Yorùbá proverbs
341
Àtùpà kì í níyì lọ́ọ̀sán.
- Literal translation
- A lamp is not valued in the afternoons
- Meaning
- Solutions are most appreciated during challenging times
342
Àtùpà kìí rí ìdí ara rẹ̀ à fi ti ẹni ẹlẹ́ni
- Literal translation
- A lamp never sees its own base, but those of others
- Meaning
- Others help may be needed for one's issues
343
Àwo ò mọ̀ pé òun yóò jata
- Literal translation
- The plate never knew it would (eventually) taste pepper.
- Meaning
- Don't give up; the best is yet to come
344
Àwòdì òkè kò mọ pé ará ilẹ ńwo òun.
- Literal translation
- The hawk hovering above is unaware that the people on the ground are watching it.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive.
345
Àyè kì í há adìyẹ kó má lè dé ìdí àba rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- A hen is never too busy to brood over its eggs.
- Meaning
- We are always able to make time for what is crucial to us
346
Àyè kì í há adìyẹ kó mà lè dé ìdí àba rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- A hen is never too busy to brood over its eggs.
- Meaning
- We always make time for what is crucial to us
347
Ayé kìí fọn fèrè tó fi ńkọjá lara ẹni
- Literal translation
- The world won't blow the siren as it leaves one behind.
- Meaning
- Promptly exploit opportunities; make hay
348
Àyè kìí há adìyẹ kó mà lè dé ìdí àba rẹ̀
- Literal translation
- A hen can't be so busy as to be unable to get to its eggs
- Meaning
- Everyone makes time for what's crucial
349
Àyè kìí há adìyẹ kó mà lè dé ìdí àba rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- A hen can't be too busy to brood over its eggs.
- Meaning
- We make time for what's crucial to us.
350
Ayé kò ṣeé dá gbé.
- Literal translation
- The world is not to a place to live in, alone.
- Meaning
- We need one another
351
Ayé ńlọ, a ńtọ̀ọ́.
- Literal translation
- The world is moving and we are following it.
- Meaning
- Be responsive to change as the world changes
352
Ayé ńlọ, à ńtọ̀ọ́.
- Literal translation
- As the world goes, so it is followed.
- Meaning
- Change is inevitable; one must be receptive to it
353
Ayé ò ṣeé dá gbé.
- Literal translation
- The world is not to be lived in or enjoyed alone.
- Meaning
- One ought not to eat it alone; reach out to others
354
Ayé tí ẹṣin ò jẹ, tírù ìdí ẹ̀ bá ní sùúrù, á jẹ jù bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ
- Literal translation
- What a horse never enjoyed, if it's tail patient, it'll surpass it.
- Meaning
- Be patient
355
Báa bá dàgbà kọjá bàǹtẹ́ onírù, ọmọ ẹni là ńbọ́ọ fún
- Literal translation
- If one has outgrown the loincloth, one ought to pass it to one's child
- Meaning
- Being matured
356
Báà fi ọ̀pá bọ ìlù, a à ní mọ̀ pé ìlù lóhùn tó dùn.
- Literal translation
- Had we not beaten the drum with the stick, we won't have known that the drum has a sweet 'voice'.
- Meaning
- Keep up hope; an adverse event may well be a stepping stone.
357
Báa gún iyán nínú ewé, táa se ọbẹ̀ nínú èèpo ẹpà, ẹni máa yó, á yó.
- Literal translation
- If we pound yam in a leaf and cook the soup in a groundnut pod, those who will (eat and) be full, will be full.
- Meaning
- Determination is it; we are limited not by circumstances, but by ourselves.
358
Báa gún iyán nínú ewé, táa se ọbẹ̀ nínú èpo ẹpà, ẹni máa yó, á yó.
- Literal translation
- Even if we pound yam in a leaf and prepare the soup in a groundnut pod, those who would be full, would be.
- Meaning
- No impossibility; keep hope alive.
359
Báa gún iyán nínú ewé, táa se ọbẹ̀ nínú èpo ẹ̀pà, ẹní máa yó, á yó.
- Literal translation
- Even if we pound yam in a leaf and prepare the soup in a groundnut pod, those who will be full, will be.
- Meaning
- Regardless of conditions, those who will thrive, will; be positive, be hopeful.
360
Báa gún iyán táa ro ọkà fún kòfẹ́kògbà, kò ní fẹ́, kò ní gbà, náà ni.
- Literal translation
- Even if we pound yam and prepare yam flour meal for a difficult fellow, he will yet remain difficult.
- Meaning
- Be forward-looking; do your best and keep moving.