Yorùbá proverbs
101
A kò gbọdọ̀ torí kòkòrò kó sí'ni lójú, ká wá ki igi bọ ojú ọ̀hún.
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't poke a stick into one's eye simply because an insect entered the eye.
- Meaning
- Be circumspect; adopt radical reactions with caution
102
A kò lè tìtorí iná orí, bẹ́ orí náà sọnù.
- Literal translation
- One can't cut of the head, simply because the hair on it has lice.
- Meaning
- Moderation is crucial
103
A kò lè tìtorí pé omi pá ẹnìkan lórí, kí a má mu omi mọ́.
- Literal translation
- We cannot cease from drinking water simply because someone choked on it.
- Meaning
- Avoid hasty and sweeping generalisations; don't put yourself in chains over an isolated case.
104
A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn kí a wà padà sẹ́hìn
- Literal translation
- No one aborts a journey simply because the destination is far.
- Meaning
- Finish whatever you start
105
A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn kí a wá padà sẹ́hìn.
- Literal translation
- Because the destination is far, is no reason to abort a journey.
- Meaning
- Be steadfast, be undaunted: resolve challenges and keep the focus on the goals; finish whatever you start
106
A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn kí a wà padà sẹ́yìn.
- Literal translation
- One can't abort a journey, simply because the destination is far.
- Meaning
- Finishing is crucial
107
A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn, kí a wá padà sẹ́yìn.
- Literal translation
- No one should abort a journey simply because the destination is far.
- Meaning
- Finish whatever you start: be steadfast, be undaunted: keep your eyes on the goals, always.
108
À ńjù wọ́n ò ṣe é wí lẹ́jọ́; ìjà ìlara ò tán bọ̀rọ̀.
- Literal translation
- To claim to be superior to anyone is not a sensible defence; the envy-fuelled quarrel (resulting from such) cannot be easily and conclusively settled.
- Meaning
- Modesty and humility go a long way; pride is counter-productive.
109
A ńkíyèsí gẹ̀gẹ̀ ni, kó má báa gba ọrùn ká.
- Literal translation
- One ought to promptly attend to goiter, less it overwhelms the neck.
- Meaning
- A serious matter merits serious and prompt attention
110
À ńpe gbẹ́nàgbẹ́nà ẹyẹ àkókó ńyọ'jú
- Literal translation
- We are calling for a carpenter, and the woodpecker shows up.
- Meaning
- Refers to someone who outdares himself.
111
A ò mọ iṣu tí yóò k'ẹhìn ọgbà.
- Literal translation
- No one knows the yam that will be the last in the barn.
- Meaning
- No one knows tomorrow.
112
À pa àímú délé ni kò jẹ́ kí a mọ̀ pé ológbò ńse ọdẹ.
- Literal translation
- Its penchant for not bringing home its games, is why the cat is not known for hunting.
- Meaning
- Be strategic; have a plan for the future.
113
À ti gbé ìyàwó ò tóó pọ́n; owó ọbẹ̀ ló ṣòro.
- Literal translation
- Getting married is not an issue; meeting the marriage responsibility is the tough nut.
- Meaning
- Look before you leap; think well before you act; it's easy to start some things, but tough to sustain it.
114
À ti mọ ọ̀nà ẹ̀dá, kò ṣ'ẹ̀hìn Olódùmarè.
- Literal translation
- Man's quest to succeed is not without God's knowledge.
- Meaning
- Sustainable success need's God's support.
115
À ti rán'mú gáńgan, ò ṣẹ̀hìn èékánná.
- Literal translation
- The nasal sound of the talking drum isn't without the knowledge (or cooperation) of the finger nails.
- Meaning
- We need one another; pursue cooperation and collaboration.
116
A-rí-jẹ-níjà ò níṣẹ́ míràn, àfi ìjà.
- Literal translation
- A person who profits from fights, has no other preoccupation, but instigating fights.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive: not every advice or motive is noble; self-centered ulterior motives do exist.
117
Ààrò kì í gbóná kó má tutù.
- Literal translation
- The hearth does not get hot, without becoming cold eventually.
- Meaning
- Whatever is hot today, will one day become cold; tough times won't last forever; keep hope alive
118
Ààrò kì í gbóná títí kó má tutù.
- Literal translation
- No matter how long the fireplace has been hot, it will become cold eventually.
- Meaning
- Whatever is hot today, will one day become cold; tough times won't last forever; keep hope alive, it's not over yet.
119
Ààrò kì í gbóná títí kó máà tutù.
- Literal translation
- No matter how long the hearth gets hot, it will become cold eventually.
- Meaning
- Whatever is hot will one day become cold; whatever has a beginning will have an ending: nothing lasts forever: change is certain; keep hope alive.
120
Ààrò tó bá tutù ladìyẹ ńyé sí.
- Literal translation
- It's only in a cold hearth that a hen can dare lay its eggs.
- Meaning
- We experience whatever we make room for