Yorùbá proverbs
261
Àkìtàn tí kò bá gba ẹ̀gbin, kò ní kún bọ̀rọ̀.
- Literal translation
- A refuse dump that's intolerant of filth won't be filled up easily.
- Meaning
- Be tolerant; no one is perfect.
262
Àkókò kò dúró de ẹnìkan.
- Literal translation
- Time waits for no one.
- Meaning
- Make hay while the sun shines; promptly exploit opportunities.
263
Àkókò ò dúró de ẹnìkan.
- Literal translation
- Time waits for no one.
- Meaning
- Promptness in taking advantage of opportunity
264
Àkùkọ tí yóò kọ lágbà àṣá ò ní gbe lóròmọ adìyẹ
- Literal translation
- A cock that would crow when grown won't be picked up by a hawk as a chick.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive
265
Àkùkọ tí yóò kọ lágbà, àṣá kò ní gbe lóròmọ adìyẹ.
- Literal translation
- A cock that would crow when grown, wouldn't be picked up by a hawk as a chick.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive; it is not over yet
266
Àkùkọ tí yóò kọ lágbà, àṣá ò ní gbe lóròmọ adìyẹ
- Literal translation
- A chick that would crow when grown as a cock won't be picked up by a hawk.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive
267
Àkùkọ tí yóò kọ lágbà, àṣá ò ní gbée lóròmọ adìyẹ.
- Literal translation
- A cock that will crow when grown, will not be picked up by a hawk as a chick.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive; the best is yet to come.
268
Àkùrọ ti lómi tẹlẹ, kí òjò tó rọ̀ sí i.
- Literal translation
- The river bank was damp with water, even before the rain fell on it.
- Meaning
- Be humble; don't arrogate to yourself what is essentially God's blessing.
269
Àkùrọ̀ ti lómi tẹ́lẹ̀, kí òjò tó rọ̀ si.
- Literal translation
- The river bank was damp with water, even before the rain fell on it.
- Meaning
- Be humble; don't arrogate to yourself what is essentially God's blessing.
270
Alágbára má mèrò baba ọ̀lẹ
- Literal translation
- Strength devoid of wisdom is the epitome of indolence
- Meaning
- Strengths yield more when steered & controlled in wisdom
271
Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó ńlu irin lójú kan ó lóhun tó fẹ́ fàyọ ńbẹ̀
- Literal translation
- A blacksmith who kept hitting an iron at a spot has his reasons.
- Meaning
- Be tolerant.
272
Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó ńlu irin lójú kan, lóhun tó fẹ́ fà yọ ńbẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- A blacksmith who kept hitting a piece of iron at a single spot had his reasons.
- Meaning
- People have their reasons: give them the benefit of the doubt; often, we'll see some sense in nonsense, if we'll look closely enough.
273
Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó nlu irin lójú kan, ó lóhun tó fẹ́ fàyọ ńbẹ̀
- Literal translation
- A blacksmith who kept hitting the iron at a spot has his reasons
- Meaning
- Tolerance is it
274
Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó nlu irin lójú kan, ó lóhun tó fẹ́ fàyọ ńbẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- The blacksmith that kept hitting the iron at a spot has his reasons.
- Meaning
- Tolerance
275
Alágbẹ̀dẹ tó ńlu irin lójú kan, ó lóhun tó fẹ́ fàyọ ńbẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- A blacksmith who kept hitting an iron at a single spot, very well has his reasons.
- Meaning
- Be tolerant; people have their reasons.
276
Aláìmoore ajá, ló ńgé olówó rẹ̀ jẹ.
- Literal translation
- Only an ungrateful dog bites its owner.
- Meaning
- Show gratitude; never bite the hand that feeds you.
277
Aláṣejù ajá ni í lépa ẹkùn.
- Literal translation
- Only an intemperate dog stalks the leopard.
- Meaning
- Know yourself and be moderate; operate within your limits.
278
Aláṣejù ajá ní ńlépa ẹkùn.
- Literal translation
- Only an intemperate dog stalks the leopard.
- Meaning
- Know yourself and be moderate
279
Aláṣeyọrí la máa ńkí, a kìí kí aláṣetì kú iṣẹ́
- Literal translation
- Appreciation goes to who completes a task not to who abandons it
- Meaning
- Finish whatever you start
280
Àlejò bí òkété là ńfi èkùrọ́ lọ̀.
- Literal translation
- A guest like bush rat is the one offered palm kernel.
- Meaning
- Appearance matters: how you appear dictates how you'll be received.