Nothing beats having a favorite African proverb or quote that inspires you on a day-to-day basis. African proverbs have always inspired me in some form or fashion. They always seem to appear at the most appropriate time. We all need a little inspiration from time to time. Life is good when we can be inspired by a little advice from our homeland. Feel free to share all of the quotes and if you come across a quote that you love, then, by all means, send it my way and I’ll add it to the list. Make sure you follow our Pinterest page as I will be posting image pins with some of the quotes. I’ve also highlighted a few of my favorites.
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What is an African Proverb
Proverbs are an integral part of African culture and are entwined in the very fabric of the people. Proverbs are used to reinforce arguments, illustrate ideas, as well as deliver messages that serve to inspire, console, and celebrate the world around you. The Nigerian author Chinua Achebe once wrote: “Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.”
Many African proverbs are entwined in the earth, animals, learning, and conveying lessons of life through daily menial tasks. Clearly, our ancestors were wise before wisdom was borne.
These should make you want to book a flight with Jet Airways and scream out “Hakuna Matata” as the plane lands in the continent of our ancestors. Visiting the motherland is at the top of my bucket list. I’ve highlighted a few African proverbs that are my favorites. I suggest that you pick out your favorite and commit it to memory. When one of these MAGA folks says something sideways and they will, you can respond in your best Hakim voice, Even an ant can hurt an elephant. ~ South African Proverb
Supposing doesn’t fill the grain basket ‘if’ doesn’t fill the larder. ~ Ovambo Proverb
If the elders leave you a legacy of dignified language, you do not abandon it and speak childish language. ~ Ghanaian Proverb
A clever king is the brother of peace. ~ South African Proverb
Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand. ~ Guinean Proverb
There are no shortcuts to the top of the palm tree. ~ Cameroonian Proverb
All monkeys cannot hang on the same branch. ~ Kenyan Proverb
God has created lands with lakes and rivers for man to live. And the desert so that he can find his soul. ~ Tuareg Proverb
Little by little grow the bananas. ~ Congolese Proverb
If you overtake a leader, you break your neck. ~ Ugandan Proverb
The big game often appears when the hunter has given up the hunt for the day. ~ Igbo Proverb
Do not call to a dog with a whip in your hand. ~ Sudanese Proverb
Do not allow the belly to make you useless. ~ Maasai Proverb
The blame of the antelope is on the hunter. ~ Kenyan Proverb
I shall come for the cows after the donkeys have grown horns. ~Meru Proverb
Haste and hurry can only bear children with many regrets along the way. ~ Senegalese Proverb
A fully grown up tree cannot be bent into a walking stick. ~ Kenyan Proverb
Birds of all kinds will end up landing. ~ Egyptian Proverb
Good music goes with good food. ~ African Proverb
Those who are absent are always wrong. ~ Congolese Proverb
No matter how full the river, it still wants to grow. ~ Congolese Proverb
Examine what is said, not him who speaks. ~ Egyptian Proverb
Even an ant can hurt an elephant. ~ South African Proverb
The sun never sets without fresh news. ~Xhosa Proverb
Ingratitude is sooner or later fatal to its author. ~ Twi Proverb
If you educate a man you educate one individual, but if you educate a woman you educate a family. ~Fanti Proverb
Other people’s wisdom prevents the king from being called a fool. ~ Nigerian Proverb
The good mother knows what her children will eat. ~ Akan Proverb
When the mother goat breaks into the yam store her kid watches her. ~ Igbo Proverb
The laughter of a child lights up the house. ~ Swahili proverb
One camel does not make fun of the other camel’s hump. ~ Ghanaian Proverb
Rich people cook their food in a potsherd. ~ Kikuyu Proverb
If love is a sickness, patience is the remedy. ~ Cameroonian Proverb
The elephant does not limp when walking on thorns. ~ Ethiopian Proverb
Even as the archer loves the arrow that flies, so too he loves the bow that remains constant in his hands. ~ Nigerian Proverb
A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride.
African Proverbs
An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb.
A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness.
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something.
A wise man who knows proverbs reconciles difficulties. (Yoruba)
Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped.
Looking at a king’s mouth one would never think he sucked his mother’s breast.
A child’s fingers are not scalded by a piece of hot yam which his mother puts into his palm.
It takes a whole village to raise a child.
You must judge a man by the work of his hands.
If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings.
People should not talk while they are eating or pepper may go down the wrong way.
When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for a walk.
As the dog said, ‘If I fall down for you and you fall down for me, it is playing.
The mouth which eats does not talk.
The sun will shine on those who stand before it shines on those who kneel under them.
A chick that will grow into a cock can be spotted the very day it hatches.
Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble.
When a man says yes, his chi (personal god) says yes also.
The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree to the ground said he would praise himself if no one else did.
You can tell a ripe corn by its look.
A person with too much ambition cannot sleep in peace.
A single stick may smoke, but it will not burn.
If you are looking for a more comprehensive list then visit the following sites. I’m sure that you will see some of the same quotes and many new ones as well.
