Yorùbá and Igbo proverbs

Read Nigerian proverbs with their literal English translations and meanings.

Yorùbá proverbs

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  1. 741

    Ẹni tó lóyin ò dùn, ara ẹ̀ ni ò yá
    Literal translation
    Whoever claims that honey is not sweet must be unwell
    Meaning
    What's good is incontrovertible
  2. 742

    Ẹni tó mọ iyì obì ló ńjá ewé bòó.
    Literal translation
    The person who appreciates kolanuts strives to protect them with a covering of leaves.
    Meaning
    We keenly care for what we value; whatever is valued seldom suffer neglect
  3. 743

    Ẹni tó mọ'yì obì, ló njá ewé bòó
    Literal translation
    The person who values kolanuts, is the one who'll cover them with leaves
    Meaning
    We are mindful of what we value
  4. 744

    Ẹni tó mú iṣẹ́ jẹ, ò lè mú ìṣẹ́ jẹ.
    Literal translation
    Whoever got away with indolence, cannot get away with poverty.
    Meaning
    Diligence pays
  5. 745

    Ẹni tó ńbẹ Ọlọ́run kì í bẹ èyàn
    Literal translation
    Whoever pleads (his case) with God, won't need to plead with man.
    Meaning
    Nothing is beyond God; He is not a man; keep hope alive.
  6. 746

    Ẹni tó ńbẹ Ọlọ́run kì í bẹ èyàn.
    Literal translation
    Whoever pleads (his case) with God, won't need to plead with man.
    Meaning
    God is dependable and nothing is beyond Him; you can count on Him.
  7. 747

    Ẹni tó ńbẹ Ọlọ́run, kì í bẹ èyàn.
    Literal translation
    Whoever pleads with God won't need to plead with any man.
    Meaning
    Nothing is beyond Him; keep hope alive.
  8. 748

    Ẹni tó ńbẹ̀rù àti ṣubú, àti dìde á nira fún un
    Literal translation
    Whoever is scared of falling would find it tough to rise .
    Meaning
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained
  9. 749

    Ẹni tó ńbẹ̀rù àti ṣubú, àti dìde á nira fún un.
    Literal translation
    Whoever is scared of falling will find rising pretty tough.
    Meaning
    Nothing ventured, nothing gained; be bullish; take calculated risks
  10. 750

    Ẹni tó ńgun ẹṣin kó sọ ìpàkọ́ mọ ní'wọ̀n; ìbẹ́kẹ́ṣẹ́ ẹṣin á máa la’ni mọ́’lẹ̀
    Literal translation
    When on a horse, fling your head backward in moderation; horses do throw their riders
    Meaning
    Exercise self-control; never abuse privileges; safeguards against abuse do exist
  11. 751

    Ẹni tó ńgun ẹṣin, kó sọ ìpàkọ́ mọ ní'wọ̀n, nítorí ìbẹ́kẹ́ṣẹ́ ẹṣin á máa la’ni mọ́’lẹ̀.
    Literal translation
    Whoever is on a horse should be moderate in flinging his or her head backward, as horses do very well throw their riders.
    Meaning
    Those in priviledged positions should remain humble.
  12. 752

    Ẹni tó ńgun ẹṣin, kó sọ ìpàkọ‌ mọ ní'wọ‌n; ìbẹ‌kẹ‌ṣẹ‌ ẹṣin á máa la’ni mọ‌’lẹ‌.
    Literal translation
    When on a horse, fling your head backward with restraint; horses with sudden jump often throw riders.
    Meaning
    Never abuse privileges: exercise self-control; safeguards against abuse do exist.
  13. 753

    Ẹni tó ńgun ẹṣin, kó sọ ìpàkọ́ mọ ní'wọ̀n; ìbẹ́kẹ́ṣẹ́ ẹṣin á máa la’ni mọ́’lẹ̀.
    Literal translation
    When on a horse, fling your head backward with restraint; sudden jump of horses often throw riders.
    Meaning
    Never abuse privileges: exercise self-control; safeguards against abuse do exist.
  14. 754

    Ẹni tó ní kàǹga ò lè mọ iyì òǹgbẹ
    Literal translation
    A person who has a water well can't appreciate what thirst is all about
    Meaning
    Insensitivity to the unfamiliar
  15. 755

    Ẹni tó ní òtùtú òwú kò tó ẹrù, ìwọ̀nba tó lè fi tanná ló mú.
    Literal translation
    Whoever says cotton wool is not heavy must be referring to just the bit needed for an oil lamp.
    Meaning
    Underestimate nothing: in sufficient concentration, what seems trivial may prove overwhelming
  16. 756

    Ẹni tó ní òtùtú òwú ò tó ẹrù, ìwọ̀nba tó fẹ́ fi tan iná ló mú.
    Literal translation
    Whoever says cotton wool is not heavy must have taken just enough for a lamp wick.
    Meaning
    In good quantity or right condition, virtually nothing is inconsequential; don't be presumptuous; underestimate nothing.
  17. 757

    Ẹni tó ńkó ẹyin jẹ kò mọ̀ pé ìdí ńro adìyẹ.
    Literal translation
    Those eating eggs seldom appreciate how tough egg-laying can be to the hen.
    Meaning
    Be careful to appreciate kind gestures received from others.
  18. 758

    Ẹni tó ńkó ẹyin jẹ ò mọ̀ pé ìdí ńro adìyẹ.
    Literal translation
    Those eating eggs seldom appreciate how tough egg-laying can be to the hen.
    Meaning
    Be empathetic; be considerate.s
  19. 759

    Ẹni tó ńkó ẹyin jẹ, kò mọ̀ pé ìdí ńro adìyẹ.
    Literal translation
    Those eating eggs seldom appreciate how tough egg-laying can be to the hen.
    Meaning
    Be considerate.
  20. 760

    Ẹni tó ńkọrin tí ò dùn, ó ńfi etí ara rẹ̀ gbọ
    Literal translation
    Whoever is singing a lousy song, very well hears it, as well
    Meaning
    The obvious needs no emphasis