Yorùbá and Igbo proverbs

Read Nigerian proverbs with their literal English translations and meanings.

Yorùbá proverbs

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  1. 1341

    Ojú ló ńkán owó tó sọnù; ìgbà wo ni níná ò ní kàn án tẹ́lẹ̀?
    Literal translation
    The sum of money that got lost is merely in haste; would it not be spent, eventually?
    Meaning
    Be patient; never prematurely force issues before their due time.
  2. 1342

    Ojú ló pẹ́ sí, àgàn ṣì ńbọ̀ wá di ọlọ́mọ.
    Literal translation
    It merely seems delayed, the barren will one day put to bed.
    Meaning
    Be patient and keep hope alive.
  3. 1343

    Ojú ló pẹ́ sí, ìpàdé kì í jìnnà.
    Literal translation
    A meeting date is not far off, it merely appears so.
    Meaning
    Be patient and keep hope alive.
  4. 1344

    Ojú tí a fi í ríran a kì í fi tẹ ilẹ̀.
    Literal translation
    One ought not to step the ground with the eyes with which one sees.
    Meaning
    Give honour to whom it is due
  5. 1345

    Ojú tí a fi ńríran a kì í fi tẹ ilẹ̀.
    Literal translation
    One shouldn't step on the ground with the eyes with which one sees.
    Meaning
    Give honour to whom it is due
  6. 1346

    Ojú tí kò rí yànná yànná iná, yẹ̀rẹ̀ yẹ̀rẹ̀ oòrùn, kì í rí yìndìn yindin idẹ.
    Literal translation
    A pair of eyes that won't endure the fiery flames of fire and the searing glare of the sun, can't enjoy the glittering (beauty) of brass.
    Meaning
    No pain, no gain; no guts, no glory.
  7. 1347

    Ojú tí kò rí yànnà yánná iná, yẹ̀rẹ̀ yẹrẹ oòrùn, kì í rí yìndìn yindin idẹ.
    Literal translation
    A pair of eyes that won't endure the fiery flames of fire, the searing glare of the sun, can't hope to enjoy the glittering beauty of brass.
    Meaning
    No pain, no gain; no guts, no glory
  8. 1348

    Ojú tí kò rí yànnà yánná iná, yẹ̀rẹ̀ yẹ̀rẹ̀ oòrùn, kì í rí yìndìn yindin idẹ.
    Literal translation
    A pair of eyes that won't endure the fiery flames of fire and the searing glare of the sun, can't enjoy the glittering (beauty) of brass.
    Meaning
    No pain, no gain; no guts, no glory
  9. 1349

    Ojú tí yóò bá'ni kalẹ́, ki í ti àárọ̀ ṣe ipin.
    Literal translation
    A pair of eyes that will serve one until old age will not be rheumy while one is young.
    Meaning
    Be perceptive; whatever will stand the test of time shouldn't be having issues earlier on
  10. 1350

    Ojú tí yóò ròhìn ogun ò ní kú s'ógun.
    Literal translation
    A warrior destined to recount war stories won't perish in battle.
    Meaning
    Keep hope alive; better days are still ahead
  11. 1351

    Ojú tí yóò ròhìn ogun ò ní kú sógun.
    Literal translation
    A warrior who will tell war tales won't perish in battle.
    Meaning
    Keep hope alive; the best is yet to come
  12. 1352

    Ojú tí yóò ròhìn ogun, kò ní kú sí ogun.
    Literal translation
    A warrior who will tell war tales won't perish in battle.
    Meaning
    Keep hope alive; the best is yet to come.
  13. 1353

    Ojú tí yóò ròhìn ogun, kò ní kú sógun.
    Literal translation
    A warrior who will tell war tales won't perish in battle.
    Meaning
    Keep hope alive; the best is yet to come.
  14. 1354

    Ojú tí yóò ròyìn ogun ò ní kú sógun
    Literal translation
    A warrior that will tell war tales won't perish in the battlefield
    Meaning
    Patiently hopeful
  15. 1355

    Ojú tó máa báni kalẹ́, kò ní ti àárọ̀ ṣe ipin
    Literal translation
    The eyes that would serve one until old age, won't be rheumy while one is young.
    Meaning
    Be faithful
  16. 1356

    Ojú tó rí ibi tí kò fọ́, ire ló ńdúró de
    Literal translation
    The eyes that didn't go blind upon seeing evil, are waiting to see good.
    Meaning
    The best is yet to come.
  17. 1357

    Ojú tó rí ibi tí kò fọ́, ire ló ńdúró dè
    Literal translation
    The eyes that did not go blind upon seeing evil, are waiting to see good.
    Meaning
    The best is yet to come
  18. 1358

    Ojú tó rí ibi tí ò fọ́, ire ló ńdúró de.
    Literal translation
    The eyes that didn't go blind upon seeing evil, are waiting to see good
    Meaning
    The best is yet to come
  19. 1359

    Ojú tó rí ibi tí ò fọ́, ire ló ńdúró dè.
    Literal translation
    The eyes that saw evil and did not go blind, are waiting to see good.
    Meaning
    The best is yet to come; keep hope alive
  20. 1360

    Ojú tó rí'bi tí kò fọ́, ire ló ńdúró de.
    Literal translation
    The eyes that saw evil and did not go blind are waiting to see good.
    Meaning
    The best is yet to come; keep hope alive.