Yoruba Proverbs

[Bravebold]

Àkàbà tó l'óun ò gun ilé mọ́, ló sọ ara rẹ̀ di igi ìdáná.
A wooden ladder that insisted, it would no longer mount walls was the one that turned itself into firewood.

(Choices come with inviolable consequences.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Nítorí ogun àtẹ̀yìnjà, ni pẹ́pẹ́yẹ ṣe ńkó  ọmọ rẹ̀ sí iwájú.

Because of wars (or mishaps) which may proceed from the back is why the duck keeps her ducklings ahead of her.

(Be strategic: anticipate the future and plan ahead,)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bí ó ti wù kí òjò ṣú dẹdẹ lójú ọrun tó, funfun ló máa rọ̀ sílẹ̀.

No matter how dark the cloud is up above, it will still rain sparkling clean water on the ground.

(Regardless of how it seems, keep hope alive.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Kó dùn, kó pọ̀, kó pẹ́, Ọlọ́run ló ńfún'ni.

Whatever (blessing) is sweet, whatever is much and whatever is enduring are all gifts from God.

(Ultimately all blessings are from God - if it has been good and enduring, it is from Him; we always owe Him thanks.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ìyàn ni í mú'ni í jẹ èso igikígi

Famine is what makes one eats the fruits of just any tree.

(Drastic situations often make one considers drastic, but counter-productive and sub-optimal measures; a cooler head and calmness are imperative in drastic situations)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ohun tí a fi ẹ̀sọ̀ mú kì í bàjẹ́; ohun a fi agbára mú ní ńni'ni lára. 

Whatever we handle with calmness seldom presents issues; what we forcefully impose is what gives us stress.

(Be patient and calm; don't force issues in haste: all issues can be addressed, less drastically)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bí a bá ní bí ejò ṣe gùn tó la ṣe fẹ́ dá'ná sun ún, à á dá'ná sun ilé.

If we were to burn a snake as its length is, we will burn down the house.

(Moderation is it; drastic measures pack considerable risks and seldom achieve desired results, no matter how well-intentioned.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bí ọmọdé kò bá bá ìtàn, á bá àrọ́bá, àrọ́bá sì ni baba ìtàn.


If a youngster is not able to witness a historical event, he should be able to learn of it by oral tradition (or study), and this is a superior approach.

(A study of history is crucial; we learn more from it.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Jàgùdà ò l'ójú àánú; bó bá rí owó oníbáárà á gbé e.

Thieves have no mercy; they will steal the alms of beggars, if they can.

(Appealing for mercy, as a strategy, don't always work: the wicked have no mercy; it's wiser to appeal to interest, rather.)

[Bravebold]

Ẹlẹ́rù ló ńgbé ẹrù ẹ̀ kí a tó báa fọwọ́ kún un.

The owner first picks up his (or her) luggage before others extend hands of support.

(Take responsibility and ownership, before you seek help; don't expect support from others higher than you are willing to commit yourself.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Tí òjò bá kọ̀ tí kò rọ̀, ìyẹn ò ní ká sọ pé, kí omi òkun ya wọ ìlú.

That it has not rained for a while is no reason to wish the sea would flood the city.

(Moderation is it; adopt extreme and radical measures with caution.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ọlọ́run tó ńse ọbẹ̀, kò kúrò ní ìdí ààrò.


God, who is cooking the soup, has not left the kitchen.

(Never lose hope; nothing is beyond God.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ẹni tí a mọ̀ délé délé là ńfẹ́, ẹni fẹ́ ọmọ ní ijù á fẹ́ ẹbọra

Marry someone whose family backgound you know reasonably well; whoever marries someone found in a wilderness (not well-known) will marry a ghost (strange spouse).

(Don't be flippant with serious issues.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Àkísà tó bá ti dá gbére àtàn, igba abẹ́rẹ́ kò lè dáa dúró.


Two hundred needles cannot stop a piece of rag headed for the refuse dump.

(Be determined; nothing succeds like determination.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Àgbàlagbà tó lọ fi arúgbó ara kọ́ ìlù lílù, omele ni irú wọn ńsán kú.

An elderly person who chose to learn drumming late in life would find himself confined to beating the smallest of drums.

(Make hay while the sun shines; not very wise to change career too late in life.)

[Bravebold]