The sparrow enjoys life carefully.


Alápàáǹdẹ̀dẹ̀ ń jayé lébé-lébé.


The owner of the body does not say that he is in no pain, while we insist on commiserating with him for his sleeplessness and his restlessness.


Alára ò lè wí pé kò dun òun, ká ní ó kú àìsùn, ó kú àìwo.


The person who will engage in itinerant dancing should look to his legs in good time.


Alárìnjó tí yó jòó, kó ti ìwòyí mú ẹsẹ̀ kó le kó kó kó.


The hired carrier does not ask to die from his efforts; what would the owner of the merchandise ask?


Aláàárù kì í sọ pé kí ajé ṣe òun pa; ẹlẹ́rù ńkọ́?


Only a good-humored person can make a good husband for an ill-humored woman; a person whose mouth is not sharp cannot make a good husband for a hyperactive woman.


Aláwàdà ló lè ṣọkọ òṣónú; ẹni tí kò lẹ́nu mímú tete ò lè ṣọkọ alápẹpẹ.


The visitor “who” arrived at the home of Pọngila (Lickwood), Pọngila asked him, “Who are you?” The visitor replied, “I am Bugijẹ” (Bitewood). Pọngila said, “Well, you had better go find yourself some wood elsewhere.


Àlejò tó wọ̀ nílée Pọ́ngilá, Pọ́ngilá ní, “Ìwọ ta ni?” Àlejòó ní òun Bugijẹ; Pọ́ngilá ni, “Tòò, lọ́ dájú igii tìrẹ lọ́tọ̀.”


To Tortoise belongs the outward trip; to his father-in-law belongs the return.


Àlọ ni ti alábahun; àbọ̀ ti ànaa rẹ̀.


The weed did not know that the farmer had a machete.


Àlùkẹrẹsẹ ò mọ̀ pé olókoó ládàá.


Saare always goes too far in his description of a leopard.


Àmọ̀jù là ń mọ ẹkùn-un Sàárẹ́.


Only a potsherd has what it takes to confront live coal.


Àpáàdì ló tó ko iná lójú.


Apatapara kills himself in the wilderness; who will carry him is now the question.


Apataparaá pa araa rẹ̀ lájùbà; ẹni tí yó ko là ń wòye.


A pocket one did not make with one's own hand is a difficult one to dip one's hand into.


Àpò tí a kò fi ọwọ́ ẹni dá ṣòroó kiwọ́ bọ̀.


Ibadan people do not run from war; what they say is, “We will fall back a little.”


Ará Ìbàdàn kì í ságun; à ó rìn sẹ́yìn ni wọ́n ń wí.


Something-seen-but-unmentionable, something-seen-but-unspeakable is the death of a guardian of the mysteries.


À-rí-ì-gbọdọ̀-wí, à-rí-ì-gbọdọ̀-fọ̀ ni ikú awo.


Fire, something-one-sees-and-flees, snake, something one sees and jumps; an elder who sees a snake and does not flee flirts with death.


Àrísá iná, àkòtagìrì ejò; àgbà tó réjò tí kò sá, ara ikú ló ń yá a.


Going-from-one-sadthought-to-another results in endless weeping; the person weeping does his weeping and departs.


Àròkàn ní ń mú à-sun-ùn-dá wá; ẹlẹ́kún sunkún ẹ̀ ó lọ.


A cripple does not block the road with his legs.


Arọ ò nasẹ̀ kan dí ọ̀nà.


A cripple who has no legs to stand on has wisdom inside him.


Arọ tí kò lẹ́sẹ̀ nílẹ̀ẹ́ lọ́gbọ́n nínú.


He-who-flees-on-seeing-the-king is no coward.


Arọ́basá ò ṣojo.


The old person was once a dandy; the rag was once in fashion.


Arúgbó ṣoge rí; àkísà-á lògbà rí.


One treats a disease; one does not treat death.


Àrùn là ń wó a kì í wokú.


The fast runner will run past his home; the leisurely stroller is the one who will win the title.


Asárétete ní ń kọjá ilé; arìngbẹ̀rẹ̀ ni yóò rí oyè jẹ.


The kite plays with the pigeon and the pigeon rejoices; the pigeon is courting death.


Àṣá ń bá ẹyẹlé ṣeré, ẹyẹlé ń yọ̀; ẹyẹlé ń fikú ṣeré.


What one puts aside is what one returns to find; whoever dumps water ahead of him/her will step on wet earth.


Àṣesílẹ̀ làbọ̀wábá; ẹni tó da omi síwájú á tẹlẹ̀ tútù.


Only the newly weaned cat suffers; eventually it will learn to kill mice.


Àṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀wọ́n ológbò ní ń jìyà; bó bá pẹ́ títí a tó ekuú pa.


Difficult-to-wear like the garment of immoderation.


Aṣòroówọ̀ bí ẹ̀wù àṣejù.


Pepper is small; its fight is much bigger.


Ataá kéré; ìjá jù ú.


Person-who-stones-and-breaks-partridge's-eggs; the eyes find what the eyes seek.


Atàkò fọ́ ẹyin àparò; ohun ojú ń wá lojúú ń rí.


Alligator pepper has someone to tend it and it mocks the òbùró tree; had the òbùró tree someone to tend it it would look better than alligator pepper.


Ataareé rẹ́ni tún ìdíi rẹ̀ ṣe ó ń fi òbùró ṣẹ̀sín; òbùró ìbá rẹ́ni tún ìdíi rẹ̀ ṣe a sunwọ̀n jú ataare lọ.


A-creature-that-learns-wisdom-in-reverse-order, dog-with-severed-ears; after its ears have been severed it hides the razor.


Atẹ̀yìnrọ́gbọ́n agétí ajá; a gé e létí tán ó fabẹ pamọ́.


One's palm does not deceive one.


Àtẹ́lẹwọ́ ẹni kì í tanni.


1e Atọrọ-ohun-gbogbo-lọ́wọ́-Ọlọ́run kì í kánjú.


Persistent-staring ruins a friendship; one looks only glancingly at those looking at one.


Àwòfín ní ń mú ọ̀rẹ́ bàjẹ́; fírí là ń wo ẹni tí ń woni.


If a single Colubus monkey sees you, be sure that two hundred of them have seen you.


Àáyá kan-án bẹ̀ ọ́ wò; igba wọ́n ti rí ọ.


The-impatient-reporter, wife of the hunter, she says that her husband killed the first and killed the sixth.


Ayáraròyìn, aya ọdẹ, ó ní ọkọ òun pa èkínní, ó pa ẹ̀kẹfà.


The cultivated vegetable is contented, so it sends for its wild variety; the Nupe (Fulani) person is so comfortable that he builds a tall house.


Àyé gba ògùnmọ̀ ó ránṣẹ́ sí òdú; àyé gba Tápà ó kọ́lé ìgunnu.


Life is nothing to enjoy heedlessly.


Ayé ò ṣéé fipá jẹ.


“Help me catch a chicken” does not scrape his knees.


“Bá mi mádìẹ” kì í fi orúnkún bó.


The man of the house died and they put an invalid in his place; weeping climbs upon weeping.


Baálé ilé kú, wọ́n fi olókùnrùn rọ́lé; ẹkún ń gorí ẹkún.


“The patriarch of the compound called me but I did not respond” dies of anxiety.


“Baálé pè mí n kò wá”, ọ̀hànhàn ní ń pa wọ́n.


Counsel with your inside, do not counsel with people; “good” people are no longer to be found; the world has turned false.


Bánú sọ, má bàá èèyàn sọ; èèyàn ò sí; ayé ti dèké.


If one takes a bite of a cricket, one should put a little in one's pocket.


Bí a bá bu ìrẹ̀ jẹ, ká bu ìrẹ̀ sápò.


If one insults a king and denies doing so, the king leaves one in peace.


Bí a bá bu ọba tí a sẹ́, ọba a fini sílẹ.


If one insults the king, one denies doing so; if one insults the chief minister, one denies doing so.


Bí a bá bú ọba, à sẹ́; bí a bá bú ọ̀ṣọ̀run, à sẹ́.


If one keeps silent, what is in one's body keeps silent with one.


Bí a bá dákẹ́, tara ẹni a báni dákẹ́.


If one drags a sheep to present to a masquerader, one lets go of its leash.


Bí a bá fa àgbò féégún, à fi okùn-un rẹ̀ sílẹ̀.


If one loves one's friend beyond reason, when that friend bumps his/her head a fight results.


Bí a bá fẹ́ràn ọ̀rẹ́ ẹni láfẹ̀ẹ́jù, bó bá forígbún, ìjà ní ń dà.


If one scratches an itch as long as the sensation is pleasant, one will scratch down to the bone.


Bí a bá fi dídùn họ ifò̩n, a ó họra dé eegun.


If one approaches a dried-up tree as one would a green one, it is liable to crash on one and crush one to death.


Bí a bá fi ojú igi gbígbẹ wo tútù, tútùú lè wó pani.


If one takes three years to prepare for one's madness, when will one start biting people?


Bí a bá fi ọdún mẹ́ta pilẹ̀ṣẹ̀ẹ wèrè, ọjọ́ wo la ó bunijẹ?


If one spends three years flapping one's arms, how many years will one take to fly?


Bí a bá fi ọdún mẹ́ta ṣánpá, ọdún mélòó la ó fi fò?


If one gives a girl away in marriage with one hand, ten hands will not suffice to take her back.


Bí a bá fi ọwọ́ kan fọmọ fọ́kọ, ọwọ́ mẹ́wẹ̀ẹ̀wá kì í ṣeé gbà á mọ́.


If one chases a person and does not catch up with the person, one should moderate one's hatred of the person.


Bí a bá lé ẹni, tí a kò bá ẹni, ìwọ̀n là ń bá ẹnií ṣọ̀tá mọ.


If one attempts to cut a tree, one will cut people.


Bí a bá ní ká bẹ́ igi, a ó bẹ̀ẹ́ èèyàn.


If one wishes to clean one's plate of dry bean grits, one does not keep scraping the remnants from one's fingers onto the plate.


Bí a bá ní ká jẹ èkuru kó tán, a kì í gbọn ọwọ́ọ rẹ̀ sáwo.


Even though we are quarrelling, should we wish each other dead?


Bí a bá ń jà, bí í kákú là ń wí?


If one expects a loss, one should make a gift of what one has.


Bí a bá ń retí òfò, ká fi ohun tọrẹ.


If one talks of the dog, one should also talk of the pot one will use to cook it.


Bí a bá perí ajá, ká perí ìkòkò tí a ó fi sè é.


When one sees women one boasts of war; when one sees women one talks of battle; when one gets to battle, one lies low.


Bí a bá róbìnrin à lérí ogun; bí a bá róbìnrin à sọ̀rọ̀ ìjà; bí a dé ojú ogun à ba búbú.


If one has been told that a bird will eat one's eyes, when one sees the tiniest of birds, one takes to one's heels.


Bí a bá sọ́ pé ẹyẹ ni yó jẹ ojú ẹni, bí a rí tí-ń-tín, a ó máa sá lọ.


If one throws a stone into the market place, it hits someone from one's household.


Bí a bá sọ̀kò sí àárín ọjà, ará ilé ẹni ní ń bà.


Whatever one says to a talebearer one says to a basket that has lost its bottom.


Bí a bá sọ̀rọ̀ fún olófòófó, ajádìí agbọ̀n la sọ ọ́ sí.


If one exposes one's anus to view, people will fill it with hot water.


Bí a bá ṣí ìdí ẹni sókè, ọmọ aráyé á rọ omi gbígbóná sí i.


If one speaks it sounds as though one was speaking in proverbs; if one does not speak it seems as though one was picking a fight.


Bí a bá wí a dàbí òwe; bí a ò bá wí a dàbí ìjà.


If one's stomach is not immune to nausea, one does not eat roaches.


Bí a kò bá láyàa rìndọ̀rìndọ̀, a kì í jẹ aáyán.


If one is unable (or unwilling) to die, one accepts consolation.


Bí a kò bá lè kú, ìpẹ̀ là ń gbà.


If one is no match for the husband, one does not hit the wife.


Bí a kò bá lè mú ọkọ, a kì í na obìnrin-in rẹ.


If one has no money for lamp oil, one eats in the daytime, and one sweeps the house and goes to sleep in good time.


Bí a kò bá lówó aládìn-ín, à jẹun lójúmọmọ, à gbálẹ̀ sùn wàrà.


If one does not have twelve hundred cowries in savings, one does not purchase yams worth fourteen hundred cowries.


Bí a kò bá ní èsè ẹ̀fà, a kì í kó iṣu òje.


If one cannot find the official gate keeper one dares not enter the king's palace.


Bí a kò bá rí wọlé-wọ̀de a ò gbọdọ̀ wọlé ọba.


If one has done nothing for Earth, one does not swear by it.


Bí a kò bá ṣe fún ilẹ̀, a kì í fi ọwọ́ sọ ọ́.


If one has no money to buy a slave, one gives one's chicken a name.


Bí a kò rówó ra ẹrú, à sọ adìẹ ẹni lórúkọ.


How it will be accomplished will reveal itself.


Bí a ó ti ṣe é ní ń fi araa rẹ̀ hàn.


If a chicken always keeps to the ground, it becomes flightless.


Bí adìẹ́ bá gbélẹ̀ a ya òpìpì.


If an elephant is not sure of its anus, it does not swallow whole coconuts.


Bí àjànàkú ò bá gbẹ́kẹ̀lé fùrọ̀, kì í mi òdù àgbọn.


When a witch has drunk oil, she calms down.


Bí àjẹ́ bá mupo, ojúu rẹ̀ a rọ̀.


If a powerful person mistreats you, burst into laughter.


Bí alágbáraá bá jẹ ọ́ níyà, fẹ̀rín sí i.


When the chameleon wishes to go by, the black ants refrain from stinging.


Bí alágẹmọọ́ bá fẹ́ kọjá, ìjàm̀pere ò níí jà.


When night falls, the leper walks and struts.


Bí alẹ́ bá lẹ́, adẹ́tẹ̀ a rìn, a yan.


If the kite is displaying anger, the best response for the trader is patience.


Bí àṣá bá ń bínú, sùúrù ló yẹ ọlọ́jà.


It is according to the flight pattern of the standardwinged nightjar  that one throws stones at it.


Bí aáṣẹ́ bá ti ń fò, bẹ́ẹ̀ la ti ń sọ̀kò sí i.


As the initiate of mysteries drums, so the initiate of mysteries dances.


Bí awó ti ń lù lawó ti ń jó.


If the bàtá drum sounds too loudly, it tears.


Bí bàtá bá ró àrójù, yíya ní ń ya.


If a worm makes a heap, it is itself that it will plant in it.


Bí ekòló bá kọ ebè, araa rẹ̀ ni yó gbìn sí i.


It is when the snail wants to invite death that it lays eggs.


Bí èṣù ikú bá ń ṣe ìgbín nìgbín ń yẹ́yin.


If fish sleeps, fish will devour fish.


Bí ẹjá bá sùn, ẹja á fi ẹja jẹ.


If the owner of the backyard does not sleep, one stays in the backyard for a long time, sooner or later the owner of the house will fall asleep.


Bí ẹlẹ́yìnkùlé ò sùn, à pẹ́ lẹ́yìnkùlée rẹ̀ títí; bó pẹ́ títí orun a gbé onílé lọ.


If the person involved in a case acknowledges his or her guilt, he or she does not last long on his or her knees.


Bí ẹlẹ́jọ́ bá mọ ẹjọ́ọ rẹ̀ lẹ́bi, kì í pẹ́ níkùnúnlẹ̀.


If anyone defies the Orò mystery, it does away with him or her.


Bí ẹnìkán bá fojú di Orò, Orò a gbé e.


If a person does what no one has ever done before, his eyes will see what no one has ever seen before.


Bí ẹnìkán ṣe ohun tí ẹnìkan ò ṣe rí, ojúu rẹ̀ á rí ohun tí ẹnìkan ò rí rí.


If the wolf does not have faith in its anus it does not swallow bones.


Bí ìdí ìkokò kò bá dá a lójú, kì í gbé egungun mì.


As though he were stumbling on treasures, thus a youth brings trouble into the household.


Bí ìfà bí ìfà lọmọdé fi ń dáràn wọlé.


When the house is deserted, the leper will walk and strut.


Bí ilé bá dá, adẹ́tẹ̀ a rìn, a yan.


If a drum makes too much noise, it breaks.


Bí ìlùú bá dún àdúnjù, yó fàya.


If one is on fire and one's child is on fire, one douses one's fire first.


Bí iná bá jóni, tó jó ọmọ ẹni, tara ẹni là ń kọ́ gbọ̀n.


If one's yam is white, one eats it furtively.


Bí iṣu ẹní bá funfun, à fọwọ́ bò ó jẹ.


If the owner of the job is absent the job does not progress; if the person who engaged the help is absent no help is given; when the back of the person who engaged help is turned, one lifts one's hands from the job.


Bí kò bá sí oníṣẹ́ iṣẹ́ ò leè lọ; bí kò bá sí ọlọ́wẹ̀ a kì í ṣọ̀wẹ̀; àkẹ̀yìnsí ọlọ́wẹ̀ là ń ṣípá.


If you wish to buy okro, buy okro; if you wish to receive a gratuity do so; a child does not come to a tiger hunt and catch rats.


Bí o máa ra ilá ra ilá, bí o máa gba ènì gba ènì; ọmọdé kì í wá sọ́ja Agbó-mẹ́kùn kó wá mú eku.


If a woman enters the ritual grove of the orò cult no one will ever see her return.


Bí obìnrín bá wọgbó orò, a ò lè rí àbọ̀ọ ẹ̀ mọ́.


If one does not trust one's cudgel, one does not try it on one's own head.


Bí ògbó ẹni ò bá dánilójú, a kì í fi gbárí wò.


If the monkey is not certain about a tree, it does not climb it.


Bí ojú alákẹdun ò dá igi, kì í gùn ún.


If the face of the person who farted is baleful, one does not make a big fuss about the fart.


Bí ojú onísó ò bá sunwọ̀n, a kì í lọ̀ ọ́.


When a cat kills a mouse, it uses the tail as a sentry.


Bí ológbòó bá pa eku, a fi ìrùu rẹ̀ dẹlé.


When a cat begins to kill guinea pigs, one knows it is ready to go.


Bí ológbòó bá ṣẹ̀ ń pa ẹmọ́, à mọ̀ pé ó máa lọ.


If the butt of a proverb recognizes it but does not acknowledge it, he is afraid of a fight.


Bí olóweé bá mọ òwee rẹ̀, tí kò já a, ẹ̀rù ìjà ń bà á ni.


As today is, tomorrow will not be, hence the diviner consults the oracle every five days.


Bí òní ti rí, ọ̀la ò rí bẹ́ẹ̀, ni babaláwoó fi ń dÍfá lọ́rọọrún.


If the owner of the yams cuts them for porridge, the person who gleans what sticks to the peelings is at a loss for what to do.


Bí oníṣú bá fi iṣuu rẹ̀ se ẹ̀bẹ, ọgbọ́n a tán nínú a-tu-èèpo-jẹ.


If goodness is excessive, it becomes evil.


Bí ooré bá pọ̀ lápọ̀jù, ibi ní ń dà.


If a proverb does not apply to a situation, one does not use it.


Bí òwe ò bá jọ òwe, a kì í pa á.


If one's daughter is beautiful, one may acknowledge that she is beautiful, but one may not make her one's wife.


Bí ọmọ ẹní bá dára, ká sọ pé ó dára; bíi ká fi ṣaya ẹni kọ́.


If a child strikes his head against the mahogany bean tree the tree will kill him; if he strikes his head against the ìrókò tree, the tree will accost him on his way.


Bí ọmọdé bá dárí sọ apá, apá á pá; bó bá dárí sọ ìrókò, ìrókò a kò ó lọ́nà.


If a child has not seen the leavings of a lion in the forest he prays that he might be killed by an animal like the leopard.


Bí ọmọdé ò rí àjẹkùu kìnìún nínú igbo, a ní kí ẹran bí ẹkùn ó pa òun.


When a trail comes to a rock, it ends.


Bí ọ̀nàá dé orí àpáta, níṣe ní ń pin.


If a matter is dark, one peeps at it under cover.


Bí ọ̀ràn-án bá ṣú òkùnkùn, à bẹ̀ ẹ́ wò lábẹ́.


If a problem is not over, one stays in place; it is the over-eager person who comes to grief.


Bí ọ̀ràn ò tán, ibì kan là ń gbé; arékété lohun ń ṣe.


If wine fills the stomach it intoxicates a child; if there is too much sun it makes a child go insane; if one has too much authority one goes mad; spinach grew in too great abundance by the stream and became ordinary weed.


Bí ọtí bá kún inú, ọtí á pọmọ; bí oòrùn-ún bá pọ̀ lápọ̀jù a sọ ọmọ di wèrè; bí a bá lọ́ba lánìíjù a sínni níwín; tẹ̀tẹ̀ ẹ̀gún pọ̀ lódò o di olú eri.


If one has not laid one's hand on the hilt of the sword, one does not ask what death killed one's father.


Bí ọwọ́ ò bá tẹ èkù idà, a kì í bèrè ikú tó pa baba ẹni.


One asks a river before one enters it.


Bíbi là ń bi odò wò ká tó wọ̀ ọ́.


Excessive devotion to fashion leads one to pawn oneself.


Bọ̀rọ̀kìnní àṣejù, oko olówó ni ń múni lọ.


The dandy is the enemy of the town; it is the finicky person that the king kills.


Bọ̀rọ̀kìnnín lọ̀tá ìlú; afínjú lọba ń pa.


Dada cannot fight, but he has a brave younger brother.


Dàda ò leè jà, ṣùgbọ́n ó lábùúrò tó gbójú.


Troublemaker of Kaletu, who breaks the arms of a twin.


Dágun-dágun Kaletu tí ń dá ìbejì lápá.


One-who-commits-crimes-atop-crimes: he butchers pigeons for sale.


Dá-mìíràn-kún-mìíràn tí ń pa àpatà ẹyẹlé.


Dàńdógó  is not something to make in a huff; if one meets a person who is too much for one, one makes way.


Dàńdógó kọjá ẹ̀wù àbínúdá; bí a bá ko ẹni tó juni lọ, a yàgò fún un.


Originator-of-problems: he not make a cloth and does not make a dress.


Dá-nǹkan-dá-nǹkan, tí kì í dáṣọ̀, tí kì í dẹ́wù.


The devious person goads one to confront a leopard and fills one's quiver with broken arrows.


Èké tanni síjà ẹkùn, ó fi ọrán ṣíṣẹ́ sápó ẹni.


The mouse that attempts to kill a cat will not live long on this earth.


Eku tí yó pa ológìnní ò níí dúró láyé.


A mouse dares not visit a market established by a cat.


Eku ò gbọdọ̀ ná ọjà tí ológìnní dá.


“Today belongs to me; tomorrow belongs to me” is the attitude that pushes a youth into debt.


Èmi ló lòní, èmi ló lọ̀la” lọmọdé fi ń dígbèsè.


I will not go looking for a squirrel in my gourd to eat with pounded yam; but if a squirrel falls into my gourd I will eat it with pounded yam.


Èmi ò wá ikún inú agbè fi jiyán; ṣùgbọ́n bíkún bá yí sínú agbè mi mo lè fi jiyán.


The curse is out of all proportion to the lost article; a needle is lost “the owner” brings out his/her magic wand.


Èpèé pọ̀ ju ohun tó nù lọ; abẹ́rẹ́ sọnù a gbé ṣẹ́ẹ́rẹ́ síta.


The cursing is far in excess of what is lost; a needle goes missing and the owners invoke Ṣàngó.


Èpèé pọ̀ ju ohun tó nù; abẹ́rẹ́ sọnù wọ́n lọ gbé Ṣàǹgó.


What sort of sport is it that the dog is engaged in with the leopard?


Erée kí lajá ń bá ẹkùn ṣe?


The trader never confesses, “I sold all my wares.”


Èrò kì í; jẹ́wọ́ọ “Mo tà tán.”


The fly does not heed death; all its cares to do is eat.


Eṣinṣin ò mọkú; jíjẹ ni tirẹ̀.


There is no disaster stalking the snake; it is whoever steps on a snake that is in trouble.


Èṣù ò ṣejò; ẹni tó tẹ ejò mọ́lẹ̀ lẹ̀bá ń bá.


Three ears are unbecoming for the head; three people cannot stand in twos.


Etí mẹta ò yẹ orí; èèyàn mẹ́ta ò dúró ní méjì-méjì.


Grey hair shows age; a beard shows maturity; a moustache shows impudence.


Ewú logbó; irùngbọ̀n làgbà; máamú làfojúdi.


The goat forages and returns home; the sheep forages and returns home; the pig's flaw is its habit of not returning home after foraging.


Ewúrẹ́ jẹ ó relé; àgùntán jẹ ó relé; à-jẹ-ì-wálé ló ba ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ jẹ́.


A goat does not venture into the lair of a wolf.


Ewúrẹ́ kì í wọlé tọ ìkokò.


Save-the-person-from-death type of people abounds elsewhere; let-the-person-die-if-he/she-wishes type abounds in our house.


Èèyan má-jẹ̀ẹ́-kí-èèyàn-kú ń bẹ níbòmíràn; bó-le-kú-ó-kú ń bẹ nílée wa.


A person vows to disgrace you and you respond that there is no way he can succeed; if he spreads the word that you did not clean yourself after defecating, to how many people will you display your anus?


Èèyàn-án ní òun ó bà ọ́ jẹ́ o ní kò tó bẹ́ẹ̀; bí ó bá ní o ò nùdí, ẹni mélòó lo máa fẹ fùrọ̀ hàn?


Whatever the rest of the world does I will not forswear; when a chicken wants to enter the porch it stoops.


Èyí ayé ń ṣe n kà ṣàì ṣe; bádìẹẹ́ máa wọ ọ̀ọ̀dẹ̀ a bẹ̀rẹ̀.


“This is no great loss; this is no great loss;” the muslim's cap dwindles to almost nothing.


Èyí ò tófò, èyí ò tófò; fìlà ìmàleé kù pẹ́tẹ́kí.


You killed Ayejenku and killed Iyalode Aniwura; but when you killed Iyapọ you forgot about wars.


Ẹ pa Ayéjẹ́nkú, ẹ pa Ìyálóde Aníwúrà; ìgbà tí ẹ pa Ìyápọ̀ ẹ gbàgbé ogun.


The Tortoise's guilt is not long in becoming that of his parent-in-law's.


Ẹ̀bi alábahun kì í gbèé dẹ̀bi ànaa rẹ̀.


A trap does not kill an ant that is cautious; it's one's mouth that turns out to be one's death.


Ẹ̀bìtì ò peèrà tó ṣe pẹ̀lẹ́pẹ̀lẹ́; ẹnu ẹni ní ń pani.


It is a trap that the giant rat disdains that wrenches its testicles backwards.


Ẹ̀bìtì tí ò kún ẹmọ́ lójú, òun ní ń yí i lẹ́pọ̀n sẹ́yìn.


The Ẹgba know the secrets of Ọba town; whoever throws a person has the ability to kill the person.


Ẹ̀gbá mọ̀dí Ọbà; ẹni tó gbéniṣánlẹ̀ẹ́ lè pani.


Fish swim in a school of their own kind; birds fly in a flock of their own kind.


Ẹgbẹ́ ẹja lẹja ń wẹ̀ tọ̀; ẹgbẹ́ ẹyẹ lẹyẹ ń wọ́ lé.


It is after the demise of the elephant that one brandishes a cudgel; who dares draw a scimitar in the face of an elephant?


Ẹ̀yìn àjànàkú là ń yọ ogbó; ta ní jẹ́ yọ agada lójú erin?


It is the back of the man with a blunt cutlass that suffers.


Ẹ̀hìn ní ńdun ol-ókùú-àdá sí.


It is when a child sneezes only once that one wishes the child “sneeze and grow old, sneeze and live long.”


Ẹ̀ẹ̀kan ṣoṣo lọmọ ń sín tí à ń ní “à-sín-gbó, à-sín-tọ́.”


It is corn-loaf that has no leaf wrapping that the elder takes.


Ẹ̀kọ tí kò bá léwé làgbà ń gbà.


A leopard does not strut and be answered by strutting from a dog.


Ẹkùn kì í yan kí ajá yan.


It is a pig that dies at the time of the harvesting of new yams that asks to be eaten with pounded yam.


Ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ tó kú légbodò ló ní ká fòun jẹyán.


The person involved in an affair dies at home; the spokesperson dies out in the open.


Ẹlẹ́jọ́ kú sílé, aláròyé kú síta gbangba.


The person with a cause to cry cries and departs; if it were a person whose mind never leaves a problem he or she would never have stopped crying.


Ẹlẹ́kún sunkún ó bá tirẹ̀ lọ; aláròpa ìbá sunkún kò dákẹ́.


The owner of the load must first lift it before one lends one's encouragement.


Ẹlẹ́rù ní ńgbé ẹrù ká tó ba ké ọfẹ.


Larkheeled Cuckoo, it was you that got yourself drenched in the rain.


Ẹ̀lúlùú, ìwọ ló fòjò pa araà rẹ.


The person for whom the journey has not been profitable should prepare to return home.


Ẹni àjò ò pé kó múra ilé.


Whoever takes great care in killing an ant will see its innards.


Ẹní bá rọra pa eèrà á rí ìfun inúu rẹ̀.


Whoever marries a humpbacked woman will carry her child on his back until the child is weaned.


Ẹní bá fẹ́ abuké ni yó ru ọmọọ rẹ̀ dàgbà.


The last spouse of an old person will bury him or her.


Ẹní bá fẹ́ arúgbó gbẹ̀yìn ni yó sìnkúu rẹ̀.


Whoever knows what makes for a good life never climbs coconut palms.


Ẹní bá mọ ayéé jẹ kì í gun àgbọn.


Whoever knows how to enjoy life does not enter into a fight.


Ẹní bá mọ ayéé jẹ kì í jà.


Whoever knows how to eat Akee Apple must know how to remove its deadly raphe.


Ẹní bá mọ iṣin-ín jẹ a mọ ikú ojúu rẹ̀ẹ́ yọ.


Whoever whips Ọ̀yẹ̀kú will have Ogbè to answer to.


Ẹní bá na Ọ̀yẹ̀kú á ríjà Ogbè.


Whoever talks a lot will misspeak.


Ẹní bá sọ púpọ̀ á ṣìsọ.


Whoever says the ground-hornbill should not eat carrion, he or she will be the first to lose his or her eyes to the bird.


Ẹní bá pé kí àkàlà má jòkú, ojúu rẹ̀ lẹyẹ ń kọ́kọ́ yọ jẹ.


Whoever pleads with one makes one lose face.


Ẹní bẹnií tẹ́ni.


Whoever forgives one defuses the dispute.


Ẹní dáríjiní ṣẹ̀tẹ́ ẹjọ́.


Whoever waits in a charging elephant's path waits for death; whoever waits in a buffalo's path waits for an attack; whoever tarries before a fleet-footed masquerader hankers for a trip to heaven.


Ẹní dúró de erín dúró dekú; ẹní dúró dẹfọ̀n-ọ́n dúró dèjà; ẹní dúró de eégún alágangan, ọ̀run ló fẹ́ẹ́ lọ.


Whoever gathers palm fruits in desperation will gather unripe ones; whoever states his or her case in desperation will be adjudged at fault by the king; whoever digs a hole in desperation will dig out an iguana lizard.


Ẹní fi ìpọ́njú kọ ẹyìn á kọ àbọ̀n; ẹní fi ìpọ́njú rojọ́ á jẹ̀bi ọba; ẹní fi ìpọ́njú lọ gbẹ́ ìhò á gbẹ́ ihò awọ́nrínwọ́n.


A person who has made pounded yams must pay homage to the stew.


Ẹní gúnyán kalẹ̀ yóò júbà ọbẹ̀.


Whoever steals a poor person's chicken steals from an incessant complainer.


Ẹní gbé adíẹ òtòṣì-í gbé ti aláròyé.


Whoever is in a hurry to enjoy life will go to heaven in a hurry.


Ẹní kánjú jayé á kánjú lọ sọ́run.


Two people do not hold a grudge and refuse reconciliation.


Ẹni méjì kì í bínú egbinrin.


It is the person the white man likes that the white man incarcerates.


Ẹni òyìnbó fẹ́ràn ní ń tì mọ́lé.


Whoever provokes an Ijẹbu person, his or her ears will hear gunshot.


Ẹní ṣe ọ̀ràn Ìjẹ̀bú: etí ẹ̀ á gbọ́ ìbọn.


The person being lent a hand does not malinger; if Providence favors one, one is not easily disgraced.


Ẹni tí a bá ń bá ṣiṣẹ́ kì í ṣọ̀lẹ; bórí bá túnni ṣe a kì í tẹ́ bọ̀rọ̀.


The person to whom a bride is being brought does not strain his neck (to see her from a distance.)


Ẹni tí a bá ń mú ìyàwó bọ̀ wá fún kì í garùn.


A person who has been seen has no further need of hiding.


Ẹni tí a bá ti rí kì í tún ba mọ́lẹ̀ mọ́.


A person being eyed for barbecuing does not baste himself with oil and sit by the fire.


Ẹni tí a fẹ́ẹ́ sunjẹ kì í fepo para lọ jókòó sídìí iná.


A person is hit with a cudgel six times and then urged to learn forbearance; what other option does he or she have?


Ẹni tí a lù lógbòó mẹ́fà, tí a ní kó fiyèdénú: ìgbà tí kò fiyèdénú ń kọ́?


One does not lie in ambush for an adversary one is no match for.


Ẹni tí a ò lè mú, a kì í gọ dè é.


An adversary over whom one cannot prevail, one leaves to God's judgement.


Ẹni tí a ò lè mú, Ọlọ́run là ń fi lé lọ́wọ́.


The person who runs about in the bush courts the danger of falling into a ditch.


Ẹni tí ń sáré kiri nínúu pápá ń wá ọ̀nà àti jìn sí kòtò.


It is the person who enters a river who is terrified, not the river.


Ẹni tí ó bá wọ odò ni àyà ń kò, àyà ò fo odò.


The person who falls into a ditch teaches others a lesson.


Ẹni tí ó jìn sí kòtòó kọ́ ará ìyókù lọ́gbọ́n.


Whoever follows the river without turning back will come face to face with Oluwẹri.


Ẹni tí ó tọ odò tí kò dẹ̀yìn yò bàá Olúwẹri pàdé.


Whoever drinks forty cowries worth of wine will talk twenty cowries worth of talk.


Ẹni tí ó bá mu ọtí ogójì á sọ̀rọ̀ okòó.


The person who borrows twelve hundred cowries and does not pay them back blocks the path of fourteen hundred cowries.


Ẹni tí ó yá ẹgbàafà tí kò san án, ó bẹ́gi dí ọ̀nà egbèje.


Whoever ruins his or her father's bequest robs the dead, and becomes a person of reproach.


Ẹni tí ó ba ogún-un baba rẹ̀ jẹ́, ó ja òkú ọ̀run lólè, yó sì di ẹni ìfibú.


The person holding it by the head says it is dead; you who are holding it by the feet say it is going through death throes.


Ẹni tí ó mú u lórí ní ó kú, ìwọ tí o mú u lẹ́sẹ̀ẹ́ ní ó ń jòwèrè.


A man who goes with a woman to her house will sleep in fear.


Ẹni tí ó bá obìnrin kó lọ sílée rẹ̀ yó sùn nínú ẹ̀rù.


A person who does not wish to wear rags should not engage in rough play with a dog.


Ẹni tí ò fẹ́ẹ́ wọ àkísà kì í bá ajá ṣe erée géle.


A person who is not strong enough to beat one up should not adopt a threatening pose towards one.


Ẹni tí ò tónií nà ò gbọdọ̀ ṣe kọ́-ń-dú síni.


The person who will be the sacrificial victim of orò is joining in the revelry on the eve of the sacrifice.


Ẹni tí Oròó máa mú ń ba wọn ṣe àìsùn orò.


No one eats yams with a lost knife.


Ẹnìkan kì í fi ọ̀bẹ tó nù jẹṣu.


The bird's mouth is its death; the green fruit pigeon's mouth is its death; the pigeon hatches six chicks and boasts that its house is bursting at the seams.


Ẹnu ẹyẹ ní ń pẹyẹ; ẹnu òrofó ní ń pòrofó; òrofó bímọ mẹ́fà, ó ní ilé òun-ún kún ṣọ́ṣọ́ṣọ́.


The mouth of the louse is its death; the mouth of the nit is its death.


Ẹnu iná ní ń pa iná; ẹnu èrò ní ń pa èrò.


With its own mouth the partridge invites its own ruin; it cries, “Nothing but fat, nothing but fat!”


Ẹnu ni àparòó fi ń pe ọ̀rá; a ní “Kìkì ọ̀rá, kìkì ọ̀rá!”


The squirrel's mouth summons its death; the squirrel has two children, takes them to the edge of the path, and says, “My children are hale and well indeed.”


Ẹnu òfòrò ní ń pa òfòrò; òfòròó bímọ méjì, ó kó wọn wá sẹ́bàá ọ̀nà, ó ní “Ọmọọ̀ mí yè koro-koro.”


The same mouth with which the snail insults the god is the one on which it crawls to the god.


Ẹnu tí ìgbín fi bú òrìṣà ní ń fií lọlẹ̀ lọ bá a.


It is not from my mouth that people will learn that the king's mother is a witch.


Ẹnuù mi kọ́ ni wọ́n ti máa gbọ́ pé ìyá ọbaá lájẹ̀ẹ́.


The mud on the plains will teach a lesson to the person whose loincloth has a train sweeping the ground.


Ẹrẹ̀ òkèọ̀dàn ni yó kìlọ̀ fún a-láròó-gbálẹ̀ aṣọ.


It is not out of fear that the palm-tree pleads to be allowed to stand; it is on account of tomorrow's palm-wine.


Ẹ̀rù kọ́ ní ń ba ọ̀pẹ tó ní ká dá òun sí, nítorí ẹmu ọ̀la ni.


The leading horse is the one by which the followers set their pace.


Ẹṣin iwájú ni ti ẹ̀yìn ń wò sáré.


Slowly, slowly is the way to eat soup that is scalding hot.


Ẹ̀sọ̀ ẹ̀sọ̀ la fi ń lá ọbẹ̀ tó gbóná.


Disgrace is the reward of excess.


Ẹ̀tẹ́ ní ń gbẹ̀yìn aláṣejù.


What sort of bird do you hope to kill that you use a cock in the birdlime charm?


Ẹyẹ kí lo máa pa tí ò ń fi àkùkọ ṣe oògùn àtè?


Words are eggs; when they drop on the floor they shatter into pieces.


Ẹyin lọ̀rọ̀; bó bá balẹ̀ fífọ́ ní ń fọ́.


A chicken egg should not strike its head against a rock.


Ẹyin adìẹ ò gbọdọ̀ forí sọ àpáta.


Intemperate dandyism lands a youth in a creditor's farm as a pawn.


Fáàárí àṣejù, oko olówó ní ń mú ọmọ lọ.


Sit back and you will see how a devious person operates; conceal yourself and you will hear how those who seek others' destruction speak.


Fẹ̀yìntì kí o rí ìṣe èké; farapamọ́ kí; o gbọ́ bí aṣenií ti ń sọ.


Keep your red blood inside and spit out clear saliva.


Fi ẹ̀jẹ̀ sínú, tu itọ́ funfun jáde.


Liken one thing to another, liken one matter to another; forgive and forget and earn people's praise.


Fi ohun wé ohun, fi ọ̀ràn wé ọ̀ràn; fi ọ̀ràn jì ká yìn ọ́.


Keep your troubles inside and laugh heartily; keep your hunger hidden and pretend to weep from satiation.


Fi ọ̀ràn sínú pète ẹ̀rín; fi ebi sínú sunkún ayo.


Jump this way, jump that way is the way a frog breaks its thigh.


Fò síhìnín fò sọ́hùnún làkèré fi ń ṣẹ́ nítan.


A sharp object is not something to grab for; “it is” a-thing-that-pierces-one's-hand-like-a-sharp-instrument.


Ganganran ò ṣéé kì mọ́lẹ̀; a-gúnni-lọ́wọ́-bíi-ṣoṣoro.


Scurrying around does not ensure prosperity; working like a slave results in nothing.


Gìdì-gìdì ò mọ́là; ká ṣiṣẹ́ bí ẹrú ò da nǹkan.


Poisonous yam has never lost its skin.


Gùdùgudu ò túra sílẹ̀ lẹ́ẹ̀kan.


Poisonous yam's roots are sour indeed.


Gùdùguduú kan légbò kán-ín-kán-ín.


“Put this above (ashore)” equals “Put this in the boat”; it is what one throws ahead that one finds in one's path.


“Gbà sókè” ni “Gbà sọ́kọ̀”; ohun tá a bá sọ síwájú là ḿbá.


No snake dancer dances with a cobra.


Gbéjò-gbéjò ò gbé ọká.


No animal pilferer ever pilfers a leopard.


Gbẹ́ran-gbẹ́ran ò gbé ẹkùn.


The path along which a log will be rolled must be made wide enough.


Gbígbòòrò là ń ṣe ọ̀nà igi.


All dogs eat excrement, but only those that smear their mouths with it are described as rabid.


Gbogbo ajá ní ń jẹ imí: èyí tó bá jẹ tiẹ̀ mẹ́nu laráyé ń pè ní dìgbòlugi.


Every way of fighting is a legitimate way of fighting. If you are strong enough to throw me, I will fight back by looking at you with absolute disdain.


Gbogbo ìjà nìjà; bóo gbémi lulẹ̀ mà mọ́ ẹ lójú lákọ lákọ.


All women are unfaithful; only those who know no moderation are put down as whores.


Gbogbo obìnrin ló ń gbéṣẹ́, èyí tó bá ṣe tiẹ̀ láṣejù laráyé ń pè láṣẹ́wó.


Just one utterance by the masquerader Agán is sufficient to effect a great deal of wonders.


Gbólóhùn kan Agán tó awoó ṣe.


One solitary statement muddies an entire affair; one solitary statement clears all the confusion.


Gbólóhùn kan-án ba ọ̀rọ̀ jẹ́; gbólóhùn kan-án tún ọ̀rọ̀ ṣe.


One asks only one question of the palm-oil seller, but she rambles endlessly on.


Gbólóhùn kan la bi elépo; elépo ń ṣe ìrànrán.


At the beginning of one's penury one seems like the child of most prosperous parents.


Ìbẹ̀rẹ̀ òṣì bí ọmọ ọlọ́rọ̀ là ń rí.


It is from the time one makes one's boasts that one should begin to mind one's charms (or juju).


Ibi ìṣáná la ti ńkíyè sóògùn.


The ladder always rests on a propitious spot.


Ibi rere làkàsọ̀ńgbé sọlẹ̀.


One should limit the depth of one's involvement in cattle trading to the extent of one's astuteness.


Ibi tí a gbọ́n mọ là ń ṣòwò-o màlúù mọ.


Just as one cares for the sick, one should also care for oneself.


Ibi tí a ti ń wo olókùnrùn lati ń wo ara ẹni.


One should keep one's eyes on where one is going, not where one stumbled.


Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.


Wherever the jackal lurks, the chicken must give the place a wide berth.


Ibi tí akátá ba sí, adìẹ ò gbọdọ̀ débẹ̀.


The cooking pot must never harbor a grudge to the same extent that the sieve does; if the pot does so, the corn-meal trader will have nothing to sell.


Ibi tí inú ń bí asẹ́ tó, inú ò gbọdọ̀ bí ìkòkò débẹ̀; bínú bá bí ìkòkò débẹ̀, ẹlẹ́kọ ò níí rí dá.


Where it stops, there one designates “child.”


Ibi tí ó mọ là ń pè lọ́mọ.


Anger “is the” father of hopelessness.


Ìbínú baba òṣì.


It is in anger that the king draws his sword; it is shame that makes him go through with the beheading.


Ìbínú lọbá fi ń yọ idà; ìtìjù ló fi ń bẹ́ ẹ.


Anger accomplishes nothing; forebearance is the father of character traits; an elder who has forebearance has everything.


Ìbínú ò da nǹkan; sùúrù baba ìwà; àgbà tó ní sùúrù ohun gbogbo ló ní.


Anger does not know that its owner has no legs to stand on.


Ìbínú ò mọ̀ pé olúwa òun ò lẹ́sẹ̀ ńlẹ̀


A ram's stepping backwards is not indicative of cowardice.


Ìbìsẹ́yín àgbò kì í ṣojo.


Whether a gun has a trigger or not, who would calmly permit the gun to be pointed at him/her?


Ìbọn-ọ́n ní apátí kò lápátí, taní jẹ́ jẹ́ ka kọjú ìbọn kọ òun?


It is the incessant chattering of the Pataguenon monkey that causes people to belabor it with sticks; it is the annoying sounds of the ògbìgbì bird that causes people to throw stones at it; it is indiscriminate feeding that causes the bat to ingest food and excrete with the same mouth.


Ì-dún-kídùn-ún òyo ni wọ́n fi ń sọ òyo nígi; ì-fọ̀-kúfọ̀ ògbìgbì ni wọ́n fi ń ta ògbìgbì lókò; ì-jẹ-kújẹ àdán ní ń fií tẹnu pọ̀ fẹnu ṣu.


It is excessive love that induces the goat to grow a beard in sympathy with her mate.


Ìfẹ́ àfẹ́jù lewúrẹ́ fi ń bá ọkoọ ẹ̀ hu irùngbọ̀n.


Citing comparable things and recalling similar occurrences “in the past” makes ending a quarrel impossible.


Ìfi ohun wé ohun, ìfi ọ̀ràn wé ọ̀ràn, kò jẹ́ kí ọ̀ràn ó tán.


Wariness is the elders' most efficacious juju.


Ìfunra loògùn àgbà.


“Protruding twig, do not poke me in the eye”; one must keep one's eyes on the twig from a distance.


Igi ganganran má gùnún mi lójú, òkèèrè la ti ń wò ó wá.


Whatever tree engages in a contest of threats with Ṣàngó will suffer the fate of drying up.


Igi tó bá bá Ṣàngó lérí, gbígbẹ ní ń gbẹ.


The vulture conceals a lot of wisdom in itself.


Igúnnugún gbọ́n sínú.


It is when there is a surfeit of flesh on the body that one cuts some of it for sale.


Ìgbà ara ń bẹ lára là ń bù ú tà.


That a calabash faces downwards is no antisocial sign; the calabash is only acting according to its nature.


Igbá dojúdé ò jọ ti òṣónú, tinú igbá nigbá ń ṣe.


It is only when one pleads with the Ègùn person (from Porto Novo or Àjàṣẹ́ in present-day Benin Republic)that he draws his knife.


Ìgbà tí a bá ní kí Ègùn má jà ní ń yọ̀bẹ.


Just as the talk turns to the partridge it shows up to raid the farm


Ìgbà tí a bá perí àparò ní ń jáko.


It is the broken calabash that has iron staples driven into its edges; it is the cracked pot that has its neck tied with a rope.


Igbá tó fọ́ ní ń gba kasẹ létí; ìkòkò tó fọ́ ní ń gba okùn lọ́rùn.


The snail sets out on a journey and makes a load of its house.


Ìgbín ń ràjò ó filée ẹ̀ ṣẹrù.


A snail that forages at the base of the African breadfruit tree and never leaves the base of the African breadfruit tree will be taken home wrapped in the leaf of the African breadfruit tree.


Ìgbín tó ń jẹ̀ ní màfọ̀n, tí ò kúrò ní màfọ̀n, ewé àfọ̀n ni wọn ó fi dì í dele.


It is only at the end that the person with a blunt cutlass realizes his error.


Ìgbẹ̀yìn ní ń yé olókùúàdá.


Empty boasts ruin a person's reputation.


Ìhàlẹ̀-ẹ́ ba ọ̀ṣọ́ èèyàn jẹ́.


Yesterday's food find so delighted the hare; the hare went to the spot of yesterday's feeding and never returned.


Ìjẹǹjẹ àná dùn méhoro; ehoroó rebi ìjẹ àná kò dẹ̀yìn bọ̀.


The brown monkey vows it will not run from a dog, only because the dog has not caught a glimpse of it.


Ìjímèrè tó lóun ò níí sá fájá, ojú ajá ni òì tíì to.


Unrestrained dancing is what causes the masquerader's penis to become exposed.


Ijó àjójù ní ń mú kí okóo eégún yọ jáde.


Haste and patience end up the same.


Ìkánjú òun pẹ̀lẹ́, ọgbọọgba.


Ikekere (type of fish) is treating a deadly thing as something to laugh about.


Ìkekere ń fọ̀rọ̀ ikú ṣẹ̀rín.


Carrying dust is taboo in Ifẹ́ no dog dares bark in the shadow of the leopard.


Ìkó-eruku èèwọ̀ Ifẹ̀; ajá kì í gbó níbòji ẹkùn.


Yams cook in a pot and nobody knows, but when the yams get into the mortar alarms sound.


Ìkòkò ń seṣu ẹnìkan ò gbọ́; iṣú dénú odó ariwó ta.


The newborn child who thrusts his/her hand into ashes will find out for himself/herself if it is hot.


Ìkókó ọmọ tó tọwọ́ bọ eérú ni yó mọ bó gbóná.


Death stalks Dẹdẹ, and Dẹdẹ stalks death.


Ikú ń dẹ Dẹ̀dẹ̀, Dẹ̀dẹ̀ ń dẹ ikú.


The squirrel is eating a banana and the squirrel is wagging its tail; the squirrel does not know that it is what is sweet that kills.


Ikún ń jọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ ikún ń rèdí; ikún ò mọ̀ pé ohun tó dùn ní ń pani.


Excessive envy of others causes one to take on witching, and makes one become a wizard.


Ìlara àlàjù ní ń múni gbàjẹ́, ní ń múni ṣẹ́ṣó.


It is from the home that the Ìjèṣà person takes fire to the farm.


Ilé nÌjèṣàá ti ń múná lọ sóko.


Fire does not enter into a stream and yet have the opportunity to live.


Iná kì í wọ odò kó rójú ṣayé.


Fire is not something one conceals under one's clothing.


Iná ò ṣéé bò máṣọ.


The baboon does not send an ultimatum to the leopard.


Ìnàkí kì í ránṣẹ́ ìjà sẹ́kùn.


It is inside oneself that the name one will name one's child resides.


Inú ẹni lorúkọ tí a ó sọ ọmọ ẹni ń gbé.


Too much good will towards others engenders suspicion and attracts insults.


Inúure àníjù, ìfura atèébú ní ń mù wá báni.


The occiput does not recognize contempt; a turned back does not see a disdainful gesture.


Ìpàkọ́ ò gbọ́ ṣùtì, ìpẹ̀yìndà ò mọ yẹ̀gẹ̀ yíyẹ̀.


One throws back the head first before throwing corn into the mouth.


Ìpàkọ́ là ń dà sẹ́yìn ká tó da yangan sẹ́nu.


Misfortune does not kill; it is indulgent happiness that kills.


Ìṣẹ́ kì í pani; ayọ̀ ní ń pani.


Safe keeping is what is appropriate for a needle.


Ìtọ́jú ló yẹ abẹ́rẹ́.


Close investigation keeps the affairs of the town in order.


Ìtọsẹ̀ ló nìlú.


Today's behavior “causes” tomorrow's problem.


Ìwà òní, ẹjọ́ ọ̀la.


One would be wiser to insult “another person's” mother; if one insults the father a fight would certainly ensue.


Ìyá là bá bú; bí a bú baba ìjà ní ń dà.


A famine rages and the grasshopper grows fat; the famine subsides and the grasshopper grows lean.


Ìyàn-án mú, ìrẹ́ yó; ìyàn-án rọ̀, ìrẹ́ rù.


The wife was the one made love to, but it is the husband who got pregnant.


Ìyàwó la bá sùn; ọkọ ló lóyún.


The bride does not speak, and she is also blind.


Ìyàwó ò fọhùn, ó fọ́jú.


One single room will not do for two invalids.


Ìyẹ̀wù kan ṣoṣo ò lè gba olókùnrùn méjì.


Alalantori watches a hole without a visible opening, how much more a squirrel's burrow.


Isà tí ò lójú Alalantorí ń dẹ ẹ́, áḿbọńtorí àgbá ikún.


The thief is exposed on the ninth day; the woman who sleeps around is exposed on the seventeenth day.


Isán ni à ń mọ olè; ìtàdógún là ń mọ dọ́kọ-dọ́kọ.


A task one was not asked to do usually travels in the company of punishment.


Iṣẹ́ tí a kò ránni, òun ìyà ló jọ ń rìn.


The saliva one has spat out of one's mouth does not return to one's mouth.


Itọ́ tí a tu sílẹ̀ kì í tún padà re ẹnu ẹni mọ́.


Next year's pounded yam will still find some stew.


Iyán àmọ́dún bá ọbẹ̀.


Pluck a fig leaf and be attacked by soldier-ants; put a leaf in your mouth and be attacked by the deaf.


Já ewé ọ̀pọ̀tọ́ kí o ríjà eèrùn; jáwé bọ ẹnu kóo ríjà odi.


You reveler, do things in moderation; if the string of life is cut there is no retying it.


Jayé-jayé fi ẹ̀lẹ̀ jayé; báyé bá já kò ní àmúso.


Eat-your-fill-of-it medicine is no good.


Jẹ ẹ́ kí o yó oògùn ni kò sunwọ̀n.


Let a child die at his/her own mother's hands.


Jẹ́ kí ọmọ ó ti ọwọ́ ìyáa ẹ̀ kú wá.


Instead of mother-witch's affairs improving, all the children she bears turn out to be female; birds climb upon birds.


Kàkà kí ó sàn lára ìyá àjẹ́, ó fi gbogbo ọmọ bí obìnrin; ẹye ń gorí ẹyẹ.


Instead of apologizing for past misbehavior, a child should rather guard against a repetition.


Kàkà kí ọmọ ó bẹ̀bẹ̀ ọ̀ràn, òmíràn ni kò níí ṣe mọ́.


Kànìké set fire to the forest on account of a single cowry shell.


Kànìké tìtorí oókan kùngbẹ́.


However small the snake, show it no mercy.


Kékeré ejò, má foore ṣe é.


One kills the roots of the ìrókò tree while it is still a sapling; when it matures it is out of control.


Kékeré la ti ń pa ẹkàn ìrókò; bó bá dàgbà ọwọ́ kì í ká a mọ́.


The muslim teaches his children how to squat from their youth.


Kékerè nìmàleé ti ń kọ ọmọọ ẹ̀ lóṣòó.


The neckless gourd will itself indicate to the farmer how to tie it up.


Kèrègbè tí kò lọ́rùn ni yóò júwe bí àgbẹ̀ ó ti so òun kọ́.


The broken gourd ceases plying the river.


Kèrègbè tó fọ́ a padà lẹ́yìn odò.


Just so that people might know that Woru killed a partridge, he was greeted “Welcome,” and he responded, “My hunting-bag is full!”


Kí a baà lè mọ̀ pé Wòrú pa awó, wọ́n ní “Káàbọ̀”; ó ní “Kẹnkẹn làpò.”


Just so that people might know that Àjàpá (the tortoise) has joined the secret society, he was greeted “Welcome,” and he responded, “Initiate or a novice?”


Kí a baà lè mọ̀ pé àjàpá ṣe ògbóni, wọ́n ní “Káàbọ̀”; ó ní “Awo àbí ọ̀gbẹ̀rì?”


Let us keep on cutting tobacco leaves to pieces while looking up, and let us see at day's end how many fingers will be left.


Kí a máa re tábà ká máa wòkè, kọ́jọ́ tó kanrí ká wo oye ìka tí yó kù.


Between blowing a flute and wriggling one's nose, one will have to go.


Kí á fọn fèrè, ká jámú síi, ọ̀kan yóò gbélẹ̀.


One should stand far back from a snake that has not been beheaded; the death that would kill one deserves a wide berth.


Kí á jìnnà séjò tí a ò bẹ́ lórí; ikú tí yó panni a jìnnà síni.


One should first chase the jackal away before reprimanding the chicken.


Kí á lé akátá jìnnà ká tó bá adìẹ wí.


To work and make a great deal of money is nothing like knowing how to spend it.


Kí á siṣẹ́ ká lówó lọ́wọ́ ò dàbíi ká mọ̀ọ ná.


Let us place some on the ground and put some in the mouth, but let what is placed on the ground be more than what is left in the calabash.


Kí á ta sílẹ̀ ká ta sẹ́nu, ká má jẹ̀ẹ́ kí tilẹ̀ pọ̀ ju ti inú igbá lọ.


Let us light a lamp to kill the wasp; let us use a long stick to kill the snake; let us light a torch to secure the help of Ṣangó when one is face-to-face with Mádiyàn “enter into no dispute” one runs out of patience.


Kí á tan iná pa agbọ́nrán, ká fọ̀pá gbọọrọ pejò, ká dìtùfù ká fi gbọ̀wẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ọ Ṣàngó; ní ìṣojúu Mádiyàn lagaraá ṣe ń dáni.


Before one realizes that tough hand-woven cloth is not leather, three years will have passed.


Kí á tó mọ̀ pé kíjìpá kì í ṣe awọ, ó di ọdún mẹ́ta.


It never slips out of a person's hand and fall to the ground; it always drops into someone else's hand.


Kì í bọ́ lọ́wọ́ èèyàn kó bọ́ sílẹ̀; ọwọ́ ẹlòmíràn ní ń bọ́ sí.


It is not in the presence of the fox that the chicken forages nonchalantly.


Kì í ṣe ojúu kọ̀lọ̀kọ̀lọ̀ ladìẹ́ ti ń jẹ̀.


The calabash of camwood is never so empty that it can not soil white cloth.


Kì í tán nígbá osùn kó má ba àlà jẹ́.


The bread seller never learns in time, not until his ware has become three a penny.


Kì í tètè yé oníbúrẹ́dì; ó dìgbà tó bá di mẹ́ta kọ́bọ̀.


One never learns in good time: that is a profound proverb.


Kì í tètè yéni: òwe ńlá ni.


What got into the bald person that made him/her swim under water?


Kí ni ó yá apárí lórí tó ń mòòkùn lódò?


What was the cat doing that caused it to be burnt in a house fire? Was it looking for its trousers or gathering its property?


Kí ni ológìní ń wá tó fi jóna mọ́le? Ṣòkòtò ló fẹ́ẹ́ mú ni, tàbí ẹrù ní ń dì?


Let everybody take matters easy; the vagina cannot tear a cloth by gaping at it.


Kí oníkálùkù rọra ṣe é; ìfẹjú òbò ò lè fa aṣọ ya.


Sudden pouncing does not capture greatness; working like a slave does not ensure anything.


Kìtì ò mọ́là; ká siṣẹ́ bí ẹrú ò da nǹkan.


There is no dog that does not bark; excessive barking by a dog is what makes people say it is rabid.


Kò sí ajá tí kì í gbó; àgbójù ajá là ń pè ní dìgbòlugi.


There is no time one makes a dress that one lacks opportunities to wear it casually.


Kò sí ìgbà tí a dá aṣọ tí a ó rílẹ̀ fi wọ́.


There is nothing that gets hard that does not eventually become soft.


Kò sí ohun tí ń le tí kì í rọ̀.


There is nothing that patience cooks that is not well cooked.


Kò sí ohun tí sùúrùú sè tí kò jinná.


There is nothing that goes up that will not eventually come down.


Kò sí ohun tó lọ sókè tí kò ní padà wá sílẹ̀.


There is nothing that kills faster than talking too much.


Kò sí ohun tó yára pa ẹni bí ọ̀rọ̀ àsọjù.


The insect that eats the vegetable wins the case against the vegetable; leaves should observe moderation in their attractiveness.


Kòkòrò tó jẹ̀fọ́ jàre ẹ̀fọ́; ìwọ̀n lewéko ń dára mọ.


The key of excess is usually good only to open the door of disgrace.


Kọ́kọ́rọ́ àṣejù, ilẹ̀kùn ẹ̀tẹ́ la fi ń ṣí.


The woman who divorces husbands at the least provocation does not allow one to know when a matter really hurts.


Kọkọ-kọkọ ò jẹ́ ká mọ ẹni tí ọ̀ràn ń dùn.


No one stump can break one's oil-pot twice.


Kùkùté kan kì í fọ́ni lépo lẹ́ẹ̀mejì.


Hurry forth and hurry back like a messenger ant.


Kùn yún, kùn wá bí ikọ̀ eèrà.


The butterfly does not join others at a market of thorns; otherwise its cloth  will be shredded.


Labalábá kì í bá wọn nájà ẹlẹ́gùnún; aṣọọ ẹ̀ á fàya.


The butterfly that collides with a thorn with have its cloth shredded.


Labalábá tó dìgbò lẹ̀gún, aṣọ ẹ̀ á fàya.


Common sense “is” the father of good character; whoever has patience has everything.


Làákàyè baba ìwà; bí o ní sùúrù, ohun gbogbo lo ní.


A worrisome problem that soars to the heavens must eventually come down.


Làálàá tó ròkè, ilẹ̀ ní ń bọ̀.


It is by gentle but persistent beating that the bachelor beats his child to death.


Lù mí pẹ́, lù mí pẹ́ làpọ́n fi ń lu ọmọọ ẹ̀ pa.


Avoiding contact is the only medicine for leprosy.


Má bà á loògùn ẹ̀tẹ̀.


Do not ask me to play the sort of game the gourd played and got a rope around its neck.


Má bàá mi ṣeré tí kèrègbèé fi gba okùn lọ́rùn.


Do not eat up my stew with pounded yam made from wateryams before your trip into the forest farm.


Má fi iyán ewùrà gbọ́n mi lọ́bẹ̀ lọ sóko ẹgàn.


“Do not cut a path through my farm” is a protest one must make some day.


“Má fi okoò mi dá ọ̀nà,” ọjọ́ kan là ń kọ̀ ọ́.


“Do not hang your trouble around my neck” is the oracle delivered to the shuttle and the weft thread.


“Má fi tìrẹ kọ́ mi lọ́rùn” là ń dá fún apèna àti òwú.


Do not go impatiently about enjoying life, the oracle delivered to the Alárá household; do not rush into chieftaincy, the oracle for the Òkè Ìjerò household; there comes another life in the future that is as delicious as licking honey.


Má fìkánjú jayé, awo ilé Alárá; má fi wàà-wàà joyè, awo Òkè Ìjerò; ayé kan ń bẹ lẹ́yìn, ó dùn bí ẹní ń lá oyin.


I will eat a whole yam, I will also eat a slice of yam, satiation ends it all.


Màá jẹ iṣu, màá jẹ èrú, ibi ayo ló mọ.


Never be sluggish; sluggishness killed Bíálà; but then over-eagerness killed Abídogun.


Má ṣe jáfara: àfara fírí ló pa Bíálà; ara yíyá ló pa Abídogun.


Mábàjẹ́ will never think of giving his covering cloth to a shiftless person to use.


Mábàjẹ́ ò jẹ́ fi aṣọọ ẹ̀ fún ọ̀lẹ bora.


Two gbẹ̀du drums are too much to hang on one's shoulders.


Méjìi gbẹ̀du ò ṣéé so kọ́.


“I did not come to live a life of litigation” gave his daughter to six suitors all at once.


“Méè-wáyé-ẹjọ́” fọmọ ẹ̀ fọ́kọ mẹ́fà. Méèwáyéẹjọ́


“I will drag you through the bush” will have to clear a path with his own back.


“N óò wọ́ ọ kágbó,” ẹ̀yìn-in rẹ̀ ni yó fi lànà.


It is with the town dweller in mind that one makes the bush person's trousers well.


Nítorí ara ilé la ṣe ń dá ṣòkòtò ará oko dára.


It is so that one would be able to rest that one forgoes rest.


Nítoríi ká lè simi la ṣe ń ṣe àì-simi.


It is so that one would not have to suffer that one pawns Májìyà.


Nítoríi ká má jìyà la ṣe ń yá Májìyà lọ́fà.


It is in anticipation of the day a child will get into trouble that one gives it a name.


Nítorí ọjọ́ tí ó bá máa dáràn la ṣe ń sọmọ lórúkọ.


Its is with tomorrow in mind that we do favors for today.


Nítorí ọ̀la la ṣe ń ṣòní lóore.


It is with the wise person in mind that one makes the idiot's garment full length.


Nítorí ọlọgbọ́n la ṣe ń dá ẹ̀wùu aṣiwèrè kanlẹ̀.


Three things one must never treat as of little consequence: one must never treat fire as of little consequence; one must never treat a quarrel as of little consequence; and one must never treat an illness as of little consequence.


Nǹkan mẹ́ta la kì í pè ní kékeré: a kì í pe iná ní kékeré; a kì í pe ìjà ní kékeré; a kì í pe àìsàn ní kékeré.


You come upon the carcass of a buffalo in the marshes and you pull out your butchering knife; do you know where the bushcow came from?


O bá ẹfọ̀n lábàtà o yọ̀bẹ sí i; o mọ ibi ẹfọ̀n-ọ́n ti wa?


When goods get into the hands of the retailer they become objects to haggle about.


Ó dé ọwọ́ aláròóbọ̀ ó di níná.


In the mouth of a toothless person bean fritters become like bones.


Ó dé orí akáyín àkàràá deegun.


You have not found corn loaf and yet you are readying the vegetable stew.


O kò rí àkàṣù ò ń pata sẹ́fọ̀ọ́.


You made only one trip to Ìjebu and you returned with a calabash of charms.


O lọ sÍjẹ̀bú ẹ̀ẹ̀kan, o ru igbá àṣẹ bọ̀ wálé.


You quarrel with your wife and you put on a baleful look; do you propose to use evil charm on her?


Ò ǹ bá obínrin ẹ jà ò ń kanrí mọ́nú; o máa nà á lóògùn ni?


“Watch out, watch out, for here it comes!” For such a thing one would best prepare a snare.


“Ó ń bọ̀, ó ń bọ̀!” ẹ̀wọ̀n là ń so̩ sílẹ̀ dè é.


There is a limit to the protection black stinging ants can offer palmfruits.


Ó ní ibi tí tanpẹ́pẹ́ ń gbèjà ẹyìn mọ.


There was something the elder ate to line his stomach before he said what “little” is before him will suffice to sate his hunger.


Ó ní ohun tí àgbàá jẹ tẹ́lẹ̀ ikùn kó tó sọ pé èyí yó òun.


There was something the elder ate to line his stomach before he said his/her suffering is enough food for him/her.


Ó ní ohun tí àgbàá jẹ tẹ́lẹ̀ ikùn kó tó sọ pé ìyàá yó òun.


Raising an alarm or calling for help goes only so far to aid someone in a fight.


Ó ní ohun tí ìbòsí ràn nínú ìjà.


The longest respite for the pregnant woman is nine months.


Ó pẹ́ títí aboyún, oṣù mẹ́sàn-án.


You see an adult chicken at the market and you eagerly go for it; if it was of any value would the owner sell it?


O rí àgbébọ̀ adìẹ lọ́jà ò ń ta geere sí i; ìba ṣe rere olúwa rẹ̀ ò jẹ́ tà á.


You foul the air in my face and I lick my lips, you glance back and I prostrate myself before you, and yet you stretch your hand into the bush; would you tie me up?


O só pa mí mo pọ́nnu lá, o bojúwẹ̀yìn mo dọ̀bálẹ̀, o tiwọ́ bọ̀gbẹ́; o fẹ́ dè mí ni?


You borrow money at home and you refuse to repay it, you arrive on the farm and open the pot containing plantains for inspection, and when you have a baby you name it Adéṣínà; if ṣí-ṣí does not leave you alone, why don't you leave it alone?


O ṣíwó nílé o kò san, o dóko o ń ṣí ìkòkò ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ wò, o bímọ o sọ ọ́ ní Adéṣínà; bí ṣíṣí ò bá sìn lẹ́yìn rẹ, o kì í sìn lẹ́yìn-in ṣíṣí?


You are perched at the lofty neck of the palm-tree and you are bandying words with God.


O wà lọ́rùn ọ̀pẹ ò ń bá Ọlọ́run ṣèlérí.


Innumerable wives, innumerable problems.


Obìnrin bẹẹrẹ òṣì bẹẹrẹ.


A woman who cuts wood in the grove of Orò has cut her last.


Obìnrin tó gégi nígbó Orò, ó gé àgémọ.


Òbòó ní ìtìjú ló mú òun sápamọ́ sábẹ́ inú, ṣùgbọ́n bí okó bá dé, òun á sínà fún un.


The parrot says no one will prescribe it as a sacrifice in its presence; when it sees people consulting the oracle, it will go hide in its closet.


Odídẹrẹ ní wọn ò lè tí ojú òun yan òun mọ́ ẹbọ; bí wọ́n bá ń dÍfá, òun a sá wọlé.


The parrot eyes the cramped house as though it would enter; the big-headed bird ágbìgbò eyes the hole in the tree as though it did not emerged from there.


Odídẹrẹ́ ń wolé hóró-hóró bí ẹni pé yó kòó sílé; àgbìgbò náà wọ̀ràn ń wohò igi bí ẹni pé kò tibẹ̀ jáde.


A chasm is nothing to lean on.


Òfèèrèfé ò ṣéé fẹ̀yìn tì.


A long foreseen war does not kill a cripple.


Ogun àgbọ́tẹ́lẹ̀ kì í pa arọ.


What one eats is what one sells; but not like Kerosene.


Ohun à ń jẹ là ń tà; bí epo òyìnbó kọ́.


All things are good or pleasing only to a point.


Ohun gbogbo, ìwọn ló dùn mọ.


It is never long before a thing becomes invaluable to the owner.


Ohun gbogbo kì í pẹ́ jọ olóhun lójú.


Nothing ever satisfies a thief.


Ohun gbogbo kì í tó olè.


Everything has its price, but no one knows his/her own worth; bloodshed never has a good cause.


Ohun gbogbo là ń diyelé; ṣùgbọ́n kò sẹ́ni tó moye araa ẹ̀; ẹ̀jẹ̀ ò fojú rere jáde.


One does not sniff at what one will eventually eat anyway.


Ohun tí a bá máa jẹ a kì í fi runmú.


That which one should do slowly and carefully one should not do in a hurry; sooner or later everything comes within one's reach.


Ohun tí à bá ṣe pẹ̀sẹ̀, ká má fi ṣe ìkánjú; bó pẹ́ títí ohun gbogbo a tó ọwọ́ ẹni.


Whatever one trains one's eyes upon will not get charred.


Ohun tí a bá tẹjúmọ́ kì í jóná.


Whatever one handles gently will not be ruined; it is what one attempts with force that causes one grief.


Ohun tí a fi ẹ̀sọ̀ mú kì í bàjẹ́; ohun tí a fagbára mú ní ń nini lára.


It is that which one gives to a caretaker to look after that he looks after.


Ohun tí a fún ẹlẹ́mọ̀ṣọ́ ní ń ṣọ́.


It is always something one does not expect to become a load that eventually becomes a huge task.


Ohun tí a ò pé yó dẹrù ní ń diṣẹ́.


It is whatever one can find that one uses to fill gaps in one's roof; that does not apply to a faggot spewing flames.


Ohun tí a rí la fi ń bọ párá ẹni; bí igi tíná ń bẹ lẹ́nuu ẹ̀ kọ́.


That which a dog sees and barks at is nothing compared to what the sheep contemplates in silence.


Ohun tí ajá rí tó fi ń gbó ò tó èyí tí àgùntàn-án fi ń ṣèran wò.


Whatever the invalid craves is what spells his/her death.


Ohun tó bá wu olókùnrùn ní ń pa á.


Whatever a child crave will not give him/her stomach ache.


Ohun tó bá wu ọmọọ́ jẹ kì í run ọmọ nínú.


It is all of a sudden that one sees a baby in the arms of the colobus monkey.


Òjijì là ń rọ́mọ lọ́wọ́ alákẹdun.


When people are trapped in a hut by a downpour there is no sense in fighting to get a word in the discussion; after the older person has spoken, the younger person will speak.


Òjò kan kì í báni lábà ká jìjàdù ọ̀rọ̀ọ́ sọ; bí ẹgbọ́n bá sọ tán, àbúrò á sọ.


The rain is falling, the call of the secret cult is sounding loudly outside; the threading pin that lacks a change of clothing will sleep naked.


Òjò ń rọ̀, orò ń ké; atọ́kùn àlùgbè tí ò láṣọ méjì a ṣe ògèdèǹgbé sùn.


The edge of a razor is not a thing to lick.


Ojú abẹ ò ṣéé pọ́nlá.


It is not in the watchful presence of a kite that a chicken strolls to a rock.


Ojú àwòdì kọ́ ladìẹ ń re àpáta.


The muslim cannot take his mind off liquor, he has a child and named him Ìmórù máhá wá.


Ojú ìmàle ò kúrò lọ́tí, ó bímọ ẹ̀ ó sọ ọ́ ní Ìmórù-máhá-wá.


Ojú ìmàle ò kúrò lọ́tí, ó bímọ ẹ̀ ó sọ ọ́ ní Lèmámù.


The following is a variant.


It is at the same place that the youth will come up on the elder.


Ojú kan náà lèwe ń bágbà.


“It takes a great deal of fortitude to set out for Ibadan”; he ties his money around his waist.


Ojú là ń gbó re ọ̀nà Ìbàdàn: ó fi ogún ọ̀kẹ́ gbàdí.


The husband of the wife is only being unduly hasty; in time two concubines will inevitably quarrel.


Ojú ní ń kán ọkọlóbìnrin; àlè méjì á jà dandan.


“We might see each other again” who sold his dog for twenty cowries; he said if that is how things are sold, they might well see each other again.


“Ojú ò fẹ́rakù” tó ta ajáa ẹ̀ lókòó; ó ní bó bá jẹ́ bẹ́ẹ̀ ni wọ́n ńtà á wọn a máa tún araa wọn rí.


It is in the presence of the cat that the mouse must not saunter.


Ojú ológbò lèkúté ò gbọdọ̀ yan.


Eyes that cannot stand lamplight, and that cannot stand sunlight, are not eyes that will last one until the twilight of one's life.


Ojú tí kì í wo iná, tí kì í wo òòrùn; ojú tí ń báni dalẹ́ kọ́.


The eyes that will last one until night time will not start oozing matter at the dawn.


Ojú tí yóò bani kalẹ̀ kì í tàárọ̀ ṣepin.


Covetousness “is” the father of envy.


Ojúkòkòrò baba ọ̀kánjúà.


He entered through the front door, but it was through a hidden shortcut that he snuck away; it consulted the Ifa oracle for the visitor who has an affair with his host's wife.


Ojúlé ló bá wá; ẹ̀bùrú ló gbà lọ́; ó dÍfá fún àlejò tí ń fẹ́ obìnrin onílé.


Horses sell for only one cowrie in heaven; there is no shortage of people who will go there, but who ever returns from there?


Oókan ni wọ́n ń ta ẹṣin lọ́run; ẹni tí yó lọ ò wọ́n; ṣùgbọ́n ẹni tí yó bọ̀ ló kù.


One cowrie makes a miser of one; two cowries make a spendthrift of one.


Oókan-án sọni dahun eéjì sọni dàpà.


A huge morsel forces the child's eyes wide open.


Òkèlè gbò-ǹ-gbò-ó fẹ ọmọ lójú toto.


Only one morsel kills an elder.


Òkèlè kan ní ń pa àgbà.


The giant bush rat that has its tail stripped by a trap knows that it is its visit to the fifth-day market that was postponed.


Òkété tó bọ́ ìrùú mọ̀ pé ìpéjú ọjà ọrún òun ló sún.


Large bundle, father of all wars; when preparing for war, each person prepares his bundle to take along.


Òketè baba ogun; bí a ṣígun, olúkúlùkù ní ń di òketèe ẹ̀ lọ́wọ́.


It is a mature and sizeable dog that one sacrifices to Ògún.


Òkìpa ajá la fi ń bọ Ògún.


A stone thrown in anger does not kill a bird.


Òkò àbínújù kì í pẹyẹ.


The farm is where gbégbé belongs.


Oko ni gbégbé ń gbé.


A missile that a bird sees will not kill the bird.


Òkò tí ẹyẹ́ bá rí kì í pẹyẹ.


The eunuch cannot make fun of the person with gonorrhea.


Òkóbó ò lè fi alátọ̀sí ṣẹ̀sín.


It is a dead elephant one approaches with a cutlass; who would dare draw a machete to attack an elephant “that is alive”?


Òkù àjànàkú là ń yọ ogbó sí; ta ní jẹ́ yọ agada séerin?


It is never long before a ram's tethering rope slips to its horns.


Okùn àgbò kì í gbèé dorí ìwo.


No thief steals a gbẹ̀du drum.


Olè kì í gbé gbẹ̀du.


The dozing person does not confess; nothing deceives like sleep.


Olóògbé ò jẹ́wọ́; atannijẹ bí orun.


It is those who worry about their image who die in war.


Olójútì logun ń pa.


The facial scarifier does not scarify an albino's face.


Olóòlà kì í kọ àfín.


The cult priest raises his divining wand and the worshippers proclaim the omen is good; whether it is good or bad they do not know.


Olórìṣàá gbé ààjà sókè, wọ́n ní ire ni; bí ire ni, bí ibi ni, wọn ò mọ̀.


Water is the first thing one's foot encounters before it encounters the sand.


Omi là ń kọ́ ọ́ tẹ̀ ká tó tẹ iyanrìn.


Today, my chicken has gone to roost in the wrong place; tomorrow, my chicken has gone to roost in the wrong place; some day soon the errant chicken will disappear permanently.


Òní, adìẹẹ̀ mí ṣìwọ̀; ọ̀la, adìẹẹ̀ mí ṣìwọ̀; ọjọ́ kan la óò fẹ́ àìwọlé adìẹ kù.


Today, the patriarch collapsed; tomorrow, the patriarch collapsed; one day death will throw the patriarch.


Òní, babaá dákú; ọ̀la, babaá dákú; ọjọ́ kan ni ikú yóò dá baba.


Today, the horse threw the patriach; tomorrow, the horse threw the patriarch; if the patriarch does not stop riding the horse, one day the horse will throw him to his death.


Òní, ẹṣin-ín dá baba; ọ̀la, ẹṣin-ín dá baba; bí baba ò bá yé ẹṣin-ín gùn, ọjọ́ kan lẹṣin óò dá baba pa.


The hair scrapper is scraping your head and you are feeling your scalp with your hand; what do you expect will be left for you there?


Onígbàjámọ̀ ń fárí fún ọ, ò ń fọwọ́ kàn án wò; èwo ló máa kù fún ọ níbẹ̀.


The home owner heads for home and they say the guard is on the run; the guard is not on the run, he is merely heading home.


Onílé ń relé wọ́n ní oǹdè ń sá; oǹdè ò sá, ilé ẹ̀ ló lọ.


Today, the antelope falls into a ditch; tomorrow, the antelope falls into the ditch; is there no other animal in the forest?


Ònímónìí, ẹtuú jìnfìń ọ̀lamọ́la, ẹtuú jìnfìn; ẹran miìíràn ò sí nígbó ni?


Always it is the hot-tempered person that finds food for the even-tempered person.


Onínúfùfù ní ń wá oúnjẹ fún onínúwẹ́rẹ́wẹ́rẹ́.


Only the patient person will win the daughter of the Hausa man.


Onísùúrù ní ń ṣe ọkọ ọmọ Aláwúsá.


The owner of the yams is the one who knows where the mature yams are.


Oníṣu ní ń mọ ibi iṣú gbé ta sí.


A favor has turned to mud in Awẹ́ towń the vulture did a favor and went bald.


Ooré di ẹrẹ̀ lAwẹ́; àwọn igúnnugún ṣoore wọ́n pá lórí.


The benediction is longer than the sermon.


Oore ọ̀fẹ́ gùn jùwàásù.


The favor Agbe did in Ọ̀fà town reduced him to begging.


Oore tí Agbeé ṣe lỌ́fà, ó dagbe.


The sort of favor the vulture did and went bald, the sort of favor the ground hornbill did and developed a goitre, one does not do it.


Oore tí igúnnugún ṣe tó fi pá lórí, tí àkàlá ṣe tó fi yọ gẹ̀gẹ̀, a kì í ṣe irú ẹ̀.


The favor was excessive; it was repaid with wickedness.


Ooreé pọ̀, a fìkà san án.


The porcupine itself will procure the wood with which it will be roasted.


Òòrẹ̀ ní ń ṣẹ́gi tí a ó fi wì í.


The head of a snake is nothing to scratch one's nose with.


Orí ejò ò ṣéé họ imú.


Singing goes before plotting.


Orin ní ń ṣíwájú ọ̀tẹ̀.


The song that we sang yesterday, without sleep, without respite; we do not resume singing it in the morning.


Orin tí a kọ lánàá, tí a ò sùn, tí a ò wo, a kì í tún jí kọ ọ́ láàárọ̀.


A small god is not a thing to hang from the rafters.


Òrìṣà kékeré ò ṣéé há ní párá.


The young chick does not know the eagle; it is its mother that knows the kite.


Òròmọ adìẹ ò màwòdì; ìyá ẹ̀ ló màṣá.


Hissing goes before crying; had-one-but-known comes at the conclusion of an unfortunate matter; all the elders in the town assembled but they could find no antidote for had-we-but-known.


Òṣé ní ń ṣíwájú ẹkún; àbámọ̀ ní ń gbẹ̀yìn ọ̀ràn; gbogbo àgbà ìlú pé, wọn ò rí oògùn àbàmọ̀ ṣe.


Food that one expects to last, one does not eat in huge handfuls.


Oúnjẹ tí a ó jẹ pẹ́, a kì í bu òkèlèe ẹ̀ tóbi.


Money does not live with a thief.


Owó ò bá olè gbé.


A hush-hush matter; difficult to utter as speech.


Òwúyẹ́; a-ṣòro-ó-sọ bí ọ̀rọ̀.


One does not count a pregnancy as a child already delivered.


Oyún inú: a kì í kà á kún ọmọọ tilẹ̀.


Only those who struggle with one know one's strategies.


Ọ̀bánijà ní ń mọ ìjagun ẹni.


Ọ̀bàrà receive a cudgel blow; it consulted the Ifá oracle for a disobedient child.


Ọ̀bàrà gba kùm̀mọ̀; ó dÍfá fún a-láwìí-ì-gbọ́.


Purveyor of general disaster, who carries a gángan drum into town.


Ọ̀bàyéjẹ́, tí ń ru gángan wọ̀lú.


“Stew is the breast milk of adults” is what killed the calabash repairer of Ògòdò town.


“Ọbẹ̀ lọmú àgbà” ló pa onígbaǹso Ògòdò.


The ṣìlò knife is playing with one and one says it is not sharp; just as in play it slashes one's hand.


Ọbẹ ṣìlòó ń báni ṣeré a ní kò mú; bí eré bí eré ó ń pani lọ́wọ́.


The sort of stew you cooked and set the house on fire, you will explain.


Ọbẹ̀ tóo sè tílé fi jóná wàá sọ ọ́.


Inspector of the ground inspects the ground; if a goat wishes to lie down it first inspects the ground.


Ọ̀bẹlẹ̀wò bẹlẹ̀wò; bí ewúrẹ́ yó bàá dùbúlẹ̀ a bẹ ilẹ̀ ibẹ̀ wò.


The monkey will be its own death.


Ọ̀bọ ni yo para ẹ̀.


Sprightly person who hurls himself sidewise against a tree.


Ọ̀dárayá tí ń fi ẹ̀gbẹ́ na igi.


Habitual criminal bird that eats oranges.


Ọ̀daràn ẹyẹ tí ń musàn.


The hunter who would kill elephants with his cap; his fame lasts only one day.


Ọdẹ a-fi-fìlà-pa-erin, ọjọ́ kan ni òkìkíi ẹ̀ ń mọ.


The never-soil-your-foot-with-mud dandy eventually soils his whole body.


Ọ̀gáa má fi ẹsẹ̀ yí ẹrẹ̀, gbogbo ara ní ń fi yí i.


A full-grown warthog is not something to confront.


Ọ̀gán ìmàdò ò ṣéé kò lójú.


The banana is rotting, people say it is ripening.


Ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ ń bàjẹ́, a ní ó ń pọ́n.


A fool carries a cudjel around.


Ọ̀gọ̀ ń gbé ọ̀gọ rù.


The iron stake has been driven into the ground; the problem now is how to pull it out.


Ọ̀gbágbá wọlẹ̀, ó ku àtiyọ.


It is excessive cunning that kills the mature cane rat.


Ọgbọ́n àgbọ́njù ní ń pa òdù ọ̀yà.


Excessive cleverness turns one into a phantom; if there is too much magical charm it turns the owner into an imbecile; if a woman is too cunning her husband's clothes wind up ill-fitting.


Ọgbọ́n àgbọ́njù ní ń sọ ẹni diwin; bí oògún bá pọ̀ lápọ̀jù a sọni di wèrè; bóbìnrín bá gbọ́n àgbọ́njù, péńpé laṣọ ọkọọ ẹ̀ ń mọ.


Today's wisdom, next year's madness.


Ọgbọ́n ọdúnnìí, wèrè ẹ̀míì.


It is with cunning and patience that one brings an elephant into town.


Ọgbọ́n pẹ̀lúu sùúrù la fi ń mú erin wọ̀lú.


The day one is destined to be lost one is never able to contain one's excitement.


Ọjọ́ tí a ó bàá nù, gágá lara ń yáni.


The day one arranged one's corn in the granary, one did not think in terms of the rat.


Ọjọ́ tí a to ọkà a ò to ti èkúté mọ́ ọ.


The day farming entails being careful not to hurt the soil, one should stop farming.


Ọjọ́ tí àgbẹ̀ ṣíṣeé bá di kíyèsílẹ̀, ká ṣíwọ́ oko ríro.


On the day the white flying ants wish to swarm, the worms that prey on them keep still.


Ọjọ́ tí elétutuú bá máa fò, ìjàm̀pere kì í rìn.


“It is” an insatiable farmer who plants cotton on a farm by the stream.


Ọ̀kánjúwà àgbẹ̀ tí ń gbin òwú sóko àkùrọ̀.


Covetousness, father of all diseases.


Ọ̀kánjúwà baba àrùn.


Covetousness, father of thievery; bug-eyed greedy person stares at another person's property without blinking.


Ọ̀kánjúwà baba olè; àwòròǹṣoṣòó wo ohun olóhun má ṣèẹ́jú.


A greedy person takes a morsel of food and tears gush from his eyes.


Ọ̀kánjúwàá bu òkèlè, ojù ẹ̀ẹ́ lami.


The covetous person arrives in a gathering, and his eyes dart about restlessly.


Ọ̀kánjúwà èèyàn-án dé àwùjọ, ó wòkè yàn-yàn-àn-yàn.


The greedy person does not drink other people's blood; he drinks only his own.


Ọ̀kánjúwà kì í mu ẹ̀jẹ̀ ẹlòmíràn; ẹ̀jẹ̀ ara ẹ̀ náà ní ń mu.


Impatient envy is not a good state in which to seek anything.


Ọ̀kánjúwà ò ṣéé fi wá nǹkan.


The insatiable cat that sits in the doorway, does it want to kill cats in another house?


Ọ̀kánjúwà ológbò tó jókòó sẹ́nu ọ̀nà; ṣé eku eléku ló fẹ́ pa jẹ?


It is an insatiable Ṣàngó priest who names his son Bámigbóṣé one should procure for oneself a ritual rod one can carry.


Ọ̀kánjúwà Oníṣàngó ní ń sọ ọmọ rẹ̀ ní Bámgbóṣé; ìwọ̀n oṣé tí a lè gbé là ń gbé.


Covetousness and thievery are similar to each other.


Ọ̀kánjúwà pẹ̀lú olè, déédé ni wọ́n jẹ́.


The insatiable person receives twelve thousand cowries out fourteen thousand; he asked that the remaining two thousand be shared, perhaps two hundred of them will come to him.


Ọ̀kánjúwàá pín ẹgbàafà nínú ẹgbàaje; ó ní kí wọ́n pín ẹgbàá kan tó kù, bóyá igbiwó tún lè kan òun.


The squirrel scrambles up the ìrókò treé the fire in the hunter's eyes is doused.


Ọ̀kẹ́rẹ́ gorí ìrókò, ojú ọdẹẹ́ dá.


The boat is leaking, the boat is leaking! After it sinks won't matters end?


Ọkọ̀ ń jò, ọkọ̀ ń jò! Ìgbà tó bá rì, kò parí ná?


Broom sticks drop off one by one.


Ọ̀kọ̀ọ̀kan lọwọ̀ ń yọ.


The millipede knew the way before it went blind.


Ọ̀kùn-ún mọ̀nà tẹ́lẹ̀ kójú ẹ̀ tó fọ́.


A man who marries two jealous women has no one to tend his home in his absence.


Ọkùnrin tó fẹ́ òjòwú méjì sílé ò rẹ́ni fi ṣọ́lé.


“Tomorrow I take my leave,” who uses a shallow pot as his water jar.


“Ọla ni mò ń lọ,” tí ń fi koto ṣe àmù.


“Greatness won't let me see”; the son of the Èwí, king of Adó, who lights a lamp to walk with in broad daylight.


“Ọlá ò jẹ́ kí n ríran”; ọmọ Èwí Adó tí ń tanná rìn lọ́sàn-án.


It is the person who separates two fighters who gets gashed on the head.


Ọ̀làjà ní ń fi orí gbọgbẹ́.


A hunter does not fire off his gun because of the wind.


Ọlọ́dẹ kì í torí atẹ́gùn yìnbọn.


The excessively cunning person is trying his hand at stealing.


Ọlọ́gbọ́n bẹẹrẹẹ́ pète ìgárá.


A chick flies up, and we exclaim, “A game animal has escaped, alas!”


Ọmọ adìẹẹ́ fò, a ní “Ẹrán lọ àkẹ́ẹ̀!”


The seeds in an ayò game are not things to be angry at.


Ọmọ inú ayò ò ṣéé bá bínú.


The child of your rival-wife dies and you say the person who saw you in heaven did not lie; what if your own child dies?


Ọmọ orogún ẹ ẹ́ kú, o ní ẹní rí ẹ lọ́run ò purọ́; bí tìẹ́ bá kú ńkọ́?


A child insults an ìrókò tree and glances back apprehensively; does it take revenge immediately?


Ọmọdé bú ìrókò, ó bojú wẹ̀yìn; òòjọ́ ní ń jà?


A child wakes from sleep and says in code, “Bean fritters two-by-two.” Had the others been taking them thus before he woke would any have been left?


Ọmọdé jí ti ojú orun wá, ó ní “Àkàrà kéjìkéjì”; wọ́n ti ń mú u kẹ́ẹ̀ kó tó jí, ì ká ká níkẹ̀?


A pestle is a lethal weapon in itself, let alone after rubbing poison on it.


Ọmọrí odó pani lọ́tọ̀, ká tó wí pé ká kùn ún lóògùn.


The drunkard does not drink the gourd through.


Ọ̀mùtí ò mu agbè já.


A short cut causes a person to land on his palms.


Ọ̀nà ẹ̀bùrú dá ọwọ́ olúwaa ẹ̀ tẹlẹ̀.


The road to the secret grove of the egúngún cult may lead to heaven.


Ọ̀nà ìgbàlẹ̀ a máa já sọ́run.


It is by missing one's way that one learns the way; if one does not fall one does not learn how to tie one's load properly.


Ọ̀nà là ń ṣì mọ̀nà; bí a ò bá ṣubú, a kì í mọ ẹrùú dì.


The road will eventually expose the thief; the farm hut will eventually expose the farmer.


Ọ̀nà ni yó mùú olè; ahéré ni yó mùú olóko.


The pathway of the throat, the pathway to heaven: the two are very much alike.


Ọ̀nà ọ̀fun, ọ̀nà ọ̀run: méjèèjì bákan náà ni wọ́n rí.


The walking-stick that is carried on the shoulder, which has its eye pointed backward.


Ọ̀pá àgbéléjìká, a-tẹ̀yìn-lójú.


It is a great deal of medicine that possesses a child and robs it of all self-control.


Ọ̀pọ̀ oògùn ní ń ru ọmọ gàle-gàle.


Is it because a snake is biting a toad that one says the earth portends disaster?


Ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ lejò ń bùjẹ, tí à ń wí pé ilẹ̀ẹ́ rorò?


The responsibility for trouble never fails to fall on the head of the tortoise.


Ọ̀ràn kì í yẹ̀ lórí alábahun.


Only huge problems befall the mahogany bean tree; only minor problems befall the baobab tree.


Ọ̀ràn ńlá-ńlá ní ń bá àpá; ọ̀ràn ṣẹ́kú-ṣẹ́kú ní ń bá oṣè.


Problems have hardly any effect at all on the pumpkin shoot; broken off in the morning, it reappears the following night.


Ọ̀ràn ò dun gbọ̀ọ̀rọ̀; a dá a láàárọ̀, ó yọ lálẹ́.


The problem posed by the banana tree is nothing that calls for a machete.


Ọ̀ràn ọ̀gẹ̀dẹ̀ ò tó ohun tí à ń yọ àdá sí.


Words are what the child of the ear eats.


Ọ̀rọ̀ lọmọ etí ń jẹ.


The matter in question is not overwhelming; it is the elaboration for it that is almost forbidding.


Ọ̀rọ̀ ò pọ̀, àkàwée ẹ̀ ló pọ̀.


There matter pertaining to corn has a limit; life has its measure.


Ọ̀ràn ọkàá ní ìba; ayé ní òṣùwọ̀n.


A lot of words will not fill a basket; it will only lead to lies.


Ọ̀rọ̀ púpọ̀ ò kún agbọ̀n; irọ́ ní ń mú wá.


A matter that is wrapped in gbòdògì leaves will, if wrapped in cocoyam leaves, rip them to tatters.


Ọ̀rọ̀ tí a dì ní gbòdògì: bo déwée kókò yó fàya.


A matter that does not have a means to voice itself had better be silent.


Ọ̀rọ̀ tí ò ní ohùn fífọ̀, dídákẹ́ ló yẹ ẹ́.


The beauty bestowed by tattooing with the juice of the bùjé plant does not last nine days; a prostitute's beauty does not last more than a year.


Ọ̀ṣọ́ oníbùjé ò pé isán; ọ̀ṣọ́ onínàbì ò ju ọdún lọ.


One step after the other is the manner to walk through mire; one step after the other is how one walks through dust.


Ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ń tẹ ẹrẹ̀; ọ̀tọ̀ọ̀tọ̀ là ń tẹ eruku.


Your eyes are on the patriarch's hand, but they ignore his feet.


Ọwọ́ọ baba lẹ wò, ẹ ò wo ẹsẹ̀ẹ baba.


Expensive commodities come to the home; inexpensive ones go to the market.


Ọ̀wọ́n yúnlé, ọ̀pọ̀ọ́ yúnjà.


Stockfish is not a meat one eats without repercussions; keep on drinking herbal remedies.


Pala-pálà kì í ṣe ẹran àjẹgbé; ẹ ṣáà máa mu àgúnmu.


The grassland that proposes to burn into the river is asking for a lecture.


Pápá tó ní òun ó jòó wọ odò, ọ̀rọ̀ ló fẹ́ẹ́ gbọ́.


The serpent refuses to be trifled with.


Paramọ́lẹ̀ẹ́ kọ ọ̀ràn àfojúdi.


It is very carefully and patiently that a snake climbs the coconut palm.


Pẹ̀lẹ́-pẹ̀lẹ́ lejòó fi ń gun àgbọn.


The soiling caused by speech; it stains a person and cannot be removed.


Pẹ̀tẹ̀pẹ́tẹ̀ ọ̀rọ̀, a-ta-síni-lára-má-wọ̀n-ọ́n.


It may take long, but the coop will eventually cover the chicken.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, agbọ̀n á bo adìẹ.


It may take long, but the stammerer will eventually manage to say “Papa.”


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, akólòlò á pe baba.


It may take a while, but the palm-wine tapster will descend from atop the palm-tree.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, akọ̀pẹ yó wàá sílẹ̀.


It may take a while, but the under-water swimmer will eventually surface.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, amòòkùn yó jàáde nínú odò.


It may take a while, but the deceitful person will not be undiscovered.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, èké ò mú rá.


It may take a while, but the person who went to the stream will return home.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, ẹní lọ sódò á bọ̀ wálé.


It may take a while, but Ọ̀rúnmìlà will surely eat corn.


Pípẹ́ ni yó pẹ̀ẹ́, Ọ̀rúnmìlà yó jẹ àgbàdo dandan.


Think it through before you do it; that is better than doing it before you think it through.


Rò ó kóo tó ṣe é, ó sàn ju kóo ṣé kóo tó rò ó.


Invoke it exactly as the maker of the charm instructed.


Sà á bí olóògùn-ún ti wí.


Patience has its profits.


Sùúrùú lérè.


Patience is the talisman for living.


Sùúrù loògùn ayé.


There is no end to the need for patience.


Sùúrù ò lópin.


Ṣàǹgbákó makes a sound and we say the sound is foul, and then Ṣàǹgbàkù lends its voice in its support.


Ṣàǹgbákó ró, a ní kò róo re, Ṣàǹgbàkùú gbè é lẹ́sẹ̀.


Exhibitionist, a dog owner who ties a sheep's mane around his own neck.


Ṣe-ká-rí-mi, alájá tó so ẹ̀gi mọ́rùn.


“May I perch here awhile?” is the ruse by which the climber-parasite becomes a permanent resident.


“Ṣé kí n fìdí hẹ?” làfòmọ́ fi ń di onílé.


The habit that made a person a pawn: if the person persists in it it will make him or her a slave.


Ṣe-ǹ-ṣe dìwọ̀fà, bó ṣe é yó dẹrúu wọn.


The habit of the goat is what the sheep pays attention to.


Ṣe-ǹ-ṣe ewúrẹ́ làgùntàn ńfiyè sí.


“Shoot at it” does not help one find arrows.


“Ta á sí i” kì í báni wá ọfà.


Who sent Abẹ́lu into a boat, as a result of which action he says he was drowned in the boat?


Ta ní rán Abẹ́lù wọ ọkọ̀, tó ní ọkọ̀ọ́ ri òun?


“It is yesterday's matter that we are fighting over” is what killed Chief Know-Nothing.


“Tàná là ńjà lé lórí”, ló pa Baálẹ̀ẹ Kòmọ̀kan.


An unbecoming thing, as unpleasant to wear as the garment of disgrace.


Tantabùlù, aṣòróówọ̀ bí ẹ̀wù àṣejù.


Incessant proneness to fighting is the affliction of Ọ̀pọ́ndá people.


Tìjà tìjà ní ń ṣe ará Ọ̀pọ́ndá.


It is the persistence of daylight that imposes suffering on the mud-floor worm; when night falls it will find food.


Tọ̀sán tọ̀sán ní ń pọ́n ìtalẹ̀ lójú; bílẹ̀ẹ́ bá ṣú yó di olóuńjẹ.


No cheese today, but there will be cheese tomorrow.


Wàrà ò sí lónìí, wàràá wà lọ́la.


Slowly, slowly is the manner in which termites consume a house.


Wẹ́rẹ́ wẹ́rẹ́ nikán ń jẹlé.


Watching is enough for a spectacle.


Wíwòó tó ìran.


“Demolish your house and I will help you rebuild it”: he will give one only one bundle of thatching grass.


“Wó ilé ẹ kí ń bá ọ kọ”: ẹrù ikán kan ní ńpa fúnni.


The greedy person fed to satiation, and he summons his friends.


Wọ̀bìàá yó tán, ó pe ẹgbẹ́ ẹ̀ wá.


People said, “Ìbàrìbá person, you child stole something.” She responds, “That he stole something I can understand, but I cannot understand the rope around his neck.”


Wọ́n ní,; “Ìbàrìbá, ọmọ ẹẹ́ jalè.” Ó ní “A gbọ́ tolè tó jà; èwo lokùn ọrùn-un ẹ̀'?”


People lie to you and you do not accept the lie; can you ever know what the truth is?


Wọ́n purọ́ fún ọ, o ò gbà; o lè dé ìdí òótọ́?


Because the dog sits on its haunches they went and spent their money on purchasing a monkey.


Wọ́n torí ajá ń lóṣòó lọ fowó rọ̀bọ.


The leopard's stealthy gait is not a result of cowardice; it is simply stalking a prey.


Yíyọ́ ẹkùn, tojo kọ́; ohun tí yó jẹ ní ń wá.


All your strutting and bragging, where is it now? The wife threw the husband down so hard that he grew a hump on his back.


Yọkọlú-yọkọlú, kò ha tán bí? Ìyàwó gbọ́kọ ṣánlẹ̀, ọkọọ́ yọké.


We lop off the hyena's right fore limb; we lop off the hyena's left hind limb; the question is, who will face it now?


A hán ìkokò lọ́wọ́ ọ̀tún, a hán ìkokò lẹ́sẹ̀ òsì; ó ku ẹni tí yó kò ó lójú.


One should not attempt to scare an old “woman” with a huge penis.


A kì í dá ẹ̀rù okó ńlá ba arúgbó.


One does not fall from a prone position.


A kì í dùbúlẹ̀ ṣubú.


One is never so fortunate at daily thievery that it matches owning one's own things.


A kì í fi ojoojúmọ́ rí olè jà kó dà bíi tọwọ́ ẹni.


One never trades with other people's eyes and profit.


A kì í fi ojú olójú ṣòwò ká jèrè.


One does not easily or casually take the child from the palm-nut.


A kì í fi ojúbọ́rọ́ gba ọmọ lọ́wọ́ èkùrọ́.


One does not hear the thud of a falling leaf.


A kì í gbọ́ “gbì” ìràwé.


One does not, despite knowing where one is going, suffer a constricted neck from one's heavy load.


A kì í mọ ibi tí à ńlọ kí ọrùn ó wọ ẹni.


One does not say there is a time for the market; if it were so, why would people continuously patronize it?


A kì í sọ pé ọjàá nígbà; bó bá nígbà, kíníṣe tí wọ́n tún ńná a?


One does not carry the ọ̀jẹ̀ masquerade and yet affect bashfulness; the mendicant's eyes must always be like flint.


A kì í ṣe ọ̀jẹ̀ ṣe ojú tì mí; konko lojú alágbe.


One does not conduct one's feud with an animal in a half-hearted manner; if one finds a snail one hits it with a matchet.


A kì í ṣe ọ̀tẹ̀ eranko gán-ń-gán; bí a bá he ìgbín àdá là ń nà á.


One does not scratch the ground for the chicken to find food.


A kì í walẹ̀ fún adìẹ jẹ.


The more one weeds ẹ̀kukù the more it sprouts leaves; the more one tramples aṣẹro the more it grows; the more one rails against Ògún the more he thrives.


À ń pa ẹ̀kukù, ẹ̀kukù ń rúwé; à ń yan nínú aṣẹro, aṣẹro ń dàgbà; à ń kébòsí Ògún, ara Ògún ń le.


We make circles round the mahogany bean tree, but it is too much to handle; we make circles around the baobab tree, but it is too much to handle; we makes circles around the well, but it is nothing to jump into in anger.


À ń pòyì ká apá, apá ò ká apá; à ń pòyì ká oṣè, apá ò ká oṣè; à ń pòyì ká kànga, kò ṣé bínú kó sí.


“We know not what God will do” keeps one from committing suicide.


“A ò mọ̀yí Ọlọ́run yó ṣe” kò jẹ́ ká bínú kú.


A giant rat is killed on an okra farm and thrown it into a sack containing okra leaves; the giant rat has arrived at its home.


A pa ẹmọ́ lóko ilá, a jù ú sí ọ̀kẹ́ ìlasa; ilé ẹmọ́ lẹmọ́ lọ.


The needle will pass before the way of the thread is blocked.


Abẹ́rẹ́ á lọ kí ọ̀nà okùn tó dí.


He who summons others to render him communal help seeks enemies.


Abẹ̀wẹ̀ ń wá ọ̀tá fúnra ẹ̀.


Nursing mother, enemy of the barren woman; working person, enemy of the idler.


Abiyamọ ọ̀tá àgàn; ẹní ń ṣiṣẹ́ ọ̀tá ọ̀lẹ.


The pregnant woman delivered; her sides are much eased.


Aboyún bí, ìhá tù ú.


Bat, who slept by the orange tree, found no orange to pick, let alone parrot who said it came over very early at dawn.


Àdán tó sùn sídìí ọsàn ò rí he, áḿbọ̀sì oódẹ tó ní òún jí dé.


Adékànḿbí is not contesting a title; he is merely asking a question.


Adékànḿbí ò du oyè; ó bèèrè ni.


The aftertaste of the bitterleaf is sweet.


Adùn ní ń gbẹ̀yìn ewúro.


One's delight in a cloth costing a hundred and forty cowries is over; one spreads it out to show to seven people, one finds seven lice, and on the seventh day it is torn.


Adùn-ún tán lára aṣọ ogóje; a nà án han ẹni méje; a bẹ̀ ẹ́ wò a rí iná méje; ó di ọjọ́ keje ó fàya.


He-who-eats-corn-meal-with-bean-fritters does not know the virtues of stew.


A-fàkàrà-jẹ̀kọ́ ò mọ iyì ọbẹ̀.


The wind does not blow against the liquid inside a coconut and cause it to spill.


Afẹ́fẹ́ kì í fẹ́ kí omi inú àgbọn dànù.


Glaring wildly does not bespeak manliness.


Àfẹjútoto ò mọ ọkùnrin.


Blowing from all directions is how one blows at a fire “to kindle it”.


Àfẹ́ká là ń fẹ́ iná.


The Catholic missionary is not in the pay of the British administration.


Àgùdà ò jẹ lábẹ̀ẹ Gẹ̀ẹ́sì.


It is an elder who lacks the authority to send a child on an errand who tells the child to go fetch water so they could drink it together.


Àgbà tí kò tó ọmọdéé rán níṣẹ́ ní ńsọ pé kó bu omi wá ká jo mú.


Àgbàbọ́ ò di tẹni.


Borrowed trousers, if they are not too tight around the legs, they will be too loose; one's own things fit one exactly.


Àgbàbọ̀ọ ṣòkòtò, bí kò fúnni lẹ́sẹ̀ a ṣoni; rẹ́mú-rẹ́mú ni ohun ẹni ń bani mu.


It is completely that smoke fills the forest.


Àgbàká lèéfí ń gba igbó.


It is completely that the feet take over a path.


Àgbàká lẹsẹ̀ ńgba ọ̀na.


Despite all difficulties, the animal àgbaǹgbá sprouts prominent horns on its head.


Àgbaǹgbá ṣe bẹ́ẹ̀, ó làwo lórí san-san.


It is not the flood that will make away with the river.


Àgbàrá kọ́ ni yó gbèé omi lọ.


It is completely that goitre takes over the neck.


Àgbàtán ni gẹ̀gẹ̀ńgba ọ̀fun.


A farmer remains on the farm and sees the moon.


Àgbẹ̀ gbóko róṣù.


Groaning-internally is how an antelope groans; rumbling-internally is how a leopard rumbles, the grunts of a pig stay inside the pig.


Àgbinsínú legbin ń gbin; àkùnsínú lẹkùn ń kùn; hùn hùn hùn ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ inú ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ ní ń gbé.


Baying-and-surviving is the fate of the deer; whenever a deer bays, on that day its death is averted.


Àgbólà ni tàgbọ̀nrín; ọjọ́ tí àgbọ̀nrín bá gbó ni ọjọ́ ikúu rẹ̀ ń yẹ̀.


Not standing still is what is described as dancing.


Àìdúró là ń pè níjó.


It is not-having-attained-the-age-for-losing-one's-teeth that makes one cover (the mouth) with one's hand.


Àìtó eyín-ín ká ni à ń fọwọ́ bò ó.


The snare does not snare a cat's paw.


Àjà kì í jìn mọ́ ológbò lẹ́sẹ̀.


A dog that will chew dried corn must be brave; a cat that will eat a frog will dip its face in water.


Ajá tó máa rún ọkà á láyà; ológbò to máa jẹ àkèré á ki ojú bọ omi.


It is an agile dog that kills a squirrel.


Ajá wéré-wéré ní ń pa ikún.


The dog looks at birds with eyes full of disdain.


Ajá wo ẹyẹ láwòmọ́jú.


Wealth throws a person away like a stone.


Ajé sọ ọmọ nù bí òkò.


Eating without adverse effects is the vulture's way of consuming sacrificial offerings.


Àjẹgbé nigún ń jẹbọ.


You who have fallen into the dungeon, do not be impatient to arrive home; when the toad drops into a pit it cannot be impatient to get out.


Ajìnfìn, má ta ojú ilé; ọ̀pọ̀lọ́ jìnfìn má ta ojú àtijáde.


The sit-tight person denies the tentative sitter a place.


A-jókò-ó-kunkun ò jẹ́ kí a-jókòó-jẹ́jẹ́ ó jókòo.


Familial obligations do not extend to diseases; let each person look well to his or her arms.


Àjùmọ̀bí ò kan ti àrùn; kí alápá mú apáa rẹ̀ kó le.


The arrow for a warthog is a major project; an ordinary poison has no effect on the cat.


Àkànṣe lọfà ìmàdò; jagan oró ò ran èse.


Scorpion says that its status transcends what-type-of-insect-is-this?


Àkèekèé ní òún kúrò ní kòkòròo kí nìyí?


Àkèekèé rìn tapó-tapó.


For the exceptionally brave person the proper profession is warring; for the gregarious person, trading; the illustrious he-goat, even when it is poor, finds enough to eat.


Akíkanjú-kankan, ogun ní ń lọ; abùwàwà, ọjà ní ń ná; àkànní òbúkọ, bó bá tòṣì a máa rí jẹ.


It is completely that goitre takes over the throat.


Àkótán ni gẹ̀gẹ̀ ń kó ọ̀fun.


The cock crows, and the lazy person hisses.


Àkùkọọ́ kọ, ọ̀lẹẹ́ pòṣé.


The chameleon has given birth to its young; inability to dance is the responsibility of the child.


Alágẹmọọ́ ti bímọọ rẹ̀ ná; àìmọ̀-ọ́jó kù sọ́wọ́ọ rẹ̀.


A person with cross-bows in his eyes cannot kill an animal.


Alákatam̀pò ojú ò lè ta ẹran pa.


The lizard that fell from atop the ìrókò tree without breaking its limbs says if no one admires his feat, he will do the admiring himself.


Aláǹgbá tó já látorí ìrókò tí kò fẹsẹ̀ ṣẹ́, ó ní bẹ́nìkan ò yìn un òun ó yinra òun.


It is the owner of the body that elevates the body; when a chicken wishes to enter the porch it stoops.


Alára ní ńgbáraá ga; bádíẹ́ bá máa wọ̀ọ̀dẹ̀ a bẹ̀rẹ̀.


He-who-can-fight-but-cannot-fight-for-long, the equal of a coward.


A-lèjà-má-lè-jà-pẹ́, ẹlẹgbẹ́ ojo.


The lump is only the head's visitor.


Àlejò orí ni kókó.


One's arms are one's relatives; one's elbows are one's siblings by the same mother.


Apá lará; ìgbọ̀nwọ́ niyèkan.


The potsherd lives on the farm but does not decay.


Àpáàdìí gbóko kò rà.


Killing-without-recourse is Orò's way of killing trees.


Àpagbé lOrò ń pagi.


It is a bald person that may be disdainful of the razor.


Apárí ní ń fojú di abẹ.


Apẹ́ẹ́jẹ kì í jẹ ìbàjẹ́.


Scooping a spring dry does not stop more water from collecting.


Àpọntán kò wí pé kí odò má sun.


A body cannot be too heavy for the owner to lift.


Ara kì í wúwo kí alára má lè gbe.


My body can endure chills, and can endure coldness.


Araà mí gba òtútù, ó gba ọ̀nini.


The huge sik-cotton tree belittles the axe.


Àràbà ńlá fojú di àáké.


A subordinate military officer who is audacious is the equal of his superior.


Ààrẹ àgòrò tó bá gbójú, tòun tolúwa rẹ̀ lẹgbẹ́ra.


Having an opportunity to act is also having an opportunity to tell stories.


Àríṣe làríkà.


It is only the noise of the whirlwind that reaches heaven.


Ariwo àjìjà ní ń dọ́run.


Àro stayed so long on the farm that he forgot how to beat the drum.


Àroó pẹ́ lóko, kò tún mọ ìlùú lù.


It is the person in a hurry who studies the complexion of the day.


Asúrétete ní ń wojú ọjọ́.


The kite does not snatch chicks in secret, it snatches them openly.


Àṣá ò gbádìẹ níkọ̀kọ̀; gbangba làṣá ń gbádìẹ.


The kite cannot swoop down and carry off a goat.


Àṣá ò lè balẹ̀ kó gbéwúrẹ́.


The kite looks long at the tortoise; the eagle looks long at the tortoise; what can the hawk, father of the kite, do to the tortoise?


Àṣá wo ahun títí; àwòdí wo ahun títí; idì baba àṣá, kí ló lè fi ahun ṣe?


The kite looks slyly at the snail, but its shell stops the bird from snatching it.


Àṣá wo ìgbín kọ̀rọ̀; ìkaraun-un rẹ̀ ò jẹ́ kó gbé e.


The kite watches the monkey but has no hands to carry it off.


Àṣá wọ̀bọ kò rọ́wọ́ gbé e.


The secrets of the hyena's being will not be revealed through the actions of the dog.


Àṣírí ìkokò, ajá kọ́ ni yó tùú u.


The space is never so tight that a chicken will not be able to reach its incubating nest.


Àyè kì í há adìẹ kó má dèé ìdí àbaa rẹ̀.


The more one peels the bark of the baobab, the fatter it becomes.


Bí a bá ń pa èpo oṣè, ṣe ní ń máaá sanra sí i.


If one does not experience enough suffering to fill a basket, one cannot enjoy enough good to fill a cup.


Bí a kò bá jìyà tó kún agbọ̀n; a ò lè jẹ oore tó kún ahá.


If one does not act like a pig on the way to Ikòròdú one cannot act like Adégbọrọ̀at the king's market.


Bí a kò bá ṣe bí ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ lọ́nà Ìkòròdú, a ò lè ṣe bí Adégbọrọ̀ lọ́jà ọba.


If a lazy person is suffering from hunger, he/she should be left to die.


Bí ebí bá ń pa ọ̀lẹ, à jẹ́ kó kú.


If a poor person's forked stake is not long enough in the morning, it will be long enough at night.


Bí ẹkẹ́ẹ tálákà ò tó lówùúrọ̀, á tó lálẹ́.


If a person does not extend greetings to one, God's greetings are worth more than two hundred peoples'.


Bí ẹnìkan ò kíni “Kú-ù-jokòó,” kíkí Ọlọ́run-ún ju ti igba èèyàn lọ.


A slave that would eat intestines must begin with the liver.


Bí ẹrú yó bàá jẹ ìfun, ibi ẹ̀dọ̀ níí tí ń bẹ̀rẹ̀.


When the cub becomes a grown leopard, it kills animals for food.


Bí ẹ̀yá bá dẹkùn, ẹran ní ńpajẹ.


If the pedigree is bent, if the pedigree is crooked, each person will play the father in his own home.


Bí ìbí bá tẹ̀, bí ìbí bá wọ́, oníkálukú a máa ṣe baba nílé araa rẹ̀.


When day breaks the lazy person will still be asleep.


Bí ilẹ̀ẹ́ bá mọ́, ojú orun lọ̀lẹ ń wà.


If lice are not completely gone from one's clothings, one's nails will not be free of blood.


Bí iná kò bá tán láṣọ, ẹ̀jẹ̀ kì í tán léèékánná.


If a youth is in the grips of excessive privations, he should go after an elephant; if he kills an elephant his privations will be over; if an elephant kills him, his privations will be over.


Bí ìṣẹ́ bá ń ṣẹ́ ọ̀dọ́ láṣẹ̀ẹ́jù, kó lọ sígbó erin; bó bá pa erin ìṣẹ́ẹ rẹ̀ a tán; bí erín bá pá a, ìṣẹ́ẹ rẹ̀ a tán.


If one cannot go forward, one will be able to retreat.


Bí iwájú ò bá ṣeé lọ sí, ẹ̀yìn a ṣeé padà sí.


However numerous the cattle might be, it is with only one staff that the Fulbe man herds them.


Bí màlúù tó màlúù, ọ̀pá kan ni Fúlàní fi ń dà wọ́n.


“If I must die let me die” is what makes a man strong; “I simply will not court death” is what makes a man lazy or cowardly.


“Bí mo lè kú ma kú” lọmọkùrín fi ń lágbárá “N ò lè wáá kú” lọmọkùnrín fi ń lẹ.


However long it may take, the stammarer will eventually say, “Father.”


Bí ó pẹ́ títí, akólòlò á pe baba.


In time, a sojourner becomes a native.


Bí ó pẹ́ títí, àlejò á di onílé.


One practices one's Islam as one pleases; if the Imam wishes he may break his fast with pork.


Bí ó ti wuni là ń ṣe ìmàle ẹni; bó wu Lèmó̩mù a fẹlẹ́dẹ̀ jẹ sààrì.


If one is sure of one's Ògún cult object, one taps ones head with it.


Bí Ògún ẹní bá dánilójú, à fi gbárí.


If one's eyes do not become as red as camwood stain, one does not come by something as red as brass.


Bí ojú kò pọ́nni bí osùn, a kì í he ohun pupa bí idẹ.


If what one bought for one's money does not fill one, the little extra thrown into the bargain will not.


Bí ojú owó ẹni ò yóni, ènì ò lè yóni.


When day dawns the cattle egret makes for the home of the dealer in chalk, the blue touraco heads for the home of the indigo dealer, the purple àlúkò bird seeks out the dealer in camwood resin.


Bí ojúmọ́ mọ́ lékèélékèé a yalé ẹlẹ́fun, agbe a yalé aláró, àlùkò a yalé olósùn.


If the hand does not cease going down and going to the mouth, satiation results.


Bí ọwọ́ kò sin ilẹ̀, tí kò sin ẹnu, ayo ní ń jẹ́.


Even though Ṣango kills the silk-cotton tree and kills the ìrókò tree, no such fate can befall the huge tree.


Bí Ṣàǹgó bá ńpa àràbà, tó ń pa ìrókò, bíi tigi ńlá kọ́.


Dàńdógò is not a garment for the young.


Dàńdógó kì í ṣe ẹ̀wù ọmọdé.


One should give everything a try; if one's owner dies one goes to claim his wife.


Dídán là ń dán ọ̀ràn wò; bí olówó ẹní kú, à lọ ṣúpó.


A perpetually shining appearance is what chracterizes the pigeon even until death.


Dídán lẹyẹlé ń dán kú.


It is bit by bit that rats eat leather.


Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ leku ń jawọ.


It is bit by bit that a bird eats an orange.


Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ lẹyẹ ń mu ọsàn.


Gradual efforts complete a task.


Díẹ̀-díẹ̀ ní ń tánṣẹ́.


The talking drum endures all matters without complaint.


Dùndún fọ̀ràn gbogbo ṣàpamọ́ra.


A single heap on the farm does not warrant “I am just about done.”


Ebè kan ṣoṣo àkùrọ́ kúrò ní “Mo fẹ́rẹ̀ẹ́ ṣíwọ́.”


It is hunger that will force sense into the imbecile.


Ebi ni yó kọ̀ọ́ wèrè lọ́gbọ́n.


The snake is hungry, and the tortoise saunters by.


Ebí ń pa ejò, ahún ń yan.


Hunger keeps one from folding one's hands; hunger causes the mouth “or cheeks” to shrink.


Ebi ò jẹ́ ká pa ọwọ́ mọ́; ebí ṣenú papala.


Insults do not attach to one's body like pods.


Èébú kì í so.


No charm can act upon the day and keep it from dawning.


Èdì kì í mú ọjọ́ kó má là.


The masquerader who is accustomed to eating horse heads will not be daunted by ram heads.


Eégún tí ń jẹ orí ẹṣin, orí àgbò ò lè kò ó láyà.


Okro that has gone fibrous has delivered itself from the knife.


Èkó ilá gba ara ẹ̀ lọ́wọ́ ọ̀bẹ.


Being bothered by sandflies is no misfortune.


Èminrin ń jẹni, kò tó ìyà.


An angry curse does not kill an enemy.


Èpè ìbínú ò pa odì.


The curses of okro leaves do not affect the deer.


Èpè ìlasa kì í ja àgbọ̀nrín.


Creeping weeds cannot kill the silk rubber tree.


Èpò ìbúlẹ̀ kì í pa irẹ́.


The elephant forages a long time without cutting its hand on a spear; the buffalo forages a long time without falling into a trap; numerous small birds fly across the sky without colliding with trees.


Erín jẹ̀ jẹ̀ jẹ̀ kò fọwọ́ kọ́ aṣá; ẹ̀fọ́n jẹ̀ jẹ̀ jẹ̀ kò ki ẹsẹ̀ wọ pòòlò; ẹyẹ kékéèké ń fò lókè wọn ò forí gbági.


Error does not await the king before it dons a crown; Ogunṣọṣẹ  does not wait for the sun before it dons a bloody cloak; the flower does not wait for the sun before it brightens; brightness comes with the child from its house.


Èṣì ò rọ́ba dádé; Ògúnṣọṣẹ́ ò róòrùn wẹ̀wù ẹ̀jẹ̀; òdòdó ò róòrùn pọ́n; ilé ọmọ lọmọ́ ti pọ́n wá.


The fly is procuring wine while the worm is cooking bean-meal, and the sugar-fly asks them to find something to cork the gourd so nothing would enter into it.


Eṣinṣín ń pọntí; ekòló ń ṣú ọ̀lẹ̀lẹ̀; kantí-kantí ní ká wá nǹkan dí agbè lẹ́nu kí nǹkankan má kòó sí i.


The locusts are done feeding, the locusts have departed; the locusts have gone to Wata, their home.


Eṣú jẹ oko tán eṣù lọ; eṣú lọ Wata, ilée rẹ̀.


As far as the broom is concerned it is taboo: one does not make kindling of broomsticks.


Èèwọ̀ ni tọwọ̀; a kì í figi ọwọ̀ dáná.


The African black kite is never killed in a brushfire emergency.


Ewu iná kì í pa àwòdì.


The goat is celebrating an event, the sheep is in a procession with drums, and the he-goat asks to be accompanied to its in-law's home.


Ewúrẹ́ ń ṣọdún, àgùtán gbàlù sẹ́yìn, òbúkọọ́ ní ká sin òun lọ sílé àna òun.


A goat can in no wise take the fig tree's leaves aloft for any purpose.


Ewúrẹ́ ò lè rí ewé ọdán òkè fi ṣe nǹkan.


The bitter-leaf did not become bitter as a result of cowardice.


Ewúro ò fi tojo korò.


Whether a person be short or ugly, if there is no debt, there can be no disgrace.


Èèyàn ìbáà kúrú, ìbáà búrẹ́wà, gbèsè ò sí, ìtìjú ò sí.


The consumption of sacrificial offerings will not kill the vulture.


Ẹbọ jíjẹ kì í pa igún.


A thousand ants cannot lift “a cube of” sugar; they can only mill around it in vain.


Ẹgbẹ̀rún eèrà ò lè gbé ṣúgà; wọ́n ó kàn tò yí i ká lásán ni.


A thousand fishes will not overload a river.


Ẹgbẹ̀rún ẹja ò lè dẹ́rù pa odò.


A cat's back never touches the ground.


Ẹ̀yìn ológbò kì í balẹ̀.


The lawyer argues other people's cases, much more his own.


Ẹjọ́ ẹlẹ́jọ́, lọ́yà ń rò ó, áḿbọ̀ǹtorí ẹjọ́ araa rẹ̀.


An apprehender does not apprehend a masquerader.


Ẹlẹ́mùn-ún ò mú eégún.


The larkheeled Cuckoo vows that rather than not being delicious in the stew, it will crush its arms and legs in pursuit of that end.


Ẹ̀lúlùú ní kàkà kí òun má dun ọbẹ̀, òun á rúnwọ rúnsẹ̀ sí i.


It is the Ẹ̀lukú masquerader without a matchete that is hacked to death by its colleagues.


Ẹ̀lukú tí kò ní èlè lẹgbẹ́ẹ rẹ̀ ń ṣá pa.


Whoever has a job should not malinger; if Providence smiles on one one can hardly fail.


Ẹní bá ń ṣiṣẹ́ kì í ṣọ̀lẹ; bórí bá túnniṣe a kì í tẹ́ bọ̀rọ̀.


Whoever is used to eating full-grown he-goats will eat lambs that have sprouted horns.


Ẹní bá ń jẹ òbúkọ tó gbójú, yó jẹ àgùtàn tó yọ̀wo.


The same person who weeds the road to Ìjẹ̀bú without carrying off the weeds will eventually remove them.


Ẹní bá yẹ ọ̀nà Ìjẹ̀bú tì ni yó yẹ̀ ẹ́ tán.


The person who takes one's wife cannot stop one's locust bean seeds from fermenting.


Ẹní gbani láya ò ní kírú ẹni má rà.


Whoever wishes to eat heartily must lock his door firmly.


Ẹní máa jẹun kunkun a tìlẹ̀kùn kunkun.


Whoever wishes to see a crab go to sleep will stay long by its hole.


Ẹní máa rí àtisùn akàn á pẹ́ létí isà.


Whoever will eat the honey in a rock does not worry about the edge of the axe.


Ẹní máa jẹ oyin inú àpáta kìí wo ẹnu àáké.


Whoever wishes to see ducks go to sleep will go into debt paying for (fuel) oil.


Ẹní máa rí àtisùn-un pẹ́pẹ́yẹ á jẹ gbèsè àdín.


Ògún is on the side of the swift.


Ẹní yára lÒgún ń gbè.


Whoever is shunned by people should rejoice; whoever is shunned by God should look out.


Ẹni èèyàn ò kí kó yọ̀; ẹni Ọlọ́run ò kí kó ṣọ́ra.


Whoever dies from poverty dies a miserable death; whoever dies from work dies a noble death.


Ẹni ọ̀lẹ́ paá re ọ̀run òṣì; ẹni iṣẹ́ paá re ọ̀run ẹ̀yẹ.


The person who plants a hundred yam seedlings and says he planted two hundred, after he has eaten a hundred truths, he will come to eat a hundred lies.


Ẹni tí ó gbin ọrún èbù tó pè é nígba, tó bá jẹ ọgọ́rùn-ún òtítọ́ tán, á wá jẹ ọgọ́rùn-ún irọ́.


It is for the person who sweeps the floor that the floor is clean.


Ẹni tí ó gbálẹ̀ ni ilẹ̀ ń mọ́ fún.


It is the industrious person that wins the spoils.


Ẹni tí ó bá ní ìtara ló ní àtètèbá.


The person being chased by a masquerader should persevere; just as an earthling tires, so does the being from heaven.


Ẹni tí eégún ń lé kó máa rọ́jú; bó ti ń rẹ ará ayé, bẹ́ẹ̀ ní ń rẹ ará ọ̀run.


Whoever dives head first to the ground has made a creditable attempt at suicide.


Ẹni tí ó forí sọlẹ̀ẹ́ gbìyànjú ikú.


A person fed by others is never aware that there is famine.


Ẹni tí à ḿbọ́ ò mọ̀ pé ìyàn-án mú.


Whoever leaps up decapitates dance.


Ẹni tí ó fò sókèé bẹ́ ijó lórí.


A person dying from overwork is better than a person dying of destitution.


Ẹni tí iṣẹ́ ń paá yá ju ẹni tí ìṣẹ́ ń pa.


Those who arrive late are the ones who find the watery residue of the stew awaiting them.


Ẹni tí ó bá pẹ́ lẹ́yìn ni à ń yọ́ omi ọbẹ̀ dè.


The man who “claimed to have” killed six people during the Ọla war: people exclaimed in disbelief, “Ha, ha, ha!” He asked them to bring an ayò board, and he won six games. He said, if there were no witnesses for what happened in the secluded forest, aren't there witnesses for what happens in the house?


Ẹni tí ó pa mẹ́fà lógun Ọ̀la: wọ́n ní “Háà, hà, háà!” Ó ní kí wọ́n gbé ọpọ́n ayò wá, ó tún pa mẹ́fà; ó ní bí ojú kò tó tẹ̀gi, ojú kò tó tilé?


The person digging a grave is the one performing his or her funerary duties; the person crying is merely making a noise.


Ẹni tí ń gbẹ́lẹ̀ ní ń sìnkú; ẹni tí ń sunkún ariwo ló ń pa.


Only a person who looks at the bride's face knows that the bride is crying.


Ẹni tí ó bá wo ojú ìyàwó ní ń mọ̀ pé ìyàwó ń sunkún.


Whoever likes fineries should engage in a trade; it is the person blessed by riches that is wise.


Ẹni tí ọ̀ṣọ́ bá wù kó ṣòwò; ẹni ajé yalée rẹ̀ ló gbọ́n.