African Proverbs
African proverbs collected by country and tribe, with meanings where they have been written. 443 in the archive.
- If we stand tall, it is because we stand on the backs of those who came before us.Nigeria
- We desire to bequeath two things to our children; the first one is roots, the other one is wings.Sudan
- Wealth is invited, but poverty invites itself.Mozambique
- A weapon that you don't have in your hand will not kill a snake.
- It is what is in the heart when there is no wine in the head that comes out when there is wine in the head.Nigeria
- What is inflated too much, will burst into fragments.
- What is said over the dead lion's body could not be said to him alive.
- What you help a child to love can be more important than what you help him to learn.
- Whatever a pregnant woman says is said by two people.
- When a fool is cursed, he thinks he is being praised.Ghana
- When a man is wealthy, he may wear an old cloth.Ghana
- When a woman is hungry, she says, "Roast something for the children that they might eat.".Ghana
- When the bee comes to your house, let her have beer; you may want to visit the bee's house some day.
- When the elderly ones in a house travel, the younger ones quickly grow in experience.
- When the hunter returns and is holding mushrooms, don't ask him about how his hunt went.Guinea
- When a king has good counselors, his reign is peaceful.Ghana
- When one is in love, a cliff becomes a meadow.Ethiopia
- When the roots are deep, there is no reason to fear the wind.
- When the roots of a tree begin to decay, it spreads death to the branches.Nigeria
- When the shadow of a tree is bent, straighten the tree not the shadow.
- When your sister does your hair you do not need a mirror.Nigeria
- When spider webs unite they can tie up a lion.Ethiopia
- When the crocodile smiles, be extra careful.
- When the deal is too good, think twice.