Yoruba Proverbs

[Bravebold]

Bí afọ́jú bá lóun yóò fọ́'ni lójú, ó yẹ ká fura, nítorí tí kò bá mú nǹkan lọ́wọ́, ó lè tẹ nǹkan mọ́lẹ̀.

If a blind man threatens to make you blind, be wary; if he has nothing in his hands, he may have something under his feet.

(Don't be presumptuous; underestimate no one)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó ńlu irin lójú kan, ó lóhun tó fẹ́ fà yọ ḿbẹ̀.

A blacksmith who kept hitting a piece of iron at a single spot had his reasons.

(People have their reasons: give them the benefit of the doubt; if we care to look closely enough, there is some sense in nonsense.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Àgùtàn tó fẹ́ máa dún bi ìkokò, á múra sílẹ̀ fún ọfà ọlọ́dẹ.

A sheep that wants to howl like wolves should be preparing for the hunters' arrows.

(Actions beckon on reactions; choices always come with their consequences.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

A kò lè tìtorí pé a fẹ́ kí ẹṣin kú iṣẹ́, ka wá ní k'órí adé rin'sẹ̀.

We cannot ask the king to trek, simply because we want to appreciate the horse.

(Decorum is it; there is a limit to everything.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bí ikú bá ńpa olódì ẹni, ìwọ̀nba là ńyọ̀ mọ.

If death takes your enemy, rejoice in moderation.

(Be circumspect: don't rejoice at the misfortunes of others; life can come with twists and turns)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ìyànjú l'àgbẹ̀ ńgbìn, Elédùà nìkan ló mọ b'íṣu ṣe ńta.

Farmers merely sow efforts; God alone knows how the yams are formed.

(We simply do our best; the ultimate result is from God; whatever is good must be from Him.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Èèyàn meji kì í pàdánù irọ́; bí ẹni a ńparọ́ fún ò bá mọ̀, ẹni ńparọ́ mọ̀ pé irọ́ lòun ńpa

Two people cannot be fooled with lies; if the person lied to doesn't know he or she is being lied to, the person lying knows he is lying

(Honesty pays; deceit is hadly sustainable)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bàtà orí àkìtàn náà re òde ìyàwó rí.

The pair of shoes now on the refuse dump was once worn to a wedding.

(Life is turn by turn; a season goes, another comes; humility is it.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Tí a bá dọ̀bálẹ̀ fún aràrá, kò ní káa má ga táa bá dìde

That we prostrate to a dwarf won't stop us from attaining full height when up, again.

(Not very smart to brag about not deferring to anyone; be ready to stoop to conquer: sometimes, stooping is the only rational option)

[Bravebold]

Ọdẹ-afifìlà-perin ọjọ́ kan n'iyì i rẹ̀ ẹ́ mọ, tó bá ti di ọjọ́ kejì, ó ti di olóògùn ìkà.

A hunter who killed an elephant with a mere cap, would be honoured for just one day; the next, he would be denigrated as a wicked sorcerer.

(Success can elicit both awe and envy.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Bí ikú ilé ò pa'ni, t'òde ò leè pa'ni.

If there are no enemies within, those without can do us no harm.

(Worry less about the enemy without, but more about the unfriendly friend within.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Abẹ́rẹ́ tó nínú ogún ológún; díẹ̀ tó nínú nǹkan onínǹkan

A needle out of someone else's inheritance suffices; a little of someone else's possession is good enough.

(Be contented with whatever anyone freely gives; do away with noisome sense of entitlement.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Kò sí bí àtùpà ṣe lè lágbára tó, kò lè ríran rí ìdí ara rẹ̀.

No matter how strong a lamp is, it cannot light up it's base.

(No matter how strong anyone is, he or she will always need the input of others; no one is wholly self-sufficient, nor indeed can be.)

[Bravebold]

Oore l'oore ńwọ́ tọ̀; oore kì í gbé.

Kindness follows after kindness; kindness is never lost.

(Kindness pays; the kind-hearted always attracts kindness; one good turn beckons on another.)

[Bravebold]

Ilé tí a fi itọ́ mọ, ìrì ló máa wó o.
 
A house built with saliva will collapse under dew drops.

(Whatever is built on deceit seldom lasts; it's only a question of time; personal integrity is it.)

[Bravebold]