Parables and Proverbs

African Parables & Proverbs

African Parables

African Proverbs

A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.
A child's fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm.
An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb.
A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.
A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.
As the dog said, "If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing."
A wise man who knows proverbs, reconciles difficulties. (Yoruba)
Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.
If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.
If you don't stand for something, you will fall for something.
It takes a whole village to raise a child
Looking at a king's mouth one would never think he sucked his mother's breast.
People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way.
The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.
The mouth which eats does not talk.
The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.
Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
When a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also.
When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.
You can tell a ripe corn by its look.
You must judge a man by the work of his hands.