Proverbs are short sayings or illustrations that communicate wisdom. Different ethnic groups in the world have loads of Proverbs that have been communicated via word of mouth from one generation to another. These proverbs are products of experiences, cultures, traditions, or general happenings.
Yoruba Proverbs are very deep and practical. They contain wisdom for day to day life. There are a plethora of them but I compiled about 53 below for you to read, reflect, and learn from.
Some of these Proverbs may seem simple and cliche but life is really about the little things. The seemingly old instructions hold a lot of power. They are cliche for a reason – because they work.
53 wise Yoruba Proverbs and their meanings
A kò lè tìtorí pé ọ̀nà jìn kí a wá padà sẹ́hìn.
*_Because the destination is far, is no reason to abort a journey._*
Be steadfast, be undaunted: resolve challenges and keep the focus on the goals; finish whatever you start!
Ọlọ́run kì í ṣe nǹkan, kó má fi àyè ọpẹ́ sí i; tó bá pá baba lórí, a sì fi irùngbọ̀n rọ́po.
*_God never does a thing without leaving rooms for thanksgiving; if God makes a man bald, He’ll give him the beard in replacement._*
There’ll always be reasons to be thankful to God!
Orí kan ṣoṣo ni ejò ní tó fi ńtú igba orí ká.
*_The snake has only one single head, yet, with this, routs two hundred other heads._*
Not just the numbers, but the substance behind them that counts; not the quantity, but the quality that matters!
Tí ẹyin adìyẹ ò bá fọ́, oromọadìyẹ ò leè wáyé.
*_If the chicken’s (incubated) egg did not crack, the chick could not have been hatched._*
Adversity may well be a stepping stone; keep hope alive!
A kì í dàgbà jù fún ohun tí a kò bá mò.
*One is never too old to learn what one does not know*
There is no end to learning: be open to it; age is no barrier to learning.
Àjọjẹ ò dùn bí ẹnìkan ò bá ní; ọjọ́ a ní la ńṣe àjọjẹ.
*_Eating together isn’t pleasant when one party lacks; we are usually happy to share, when we all can give._*
It’s good to give to others, but better to empower them; it’s better to teach people to fish than give them fish!
A kò gbọdọ̀ kúnlẹ̀ pa òkété, kúnlẹ̀ ta òkété, kí a tún wá kúnlẹ̀ gba owó òkété.
*_One shouldn’t have to genuflect to kill a bush rat, genuflect to sell it, and still have to genuflect to collect the sales proceeds._*
Service shouldn’t be seen as servitude; deny no one his or her due!
A kọ́ni ò ní ká ṣìkà bí a kò níkà nínú; tani ńkọ́ni kí a tó ṣe rere?
*_That one was so advised is no reason to be wicked, if one isn’t inherently wicked; who teaches us to do good?_*
Advices we accept reflect who we are deep down; we always embrace what sits down well with us!
Ibi gbogbo là ńdá iná alẹ́, ọbẹ̀ ló kàn dùn ju ara wọn lọ.
*_Supper is prepared in every home; some stews are simply tastier than others._*
We are all blessed, albeit in different ways and to different extents; keep hope alive and remain grateful!
Ọlọ́run ò fẹ́ irọ́; ọmọ èèyàn ò fẹ́ òdodo; bẹ́ẹ̀ lọ̀rọ̀ ò pé mẹ́ta.
*_God hate lies; man hates truth; yet there is no third option in a discourse._*
It is better to always stick with the truth, even when there are no easy options.
Àtùpà kì í ní’yì lọ́ọ̀sán, ṣugbọ̀n a máa gba’yì lọ́jọ́ alẹ́.
*_A lamp is not valued in the afternoons, but does get appreciated at night._*
There’s always a right time and place for everything; solutions are most appreciated during trying times!
Ibi gbogbo là ńdá iná alẹ́, ọbẹ̀ ló kàn dùn ju ara wọn lọ.
*_Supper is prepared in every home; some stews are simply tastier than others._*
We are all blessed, albeit in different ways and to different extents; keep hope alive and remain grateful!
Ebi ni ò pàJèṣà tó lóun ò jẹ̀kọ Ọ̀yọ́; ebí pa ọmọ Obòkun ó jẹ ori.
*_The Ijeṣa person is not hungry and he rejects corn-loaf prepared by an Ọ̀yọ́ person; when hunger gripped the son of Obokun (an apellation for Ijeṣa people) he ate ori(the Ọ̀yọ́ name for corn-loaf.)_*
You are only choosy because you’re not desperate enough.
Àlà ni ó fi oko òle hàn.
*It’s the borderline that will reveal the farmland of the indolent*
Hardwork is the antidote for shame, shun laziness, and save your face from disgrace.
Tí ọ̀rọ̀ bá pẹ́, á dìtàn.
*_When an issue tarries, it will eventually become history._*
No matter how long an issue takes, it will one day come to an end; regardless of how it looks, EVERYTHING certainly has an expiry date: nothing lasts forever; keep hope alive!
Ọlọ́gbọ́n ni í fi ọ̀ràn elòmíràn kọ́gbọ́n, òmùgọ̀ á fi tirẹ̀ kọ́gbọ́n.
*_It is a wise person who learns from the experience of others; fools learn from theirs._*
It’s wise to learn from the experience of others; it’s less risky and less costly!
Báa gún ata nínú odó, báa lọ̀ ọ́ lórí ọlọ, iwa ata ò ní fi ata sílẹ̀.
*_Even if we pound it in a mortar or grind it on the grinding stone, pepper will remain inseparable from its character._*
Old habits die hard; we can hardly pretend to be who we are not, for long!
Èéfín ni ìwà; kò ṣeé fi pamọ́.
*_Character is like smoke; it cannot be covered up._*
No one can pretend to be who he or she is not for long; ultimately, our character shows through!
Èébú àlọ ni ti ahun; àbọ̀, ti àna rẹ̀ ni.
*_The initial shame is for the tortoise; the subsequent ones are for its in-law (who exposed it to the shame, in the first instance)._*
Be perceptive: ultimately, we embarrass ourselves when we expose those close to us to embarrassments!
Ìhòhò dodo làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.
*_The maize seed goes into the soil absolutely naked; it ends up with multiple peelings only after sprouting._*
The best is yet to come; keep hope alive!
Bí ìrẹsì bá ńpà’kúta ẹnu oníbárà kọ́ ló yẹ ká ti gbọ́.
*_Even if the served rice contains stone particles, we should not be hearing the complaint from a beggar._*
A beggar can’t be choosy; be moderate!
Ojú ló ńkán àrẹ̀mọ tó ńdé fìlà, tó bá gorí ìtẹ́ bàbá a rẹ̀, yóò dé ohun tó ju àrán lọ.
*_A royal heir who’s wearing a cap is simply in haste; he’ll get to don far more than velvet caps upon ascending his father’s throne._*
Be patient; don’t force issues before their time!
Agbẹ́-igi-lére kan kò lè gbẹ́ inú u rẹ̀.
*_No sculptor can carve the internals of the statue he or she is carving._*
There is a limit to what anyone can do: be reasonable in your expectations; most people are doing the very best they can, regardless of how it seems!
Ọwọ́ ata ò ṣe é fi bọ́jú; ọwọ́ epo ò ṣe é fi mú àlà.
*_A hand with pepper cannot be used to wash the face; the one with palm oil cannot be used to handle a white cloth._*
Even with the best of intentions, some things are just inappropriate!
Àbàtà takété bí ẹni pé kò bá odò tan.
*_The marshy place keeps aloof as if it is unrelated to the river._*
When the going gets tough, pretty few will stick with you: mentally prepare for this; everybody loves the winner, but when you lose, you are on your own!
Ṣiṣẹ́ ṣiṣẹ́ ò gọ̀, ó fẹ́ jàre ìṣẹ́ ni; ẹni tó kọ̀ tí ò ṣiṣẹ́ fẹ́ yan ìṣẹ́ láàyò ni.
*_The diligent isn’t stupid, he or she simply wants to defeat poverty; the person who refuses to work, really seeks to partner with poverty._*
Diligence is a choice: choose right!
Àìní ìforítì àparò ló sọ ọ́ di aláṣọ pípọ́n.
*_Patridge’s lack of perseverance is what gave it its dirty garb._*
Perseverance is it; Lack of perseverance may deprive you of what ought to rightfully be yours!
Akàn etí odò, kò tí ì jìnnà sí’lé.
*_The crab on the bank of the river is not far gone from home yet._*
If you are in a hole, stop digging; don’t double down on stupidity; it’s never too late to do the right thing!
Gbàdàmọ́sí tó lóun yóò lu ìlù àkóbá, Aíbùkí tí yóò jo kì í ṣe ọ̀bọ.
*_A fellow who insists on beating a drum implicatingly, ought to know that the person who’s to dance to it, isn’t stupid._*
Take no one for a fool; respect everyone!
Èébú ò so.
*_Abusive words never (grow and) fruit on anyone._*
Disparaging attacks are defused when ignored; keep moving: don’t major on minors!
Ààrò kì í gbóná títí kó máà tutù.
*_No matter how long the hearth gets hot, it will become cold eventually._*
Whatever is hot will one day become cold; whatever has a beginning will have an ending: nothing lasts forever: change is certain; keep hope alive!
Ìdọ̀bálẹ̀ kì í ṣè’wà; ohun t’ólúkálùkù máa jẹ ló ńwá.
*_Prostrating does not necessarily connote good manners; people are simply after what they can get._*
Excessive genuflection or servility, is often nothing, but an attempt at sycophancy; appearance can be deceptive!
Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.
*_Be focused on where you are going, not where you had fallen (in the past)._*
Be forward-looking; leave the past where it belongs: in the past!
Ohun tó bá máa kan ará ilé, kan ará oko, ìwọ̀nba l’ẹnìkan ńd’ojú kọ ọ́ mọ.
*_A matter that affects everybody must be cautiously confronted singlehandedly by one person._*
Don’t make a general problem a personal one; there’s strength in numbers; cooperate and collaborate!
A kì í mọ ibi tí à ńlọ kí ọrùn ó wọ’ni.
*_One can’t be certain of one’s destination and yet be weighed down by the load carried._*
Clear definition of goals makes their achievement less stressful: seek and foster clarity!
Ewé kan kì í bọ́ lára igi, kí Ọlọ́run Ọba má mọ̀.
*_No leaf drops off a tree without God’s foreknowledge._*
Nothing surprises God; nothing is beyond Him; lean on Him!
Asúùfé ya àgbàdo; ó f’ojú jọ olè, óf’ojú jọ olókó.
*_The one who harvests corn in a farm whistling (carefreely), could very well be the farm owner and could very well be a thief._*
Appearance can be deceptive; look beyond the obvious!
Ọ̀dùnkún ì báà mọ tíńtín, dandan ni kó dùn dé lẹ̀.
*_Even if sweet potato is just a tiny bit, it certainly must be sweet, wholly._*
We remain true to who we really are deep down, ultimately; we can hardly pretend to be who we are not for long!
Ohun tó ṣe àkàlàmàgbò tó fi dẹ́kun ẹ̀rin rínrín, tó bá ṣe igúnnugún, á wokoko mórí ẹyin ni.
*_If what took laughter away from the crow had befallen the vulture, it would have been stuck brooding on its eggs._*
Be tolerant; different stroke for different folks!
Àpa àímú délé ni kò jẹ́ kí a mọ̀ pé ológbò ńse ọdẹ.
*_Its penchant for not bringing home its games, is why the cat is not known for hunting._*
Be strategic; don’t eat your future; don’t sacrifice it for the present!
A kì í ṣíwájú ẹlẹ́èdẹ́ pe ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́ nítorí a kò mọ̀ bóyá ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ̀ta ló fẹ́ pè ni àbí ẹ̀ẹ́dẹ́gbẹ̀rin.
*_Don’t preempt anyone who started saying “ẹẹ́dẹ”, as you do not yet clearly know if he or she intends to say “ẹẹdẹgbẹta” (500) or “ẹẹdẹgbẹrin” (700)._*
Hear people out, before jumping to conclusions; don’t be presumptuous!
Tí a bá fi ogún ọdún ṣán’pá, ọdún wo la ó fò?
*_If we flap arms for twenty years, when are we going to fly?_*
Make hay while the sun shines; promptly exploit opportunities!
Ẹran tí a kò bá ni í jẹ, a kì í fi eyín dán an wò.
*_Stop taking nips at a piece of meat that you have no intention of eating._*
Don’t start what you won’t finish; finish whatever you start!
Ẹni sọ̀rọ̀ púpọ̀ yó ṣìsọ; àsọjù ló ńmú ìyá ọba pe ara rẹ̀ ní ìyá ọ̀bọ.
*_Whoever talks inordinately will misspeak; inordinate talk made the king’s mother (inadvertently) referred to herself as the mother of monkeys._*
Moderation is crucial; exercise self-control, always!
Ààrò kì í gbóná títí kó má tutù.
_*No matter how long the fireplace has been hot, it will become cold eventually.*_
Whatever is hot today, will one day become cold; tough times won’t last forever; keep hope alive; it’s not over yet.
Akèrègbè ni yóò júwe ibi tí wón máa fi okùn sí lára rẹ̀.
*_It’s the gourd itself that will indicate where on its body the rope (to carry it) should be affixed._*
People themselves will indicate to you how you should treat them; and when they do, believe them!
Bí ìgbà bá ńgbáni ká máa rọ́jú, bó pẹ́ bó yà ìgbà ńbọ̀ wá gbani.
*_If time afflicts one, one should persevere, as it will eventually favour one._*
Keep hope alive; if we won’t quit, we’ll win!
Ẹni tó ńgun ẹṣin, kó sọ ìpàkọ́ mọ ní’wọ̀n; ìbẹ́kẹ́ṣẹ́ ẹṣin á máa la’ni mọ́’lẹ̀.
*_When on a horse, fling your head backward with restraint; sudden jump of horses often throw riders._*
Never abuse privileges: exercise self-control; safeguards against abuse do exist!
Orí ò mọ ibùsùn; ìbá tún ibẹ̀ ṣe láàárọ̀.
*_No one knows the future for certain; else one would have prepared for it, ahead of time._*
Only God knows the future!
Èmi ló lòní, èmi ló lọ̀la, lọmọdé fi ńdi onígbèsè.
*_I own today and I will own tomorrow, is how a youngster runs into debt._*
Change is constant: don’t be presumptuous about the future; plan and prepare for it, today!
Iṣẹ́ tí onínú líle bá fi ogún ọdún ṣe, ọjọ́ kan ni yóò bà á jẹ́.
*_A hot-tempered person will easily destroy in just one day, all he or she achieved in twenty years._*
When uncontrolled, anger can prove detrimental to its carrier; hold off important decisions when angry!
*LEARN TO HAVE CONTROL OVER YOUR EMOTIONS (A WORD FOR THE WISE)*Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an offence.
Bí agbada ò bá gbóná, àgbàdo ò leè ta.
*_If the frying pan is not heated up, the corns cannot pop._*
Good things do not always come easy; no pain, no gain; hang in there: don’t give up!
Oko dùn ún ro l’àgbẹ̀dẹ ṣe ńrọ ọkọ́.
*_If farming were that fantastic, would blacksmiths opt to make hoes (for others)?_*
Look beyond the surface: think critically; don’t be naive or simplistic; things are often not quite as they appear!