No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk.

What it means

What is truly yours does not feel like a burden. People carry their own work, family and duties without complaint. Choose loads you would call your own.

The source

"No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk." This Zulu proverb is recorded in Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary (1905), s.v. um-Boko. Translated by Bryant, 1905.

"there is no elephant hardened (by the weight) of its own trunk."

Bryant, 1905, Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary (1905), s.v. um-Boko. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk." mean?

What is truly yours does not feel like a burden. People carry their own work, family and duties without complaint. Choose loads you would call your own.

Who said "No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk."?

Zulu proverb. Source: Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary (1905), s.v. um-Boko.

What is the original wording?

there is no elephant hardened (by the weight) of its own trunk (Bryant, 1905). Translated by Bryant, 1905.

Is "No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"No elephant is weighed down by its own trunk." (Zulu proverb, Bryant, Zulu-English Dictionary (1905), s.v. um-Boko, trans. Bryant, 1905). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/no-elephant-is-weighed-down-by-its-own