Top 10 Yoruba Proverbs and Their Lessons. The Yoruba people are known for their wisdom, often passed down through generations in the form of proverbs. These proverbs are more than just sayings — they are life lessons wrapped in wit, metaphor, and cultural truth. Whether it’s about patience, respect, or hard work, each proverb has a story and a moral behind it.
Let’s explore ten timeless Yoruba proverbs and the deep lessons they teach:
1. “Bí a kò bá tíì kù, a ò mọ̀ ẹnìkan tó máa sìn wa.”
Translation: Until we die, we don’t know who will bury us.
Lesson: Life is unpredictable. We often think we know who our closest people are, but true loyalty may come from unexpected places. Value every relationship.
2. “Kò sí ẹran tó tóbi ju ẹran ẹlẹdẹ lọ ní oúnjẹ owurọ.”
Translation: No meat is bigger than pork in a morning meal.
Lesson: Every opportunity has its moment to shine. What may seem small in one context can be the greatest in another. Appreciate things in their time.
3. “Ọmọ tó ní kó pa baba rẹ, àbí ẹni tó bá pa baba rẹ, ìwọ náà á pa tirẹ.”
Translation: A child who encourages the killing of their father will also be killed by their own child.
Lesson: Karma is real. What you do today, especially when it comes to betrayal or wrongdoing, may return to you. Actions echo through generations.
4. “Ìjìyà kì í tan nílé ẹni tí kì í gbọ́ àdúrà.”
Translation: Suffering never ends in the house of one who does not pray.
Lesson: Spirituality and reflection are crucial. Without seeking help — divine or human — suffering may linger. It encourages seeking solutions and inner peace.
5. “Àìmọ̀ kì í jẹ́ kí a mọ onítàn.”
Translation: Ignorance prevents one from knowing the storyteller.
Lesson: Ignorance is a barrier to wisdom. Knowledge helps us identify truth, history, and wisdom bearers. It calls for curiosity and learning.
6. “Ẹni tí ò mọ’lẹ̀, ò mọ’kọ́.”
Translation: He who doesn’t know the town, doesn’t know the farm.
Lesson: To succeed in anything, you must understand the foundation. This proverb speaks to the importance of knowing your roots, history, or environment before making progress.
7. “Agbára ọmọdé kì í kọ ile tí yóò wó lọ́jọ́.”
Translation: The strength of a child cannot build a house that will stand forever.
Lesson: Wisdom and experience matter. Youthful energy is important, but it must be guided by maturity to create lasting impact.
8. “Ìbàjé ọmọ kì í ṣe ìbàjé ilé; ìbàjé ọmọ ni ìbàjé ara.”
Translation: A child’s failure does not spoil the home; it spoils the child.
Lesson: Personal responsibility is key. When a person errs, they bear the consequences, not their family. It encourages individuals to uphold integrity.
9. “Orí burúkú kì í gbàgbé orí rere.”
Translation: A bad head never forgets a good one.
Lesson: Acts of kindness are rarely forgotten — even by those who go astray. Always do good; it leaves lasting impressions.
10. “Gbogbo wa la jọ ń sùn, àmọ́ ẹni tó jí ní kutukutu ló mọ́ pé oru burúkú ṣẹ̀ṣẹ̀ bẹ̀rẹ̀.”
Translation: We all sleep, but the one who wakes early knows the trouble that came at night.
Lesson: Awareness and alertness set you apart. Be proactive, be observant — that’s how you stay ahead in life.
Yoruba proverbs are treasures of African wisdom. They remind us that culture is not just in our attire or language — it’s in how we think, speak, and navigate life. Whether you’re Yoruba or not, these proverbs carry universal lessons that resonate with every heart.
So the next time an elder drops a proverb in conversation, pause. There just might be a life-changing lesson hidden in those few words.
