Yorùbá proverbs
981
Ìgbìyànjú la fi í mọ akínkanjú
- Literal translation
- Willingness to make the needed effort is how an exceptional (or a brave) person is known.
- Meaning
- Give it a shot!
982
Ìgbìyànjú la fií mọ akínkanjú
- Literal translation
- Willingness to make the needed effort is how a brave person is known.
- Meaning
- Give it a shot; make effort to start
983
Ìgbọ̀nsẹ̀ kékeré létí àwo gbẹ̀gìrì, bó bá kúrò lójú, kô lè tán lọ́kàn.
- Literal translation
- A tiny turd on the edge of a plate of bean soup may be overlooked by the eyes, but certainly not by the heart.
- Meaning
- Watch the indiscretions; they may be overlooked, but they are seldom forgotten.
984
Igi kan kì í le títí kí akòko máà lè sọọ́.
- Literal translation
- A tree can't be so hard that the woodpecker won't be able to peck it.
- Meaning
- No impossibility
985
Igi ò lè gbé abẹ́ igi, kó rúwé
- Literal translation
- Any tree shielded by another seldom sprout leaves.
- Meaning
- Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
986
Igi ò lè gbé abẹ́ igi, kó rúwé.
- Literal translation
- A tree cannot remain shielded by another tree and sprout leaves.
- Meaning
- To stay in our comfort zones is to limit ourselves; everyone must take responsibility for his or her life.
987
Igi tí Ọlọ́run bá gbìn, kò sẹ́ni tó lè fàá tu
- Literal translation
- No man can uproot a tree planted by God.
- Meaning
- If it is from God, it is assured
988
Igi tí Ọlọ́run bá gbìn, kò sẹ́ni tó lè fàá tu.
- Literal translation
- No one can uproot the tree planted by God.
- Meaning
- No one can stop what God has sanctioned; only Him has the final say.
989
Igi tó tọ́ kì í pẹ́ n'ígbó.
- Literal translation
- Trees of value seldom remain in the forest for long.
- Meaning
- What is of value is often in high demand; maintain a passion for excellence and leave a good legacy
990
Igúnnugún kò torí abẹ párí.
- Literal translation
- The vulture did not go bald for fear of the blade.
- Meaning
- Certain events may be mere coincidence
991
Igúnnugún ò torí abẹ párí.
- Literal translation
- The vulture did not go bald for fear of the blade.
- Meaning
- Certain events are mere coincidences and not imposed.
992
Ìhòhò dodo làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀, tó bá jáde tán ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
- Literal translation
- The maize seed does go into the soil absolutely naked; yet it ends up with multiple peelings after sprouting.
- Meaning
- The best is yet to come; keep hope alive.
993
Ìhòhò dodo làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
- Literal translation
- The maize seed goes into the soil absolutely naked; it ends up with multiple peelings only after sprouting.
- Meaning
- The best is yet to come; keep hope alive
994
Ìhòhò dodo làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán, ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
- Literal translation
- The maize seed does go into the soil absolutely bare; nonetheless, it still ends up with multiple peelings after sprouting.
- Meaning
- The best is yet to come; keep hope alive.
995
Ìhòhò l'àgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
- Literal translation
- The maize seed really does go into the soil absolutely naked; it is adorned with multiple peelings only after sprouting.
- Meaning
- The best is yet to come; keep hope alive
996
Ìhòhò làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
- Literal translation
- The maize seed does go into the soil naked; it only ends up with multiple peelings after sprouting.
- Meaning
- Don't give up; the best is yet to come.
997
Ìhòhò làgbàdo ńwọlẹ̀, tó bá jáde tán ló ndonígba aṣọ
- Literal translation
- Maize goes naked into the soil, but has multiple peelings after sprouting
- Meaning
- Dare to hope
998
Ìjà ò dọlà, orúkọ ló fi ńsọni.
- Literal translation
- Strife does not enrich, rather it makes one notorious.
- Meaning
- Being tolerant; seeking peace
999
Ìjàlọ ò tóbi tó òmìrán, ṣùgbọ́n báa bá fojú di í, a máa gb'aṣọ lára ẹni.
- Literal translation
- The soldier ants are nothing in size to a giant, but they may easily disrobe anyone who disregards them.
- Meaning
- Don't be presumptuous; issues ignored, may well become major concerns
1000
Ìjẹ àná dùn mọ́ ehoro; ó di ọjọ́ kejì, ó mú ikún dání.
- Literal translation
- The last feast was quite satisfying to the rabbit; the next feast, it brought the squirrel along.
- Meaning
- We easily repeat a good experience and refer others, as well.