex day; coward man keep soun bone.
He backed off and lived to see another day; caution keeps you whole.
Origin
A traditional proverb praising discretion; the coward keeps his 'sound bone' (unbroken body). See Gwaan, Low di ting.
How it’s used
Discretion and self-preservation over needless bravery. See Low di ting, Cool nuh.