Yorùbá proverbs
761
Ẹni tó ńkọrin tí ò dùn, ó ńfi etí ara rẹ̀ gbọ.
- Literal translation
- Whoever is singing a lousy song, very well knows as well.
- Meaning
- The obvious needs no emphasis
762
Ẹni tó ńlé ará iwájú, èrò ẹ̀hìn ńtọ̀ òun náà lẹ́hìn.
- Literal translation
- Whoever is pursuing those ahead, is also being pursued by those behind him or her.
- Meaning
- What goes around comes around; expect to receive in abundance, good or bad, whatever you give to others
763
Ẹni tó ńlé nǹkan níwájú, ńfi àwọn nǹkan míràn sẹ́hìn.
- Literal translation
- Whoever is pursuing something ahead, is actually leaving some other things behind.
- Meaning
- There's always a price tag: we must let go of what is behind, if we want to lay hold of what is ahead
764
Ẹni tó ńretí àti sùn akán, á pẹ́ l'èbúté.
- Literal translation
- Whoever is monitoring when the crab sleeps would be long at the river bank.
- Meaning
- Needless pursuit
765
Ẹni tó ńsáré tó ńwo ẹ̀hìn, ó di dandan, kó fẹsẹ̀ kọ
- Literal translation
- Whoever keeps looking back while running, will certainly stumble.
- Meaning
- Stay focused
766
Ẹni tó ńsáré tó ńwo ẹ̀hìn, ó di dandan, kó fẹsẹ̀ kọ.
- Literal translation
- Whoever keeps looking back while running, will certainly stumble.
- Meaning
- Ignore distractions; stay focused
767
Ẹni tó ńsáré tó ńwo ẹ̀hìn, ó di dandan, kó fi ẹsẹ̀ kọ.
- Literal translation
- Whoever keeps looking back while running, will certainly stumble.
- Meaning
- Ignore distractions; stay focused and keep moving.
768
Ẹni tó ńṣe rere, ìwọ̀n ló ńrin àrìnfura mọ
- Literal translation
- A good-hearted person seldom needs to be suspicious of others.
- Meaning
- Maintain a clear conscience.
769
Ẹni tó pa kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ yó ru ẹrù rẹ̀
- Literal translation
- Whoever kills the donkey, will have to carry his load.
- Meaning
- An action may produce unwanted consequences
770
Ẹni tó pa kẹ́tẹ́kẹ́tẹ́ yóò ru ẹrù rẹ̀
- Literal translation
- Whoever kills the donkey will have to carry his load
- Meaning
- An action may produce unintended consequences
771
Ẹní tó rí òkú ìkà nílẹ̀ tó taá ní ìpá, ìkà ti di méjì.
- Literal translation
- Whoever came across the corpse of a wicked fellow and kicked it turned himself or herself into a wicked person, as well.
- Meaning
- Forgive and forget; we shouldn't always seek to get even.
772
Ẹni tó ṣe ohun tó dun'ni lóòní le ṣe ohun tí yóò dùn mọ́'ni l'ọ́la.
- Literal translation
- Whoever hurts one today, may still be a source of blessing to one, tomorrow.
- Meaning
- Be tolerant; write-off no one.
773
Ẹni tó ṣe ohun tó dun'ni lóòní le ṣe ohun tí yóò dùn mọ́ni l'ọ́la.
- Literal translation
- A person who hurts one today may well be a blessing to one tomorrow.
- Meaning
- Write-off no one; quit being vindictive: be forward-looking; there are no permanent enemies, only permanent interests.
774
Ẹni tó ṣe ohun tó dun'ni lóòní, lè ṣe ohun tí yóò dùn mọ́'ni lọ́la.
- Literal translation
- A person who hurts one today may still be a blessing to one tomorrow.
- Meaning
- No closed case: write-off no one; be positive and be open-minded: don't get shackled with vindictiveness
775
Ẹni tó sọ̀rọ̀ tó dá'ràn, ọ̀rọ̀ náà ló máa sọ tó máa fi yọ ara rẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- Whoever got into trouble through spoken words would also get out of it though spoken words, as well.
- Meaning
- Use words wisely; they can be effective.
776
Ẹni tó tó gbani làá ńsá tọ̀
- Literal translation
- One ought to seek for refuge from someone who can save one.
- Meaning
- Help should be sought from where it can be found
777
Ẹni tó torí òtútù fi ọmọ'rí odó yá iná, kò gbọdọ̀ máa retí ati jẹ iyán.
- Literal translation
- Whoever chose to burn the pestle to warm himself because of cold, should not be looking forward to eat any pounded yam.
- Meaning
- Actions come with consequences; what goes around will eventually come around.
778
Ẹni tó wà láyé tó ní inú òun bàjẹ́; ẹni tó ti kú ńkọ́?
- Literal translation
- A person who is alive, yet complains of being unhappy; what about those who are dead?
- Meaning
- Be thankful in every situation: it could've been worse; with life, everything good is still possible: keep up hope
779
Ẹni tó wọ bàtà nìkan ló mọ ibi tó ti ńta òun lẹ́sẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches.
- Meaning
- Be tolerant and empathetic; you never know for sure what anyone is going through.
780
Ẹni tó yá ẹgbẹ̀fà, tí ò san án, bẹ́ igi dí ọ̀nà egbèje ni.
- Literal translation
- Whoever borrowed a small sum, but refused to repay it, has blocked the path to future bigger loans.
- Meaning
- Be faithful; actions have consequences