Yorùbá proverbs
701
Ẹni tí ò kú ló ni igbó òkè ọ̀hún
- Literal translation
- The person who is alive gets to own the farmland up yonder (eventually).
- Meaning
- Don't give up; it's not over yet
702
Ẹni tí ò kú ló ni igbó òkè ọ̀hún.
- Literal translation
- Only the person who is alive really gets to own the farmland up yonder (eventually).
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive; as long as there is life, virtually nothing is impossible.
703
Ẹni tí ò lówó lọ́wọ́ tó lóun ní ìwà, ìwà oníwà ló ńyá á lò.
- Literal translation
- Anyone who is not wealthy, but claims to be of good character, certainly has borrowed someone else's character.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive: you'll never know who anyone really is, until he or she is wealthy.
704
Ẹni tí ò mọ bí ẹgbẹ́ ẹ̀ ṣe là, á sá àsákú.
- Literal translation
- Whoever unduly bothers about his peers' successes, will hustle himself to death.
- Meaning
- Contentment
705
Ẹni tí ò mọ bí ẹgbẹ́ rẹ̀ ṣe là, á sá àsákú.
- Literal translation
- Whoever unduly bothers about his peers' successes, will hustle himself to death.
- Meaning
- Contentment is it.
706
Ẹni tí ò rí nǹkan wò, ló ńwo ti ẹniẹlẹ́ni
- Literal translation
- It's a person with no issue to attend to, who meddles in those of others.
- Meaning
- Mind your ọwn business
707
Ẹni tí ò rí nǹkan wò, ló ńwo ti ẹniẹlẹ́ni.
- Literal translation
- It's a person with no issue to attend to, that meddles in those of others.
- Meaning
- Stay focused on your own affairs.
708
Ẹni tí ò si nílé lewúrẹ́ rẹ̀ ńbí kan
- Literal translation
- The goat of an absentee owner is the one that births only one kid.
- Meaning
- Whatever's neglected underperforms
709
Ẹni tí ò tíì kúrò láyé kò lè mọ irú ẹni tí òun yó dà
- Literal translation
- Whoever still has life, can't know for sure who he'll become.
- Meaning
- With life there's hope.
710
Ẹni tí ò tó gèlètè, kì í mín fìn.
- Literal translation
- A person who is not of gross size shouldn't be breathing heavily.
- Meaning
- One should not outdare oneself.
711
Ẹni tí òjò ò pa, tí òrùn ò pa, ebi ni yóò paá.
- Literal translation
- Whoever is not beaten by rain and not beaten by the sun, will be beaten by hunger.
- Meaning
- Diligence pays; don't shy away from inconveniences
712
Ẹni tí wọ́n fi jọba tó ńṣe àwúre, ṣé o fẹ́ di Olódùmarè ni?
- Literal translation
- Does a king who is still seeking good luck charms want to become God?
- Meaning
- Be contented; be grateful.
713
Ẹni tí yóò dáṣọ ẹtù inú rẹ̀ nií gbé
- Literal translation
- Whoever plans acquiring an expensive clothe will keep it to himself
- Meaning
- Keep your lofty dreams to yourself
714
Ẹni tí yóò dáṣọ ẹtù, inú rẹ̀ ni í gbé.
- Literal translation
- Whoever wants to buy an expensive clothe will keep it to himself.
- Meaning
- Do not boast!
715
Ẹni tí yóò fò, yóò bẹrẹ.
- Literal translation
- Whoever wants to jump must need crouch.
- Meaning
- There is always a price tag ; be willing to pay it.
716
Ẹni tí yóò sọ irọ́ di òótọ́ yóò ja'gun ẹnu.
- Literal translation
- Whoever wishes to present lies as truths will have to war with his or her mouth.
- Meaning
- Truth needs no defence; to peddle lies is to expose oneself to needless stress
717
Ẹni tí yóò sọ irọ́ di òtítọ́ yóò ja'gun ẹnu
- Literal translation
- Whoever will convert lies to truths will have to fight with his mouth
- Meaning
- Falsehood is stressful
718
Ẹni tó bá da omi síwájú á tẹ'lẹ tútù.
- Literal translation
- Whoever waters the ground ahead of him, will step on a wet ground.
- Meaning
- One good turn deserves another.
719
Ẹni tó bá fẹ́ fò gbọ́dọ̀ kọ́kọ́ sáré
- Literal translation
- Whoever wants to fly, must first run.
- Meaning
- Success must be prepared for.
720
Ẹni tó bá fẹ́ fò gbọ́dọ̀ kọ́kọ́ sáré.
- Literal translation
- Whoever wants to fly, must first run.
- Meaning
- Nothing comes from nothing: outstanding outcomes, don't just happen, they have to be prepared for; we must sow, if we want to reap.