Yorùbá proverbs
1581
Rírò lọbẹ̀ gbẹ̀gìrì, táà bá ròó a máa díkókó
- Literal translation
- The bean soup needs to be well stirred, else it will become lumpy
- Meaning
- Proper planning is crucial
1582
Rírò lọbẹ̀ gbẹ̀gìrì, táà bá ròó a máa díkókó.
- Literal translation
- The bean soup needs constant stirring, else it will form lumps.
- Meaning
- Proper planning is crucial.
1583
Rírò ni t'ènìyàn, ṣíṣe ni t'Olúwa.
- Literal translation
- Man may only propose, it is God who disposes.
- Meaning
- No one knows tomorrow for sure: we all plan and hope; keep your hope alive and don't you ever give up; it is not over, yet
1584
Rírò ni t'ènìyàn; ṣíṣe ni t'Olúwa.
- Literal translation
- Man may only propose; it is God who disposes.
- Meaning
- Only God has the final say; keep your hope alive: it's not over, yet
1585
Rírò ntènìyàn, ṣíṣe ni t'Olúwa.
- Literal translation
- Man proposes, God disposes.
- Meaning
- No one knows tomorrow; don't give up.
1586
Rírú omi òkun kò ní k'ẹ́ja má sùn, kó má han'run.
- Literal translation
- The storms of the sea won't stop the fish from sleeping and snoring.
- Meaning
- Keep hope alive
1587
Sáà làá ńni ẹnìkan kìí nilé ayé
- Literal translation
- Seasons (or dispensations) are what we can own, no one can own the world.
- Meaning
- Change is constant & inevitable
1588
Ṣàṣà ènìyàn ni í fẹ́ni lẹ́hìn báà sí nílé; tajá tẹran ni í fẹ́ni lójú ẹni.
- Literal translation
- Precious few will love you behind your back; everyone loves you to your face.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive; not all that glitters is genuine; not everyone who is hailing you truly meant it
1589
Ṣé bí ojú ṣe rí nìyí, táa fi ńjobi lọ́jà Ẹdẹ?
- Literal translation
- Is this how one gets to eat kolanut at Ede market?
- Meaning
- Used to react to a disappointing act.
1590
Ṣebíotimọ kì í tẹ́.
- Literal translation
- Those who operate within their means, seldom get disgraced.
- Meaning
- Live within your means
1591
Ṣẹ̀kẹ̀rẹ̀ tó bá fẹ́ gbayì lóde kì í dìtẹ̀ mọ́ owó ẹyọ.
- Literal translation
- The shekere (cowrie shell gourd shaker) that wants to do well on its outing won't rebel against cowrie shells
- Meaning
- A good workman won't blame his tools; be positive, be forward-looking: the vindictive hardly goes far.
1592
Sísan ló san ọsàn, lọmọ aráyé fi la ọ̀nà nínú igbó lọ báa nínú oko.
- Literal translation
- The orange is simply favoured, which is why people created a path in the bush to get to it in the farm.]
- Meaning
- Destiny, sometimes, makes the difference; when one is favoured, things simply work right.
1593
Ṣòkòtò gbọọrọ ò dọlà; abí'ni ní ìlú Èkó ò di owó.
- Literal translation
- Appearance does not confer sustained honour neither does pedigree bring lasting riches.
- Meaning
- Sustained difference requires more than superficial considerations; focus more on substance.
1594
Sùúrù la fi ńyọ òróǹró kúrò lára ẹran
- Literal translation
- It's with patience that gallbladder is severed from the meat parts
- Meaning
- Patience resolves complex issues
1595
Sùúrù la fi ńyọ òróǹró kúrò lára ẹran.
- Literal translation
- Patience is what helps to separate gallbladder from meat parts.
- Meaning
- Patience resolves complexities
1596
Sùúrù ni baba ìwà; àgbà tó ní sùúrù, ohun gbogbo ló ní.
- Literal translation
- Patience is the epitome of character; an elder who has patience, has everything.
- Meaning
- Be patient.
1597
T'ẹni bẹ́'gi lójù; igi á rú'wé.
- Literal translation
- The shame is on the person who cuts a tree; it will sprout leaves again.
- Meaning
- Persist. Be undaunted.
1598
T'ẹní bẹ́gi lójù, igi á rúwé.
- Literal translation
- The shame is on the one who cuts a tree; it will sprout leaves (and grow back) again.
- Meaning
- Ignore wicked folks and their distractions: be steadfast; be open minded and keep moving forward
1599
T'oró t'oró l'ejò ńrìn; ejò ò ní padà lọ mú oró wá ní'lé.
- Literal translation
- Snakes slither around with their venoms; they'll never go back home for them.
- Meaning
- Be prepared; live ready: opportunities and issues seldom give advance notice
1600
Táa bá ní káa tìí kó dúró, táa bá tìí tó ṣubú, ńkọ́?
- Literal translation
- If we plan to push it to stand, what if we push it and it falls?
- Meaning
- Think before acting