Yorùbá proverbs
241
Ajá ò ní gbó kí eyín rẹẹ̀ yọ.
- Literal translation
- A dog won't lose its teeth as a result of barking.
- Meaning
- Tough times won't last.
242
Ajá tó máa sọnù kì í gbọ́ fèrè ọlọ́dẹ.
- Literal translation
- A dog destined to get lost won't hear the hunter's (redeeming) whistling.
- Meaning
- Those bent on a course of action won't listen to wiser contrary counsels; keep an open mind: there is some sense in nonsense.
243
Ajá tó máa sọnù, kì í gbọ́ fèrè ọlọ́dẹ.
- Literal translation
- A dog that is destined to get lost won’t hear the hunter's (redeeming) whistling.
- Meaning
- Those bent on adopting a course of action, seldom listen to wiser contrary counsels; remain objective always: there is often some sense in nonsense.
244
Àjàdijú ló ńpa àdá.
- Literal translation
- Unconscionable (or senseless) 'fighting' is what makes the cutlass blunt.
- Meaning
- Wisdom is crucial
245
Àjànàkú kọjá a mo rí nkan fìrí, bí a bá rí erin ká wí.
- Literal translation
- The elephant is beyond what's said to be seen in a jiffy; it's presence is unmistakable.
- Meaning
- Give honour to whom it is due.
246
Àjẹsílẹ̀ gbèsè kì í jẹ́ kí ẹgbẹ̀fà tó ná.
- Literal translation
- A pre-existing debt makes whatever amount is on hand insufficient.
- Meaning
- Decrying indebtedness
247
Àjọjẹ ò dùn bí ẹnìkan ò bá ní; ọjọ́ a ní la ńṣe àjọjẹ.
- Literal translation
- Sharing isn't pleasant when one party consistently lacks; it is happily done when all can give.
- Meaning
- Good to give to others, but it's better to empower them; better to teach others how to fish than to give them fish
248
Àjùlọ ò lóòpin.
- Literal translation
- Seniority knows no end.
- Meaning
- Be modest; there will always be someone ahead, just as there are many behind
249
Àjùmọ̀bí kò kan ti àánú, ẹni orí rán sí'ni ló ńṣe'ni lóore.
- Literal translation
- Kindness may not necessarily come from one's siblings but those divinely sent to one.
- Meaning
- Help may not necessarily come from expected sources; keep an open-mind, always
250
Àjùmọ̀bí kò kan ti àánú, ẹni orí rán síni ló ńṣe ni lóore.
- Literal translation
- Kindness won't necessarily come from one's siblings but those divinely sent to one.
- Meaning
- Help may not necessarily come from expected sources.
251
Àjùmọ̀bí ò kan t'àánú; ẹni orí rán sí'ni ló ńṣe'ni l'óore.
- Literal translation
- Blood ties do not guarantee merciful support; help comes only from those divinely sent to us.
- Meaning
- Arms of flesh can be unreliable: place your hope in no one, but on God who cannot fail
252
Àjùmọ̀bí ò kan t'àánú; ẹni orí rán sí'ni ló ńṣe'ni lóore.
- Literal translation
- Blood ties don't always result merciful support; help comes only from those divinely sent to us.
- Meaning
- When help comes, it may not necessarily be from expected sources; keep an open mind & keep hope alive
253
Àkàbà tó gbé ni s'ókè le gbé'ni ṣán'lẹ
- Literal translation
- A ladder that takes one up can very well smash one to the ground, as well
- Meaning
- Perceptivity is crucial
254
Àkàbà tó gbé ni s'ókè le gbé'ni ṣán'lẹ̀
- Literal translation
- A ladder that takes one up can very well smash one to the ground.
- Meaning
- A strength may become a weakness
255
Àkàbà tó gbéni sókè lè gbéni ṣánlẹ̀
- Literal translation
- A ladder that takes one up, may smash one to the ground.
- Meaning
- A strength, uncontrolled may turn a weakness
256
Akàn etí odò, kò tí ì jìnnà sí'lé.
- Literal translation
- The crab on the bank of the river is not far gone from home yet.
- Meaning
- If you are in a hole, stop digging; don't double down on stupidity; it's never too late to do the right thing.
257
Àkàṣọ̀ tó bá fara tilẹ̀ tó bá fara tilé kò lè yẹ̀ dànù.
- Literal translation
- A ladder that rests on both the ground & the wall can't fall off.
- Meaning
- Avoid isolation
258
Akèrègbè ni yóò júwe ibi tí wón máa fi okùn sí lára rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- It's the gourd itself that will indicate where on its body the rope (to carry it) should be affixed.
- Meaning
- People themselves will indicate to you how you should treat them; and when they do, believe them.
259
Akèrègbè tí kò tí ì fọ́, kò ti ì mọ oye omi tí yóò pọn.
- Literal translation
- A gourd, as long as it is not yet broken, cannot really tell how much water it can still fetch.
- Meaning
- As long as there is life, there is hope; write-off no one, including yourself.s
260
Àkísà tó bá ti dá gbére àtàn, igba abẹ́rẹ́ kò lè dáa dúró.
- Literal translation
- Two hundred needles cannot stop a piece of rag headed for the refuse dump.
- Meaning
- Be determined; nothing triumphs like determination.