Yorùbá proverbs
201
Agbọ́n tí géńdé rí tó ńsá, ni aláàmù ńṣà jẹ lẹ́ẹ̀gbẹ̀ ògiri.
- Literal translation
- The same wasps that humans run from, are what lizards gladly feed on.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks; what proves a challenge to one, may be an opportunity to another.
202
Agbọ́rọ̀ ìkọ̀kọ̀ ló ńbara rẹ̀ nínú jẹ́.
- Literal translation
- He who eavesdrops, saddens himself.
- Meaning
- Being focused and forward-looking
203
Agídí inú ejò, ni kì í jẹ́ kí ejò rí ọmọ gbéjó.
- Literal translation
- Snake's stubborness is why it seldom enjoys the company of its offspring.
- Meaning
- Broad-mindedness and flexibility are crucial; shun needless stubbornness
204
Agídí ọkàn ló ńṣíwájú ìṣubú.
- Literal translation
- Stubbornness of heart is what precedes a fall.
- Meaning
- Be broad-minded and flexible.
205
Àgùntàn ò ní sùn láàárín ajá, kó má fi ara kó eégbọn.
- Literal translation
- A sheep cannot lie in the midst of dogs and not get dog ticks on itself.
- Meaning
- Ultimately, we cannot but reflect the company we keep; walk with the wise to be wise
206
Àgùtàn ò ní sùn láàárín ajá, kó má fi ara kó eégbọn.
- Literal translation
- A sheep cannot lie in the midst of dogs and not get dog ticks on itself.
- Meaning
- We cannot but reflect the company we keep; show me your friends and I'll tell you who you are
207
Àgùtàn ò ní sùn láàrín ajá, kó má fi ara kó eégbọn.
- Literal translation
- A sheep won't lie in the midst of dogs and not get dog ticks on itself.
- Meaning
- Association matters; ultimately, we cannot but reflect the company we keep.s
208
Àgùtàn tó fẹ́ máa dún bi ìkokò, á múra sílẹ̀ fún ọfà ọlọ́dẹ.
- Literal translation
- A sheep that wants to howl like wolves should be expecting the hunters' arrows.
- Meaning
- Choices always come with their consequences
209
Àì dúpẹ́ oore àná a máa mú oore sú'ni í ṣe.
- Literal translation
- Absence of appreciation for yesterday's kindness discourages future acts of kindness.
- Meaning
- Show appreciation; it encourages further acts of kindness.
210
Àì fi nǹkan pe nǹkan ló ńba nǹkan án jẹ́.
- Literal translation
- Lack of regard for something is why it is easily abused.
- Meaning
- Whatever we value seldom suffer neglect nor is it easily exposed to abuse.
211
Àì fi’ni pe’ni, àì f’èèyàn p’èèyàn, ló ńmú ara oko sán bàǹtẹ́ wọ ìlú.
- Literal translation
- Sheer lack of civility is why a farm dweller would dare come to town in a loincloth.
- Meaning
- Decries lack of decorum and courtesy.
212
Àì rìn jìnnà, làì rí abuké ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́; afọ́jú ẹyẹ ńbẹ lóko kárinkése
- Literal translation
- Not travelling far enough is why one may not have seen a squirrel with a hump; blind birds really can be found deep in the forest.
- Meaning
- Lack of exposure results in narrow-mindness; exposure broadens the mind
213
Àì tètè dọ́jà ò kan ti eré.
- Literal translation
- That one is not quick to the market does not connote indolence.
- Meaning
- Everyone's plans & approaches differ
214
Àìdùn ọsàn lèyàn ò mu púpọ, bí ọsàn bá dùn a ó mu igba.
- Literal translation
- Only when oranges are not sweet does one eat a few; if they are sweet, everyone would devour lots of them.
- Meaning
- Everyone would take advantage of a good opportunity.
215
Àìdúpẹ́ oore àná a máa mú oore sú'ni í ṣe.
- Literal translation
- Ingratitude for yesterday's kindness makes future acts of kindness tiresome.
- Meaning
- Gratitude begets more kindness; ingratitude inhibits them.
216
Àìfini peni àìfèyàn pèèyàn, ló ńmú ara oko sán bàǹtẹ́ wọ̀lú.
- Literal translation
- It's lack of civility that would make a village dweller come into town dressed only in a loincloth.
- Meaning
- Lack of regard for someone will reflect in how he or she is treated.
217
Àìjẹun sàn ju àìni ìsinmi lọ.
- Literal translation
- To lack food is better than to lack peace.
- Meaning
- Wealth and other possessions lose meaning when they compromise peace; pursue peace.
218
Àìl'árẹ̀mọ ò yẹ àgbà
- Literal translation
- To have no succeeding son does not befit an elder.
- Meaning
- Succession planning is critical; a leader must groom a successor
219
Àìmọ̀kan ní ńmú èkúté ilé pe ológbò n'íjà.
- Literal translation
- It's ignorance that makes a house rat challenge the cat for a duel.
- Meaning
- Not outdaring oneself
220
Àìmọṣẹ́ ẹ́ kọ̀, ló ṣe orogùn, tó fi ki orí bọ omi gbígbóná.
- Literal translation
- Not knowing how to decline a request, is how the wooden stirrer gets dipped into hot water.
- Meaning
- Learn to say, No; not all requests or offers are beneficial; some are traps in disguise.