Yorùbá proverbs
1541
Ọsán tó já ló sọ ọrún di ọ̀pá.
- Literal translation
- The bowstring that got broken was what turned the bow into a mere baton.
- Meaning
- A minor issue may produce a far reaching consequence; there is a cause to every effect: to tackle an issue, seek out the true cause
1542
Ọsàn tó rí gbajúmọ̀ tí kò bọ́, ẹyẹkẹ́yẹ ni yóò fi jẹ.
- Literal translation
- An orange that refuses to be plucked by a famous person will get eaten by some strange birds.
- Meaning
- Promptly take advantage of opportunities; don't be unduly fussy
1543
Òṣìkà ì bá là, á ba ìlú jẹ́.
- Literal translation
- Were a wicked fellow to be wealthy, he would wreck the town.
- Meaning
- The prosperity of a wicked person is a risk to everyone.
1544
Òṣùṣù ọwọ̀ la fi ńgbálẹ̀ ti ilẹ̀ fi ńmọ́.
- Literal translation
- It is a bunch of broomsticks that is used to sweep the floor, clean.
- Meaning
- Together, we can do more.
1545
Òṣùṣù ọwọ̀ la fi ńgbálẹ̀ tí'lẹ̀ fi ńmọ́.
- Literal translation
- It's a bunch of broomsticks that's used to sweep the floor, clean.
- Meaning
- Together, more can be achieved
1546
Ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ńtẹ ẹrẹ̀; ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ńtẹ eruku
- Literal translation
- Muds & sands are stepped on differently
- Meaning
- One size does not fit all
1547
Ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ńtẹ ẹrẹ̀; ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ńtẹ eruku.
- Literal translation
- Muds and sands are stepped on differently.
- Meaning
- One size does not fit all.
1548
Ọ̀tún wẹ òsì, òsì wẹ ọ̀tun, lọwọ́ fi ńmọ́.
- Literal translation
- The right hand washing the left hand and the left hand washing the right hand make both hands clean.
- Meaning
- Reciprocate acts of kindness: we all win when everyone gives; everyone has something to give others
1549
Ọ̀tún wẹ òsì, òsì wẹ ọ̀tún, lọwọ́ fi ńmọ́.
- Literal translation
- The right hand washing the left hand and vice versa is how both hands become thoroughly clean.
- Meaning
- Reciprocate kindness: we all win when we do; cooperate; collaborate; be willing to give: we all can, and we should
1550
Ọ̀tún wẹ òsì, òsì wẹ ọ̀tun, ni ọwọ́ fií mọ́
- Literal translation
- The hands are clean when the right and the left hands washes each other.
- Meaning
- Together we do more
1551
Oúnjẹ tí a ó jẹ pẹ́, a kì í bu òkèlè rẹ̀ tóbi.
- Literal translation
- The morsels of the food one will eat for long, should not be excessively big in size.
- Meaning
- Moderation is it
1552
Oúnjẹ tí àá jẹ pẹ́, a kìí bu òkèlè rẹ̀ tóbi
- Literal translation
- One shouldn't cut the morsels of the food one will eat for long too big
- Meaning
- Moderation is crucial
1553
Oúnjẹ tí èyàn á jẹ pẹ́, kìí fi ọwọ́ mẹ́wẹ̀ẹ̀wá jẹẹ́.
- Literal translation
- One ought not to eat with the ten fingers, the food one will eat for long.
- Meaning
- Be prudent
1554
Ọwọ ata ò ṣe é fi bọjú; ọwọ epo ò ṣe é fi mú àlà.
- Literal translation
- A hand with pepper cannot be used to wash the face; the one with palm oil cannot be used to handle a white cloth.
- Meaning
- Even with the best of intentions, some things are just inappropriate.
1555
Ọwọ́ ata ò ṣe é fi bọ́jú; ọwọ́ epo ò ṣe é fi mú àlà.
- Literal translation
- A hand that has handled pepper cannot be used to wash the face; the one with palm oil cannot be used to handle a white cloth.
- Meaning
- Even with the best of intentions, some things are just inappropriate.
1556
Ọwọ́ kì í pẹ́ ní isà àkeekè.
- Literal translation
- A hand cannot be kept in a scorpion's burrow, for long.
- Meaning
- High risks situations must be speedily addressed.
1557
Ọwọ́ ọlọ́wọ́ ò lè yó ẹnu ẹlẹ́nu
- Literal translation
- No one can be fed to satisfaction by the hands of another.
- Meaning
- It's what you achieve by yourself that endures
1558
Ọwọ́ ọlọ́wọ́ ò lè yó ẹnu ẹlẹ́nu.
- Literal translation
- Never expect the hands of someone else to feed you to satisfaction.
- Meaning
- Depend less, possibly not at all, on anyone: go catch your own fish
1559
Ọwọ́ ọmọdé ò tó pẹpẹ, tàgbàlagbà ò wọ akèrègbè
- Literal translation
- A child's hand can't reach the shelf as an elder's can't enter a gourd.
- Meaning
- We need one another
1560
Ọwọ́ táa bá là, ló ńrí nkan gbà.
- Literal translation
- Only an open hand can receive.
- Meaning
- Make room to receive what you desire.