JAMAICAN PROVERBS

Proverbs 1:1

Every mikkle mek a mukkle

Small amounts add up to something big over time.

Proverbs 1:3

Chicken merry, hawk deh near

Too much celebration may mean danger is close.

Proverbs 1:5

Di higher monkey climb, di more him expose

The more you rise, the more scrutiny you’ll face.

Proverbs 1:7

Donkey say di world nuh level

Life is unfair sometimes.

Proverbs 1:9

Yuh cyah plant corn and reap peas

You reap what you sew.

Proverbs 1:11

Tek kin teet kibba heart bun

Mask pain with laughter.

Proverbs 1:13

When crab cyah get mango, him seh it sour

People belittle what they can’t have.

Proverbs 1:15

Dawg nyam yuh suppa

You’re in serious trouble.

Proverbs 1:17

Old fire stick easy fi ketch

Old flames or habits return easily.

Proverbs 1:19

Puss love fish but hate wata

People want rewards without effort.

Proverbs 1:21

Back foot cyah pass front foot

Progress takes time.

Proverbs 1:23

Dawg a sweat, but long hair cover it

You never know who’s suffering beneath the surface.

Proverbs 1:25

Jump outta fryin’ pan, jump inna fire

Leaving one problem and ending up in a worst one.

Proverbs 1:27

When plantain ripe, it mus nyam

Take opportunity when it comes.

Proverbs 1:29

Fool-fool fly follow coffin go a grave

Don’t blindly follow others to ruin.

Proverbs 1:2

One one coco full basket

Progress happens little by little with patience and effort.

Proverbs 1:4

If yuh wah gud, yuh nose affi run

Hard work and effort are required to achieve success.

Proverbs 1:6

Trouble nuh set like rain

Problems do not come with warning.

Proverbs 1:8

Di same knife stick sheep stick goat

What happens to one can happen to another.

Proverbs 1:10

Rain a fall but dutty tough

Even with resources, progress can be slow.

Proverbs 1:12

Puss and dog nuh have the same luck

Different people have different fates.

Proverbs 1:14

Di same sun weh melt butter, harden clay

The same situation affects people differently.

Proverbs 1:16

Man a plan, God a wipe

Huma plans often fail without divine will.

Proverbs 1:18

What is fi yuh cyah be un-fi-yuh

What’s meant for you will come to you.

Proverbs 1:20

Dog with too many owner dead fi hungry

Too many leaders create confusion.

Proverbs 1:22

Play fool fi ketch wise

Pretend to be foolish to expose the cunning.

Proverbs 1:24

One finger cyah kill louse

Unity is strength.

Proverbs 1:26

No hang yuh hat higher than yuh can reach

Live within your means.

Proverbs 1:28

Time longer than rope

Truth and justice eventually prevail.

Proverbs 1:30

Short cut draw blood

Taking shortcuts leads to mistake.