Yorùbá proverbs
1601
Tèmi ò ṣòro, ní kì í jẹ kí ọmọ alágbẹ̀dẹ ní idà.
- Literal translation
- Mine is not an issue, is why the blacksmith ends up not owning a sword.
- Meaning
- Procrastination limits us; Do not put off till tomorrow what today can achieve
1602
Tèmi ò ṣòro, tí kì í jẹ kí ọmọ alágbẹ̀dẹ ní idà.
- Literal translation
- Mine is not an issue, is why the blacksmith ends up not owning a sword.
- Meaning
- Make hay while the sun shines; no procrastination.
1603
Tèmi ò ṣòro, tí kì í jẹ́ kí ọmọ alágbẹ̀dẹ ní idà.
- Literal translation
- Mine is not an issue, is how a blacksmith ends up not making a sword for himself.
- Meaning
- It's good to care for others, but don't ignore your own needs, as well
1604
Tẹ̀tẹ̀ tí kò bá fẹ́ tẹ́ l'áwùjọ ẹ̀fọ́, á yẹ'ra fún àwọn ewékéwé.
- Literal translation
- The spinach that won't be dishonoured in the gathering of vegetables will steer clear of strange leaves.
- Meaning
- Association matters: we are defined, nay made or marred, by the company we keep.
1605
Tẹ̀tẹ̀ tí kò bá fẹ́ tẹ́ láwùjọ ẹ̀fọ́, á yẹra fún àwọn ewé kéwé.
- Literal translation
- The spinach that wouldn't want to be put to shame in the midst of other vegetables should steer clear of strange leaves.
- Meaning
- The company we keep matters; show me your friend and I'll tell you who you are.
1606
Tẹ̀tẹ̀ tí kò bá fẹ́ tẹ́ láwùjọ ẹ̀fọ́, á yẹra fún àwọn ewékéwé.
- Literal translation
- Any spinach that won't want to be in shame in the midst of other vegetables will steer clear of lousy leaves.
- Meaning
- Be perceptive: we cannot but be defined and significantly affected by the company we keep.
1607
This is a contraction of the proverb: Àràkún laṣọ Gbági; ọ̀kan la máa wọ̀ dé'bẹ̀.
- Literal translation
- Clothes to be bought at Gbagi market must be additional (as popular as the market then was); one will still need to be worn to it.
- Meaning
- No one and nothing can do it all; no one is self-sufficient.
1608
Tí a bá fi ogún ọdún ṣán'pá, ọdún wo la ó fò?
- Literal translation
- If we flap arms for twenty years, when are we going to fly?
- Meaning
- Make hay while the sun shines; promptly exploit opportunities.
1609
Tí a bá fi ogún ọdún ṣánpá, ọdún wo la ó fò?
- Literal translation
- If we flap arms for twenty years, when are we going to fly?
- Meaning
- Make hay while the sun shines; promptly take advantage of opportunities.
1610
Tí a bá pẹ́ ní ààtán a máa rí abuké eṣinṣin
- Literal translation
- If one tarries at the dunghill one will find a housefly with a hump.
- Meaning
- Be patient; be steadfast
1611
Tí a bá pẹ́ ní ààtàn a máa rí abuké eṣinṣin.
- Literal translation
- If one tarries long at the dunghill, one would find a housefly with a hump.
- Meaning
- Be patient
1612
Tí a kò bá dá òmùgọ̀ lẹ́kun, yóò sọ̀kò sẹ́kùn.
- Literal translation
- If a fool is not restrained, he will throw stones at a leopard.
- Meaning
- Naivety could be risky
1613
Tí a kò bá jẹun sẹ́hìn àwo, èèrà ò lè gun ibi ta ti ńjẹun.
- Literal translation
- If one hasn't dropped one's food, ants can't be attracted to where one is eating.
- Meaning
- Every problem has a cause; get rid of the cause and you will eliminate the problem; there is no smoke without fire.
1614
Tí a kò bá rí ẹni fi ẹ̀hìn tì, bí ọ̀lẹ là ńrí.
- Literal translation
- With nobody to lean on, one would seem lazy and irresponsible.
- Meaning
- Good support and networks matter.
1615
Tí aáyán bá ṣi ijó jó, á máa fi ara káṣá adìyẹ.
- Literal translation
- If a cockroach dances unconscionably, it may expose itself to the sword (or attack) of the hen.
- Meaning
- Even in a good course, moderation is crucial; be prudent, be moderate
1616
Tí aboyún bá bímọ tán ara á tùú.
- Literal translation
- Once a pregnant woman delivers (her baby), she will be at ease.
- Meaning
- After the storm, comes the calm
1617
Tí àdúrà bá gbà tán, apá aládúrà ò ní ka
- Literal translation
- When a prayer is answered, the person who prayed will be overwhelmed.
- Meaning
- God's response is complete
1618
Tí àdúrà bá gbà tán, apá aládúrà ò ní ká a.
- Literal translation
- When a prayer is answered, the person who prayed will be overwhelmed.
- Meaning
- Prayers work; answers can be so complete as to be overwhelming.
1619
Tí àdúrà bá gbà tán, apá aládúrà ò ní ka.
- Literal translation
- When a prayer is answered, the person who prayed would be overwhelmed.
- Meaning
- Prayers work; answers may be so complete as to be overwhelming
1620
Tí agbada ò bá gbóná, àgbàdo ò lè ta.
- Literal translation
- If the frying pan is not heated up, the corns cannot pop.
- Meaning
- Good things do not always come easy; no pain, no gain.