1. Only a fool tests the depth of a river with both feet.
Meaning: It is unwise to jump into a situation without
first understanding the risks.
2. Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.
Meaning: Learning requires consistent effort; without
it, you won't benefit from what you know.
3. Sugarcane is sweetest at its joint.
Meaning: The best part of something often lies where it is least expected or where elements are joined together.
4. If you want to eat the fruit, you must climb the
tree.
Meaning: You must work hard or make sacrifices to
enjoy rewards.
5. A small seed can grow into a big tree.
Meaning: Great things often start from small
beginnings.
6. A bird does not sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song.
Meaning: People express themselves not always to solve
problems but because they are driven by purpose or passion.
7. The road to success is paved with sweat.
Meaning: Success comes through hard work and
perseverance.
8. A good beginning makes a good ending.
Meaning: Starting well increases the chances of finishing successfully.
9. Don’t wait for opportunity, create it.
Meaning: Be proactive; take initiative instead of
waiting for the perfect chance.
10. He who chases two rabbits catches none.
Meaning: Focusing on too many things at once can lead
to failure in all.
11. The early bird catches the worm.
Meaning: Acting promptly leads to success.
12. Don’t be afraid to work hard; it will pay off in the end.
Meaning: Diligence eventually leads to rewards.
13. Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.
Meaning: Persistence is key, regardless of success or
failure.
14. It takes a village to raise a child.
Meaning: Community involvement is crucial in a child's
upbringing.
15. A family that prays together stays together.
Meaning: Shared spiritual practices strengthen family
bonds.
16. Blood is thicker than water.
Meaning: Family ties are stronger than other
relationships.
17. A good neighbor is a treasure.
Meaning: Having supportive neighbors is invaluable.
18. Unity is strength.
Meaning: Working together leads to greater
achievements.
19. Respect your elders; they are the keepers of wisdom.
Meaning: Elders possess valuable knowledge and should
be honored.
20. A good name is better than riches.
Meaning: Reputation holds more value than material
wealth.
21. The strength of a chain lies in its weakest link.
Meaning: The overall strength depends on the weakest
part.
22. Together we stand, divided we fall.
Meaning: Unity ensures success; division leads to
failure.
23. The family is the foundation of society.
Meaning: Strong families contribute to a strong
society.
24. A wise person knows what they don’t know.
Meaning: Acknowledging one's ignorance is a sign of
wisdom.
25. Knowledge is power.
Meaning: Being informed grants one influence and
control.
26. A book is a garden carried in the pocket.
Meaning: Books provide knowledge and escape, much like
a garden.
27. The wise person listens more than they speak.
Meaning: Listening is a crucial aspect of wisdom.
28. Don’t be afraid to ask questions.
Meaning: Inquiring leads to greater understanding.
29. Experience is the best teacher.
Meaning: Personal experiences provide the most
valuable lessons.
30. When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. Meaning: Inner strength protects you from external harm.
31. Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it. Meaning: No single person has all the wisdom in the world.
32. A man who uses force is afraid of reasoning. Meaning: Violence often hides the fear of being outwitted.
33. Even the best cooking pot will not produce food. Meaning: Tools are useless without action or effort.
34. You learn how to cut down trees by cutting them down. Meaning: Experience comes through doing, not just observing.
35. A bird will always use another bird’s feathers to feather its nest. Meaning: We often benefit from the contributions of others.
36. A child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth. Meaning: Neglected individuals may become destructive to gain attention.
37. Rain does not fall on one roof alone. Meaning: Hardship comes to everyone at some point.
38. He who learns, teaches. Meaning: Knowledge should be shared, not hoarded.
39. No matter how long the night, the day is sure to come. Meaning: All difficult times will eventually pass.
40. The teeth and the tongue may come into conflict,
but they stay together. Meaning: Close relationships may have disagreements,
but they endure.
41. You do not teach the paths of the forest to an old gorilla. Meaning: Don’t attempt to teach the experienced what they already know.
42. When two elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers. Meaning: The powerless often suffer during the conflict of the powerful.
43. The axe forgets, but the tree remembers. Meaning: Offenders may forget, but victims remember the harm.
44. Even the lion protects himself from flies. Meaning: Even the powerful are not above minor troubles.
45. If the cockroach wants to rule the chicken, it must hire the fox as a bodyguard. Meaning: The weak must rely on manipulation to dominate the strong.
46. Wisdom is like fire. People take it from others. Meaning: Wisdom is shared from one person to another.
47. Money can’t talk, yet it can make lies look true. Meaning: Wealth influences perception.
48. A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness. Meaning: Honoring elders or the wise attracts favor and promotion.
49. A house divided against itself cannot stand. Meaning: Unity is essential for stability and survival.
50. The eye that sees others is also watching itself. Meaning: We are not exempt from the judgment we give others.
51. A goat owned in common sleeps outside. Meaning: What belongs to everyone is often neglected.
52. The hen sweats, but her feathers do not let us see it. Meaning: People may suffer silently.
53. If you close your eyes to facts, you will learn through accidents. Meaning: Ignoring reality invites danger.
54. He who thinks he is leading and has no one following is only taking a walk. Meaning: Leadership is proven by influence, not position.
55. A fool may be cured, but not a fool who thinks he is wise. Meaning: Arrogance prevents growth.
56. If the lion doesn’t tell his story, the hunter will. Meaning: If you don’t speak for yourself, others will define your story.
57. A child who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world. Meaning: Lack of home training results in harsh life lessons.
58. The mouth does not eat if the legs do not walk. Meaning: Hard work is necessary for survival.
59. When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches. Meaning: Problems at the foundation affect the whole.
60. You cannot build a house for last year’s summer. Meaning: You cannot fix the past; focus on the present.
61. The one who fetches the firewood infested with ants invites the lizard to dinner. Meaning: Your choices invite your consequences.
62. Wisdom does not come overnight. Meaning: It takes time to grow wise.
63. A man who counts his money by candlelight may be poor in the morning. Meaning: Impatience or secrecy may lead to loss.
64. Even the best dancer on the stage must retire. Meaning: No one stays on top forever.
65. You cannot hide smoke if there is fire. Meaning: Truth will eventually come out.
66. If the moon is not full, the stars shine more brightly. Meaning: Absence of leaders reveals others’ potential.
67. If the shepherd slaughters his sheep, he must eat bones. Meaning: Destroying your resources harms you in the end.
68. If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. Meaning: Collaboration sustains success.
69. He who is being carried does not realize how far the journey is. Meaning: Those shielded from hardship often fail to understand struggle.
70. A woman is a flower in a garden; her husband is the fence around it. Meaning: Protection and support make beauty flourish.
71. Do not call a dog with a whip in your hand. Meaning: Your actions may contradict your words.
72. If you damage the character of others, yours will also be ruined. Meaning: Slander harms both the speaker and the victim.
73. What an elder sees sitting, a youth cannot see standing. Meaning: Experience gives greater perspective than youthful energy.
74. No matter how hot your anger, it cannot cook yam. Meaning: Anger alone changes nothing.
75. A man who swallows a coconut must trust in his anus. Meaning: If you take a big risk, be ready for the consequences.
76. When the drumbeat changes, the dance must also change. Meaning: Situations change, and we must adapt accordingly.
77. A person who sells eggs should not start a fight in the market. Meaning: Be mindful of your vulnerabilities before provoking conflict.
78. If you treat your sickness with medicine, it will leave you; if you treat it with silence, it will kill you. Meaning: Ignoring problems only makes them worse.
79. You do not remove a fly from your friend’s forehead with a stone. Meaning: Use wisdom and care when correcting others.
80. A single bracelet does not jingle. Meaning: You cannot succeed alone; unity brings strength.
81. The rain does not recognize anyone's hut. Meaning: Trouble comes to everyone regardless of status.
82. He who defecates on the road must expect flies on his return. Meaning: Your bad actions will come back to haunt you.
83. It is not the day a child is born that he begins to walk. Meaning: Growth and maturity take time.
84. A tree does not move unless there is wind. Meaning: Every effect has a cause.
85. No matter how black a cow is, its milk is white. Meaning: Do not judge by appearance; goodness lies within.
86. A man who has never traveled thinks his mother is the best cook. Meaning: Exposure broadens perspective.
87. A man who wakes up early does not need to run. Meaning: Preparation prevents panic.
88. You don’t point to your father’s house with your left hand. Meaning: Show respect for your roots and elders.
89. When the food is ready, the elders eat first. Meaning: Respect and honor go to those with experience.
90. An old pot never lacks soot. Meaning: A person’s past is not easily erased.
91. Even a small fire can burn a big house. Meaning: Small issues can cause great damage.
92. The monkey says if it falls, let it fall on a tree, not on the ground. Meaning: Even in failure, seek something to hold on to.
93. A hungry man will break iron if it stands in his way. Meaning: Desperation fuels determination.
94. When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind. Meaning: Strong foundations protect against adversity.
95. A fly that does not heed advice follows the corpse into the grave. Meaning: Those who ignore warnings suffer consequences.
96. Even the antelope knows to hide from the hunter. Meaning: Even the innocent must be cautious.
97. A person who does not know where the rain began to beat him cannot say where he dried his body. Meaning: Understand your problems before trying to solve them.
98. A river does not flow without a source. Meaning: Everything has an origin.
99. A child who climbs a tree to the top must have someone on the ground. Meaning: Support systems are important when taking risks.
100. You do not pour away the water used to bathe a child before removing the child. Meaning: Don’t discard the valuable while removing the unwanted.
101. The mouth that eats salt will not fail to drink water. Meaning: Actions bring responsibilities or consequences.
102. One who holds another down in the mud must remain there to keep them down. Meaning: Oppressing others drags you down too.
103. If your only tool is a hammer, every problem will look like a nail. Meaning: Narrow thinking limits your solutions.
104. A man who does not know his roots is like a tree without soil. Meaning: Identity and heritage give strength.
105. The dog that follows the hunter will eat meat. Meaning: Loyalty and service come with rewards.
106. A child who washes his hands will eat with elders. Meaning: Good behavior earns respect and inclusion.
107. Even the smallest drum can be heard in silence. Meaning: Everyone has a voice when the moment is right.
108. The lion does not turn around when a small dog barks. Meaning: The strong do not waste time on the insignificant.
109. The tortoise moves slowly, but it never forgets its path. Meaning: Progress may be slow, but it is still progress.
110. When you climb a good tree, people will push you up. Meaning: Good causes attract support.
111. A man who runs away lives to fight another day. Meaning: Retreat is sometimes wise for survival.
112. A drum sounds better when beaten on both sides. Meaning: Balance brings harmony.
113. The crocodile does not proclaim its innocence in the court of the river. Meaning: One's environment often reveals their truth.
114. The moon moves slowly but crosses the sky. Meaning: Patience still achieves great things.
115. If the hyena wants to go hunting with the lion, it must learn to roar. Meaning: You must adapt to thrive among the strong.
116. A goat that dies in shame has no one to blame. Meaning: You are responsible for your dignity.
117. A man with one finger pointing at others has three pointing back at himself. Meaning: Don’t be quick to judge others.
118. If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito. Meaning: Even the smallest person can have a big impact.
119. A river that forgets its source will dry up. Meaning: Forgetting your origins leads to failure.
120. When brothers fight to the death, a stranger
inherits the father’s wealth. Meaning: Internal conflict invites external
takeover.
121. A man cannot sit on two chairs at once. Meaning: You must choose a side or path.
122. The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree said it would praise itself if no one else did. Meaning: Be confident in your own achievements.
123. A tree with many branches must have strong roots. Meaning: The more responsibilities you carry, the deeper your foundation should be.
124. If you sleep with itching buttocks, you wake up with smelly fingers. Meaning: Foolish choices bring shameful consequences.
125. A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches. Meaning: Signs of greatness show early.
126. Don’t set fire to your hut to kill a rat. Meaning: Don’t destroy everything just to fix one problem.
127. The eyes that have seen the lion do not blink at a cat. Meaning: Experience breeds courage.
128. The sheep that follows the goat to the market will return home broke. Meaning: Blind imitation leads to loss.
129. No one drinks medicine on behalf of a sick person. Meaning: Everyone must face their own problems.
130. You can’t climb the palm tree with one hand. Meaning: You need support to succeed.
131. If the roots do not stretch, the tree cannot stand tall. Meaning: Foundation determines strength.
132. Even the crocodile gets sunburned when it stays too long on land. Meaning: Everyone has their limits.
133. The chicken that sleeps early will find food in the morning. Meaning: Discipline leads to reward.
134. Even the snake knows not to bite the king. Meaning: Respect and caution must be shown to authority.
135. The fish that escapes the hook was not meant for the pot. Meaning: What’s not yours will not stay with you.
136. The hunter’s silence does not mean the forest is safe. Meaning: Danger may be hidden, not gone.
137. You cannot shave a man’s head in his absence. Meaning: Don’t make decisions for others without them.
138. The stick in a mad man’s hand should not scare a wise man. Meaning: Don’t fear the threats of the irrational.
139. A cow does not give birth to a lion. Meaning: Character follows lineage.
140. A river may be quiet, but it is still deep. Meaning: Stillness can hold great strength.
141. No matter how sweet the banana is, the monkey still eats other fruits. Meaning: Variety and balance are important.
142. When a bird flies too high, it forgets the hunter’s trap. Meaning: Overconfidence can lead to downfall.
143. Even the moon has its dark side. Meaning: No one is perfect.
144. The firewood of this world is for all to gather. Meaning: Everyone has equal opportunity to succeed.
145. A leopard cannot wash off its spots. Meaning: True nature is difficult to hide or change.
146. You don’t pluck fruit from a tree you didn’t plant without permission. Meaning: Respect others’ work and rights.
147. The rain that soaks you is the one you ignored. Meaning: Problems you refuse to address will affect you.
148. A child who plays with fire will burn his fingers. Meaning: Carelessness leads to harm.
149. You can’t hide behind your shadow. Meaning: You cannot run from your true self.
150. When the cooking pot is dirty, the food will not taste right. Meaning: Impurity or disorder corrupts results.
COPIED AND PASTED FOR WISDOM
