Yoruba Proverbs

[Bravebold]

Ẹní se ọbẹ̀ àṣán, a ní kí òrìṣà paá; ẹni tí kò ṣe rárá ńkọ́?

The person who cooked soup with no meat, was wished dead; how about the person who didn't cook at all?

(Be tolerant & grateful; quit quibbling; most people are doing their very best regardless of how it seems)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Kí a tó dé ibi tí à ńlọ, a lè kọ́kọ́ dé ibi tí a kò fẹ́.

Before we get to our destination, we may have to get to where we'd rather not be.

(Look ahead, always: often it gets worse before it gets better; be undaunted: most obstacles are nothing, but stepping stones.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Gbólóhùn kan lè ba ọ̀rọ̀ jẹ́; gbólóhùn kan náà lè tún ọ̀rọ̀ ṣe.

One sentence can mess up a matter; and, one sentence can make it better.

(Words are powerful; use them wisely; misuse of words can prove quite costly.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ẹṣin kú, inú ẹrú ńdùn; ó lóun ò ní pako fún ẹṣin jẹ mọ́; kò mọ̀ pé, òun ṣì ńpadà bọ̀ wá dọ̀bálẹ̀ fún ìrù ẹ̀

A horse died and the slave rejoiced, stating he no longer has to feed it, not realising that he'd still prostrate to it's tail (as flywhisk)

(Never say never)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ológìnní tó sùn bí ọ̀lẹ, ọgbọ́n inú u rẹ̀ pé igba.

A cat that lies in repose, looking lazy, is yet filled with countless cunning ways.

(Appearance can be deceptive; don't mistake calmness for naivety nor gentleness for stupidity.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Báa pẹ́ láyé àá d'ìtàn, bá ò pẹ́ láyé àá d'ìtàn.

If we live long, we'll become history; if we don't live long, we'll become history.

(It is certain, we'll all become history one day; be good while you can: leave a good legacy.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ẹ̀pà pẹ̀lú ẹni tó ńyan án, ni wọ́n ńjọ ńfi ojú wi iná.

Groundnuts along with the person roasting them, endure heat of the fire together.

(Good or bad, we share in whatever we make happen for others; be good to everyone.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Àgbà ò sí ní ìdí ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́; ẹni tí yóò jẹran níláti ṣetán àti ṣe ọdẹ.

Claims of seniority are not valid in the sharing of the squirrel's meat; whoever wants to share must be prepared to hunt.

(There's no shortcut to reaping, beyond sowing; we must sow, if we must reap)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Igi tí Ọlọ́run bá gbìn, kò sẹ́ni tó lè fà á tú.

No man can uproot a tree planted by God.

(God has the final say; no one can upend His plans and purposes; if it is from God, it is assured.)

[Bravebold]

A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn kí a wá padà sẹ́hìn.

One ought not to abort a journey simply because the destination is far.

(Be steadfast, be undaunted: resolve challenges and keep the focus on the goals; finish whatever you start.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Èpà ńpa ara rẹ̀ ó lóun ńp'ajá; bí ajá bá kú, yóò wà láyé?

The parasitic dog tick destroys itself believing it is killing its host dog; if the dog dies, will the tick survive?

(Seek the good and wellness of your land; a country you consistently violate can hardly better you.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Gbogbo ẹni tó di ojú kọ́ ló ńsùn; gbogbo ojú tí a là sílẹ̀ kọ́ ló ńríran.


Not all closed eyes are sleeping; and not all eyes that are wide open are seeing.

(Don't be naive: things are often not as they appear; drill down and look beyond the obvious, always)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Ọgbọn ọgbọ́n, ẹ̀sọ̀ ẹ̀sọ̀, làgbàlagbà fi ńsá fún màlúù.

It is with both wisdom and patience that an elderly person runs from a cow.

(Solving a complex problem requires not just wisdom, but patience as well; good things take time.)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Báà fi ọ̀pá bọ ìlù, a kò ní mọ̀ pé ìlù lóhùn tó dùn.

Had we not beaten the drum with the stick, we won't have known that the drum has a sweet sound.

(Keep up hope; an adverse occurrence may well be a stepping stone; there may yet be some sense in nonsense)

[Bravebold]

[Bravebold]

Tẹ̀tẹ̀ tí kò bá fẹ́ tẹ́ láwùjọ ẹ̀fọ́, á yẹra fún àwọn ewékéwé

A spinach (vegetable) that won't want to be in shame in the midst of other vegetables must steer clear of strange leaves.

(Associations matter: we are defined by the company we keep; show me your friends)

[Bravebold]