Proverbial Wisdom from Africa. A short list of some traditional African wise sayings and proverbs for everyday life. In these proverbs are some hidden treasures of wisdom and common sense. Enjoy!
African proverbs, African Sayings, African talks and African thoughts
It takes a whole village to raise a child. ~African Proverb (“Ora na azu nwa” from Igbo, Nigeria)
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Don’t set sail on someone else’s star. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
To try and to fail is not laziness. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
He who learns, teaches. ~African Proverb (Sometimes attributed to the Ethiopians otherwise classified under unknown African source)
It is not work that kills, but worry. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Lack of knowledge is darker than night. ~African Proverb (Hausa, Nigeria)
One must talk little and listen much. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Rain does not fall on one roof alone. ~African Proverb (Cameroon, West Africa)
When God cooks, you don’t see smoke. ~African Proverb (“Kuteka Lesa ke kumweka bwishi ne.” from Kaonde, Zambia)
One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. ~African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)
Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle. ~African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)
Ashes fly back into the face of him who throws them. ~African Proverb (Nigerian)
The path is made by walking. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
He who forgives ends the argument. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
A bad name is like a stigma. ~African Proverb (South Sotho, South Africa)
A close friend can become a close enemy. ~African Proverb (Ethiopian)
Do not say the first thing that comes to your mind. ~African Proverb (Kenyan)
Africa, a continent of rich diversity and cultures, has gifted the world with a treasure trove of wisdom encapsulated in its proverbs and sayings. These nuggets of traditional knowledge have been passed down through generations, offering invaluable insights into life, relationships, and human nature. In this journey, we will explore a selection of African proverbs and delve into the wisdom they hold.
African Proverb: Community and Child-Rearing
“It takes a whole village to raise a child.” – African Proverb (Igbo, Nigeria)
This well-known African proverb underscores the importance of community in the upbringing of children. It highlights the idea that the responsibility of nurturing and guiding a child extends beyond the parents to the entire community. This proverb encourages collective support and care for the younger generation, emphasizing the notion that children benefit from the wisdom and influence of many.
African Proverb: Standing for Principles
“If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb reminds us of the significance of having principles and values in life. It suggests that without a firm moral or ethical foundation, individuals may become susceptible to manipulation or compromise. It encourages us to uphold our beliefs and convictions, as they serve as anchors in the face of external pressures.
African Proverb: Learning from Mistakes
“Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
In this proverb, African wisdom emphasizes the importance of self-reflection and learning from one’s mistakes. Instead of dwelling on the specific moment of failure, it encourages us to examine the actions or decisions that led to the fall. This introspective approach helps us avoid repeating errors and fosters personal growth.
African Proverb: The Resilience of Pride
“A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb explores the resilience of pride in the face of adversity. It suggests that a person with unwavering self-esteem can endure setbacks and failures without being deeply wounded. While pride can be a double-edged sword, this proverb acknowledges its role in helping individuals maintain their confidence and composure.
African Proverb: Charting Your Own Path
“Don’t set sail on someone else’s star.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
In this beautifully metaphorical proverb, Africa offers a poignant reminder to pursue our unique dreams and aspirations rather than trying to emulate others. It encourages individuality and the exploration of one’s path, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-discovery.
African Proverb: Seizing the Present
“For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb champions the idea of proactive preparation and foresight. It underlines the importance of taking action in the present to secure a better future. It reminds us that waiting for tomorrow to make changes or improvements may result in missed opportunities.
African Proverb: The Value of Effort
“To try and to fail is not laziness.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb dispels the misconception that failure is a sign of laziness. Instead, it acknowledges that effort is not always guaranteed to yield success. It encourages us to embrace the courage to try, even if the outcome may be uncertain, as it is through these attempts that we learn and grow.
African Proverb: The Cycle of Learning and Teaching
“He who learns, teaches.” – African Proverb (Sometimes attributed to the Ethiopians otherwise classified under an unknown African source)
This African proverb beautifully encapsulates the cyclical nature of knowledge and education. It emphasizes that the act of learning is intertwined with the act of teaching. As individuals acquire wisdom and insights, they are naturally inclined to share their knowledge, contributing to the collective growth of society.
African Proverb: Work and Worry
“It is not work that kills, but worry.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
In this proverb, African wisdom draws attention to the detrimental effects of excessive worry and anxiety. It suggests that the toll on one’s well-being caused by persistent worry can be more harmful than the challenges posed by hard work. It encourages us to manage stress and maintain a balanced perspective.
African Proverb: Accountability and Problem-Solving
“If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb emphasizes the importance of active engagement in addressing challenges and issues. It asserts that passivity or indifference contributes to problems rather than resolving them. It serves as a call to action, urging individuals to be proactive in finding solutions.
African Proverb: The Growth Amidst Challenges
“Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb beautifully captures the idea that challenges and difficulties are essential for personal growth and development. It suggests that navigating through rough waters and facing adversity fosters resilience and skill. It encourages us to embrace life’s trials as opportunities for growth.
African Proverb: The Darkness of Ignorance
“Lack of knowledge is darker than night.” – African Proverb (Hausa, Nigeria)
In this profound proverb, African wisdom underscores the significance of knowledge and enlightenment. It likens ignorance to a state of profound darkness, emphasizing that ignorance can be more detrimental than physical darkness. It encourages a lifelong pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
African Proverb: The Art of Listening
“One must talk little and listen much.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb extols the virtues of active listening. It suggests that effective communication involves not only speaking but also lending a receptive ear to others. It emphasizes the value of understanding and empathy that can be gained through attentive listening.
African Proverb: Cultivating Knowledge
“Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb draws a parallel between knowledge and a garden, highlighting the necessity of nurturing and cultivating both. It underscores the idea that knowledge, like a garden left untended, will not yield its full potential unless it is actively developed and cultivated.
African Proverb: The Strength Within
“When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This powerful African proverb emphasizes the importance of inner peace and self-acceptance. It suggests that when one has conquered their inner doubts, insecurities, and conflicts, external challenges and adversaries hold less power. It encourages self-reflection and personal growth as a means of fortifying oneself against external negativity.
African Proverb: Unity Amidst Diversity
“Rain does not fall on one roof alone.” – African Proverb (Cameroon, West Africa)
This African proverb celebrates the interconnectedness of humanity. It suggests that the blessings of life, symbolized by rain, are not exclusive to one individual or group. Instead, they are meant to be shared and experienced collectively, highlighting the importance of unity and cooperation.
African Proverb: The Divine Work
“When God cooks, you don’t see smoke.” – African Proverb (Kaonde, Zambia)
This metaphorical African proverb conveys the idea that divine actions and interventions are often subtle and not immediately apparent. It encourages faith and trust in the divine plan, even when the workings of the divine are not readily visible or understandable.
African Proverb: Honesty and Integrity
“One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.” – African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)
This profound African proverb underscores the fragility of trust and the damaging effects of dishonesty. It suggests that a single lie can tarnish a multitude of truths and erode the foundation of trust in relationships. It serves as a reminder of the importance of honesty and integrity.
African Proverb: Acknowledging Roots
“Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle.” – African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)
This African proverb encourages recognition and appreciation of the sources of support and protection in one’s life. It advises against disregarding or belittling those who provide shelter and assistance, highlighting the importance of gratitude and humility.
African Proverb: Consequences of Actions
“Ashes fly back into the face of him who throws them.” – African Proverb (Nigerian)
In this vivid proverb, African wisdom illustrates the idea that negative actions or intentions often result in unintended consequences for the instigator. It serves as a cautionary reminder that our actions can come back to affect us, urging us to act with consideration and kindness.
African Proverb: The Journey of Life
“The path is made by walking.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This profound African proverb emphasizes the idea that life’s journey is shaped by our actions and experiences. It suggests that we create our own path through the choices we make and the steps we take. It encourages us to embrace the adventure of life.
African Proverb: The Power of Forgiveness
“He who forgives ends the argument.” – African Proverb (Unknown African source)
This African proverb highlights the transformative power of forgiveness in resolving conflicts. It suggests that by choosing to forgive, individuals can bring an end to disputes and tensions. It encourages us to embrace forgiveness as a means of fostering peace and reconciliation.
African Proverb: Reputation Matters
“A bad name is like a stigma.” – African Proverb (South Sotho, South Africa)
This African proverb underscores the significance of reputation and the lasting impact of a tarnished name. It likens a bad reputation to a stigma, emphasizing the difficulty of overcoming negative perceptions. It encourages us to safeguard our reputation through ethical conduct.
African Proverb: The Complexity of Relationships
“A close friend can become a close enemy.” – African Proverb (Ethiopian)
This African proverb offers a cautionary perspective on the dynamics of relationships. It suggests that close friendships, when strained or betrayed, can lead to significant animosity. It serves as a reminder of the complexities of human interactions and the need for trust and loyalty.
African Proverb: Thoughtful Communication
“Do not say the first thing that comes to your mind.” – African Proverb (Kenyan)
This African proverb advises against impulsive and thoughtless speech. It encourages individuals to consider their words carefully before speaking, emphasizing the importance of mindful communication and diplomacy.
These traditional African proverbs and sayings offer profound insights into various aspects of life, from community and self-awareness to relationships and personal growth. They remind us of the timeless wisdom that has been passed down through generations and continue to resonate with people of all backgrounds and cultures. Africa’s rich heritage of wisdom serves as a source of inspiration and guidance for navigating the complexities of the human experience.