SOME YORUBA PROVERBS AND SAYINGS

B ab so k lj ar il eni n b; o Translation: He who throws a stone in the market will hit his relative Bp tt, akll y pe "baba" o Translation: A stammerer would eventually say "father" Teni ni teni; b'pn sun'su, a b f'gntn r o Translation: One takes care of one's own: when a bachelor roasts yam, he shares it with his sheep Ile oba t'o jo, ewa lo busi o Translation: When a king's palace burns down, the re-built palace is more beautiful (every cloud has a silver lining) o Anonymous: Necessity is mother of invention, creativity is often achive after over coming many difficulties Gbogbo alangba lo d'anu dele, a ko mo eyi t'inu nrun o Translation: All lizards lie flat on their stomach and it is difficult to determine which has a stomach ache (Everyone looks the same on the outside but everyone has problems that are invisible to outsiders) Ile la ti n ko eso re ode o Translation: Charity begins at Home o Anonymous: A man can not give what he does not have good or bad behaviour is a reflection of ones background. A p ko to jun, ki j ibaj o Translation: The person that eat late, will not eat spoiled food o Anonymous : It is more profitable to exercise patience while seeking a durable solution, in difficult situations than to hastily accept an ill-conceived/prepared solution. Eewu b loko Long, Long fun ara r eewu ni o Translation: There is danger at Long`s farm (Long is a name of a Yoruba Legend), Long himself is danger o Anonymous : You should be extremely careful of situations that have a past history of danger K s ni t ma gn in t k n ju pk. B k f ju pk, in t ngn j koj. o Translation: No one rides a horse without moving his head, voluntarily or involuntarily. (your status in life dictates your attitude towards your peers) Ile la nwo ka to somo loruko o Translation: Charity begins at home A ki ibinu ori ka fi fila de ibadi. One does not get angry with one's head and therefore use one's cap to cover one's

buttocks. (Do not cut your nose to spite your face.) Bi a ko ba to baba omo ose, a ki ipe alakara. If one lacks the wherewithal to act like a father to a child, one does not summon the seller of bean fritters. (If one has no means of offering hospitality, one should not invite visitors.) Bi olounjee ba roju afi ai je te e. If the owner of the food is reluctant to share, one disgraces him by refusing to eat. (The best way to treat a miser is to refuse anything from him.) Bayii la nse nibikan, eewo ibominin. This is what we do in one place is taboo in another. (Different people, different ways.) Bi a ba nsunkun, amaa riran. While one weeps, one can still see. (However accommodating one is, one should never take leave of one's good judgment.) Bi a ba ranni nisee ru, afi je ttomo. If one is sent on an errand like a slave, one carries it out like a freeborn. (The well-bred person removes the flaws in a message sent through him, or a task given him to perform

Between the devil and the deep sea To choose between two equally bad alternatives in a serious dilemma. Where there's a will there's a way When a person really wants to do something, he will find a way of doing it. A bad experience or a horrifying incident may scar one's attitude or thinking for a lifetime. The first in line will be attended to first. A friend who helps when one is in trouble is a real friend.

A burnt child dreads fire

First come, first served A friend in need is a friend indeed

Discretion is the better part of valor If you say discretion is the better part of valor, you mean that avoiding a dangerous or unpleasant situation is sometimes the most sensible thing to do. A hungry man is an angry man A person who does not get what he wants or needs is a frustrated person and will be easily provoked to rage.

Empty vessels make the most noise Those people who have a little knowledge usually talk the most and make the greatest fuss. A man is as old as he feels A person's age is immaterial - it is only when he thinks and feels that he is ageing that he actually becomes old.

Great talkers are little doers

Those people who talk a lot and are always teaching others usually do not do much work. One who has nothing to do will be tempted to do many mischievous acts. It is better to be careful and discrete than to be clever.

An idle brain is the devil's workshop An ounce of discretion is worth a pound of wit Faint heart never won fair lady

To succeed in life one must have the courage to pursue what he wants. By being thrifty one will be able to save up. A person who never settles in one place or who often changes his job will not succeed in life ; one who is always changing his mind will never get anything done. One will either enjoy or suffer the consequences of his earlier actions or inactions. Those who make loud threats seldom carry them out. To do something that is right, profitable, or good a little late is still better than not doing it at all. Something that one already has is better than going after something seemingly more worthwhile that one may not be able to get. People of the same sort of character or belief always go together. If you say that someone calls a spade a spade, you mean that they speak frankly and directly, often about embarrassing or unpleasant subjects; an informal expression. A person's first obligation should be to help the member of his own family before he can begin thinking of talking about helping others. ( often used as an argument for killing someone whose knowledge of a secret may cause one loss or get into serious trouble.) A smooth and persuasive talker may be a good liar. If you say that every cloud has a silver lining, you mean that

A penny saved is a penny gained A rolling stone gathers no moss

As you sow, so you shall reap

Barking dogs seldom bite Better late than never

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush

Birds of a feather flock together Call a spade a spade

Charity begins at home

Dead men tell no lies

A great talker is a great liar Every cloud has a silver lining

every sad or unpleasant situation has a positive side to it. If you talk about silver lining you are talking about something positive that comes out of a sad or unpleasant situation. All that glitters is not gold Do not be deceived by things or offers that appear to be attractive. Man was created for a divine purpose and he has a destiny with his Creator - he was not born just to enjoy food. One should not risk everything he has in a single venture.

Eat to live, but do not live to eat

Don't put all your eggs in one basket Every dog has its day

Everyone will get a period of success or satisfaction during his lifetime.

Every one can find fault, few can do It is easier to find fault in other people's actions or methods than better to do it properly or correctly. Any time means no time When an event is not decided on or planned earlier it will never take place. A contract is fair as long as both the parties understand and agree to the conditions willingly; after a deal is closed neither side can turn around and say that he was unfairly treated. Fire, like any other manmade tool or device, will serve man well only when it is controlled and used wisely.

Fair exchange is no robbery

Fire is a good servant but a bad master

This world is the prison of the believers and the paradise of the unbelievers."

Pay attention to Allaah and He will pay attention to you." "If you feel no shame, then do as you wish." "Fear Allaah wherever you may be." "Follow up a bad deed with a good deed, to cancel it out." "Mix with people with a good attitude."

"Keep away from prohibited things and you will be the best of worshippers." "Be content with what Allaah has given you, and you will be the richest of people." "Love for other people what you love for yourself." "Do not laugh too much, for excessive laughter deadens the heart."

"Wrongdoing will be multiple darkness on the Day of Resurrection." "Fear Allaah and treat all your children fairly." "Fear the Fire, even if by giving half a date (in charity)." "Fear the prayer of the oppressed." "The thing that weighs most heavily in the balance (of good deeds) is a good attitude." "Deliberation is from Allaah, haste is from Shaytaan." "The less your wealth, the less you will be called to account for." "Do not become angry, and Paradise will be yours." "The most beloved of deeds to Allaah is the one that is continuous, even if it is little." "The most beloved of places to Allaah are the mosques." "The most hated of places to Allaah are the marketplaces." "The most beloved of people to Allaah is the one who is most helpful." "The most beloved deed to Allaah is making a Muslim happy." "Whoever restrains his anger, Allaah will conceal his faults." "A bad attitude spoils a good deed just as vinegar spoils honey." "The most beloved of people to Allaah are those who have the best attitudes." "Beware of this world, for it is sweet and tempting." "Control your tongue." "Trim your moustaches and let your beards grow." "Do not betray the one who betrays you." "Pray to Allaah and be confident of a response." "Cheer people up, do not put them off."

"Make things easy for people, not difficult." "Eat with your right hand and eat from what is in front of you." "If Allaah gives you wealth, let the blessing of Allaah be seen on you." "If someone who is distinguished among his own people comes to you, then honour him." "If Allaah wills good to the people of a household, He guides them to be gentle." "If you do something bad, follow it by doing something good." "If you feel uncomfortable about something, then leave it alone." "If you judge (between people), then judge fairly." "If you enter a house, greet the inhabitants with salaam." "If you are reminded of Allaah, stop what you are doing (of sin)." "If you ask Allaah for anything, then ask Him for al-Firdaws (the highest level of Paradise)." "If your good deeds please you and your bad deeds upset you, then you are a mumin (believer)." "If you hear the call to prayer, then respond to the one who is calling you to Allaah."

"If any one of you becomes angry, let him keep silent."

"If a man says Ya seedi (sir) to a munaafiq (hypocrite), he earns the wrath of his Lord." "When you stand up to pray, pray as if it is your last prayer." "When you get dressed and when you do wudhoo, start on the right." "When any one of you meets his brother, let him greet him with salaam." "Remember death when you are praying." "Renounce pleasure in worldly things and Allaah will love you." "Show disinterest in what people have and people will love you." "Feel properly shy and modest before Allaah." "Protect the stomach and what goes into it." "Seek help in whatever you do by being discreet." "Everyone who is given a blessing will be envied." "No one can keep their wudhoo except a believer."

"Intercede and you will be rewarded." "Give to the one who denied you." "Uphold ties with the one who cuts you off." "Forgive the one who does you wrong." "Wine is the key to all evil." "The one who is more daring in giving fatwas is more deserving of Hell." "Love the poor and mix with them." "Seek a response to dua when the iqaamah for prayer is given and when rain is falling." "The most helpless of people are those who cannot make dua" "The most miserly of people are those who are stingy with their salaams (i.e., do not greet others)." "Pay the hired worker his wages before his sweat dries."