Yorùbá proverbs
381
Bí a bá wo dídùn ifọ̀n, àá họ ara dé egun
- Literal translation
- If we give in to the pleasure of scratching our rashes, we'll scratch ourselves to the bone.
- Meaning
- Moderation is it; exercise self-control, always.
382
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bó pẹ́ bó yá akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan
- Literal translation
- If we won't relent, our hustling will one day come to an end.
- Meaning
- Be steadfast, be persistent; If we won't quit, we will win.
383
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bó pẹ́ bó yá akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan.
- Literal translation
- If one won't give up trying, one's hustling will one day come to an end.
- Meaning
- Persistence is it; if you won't quit, you will win, ultimately.
384
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bó pẹ́ bó yá akitiyan wa á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan.
- Literal translation
- If we won't give up, our hustling will one day end.
- Meaning
- Finish whatever you start: never give up, never quit; if we won't quit, we will win.
385
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bó pẹ́ bó yá, akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan.
- Literal translation
- If we won't quit trying, our hustling will one day come to an end.
- Meaning
- Giving up too soon is the bane of success: persistence is it; if we won't quit, we will win, eventually
386
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bópẹ́ bóyá akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan
- Literal translation
- If one won't stop trying, one's hustling will end, one day.
- Meaning
- Persist!
387
Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bópẹ́ bóyá akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan.
- Literal translation
- If one won't give up trying, one's hustling will one day come to an end.
- Meaning
- Never give up, never quit; if we won't quit, we will win eventually
388
Bí a kò bá rí ẹni bá là, ọ̀là kì í yá
- Literal translation
- If we lack good network, the efforts to build wealth can be stifled.
- Meaning
- Good support & networks matter
389
Bí a kò bá rí ẹni bá là, ọlà kì í yá.
- Literal translation
- Without good networks, the efforts to build wealth can be stifled.
- Meaning
- Good support and networks matter.
390
Bí a kò bá rí ẹni bá là, ọ̀là kì í yá.
- Literal translation
- If there is no one to toil with, efforts to build wealth can be stifled.
- Meaning
- Good support and networks matter.
391
Bí a kò bá tí ì jókòó a kì í na ẹsẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- If one is not (properly) seated, one shouldn't be stretching one's legs.
- Meaning
- Don't be presumptuous.
392
Bí a kò bá tí ì jókòó, a kì í na ẹsẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- If one is not (properly) seated, one shouldn't be stretching one's legs.
- Meaning
- Don't be presumptuous.
393
Bí a kò bá tíì jókòó a kìí na ẹsẹ̀
- Literal translation
- If one is not properly seated, one cannot stretch one's legs
- Meaning
- Don't relent until you achieve your goals
394
Bí a ó bá pe abuké, kí a pe abuké, àbí èwo ni bọ̀ọ̀dá tẹ́hìn ńdùn.
- Literal translation
- Call someone a hunchback if you must, but why refer to him as 'the man with a backache'.
- Meaning
- Call a spade a spade; no hypocrisy.
395
Bí a ò kú, ìṣe ò tán
- Literal translation
- As long as there is life, there is no limit to what can be achieved.
- Meaning
- Endure; as long as there is life, there is hope
396
Bí a ò kú, ìṣe ò tán.
- Literal translation
- As long as there is life, there is no end to what one can still achieve.
- Meaning
- With life, there is hope; no impossibility; never ever give up
397
Bí a ti ńṣe níbì kan èèwọ ibòmíràn ni
- Literal translation
- What is acceptable in one place is an abomination in another.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks
398
Bí a ti ńṣe níbì kan èèwọ̀ ibòmíràn ni
- Literal translation
- What's acceptable in one place is an abomination in another.
- Meaning
- One man's meat, is another's poison
399
Bí a ti ńṣe níbì kan, èèwọ̀ ibòmíràn ni.
- Literal translation
- What is perfectly acceptable in one place is an abomination in another.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks; broad-mindedness is it: often, what seems inappropriate may not be, if put in proper context
400
Bí àáké ṣe lágbára tó, kò leè ṣiṣẹ́ abẹfẹ́lẹ́.
- Literal translation
- As strong as the axe is, it cannot replace the blade.
- Meaning
- We are all uniquely gifted in our own ways; envy no one - be contented to stay in your lane.