African Proverbs 3.0

As the Sabbath comes to an end, with the new moon looming for tomorrow introducing another month - here comes yet another big gulp of African proverbs. Some are sourced some are not, some borrowed from the Bible, and some ain`t. I personally agree with some, while I disagree fervently with others. Either way - a great deal of these should give some sound advice - Enjoy :)

These proverbs are from the Yoruba tribe :

A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.

A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm.

An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb.

A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.

A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.

As the dog said, 'If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing.

'A wise man who knows proverbs, reconciles difficulties.`

Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.

If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.

If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.

It takes a whole village to raise a child.

Looking at a king's mouth one would never think he sucked his mother's breast.

People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way.

The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.

The mouth which eats does not talk.

The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.

Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.

When a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also.

When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.

You can tell a ripe corn by its look.

You must judge a man by the work of his hands.

Proverbs from South Sotho :

A bird will always use another birds' feathers to feather its own nest.

A person is a person because of other persons.

A man's grave is by the roadside.

He that digs up a grave for his enemy, may be digging it for himself.

A bad name is like a stigma.

The below are mostly Ashanti (Ghana) proverbs:

By the time the fool has learned the game, the players have dispersed.

Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle.

Even though the old man is strong and hearty, he will not live forever.

Fire and gunpowder do not sleep together.

Hunger is felt by a slave and hunger is felt by a king.

If you are in hiding, don't light a fire.

It is Mr. Old-Man-Monkey who marries Mrs. Old-Woman-Monkey.

It is no shame at all to work for money.

It is the calm and silent water that drowns a man.

It is the fool's sheep that break loose twice.

It's a bad child who does not take advice.

Money is sharper than a sword.

No one tests the depth of a river with both feet.

One cannot both feast and become rich.

One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.

Only when you have crossed the river, can you say the crocodile has a lump on his snout.

Rain beats a leopard's skin, but it does not wash out the spots.

The moon moves slowly, but it crosses the town.

The poor man and the rich man do not play together.

The ruin of a nation begins in the homes of its people.

There is no medicine to cure hatred.

Two small antelopes can beat a big one.

What is bad luck for one man is good luck for another.

When a king has good counselors, his reign is peaceful.

When a man is coming toward you, you need not say: "Come here."

When a man is wealthy, he may wear an old cloth.

When a woman is hungry, she says, "Roast something for the children that they might eat."

When the cock is drunk, he forgets about the hawk. When the fool is told a proverb, its meaning has to be explained to him.

When you are rich, you are hated; when you are poor, you are despised.

When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him.

Wood already touched by fire is not hard to set alight.

The last one is indeed true. Not that hard to test either... Do you think the author is talking about wood or people? Sin or fire?

Uxolo lube nawe