African Proverbs
African proverbs collected by country and tribe, with meanings where they have been written. 443 in the archive.
- The zebra told the white horse, "I am white," and told the black horse, "I am actually black.".Namibia
- There is always a winner even in a monkey's beauty contest.
- There is always room for the person you love even if the house is crowded.
- There is no medicine to cure hatred.Ghana
- Those who get to the river early drink the cleanest water.Ghana
- Even though the old man is strong and hearty, he will not live forever.Ghana
- Three things that a man must know to survive: what is too much for him, what is too little, and what is fitting.
- To be smiled at isn't to be loved.Kenya
- To get lost is to learn the way.
- To give to your friend is not to cast away; it is to store for the future.
- To make preparations does not spoil the trip.Guinea
- To run is not necessarily to arrive.Kenya
- The toad likes water but not when it is boiling.Guinea
- Tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.
- The tree that cannot shed its old leaves in the dry season, cannot survive the period of drought.Nigeria
- Two ants do not fail to pull one grasshopper.Tanzania
- Two men in a burning house must not stop to argue.Ghana
- Two small antelopes can beat a big one.Ghana
- Ugliness with a good character is better than beauty.Nigeria
- Unless the wind blows there is not the least chance in the world you would see the anus of a fowl.Nigeria
- Until lions have their historians, tales of the hunt shall always glorify the hunter.Nigeria
- He who urinates in a stream must remember his family drinks from the water.Nigeria
- We will water the thorn for the sake of the rose.Chad
- You will not see the importance of a river until it runs dry.