Yorùbá and Igbo proverbs

Read Nigerian proverbs with their literal English translations and meanings.

Yorùbá proverbs

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  1. 1721

    Wúrà tó máa dán, á la iná kọjá
    Literal translation
    A piece of gold that wants to shine must need pass through fire
    Meaning
    No pains, no gains
  2. 1722

    Wúrà tó máa dán, á la iná kọjá.
    Literal translation
    A piece of gold that wants to shine must need pass through fire.
    Meaning
    Good things do not always come easy; no pain, no gain; be willing to pay the price tag.
  3. 1723

    Yàrá kékeré gba ogún ọ̀rẹ́, tí ìfẹ bá wà láàárín wọn.
    Literal translation
    A little room is sizable enough for twenty friends, if there is love in their midst .
    Meaning
    Love is it: little is much if love is in it; with love, a cottage may well pass for a castle.
  4. 1724

    Yàrá kékeré gba ogún ọ̀rẹ́.
    Literal translation
    A little room is sizable enough for twenty friends.
    Meaning
    Little is enough if love is present.
  5. 1725

    Yàrá kótópó gba ogún ọ̀rẹ́, bí ìfẹ́ bá wà láàárín in wọn.
    Literal translation
    A little room is good enough for 20 friends, if there is love among them.
    Meaning
    Little is much when love is in it; with love, other concerns pale
  6. 1726

    Yàrá kótópó gba ogún ọ̀rẹ́, bí ìfẹ́ bá wà láàárín wọn.
    Literal translation
    A little room is good enough for 20 friends, if there is love amongst them.
    Meaning
    With love, virtually nothing is impossible.
  7. 1727

    Yinni yinni kí ẹni ṣè'mí ì.
    Literal translation
    Praise a kind person and he or she will be spurred to do more.
    Meaning
    Praise and appreciation inspire and bring increase
  8. 1728

    Yíyọ́ ẹkùn, kì í ṣe tojo
    Literal translation
    The stealthy movement of the leopard isn't out of cowardice.
    Meaning
    Don't mistake gentleness for stupidity or cowardice
  9. 1729

    Yóó ṣẹ, kò ṣẹ, àdúrà yá ju èpè.
    Literal translation
    Regardless of whether or not they will be answered, prayers are better than curses.
    Meaning
    Prayers are crucial