Hi Guys.
The authenticity of the African proverb ''a child who washes his hands clean will dine with kings'' has been a source of bother to me. I have seen cases in which people do not have to 'rinse' their hands (not to talk of washin) yet they dine & wine with Kings. A case in point is while i was in school, a group of a notorious gang had these drinking spot where they meet and each time they gather, to my utter disdain, i find most of my highly respected lecturers (doctors) in their midst, drinking with them. Am aware some lecturers join the cult buh i do not think they are members. They just enjoy drinkin & their favourite spot happen to be the same joint that hosts these riffraffs. On most occasions, they are bought drinks by these guys & they wine with them. Then, i thought to myself ...."Even with their dirty hands?"

When the proverb said "elders", or "kings" it didn't mean "grown-ups" or the male folk. Those lecturers are obviously not elders, they are just an older version of the cultists. It takes a whole lot to be a king.#myopinion

Are you a saint?

amtaken:
Are you a saint?

And what has my being a saint got 2 do with d post?

The way you described others sins....

Godsgal:
And what has my being a saint got 2 do with d post?

amtaken:
The way you described others sins....

Nope dearie. I think u shud go over d post once more so u culd get my point. Thnks

Like you said its a proverb, an old igbo proverb used by Chinua Achebe in Things Fall Apart,it has far deeper meaning than what you have just described.. It has nothing to do with eating or drinking..

As the elders said, if a child washed his hands he could eat with kings. Okonkwo had clearly washed his hands and so he ate with kings and elders. (1.16)

This stylized proverb illustrates one of the Igbo’s highest values – personal responsibility. If a man “washes his hands” or pays off all his debts and is able to stand on his own, he may mingle with the most respected elders.

http://www.shmoop.com/things-fall-apart/chapter-1-quotes.html

The proverb is saying age is no barrier for partaking in discussion with respected elders.. Personal Responsibility, Good moral standing in your community, achievement, wealth, wisdom, intellect, oratory skills are some of the criteria considered..

the guy who probably said that was high on palm wine and kolanut