Yorùbá proverbs
81
A kìí jayé ọba kí a ṣu sára
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't enjoy the privileges of royalty & defecate on oneself
- Meaning
- Priviledged positions shouldn't be abused
82
A kìí kóòríra ọ̀fọ́ọ̀n kí a fi'ná bọ ahéré
- Literal translation
- One can't so detest the mouse as to set the farm-house on fire.
- Meaning
- Don't overreact; be temperate
83
A kìí kóòríra ọ̀fọ́ọ̀n kí a fi'ná bọ ahéré.
- Literal translation
- One cannot so detest the mouse as to set the farm-house ablaze.
- Meaning
- Moderation is crucial.
84
A kìí mọ iyì wúrà tí kò bá sọnù
- Literal translation
- A piece of gold (ornament) is seldom appreciated until it's lost.
- Meaning
- The available is often taken for granted
85
A kìí mọ iyì wúrà tí kò bá sọnù.
- Literal translation
- Gold is seldom appreciated until it gets lost.
- Meaning
- The available is easily taken for granted
86
A kìí mọ orúkọ Ọlọ́run kí ìyà ó jẹ'ni.
- Literal translation
- One can't know God's name (or really know God for sure) and suffer.
- Meaning
- God is a present help.
87
A kìí mọ̀ọ́ rìn mọ̀ọ́ yan kí orí má mì l'ọ́rùn
- Literal translation
- No one can be so good at walking & strutting that the head won't shake.
- Meaning
- No one is perfect
88
A kìí mọ̀ọ́ rìn mọ̀ọ́ yan kórí má mì lọ́rùn
- Literal translation
- One can't be good at walking that the head wont shake on the neck.
- Meaning
- No one is above mistakes
89
A kìí mọ̀ọ́ sun mọ̀ọ́ sè kí etí eku máà jóná
- Literal translation
- No one can be so good at roasting & cooking rat that its ears won't be burnt.
- Meaning
- No one's perfect
90
A kìí ní òtítọ́ nínú ká gb'àwìn ìkà s’ọ́rùn.
- Literal translation
- We ought not to know the truth, yet take delight in wrongdoing.
- Meaning
- Personal integrity is crucial
91
A kìí sọ òkò sí ẹyẹ tó ńwá ọ̀nà làti fò
- Literal translation
- Don't throw stones at a bird that wants to fly away.
- Meaning
- Don't worsen an already deplorable situation
92
A kìí ṣòwò méjì kẹ́ran má jẹ ọ̀kan.
- Literal translation
- One cannot be engaged in two trades and goat will not eat up one of them.
- Meaning
- Be single-focused
93
A kìí tojú oníka mẹ́ẹ̀sán kàá
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't count the toes of someone with 9 toes in his presence
- Meaning
- Being courteous, considerate & tactful
94
A kìí wo ago aláago ṣiṣẹ́
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't perform one's duties using someone else's time piece
- Meaning
- Don't run your life by another's approach
95
A kìí wo ago aláago ṣiṣẹ́.
- Literal translation
- One ought not to carry out one's duties using someone else's time piece
- Meaning
- Don't evaluate your life by another's
96
A kìí yangan bàtà lójú ẹni tí kò lẹ́sẹ̀
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't brag about shoes in the presence of a person who has no legs.
- Meaning
- Be courteous & tactful
97
A kìí yangan bàtà lójú ẹni tí kò lẹ́sẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- Don't brag about shoes around someone with no legs.
- Meaning
- Tact, courtesy, and consideration are crucial
98
A kìí yangan bàtà lójú ẹni tí ò lẹ́sẹ̀
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't brag about shoes in the presence of someone with no legs
- Meaning
- Being considerate &tactful
99
A kò gbọdọ̀ tìtorí kòkòrò kó síni lójú, kí a wá ki igi bọ ojú náà.
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't poke a stick into one's eye simply because an insect entered the eye.
- Meaning
- Adopt extreme measures with caution.
100
A kò gbọdọ̀ tìtorí kòkòrò kó síni lójú, kí a wá ki igi bọ ojú ọ̀hún.
- Literal translation
- No one pokes a stick into his or her eye simply because an insect entered the eye.
- Meaning
- Be moderate; adopt extreme measures with caution