Yorùbá proverbs
1521
Ọ̀rọ̀ rírọ̀ ni í yọ obì lápò, ọ̀rọ̀ líle nií yọ ọfà lápó.
- Literal translation
- Soft words can pull kolanuts from a pouch, as strong words do pull arrows from a quiver.
- Meaning
- Use words wisely; they can be effective.
1522
Ọ̀rọ̀ tí yóò bá di akàn, bí ẹja nií kọ́kọ́ maá ńrí
- Literal translation
- What will turn out favourable often do start out less than favourable.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive!
1523
Ọ̀rọ̀ tó bá kan ojú lojú ma ńṣẹ́ sí
- Literal translation
- It is what concerns the eyes that they blink on.
- Meaning
- Avoid meddling
1524
Ọ̀rọ̀ tó máa di akàn, bí ẹja ni í kọ́kọ́ máa ńrí.
- Literal translation
- What will turn out favourable eventually, often starts out with much challenges.
- Meaning
- Don't quit; keep hope alive; if you won't give up, you will win, eventually.
1525
Ọ̀rọ̀ tó máa di akàn, bí ẹja nií kọ́kọ́ ńrí
- Literal translation
- What will turn out well, may start out negatively.
- Meaning
- It's not over yet; don't give up
1526
Ọ̀rọ̀ tó máa sọni lẹ́nu a máa ńjìnnà síi ni.
- Literal translation
- One ought to keep away from matters that are potentially embarrassing
- Meaning
- Discretion is crucial
1527
Ọ̀rọ̀ tó ńpa olóko l'ẹ́kún, ni àparò fí ńṣe ẹ̀rin rín, nínú igbó.
- Literal translation
- What troubles the farmer is what amuses the patridge in the forest.
- Meaning
- Different strokes for different folks; what challenges one, is what inspires another.
1528
Òròmọadìyẹ ńbá àṣá ṣeré, ó rò pé ẹyẹ oko lásán ni.
- Literal translation
- The chick gullibly plays with the hawk believing it to be an ordinary bird.
- Meaning
- Naivety can be risky, if not fatally costly; it is wise to invest in knowledge.
1529
Òròmọadìyẹ ńbá àṣà ṣeré, ó rò pé ẹyẹ oko lásán ni.
- Literal translation
- The chick plays with the hawk, gullibly believing it to be an ordinary bird.
- Meaning
- Naivety can be costly; correctly assess risks; don't be presumptuous
1530
Òròmọadìyẹ tó lóun ò fi tàṣá se, ọ̀sán gangan làṣá yó gbe.
- Literal translation
- A chick that is unmindful of the the hawk would find itself being preyed upon in broad daylight.
- Meaning
- Be mindful of intolerably high risks.
1531
Orúkọ rere ṣ'àgbà oyè.
- Literal translation
- A good name is superior to any chieftaincy title.
- Meaning
- A good name is to be cultivated and protected; positions or achievements, as good they are, ultimately trail a good name
1532
Orúkọ rere ṣàgbà oyè
- Literal translation
- A good name is superior to titled positions (or achievements).
- Meaning
- A good name shouldn't be compromised
1533
Orúkọ rere ṣàgbà oyè.
- Literal translation
- A good name is superior to ranks or titled positions.
- Meaning
- A good name is priceless.
1534
Orúkọ rere sàn ju wúrà àti fàdákà lọ
- Literal translation
- A good name is better than gold and silver
- Meaning
- A good name is always crucial; cultivate one & protect it
1535
Orúkọ rere sàn ju wúrà àti fàdákà lọ.
- Literal translation
- A good name is better than gold and silver.
- Meaning
- Pursue a good name; it is priceless.
1536
Orúkọ rere, sàn ju wúrà àti fàdákà lọ.
- Literal translation
- A good name is better than gold and silver.
- Meaning
- A good name is priceless.
1537
Orúkọ tí a bá sọ ajá ẹni lọmọ aráyé ńbá ni í pèé.
- Literal translation
- Whatever name one calls one's dog, that is the name others will call it as well.
- Meaning
- Speak positively: words objectify themselves; never describe yourself or what you do in negative terms.s
1538
Ọrùn kúkurú la fi ńyá owó, ọrùn gígùn la fi ńsan án.
- Literal translation
- We borrow money with a short neck and repay with a long one.
- Meaning
- It is usually quite convenient to borrow, but people become reluctant when it is time for repayment.
1539
Ọrun ńwó bọ kì í ṣe ọrọ ẹni kan.
- Literal translation
- The heaven is collapsing is not a problem of one person.
- Meaning
- Don't make a general problem a personal one.
1540
Ọrun ńya bọ̀ kìí ṣe ọ̀rọ̀ ẹni kan
- Literal translation
- The heaven is collapsing down isn't a problem of any one person
- Meaning
- A general problem is not a personal one