Yorùbá proverbs
861
Ẹyẹ kò ní ìṣasùn, síbẹ̀síbẹ̀ ẹyẹ ńjẹ ẹyẹ ńmu
- Literal translation
- Birds have no cooking pots, yet they eat and drink
- Meaning
- If God takes care of birds, He will, man
862
Ẹyẹ ò lè fi apá kan fò.
- Literal translation
- A bird cannot fly with one wing.
- Meaning
- We need one another; team spirit is it: together, each achieves more
863
Ẹyẹ tó bà lórí igi tí kò ké, ẹ̀hìn ọ̀rọ̀ ló ńrò.
- Literal translation
- A bird that perched on a tree, but made no sound was simply mindful of the aftermath.
- Meaning
- Tolerance is it; people have their reasons, give them the benefit of doubt.
864
Ẹyẹ tó bà lórí igi tí kò ké, ẹ̀yìn ọ̀rọ̀ ló ńrò.
- Literal translation
- A bird that perched on a tree, but made no sound was simply mindful of the consequences.
- Meaning
- it is always better to think deeply about both intended and unintended consequences, before one acts.
865
Ẹyẹ tó fi ara rẹ̀ wé igún, ẹ̀yìn ààrò ló máa sùn.
- Literal translation
- A bird that compares itself to vultures will end up (being roasted) at the fireplace.
- Meaning
- Don't compare yourself to others: you don't know their stories.
866
Ẹyẹ tó fi ara rẹ̀ wé igún, ẹ̀yìn ààrò ni í ńsùn.
- Literal translation
- A bird that compares itself to vultures will end up (being roasted) at the fireplace.
- Meaning
- Don't compare yourself to anyone.
867
Èyí ó wù á wí, t'Olúwa làṣẹ.
- Literal translation
- We may say what we please, it's God's will that will get done.
- Meaning
- Man proposes, God disposes
868
Èyí wù mí, ò wù ọ́, lọmọ ìyá méjì ṣe ńfẹ́ ìyàwó ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀.
- Literal translation
- What appeals to me does not necessarily appeal to you is the reason two maternal brothers have different wives.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks; people are entitled to their choices: live and let live.
869
Èyí wùn mí, ò wùn ọ́, lọmọ ìyá méjì ṣe ńfẹ́ ìyàwó ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀.
- Literal translation
- Because what pleases one does not please the other is why two brothers have different wives.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks; people are entitled to their choices; live and let live.
870
Ẹyìn tí yóò di eepo, yóò tọ́ iná wò
- Literal translation
- A palm nut that wants to become palm oil will have a taste of fire
- Meaning
- No pain, no gain
871
Ẹyìn tí yóò di eepo, yóò tọ́ iná wò.
- Literal translation
- A palm nut that wants to become palm oil will have a taste of fire.
- Meaning
- No pain, no gain
872
Ẹyìn tí yóò di epo, yóò tọ́ iná wò
- Literal translation
- A palm nut that wants to become palm oil would have a taste of fire.
- Meaning
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
873
Ẹyìn tí yóò di epo, yóò tọ iná wò.
- Literal translation
- A palm nut that desires to become palm oil will have a taste of fire.
- Meaning
- There's always a price tag; good things do not always come easy; no pain, no gain.
874
Ẹyìn tí yóò di epo, yóò tọ́ iná wò.
- Literal translation
- A palm nut that desires to become palm oil will have a taste of fire.
- Meaning
- There's always a price tag; good things do not always come easy; no pain, no gain.
875
Èyíówù áwí, t'Olúwa làṣẹ.
- Literal translation
- We may say what we please, it is God's will that will get done.
- Meaning
- Man proposes, God disposes
876
Fálànà, gbọ́ tì ẹ; ti ara ẹni là ńgbọ́
- Literal translation
- Falana, attend to your affairs; one ought to attend to one's issues
- Meaning
- Don't meddle!
877
Fúnrara abẹ́rẹ́ ló ńf'ẹnu ara rẹ̀ d'áṣọ lu.
- Literal translation
- The needle by itself pierces cloths with its pointed end.
- Meaning
- Your progress is up to you
878
Gbà fún Rájí nílé, òun ni gbà fún Gbàdà lóko
- Literal translation
- To concede to Raji at home fosters the concessions to Gbada in the farm.
- Meaning
- Life is give & take
879
Gbàdàmọ́sí tó lóun yóò lu ìlù àkóbá, Aíbùkí tí yóò jo kì í ṣe ọ̀bọ.
- Literal translation
- A fellow who insists on beating a drum implicatingly, ought to know that the person who's to dance to it, isn't stupid.
- Meaning
- Take no one for a fool; respect everyone.
880
Gbogbo ajá tó bá ńjẹ imí eku, wọn kìí yó
- Literal translation
- All dogs that feed on the excrements of rats don't get filled.
- Meaning
- Don't settle for less, think big