Yorùbá proverbs
281
Àlejò oṣù mẹ́ẹ̀sán kì í bá'ni lójijì
- Literal translation
- The visit of a guest expected for 9 months (birth of a baby) cannot be sudden to one.
- Meaning
- Be proactive
282
Àlùya ni ìlù ọ̀fẹ́.
- Literal translation
- A free drum gets beaten until it's bursted.
- Meaning
- People hardly treat whatever is free with respect; what's cheap or costs nothing is easily abused.
283
Àmójúkúrò ni í mú ẹ̀mí ìfẹ́ gùn
- Literal translation
- Willingness to overlook is what makes loving relationships endure.
- Meaning
- No one is perfect; tolerance is crucial. Happy Valentine Day to everyone.
284
Àmójúkúrò ni í mú ẹ̀mí ìfẹ́ gùn.
- Literal translation
- Willingness to overlook is what makes for an enduring loving relationship.
- Meaning
- If it is wrong, love will not see it; tolerance is crucial. A kú ayẹyẹ ọjọ́ olólùfẹ́ ọdún o.
285
Amọ̀nà èṣí kì í ṣe amọ̀nà ọdún yìí.
- Literal translation
- A person who knew the way last year will not necessarily know the way this year.
- Meaning
- Learn constantly
286
Amọ̀nà èṣí, kì í ṣe amọ̀nà ọdún yìí.
- Literal translation
- Whoever knew the way last year, will not necessarily know the way this year.
- Meaning
- Learn constantly
287
Amọ̀nà èṣí, kìí ṣe amọ̀nà ọdún yìí
- Literal translation
- Whoever knew the way last year, won't necessarily know the way this year
- Meaning
- Continous learning crucial
288
Àǹfàní ò nírù, bó bẹ́ wọ igbó, kò sí ohun táà á fi fàá
- Literal translation
- Opportunity has no tail, once it dashes into the forest, there's nothing with which to pull it out.
- Meaning
- Promptly take advantage of opportunities; make hay while the sun shines; procrastination can be costly
289
Àǹfàní ò nírù, bó bẹ́ wọ igbó, kò sí ohun táà á fi fàá.
- Literal translation
- Opportunity has no tail, once it dashes into the forest, there's nothing with which to pull it out.
- Meaning
- Exploit opportunities promptly; make hay while the sun shines.
290
Àpa àímú délé ni kò jẹ́ kí a mọ̀ pé ológbò ńse ọdẹ.
- Literal translation
- Its penchant for not bringing home its games, is why the cat is not known for hunting.
- Meaning
- Be strategic; don't eat your future; don't sacrifice it for the present.
291
Àpa àímú délé ni kò jẹ́ kí a mọ̀ pé ológbò ńṣe ọdẹ.
- Literal translation
- Its penchant for not bringing home its games, is why the cat is not known for hunting.
- Meaning
- Think strategically; the future is more important than the present.
292
Àparò kan ò ga jù kan lọ, à fi èyí tó bá gun orí ebè
- Literal translation
- One patridge isn't taller than another except the one on a mound.
- Meaning
- We are more alike
293
Àparò kan ò ga jù kan lọ, à fi èyí tó bá gun orí ebè.
- Literal translation
- One patridge isn't taller than another except the one on a mound.
- Meaning
- Discrimination is vanity: we are more alike than we are different; envy no one, but be humble
294
Apẹ́kótójẹun kò ní jẹ bàjẹ́.
- Literal translation
- The one who tarries to eat won't necessarily eat a lousy meal.
- Meaning
- Delay is not necessarily denial; often delays imply the perfection of the object hoped for; keep hope alive: it is not over yet.
295
Apẹ́kótójẹun kò ní jẹ̀ bàjẹ́.
- Literal translation
- The one who tarries to eat won't necessarily eat a lousy meal.
- Meaning
- Delay is not necessarily denial; often delays imply the perfection of the object hoped for; keep hope alive: it is not over yet
296
Àpọ̀jù ọ̀rọ̀ ni í mú'ni pe ọba lẹ́nìkejì ẹni.
- Literal translation
- Excessive talk is what makes one refer to the king as a colleague.
- Meaning
- Moderation is it; too much of anything, even if good, can be detrimental; exercise self control, always.
297
Apọnle kó sì fún ọba tí kò ní àrólé.
- Literal translation
- There is no honour for a king with no heir.
- Meaning
- Succession planning is critical to leadership
298
Ara bàbá ò yá, ara bàbá ò yá; àkàṣù ẹkọ ńwọ'lé, ewé ńjáde.
- Literal translation
- Father is gravely sick, father is unwell, yet lots of wraps of food go in (unto him), but the wrappers come out empty.
- Meaning
- Think critically; facts on ground don't always support obvious conclusions.
299
Ara ẹni ò dára; ìwà dúndùn ò sunwọ̀n; ara ẹni ní ká fura sí.
- Literal translation
- If everyone around is bad, even a sweet disposition is unpleasant, look inward and be wary of your own character.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive.
300
Ará oko tí yóò jẹ búrẹ́dì á fèsúrú ránṣẹ́ sílé
- Literal translation
- A farm dweller who wants to eat bread need to send some aerial yams home
- Meaning
- Life is give & take