Yorùbá proverbs
181
Àgbàdo tí kò bá fẹ́ fi ara gba iná, àti di gúgúrú rẹ́, á nira.
- Literal translation
- The grains of corn that refused to be exposed to heat would find their becoming pop corns difficult.
- Meaning
- There's always a price tag; no pain, no gain.
182
Àgbàdo tí kò bá fẹ́ fi ara gba iná, àti di gúgúrú rẹ̀, á nira.
- Literal translation
- Grains of corn that do not want to be exposed to heat would find their becoming pop corns difficult.
- Meaning
- No pain, no gain; be willing to pay the price
183
Àgbájọ ọwọ́ la fi ńsọ̀yà
- Literal translation
- It's with a bunch of fingers that chests may be beaten (an expresssion of confidence)
- Meaning
- There's safety in numbers
184
Àgbàlagbà tó so yangan mọ́ ìdí, ló sọ ara rẹ̀ di aláwàdà fún adìyẹ.
- Literal translation
- An elderly person, who tied maize to his pants, caused himself to be seen as an object of derision by the hen.
- Meaning
- Self-respect and self-discipline are crucial; our appearance dictates how we are received
185
Àgbàrá ńba ọ̀nà jẹ́, ó rò pé òun ńtún un ṣe.
- Literal translation
- The flood water is destroying the road, but thinking it is beautifying it.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive and cautious: some actions that appear constructive, may really be destructive
186
Àgbẹ̀ tí kòkó ẹ̀ yè, kì í ṣe mímọ̀ ọ́ ṣe ẹ̀, bíkòṣe Elédùà.
- Literal translation
- A farmer with a thriving cocoa farm owes this not to his or her effort, but to God.
- Meaning
- There is no self-made person: we are all God-made:; we must remain small in our very own eyes; we must be ever so modest.
187
Àgbẹ̀ tí kòkó ẹ̀ yè, kì í ṣe mímọ̀ọ́ ṣe ẹ̀, bíkòṣe Elédùà.
- Literal translation
- A farmer with a thriving cocoa farm owes this not just to his effort, but to God.
- Meaning
- We owe all to God; be modest and be thankful to Him.
188
Àgbẹ̀ tí kòkó ẹ̀ yéè, kì í ṣe mímọ̀ọ́ ṣe ẹ̀, bíkòṣe Elédùà.
- Literal translation
- A farmer with a thriving cocoa farm owes this not just to his or her effort, but to God.
- Meaning
- Modesty is it; we owe everything to God
189
Àgbẹ̀ tí kòkó ẹ̀ẹ́ yè, layé ló mọ̀ọ́ ṣe
- Literal translation
- Only the farmer with a thriving cocoa farm, is considered successful by the world.
- Meaning
- Results matter.
190
Àgbẹ̀ tó jẹun yó tó fọ́ akèrègbè, ó ti gbàgbé pé ọjọ́ òǹgbẹ ṣì ńbọ̀.
- Literal translation
- The farmer who ate and broke the (water) gourd, forgot that days of thirst are ahead.
- Meaning
- Be strategic; maintain a view of the future; always
191
Àgbẹ̀ tó jẹun yó tó fọ́ akèrègbè, ti gbàgbé pé ọjọ́ òǹgbẹ ṣì ńbọ̀
- Literal translation
- A farmer who ate, had his fill, and broke the water gourd forgot that days of thirst are still ahead.
- Meaning
- Never slam the door on your way out: you may need it opened again; take no one & nothing for granted
192
Àgbẹ̀ tó jẹun yó tó fọ́ akèrègbè, ti gbàgbé pé ọjọ́ òǹgbẹ ṣì ńbọ̀.
- Literal translation
- The farmer who ate and had his fill, but who then broke the gourd (water container), forgot that days of thirst are ahead.
- Meaning
- Be strategic; think ahead: never lose sight of the future
193
Agbẹ́-igi-lére kan kò lè gbẹ́ inú u rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- No sculptor can carve the internals of the statue he or she is carving.
- Meaning
- There is a limit to what anyone can do: be reasonable in your expectations; most people are doing the very best they can, regardless of how it seems.
194
Àgbò tó f'ẹ̀yìn rìn, agbára ló lọ mú wá
- Literal translation
- A retreating ram has simply gone for more power (or momentum).
- Meaning
- A retreat may precede advancement
195
Àgbò tó fẹ̀yìn rìn, agbára ló lọ mú wá
- Literal translation
- A retreating ram is simply preparing for a greater power (or momentum)
- Meaning
- A retreat is sometimes apt
196
Agbójú lógún fi ara rẹ̀ fún òṣì ta.
- Literal translation
- Whoever trusts on hoped for inheritance exposes himself to poverty.
- Meaning
- Don't place your hope on others
197
Agbójúlógún fi ara ẹ̀ fún òṣì ta
- Literal translation
- Whoever trusts on hoped-for inheritance, exposes himself to poverty
- Meaning
- Take responsibility for your future
198
Agbójúlógún fi ara ẹ̀ fún òṣì ta.
- Literal translation
- Whoever trusts on hoped-for inheritance, exposes himself to poverty.
- Meaning
- Take responsibility for your life
199
Agbọ́n sẹ́, oyin sẹ́, ojú olóko rè é gòdògbò godogbo.
- Literal translation
- The wasp denies (stinging the farmer), the bee denies, yet the farmer's face remains heavily swollen.
- Meaning
- What we say pales to what we do: our actions define and expose who we really are; be true in fact and in appearance.
200
Agbọ́n tí géńdé rí tó ńsá, ni aláàmù ńṣà jẹ lẹ́ẹ̀gbẹ́ ògiri.
- Literal translation
- The same wasp that a youngster sees and flees is what lizards, crawling on walls, easily snap up and eat.
- Meaning
- Often, perspectives matter: looked at differently, a challenge may well be an opportunity in disguise.