Yoruba Proverbs

Because the destination is far, is no reason to abort a journey.

What will turn out well at the end, often starts out as unpleasant.

If we insist on closing our eyes because of a wicked fellow, we won't know when a good person will pass us by.

If the amount of water one has won't do for a bath, one ought to wash the face with it.

The bowstring that got broken was what turned the bow into a mere baton.

People present a facade of humility when seeking favor, but easily lord it over their benefactors once satisfied.

A blacksmith who kept hitting a piece of iron at a single spot had his reasons.

When a young lady insists she'd like to die with the king [whenever he dies], she's really sending the queen a lousy message.

Farming is "fantastic," yet blacksmiths opt to make hoes [for farmers, as opposed to working on farms].

Do not carry out your duties using someone else's time piece.

Someone who has a head has no cap, the one with a cap has no head, and the person that has both head and cap has nowhere to go with them.

Only the patient one can milk a lion.

A good beginning is of no value unless one perseveres to the end.

Even if you feed the entire town [with pounded yam], you will have haters; yet if you pelt the market with stones, some will still pick you as a friend.

The tortoise struts on the farm, the senseless person says it resembles a duck.

All lizards lie flat on their stomach, and it is difficult to determine which has a stomach ache.

You can't stop a pig from wallowing in the mud.

When the spider wants to engage an enemy, it spins its web around it.

The elephant is not among the ranks of animals one lies in ambush for.

Gossips always suspect that others are talking about them.

The person who has been a slave from birth does not value rebellion.

All-day-long is no match for since-yesterday.

Dry smoked fish is delicious, but what is one to eat before the fish is smoked?

If a drum is sounding "kill him, kill him," one should dance to it with caution.

The thief who steals the king’s trumpet will find it difficult to blow it anywhere without being discovered.

One does not rely on money to contest a chieftaincy reserved for the strong.

It is the owner of rags who makes sure that needle and thread are available.

The person who knew the way last year does not necessarily know the way this year.

A trader in soap does not make big money.