In English
“hidden struggles lie behind a calm appearance”
Meaning
A proverb: the goat is sweating, but its long hair hides it. Behind a calm, well-kept surface a person may be struggling hard — troubles and effort go unseen because the outside looks fine. A caution not to judge ease by appearances.
Examples
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Him look settle, but goat deh sweat but long hair cover it.
He looks settled, but the goat sweats though its long hair hides it.
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Nuh envy nobody — goat deh sweat but long hair cover it.
Don't envy anyone — hidden troubles lie under a calm surface.
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She a smile but she a struggle; goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
She's smiling but she's struggling; people hide their troubles behind appearances.
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Yuh never know weh a gwaan wid people — goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
You never know what people are going through — the goat sweats but its long hair covers it.
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Him look fine but him a bear plenty; goat deh sweat but long hair cova it.
He looks fine but he's carrying a lot; the struggle is hidden from view.
Origin
Rural proverb on hidden hardship. See Only di shoe know if di stocking have hole.
How it’s used
Warns that a composed exterior can hide real struggle.