African Proverbs with Their Meaning

LadyElena on Dec 28, 2010

A Collection of African Proverbs and their meanings.

1) The poorest person in the world is not the one without money but one without vision. Ghanaian Proverb

Meaning - People will go very far in life and be successful, if they have a vision and act on it.

2) Even the best dancer on the stage must retire sometime. African Proverb

Meaning – No matter how good people are in their profession, they can’t stay in it forever.

3) Train a child the way he should go and make sure you also go the same way. African Proverb

Meaning - Simply asking parents/guardians to lead by example.

4) When the heart overflows, it comes out through the mouth. Ethiopian Proverb

Meaning – If something is brewing in your mind/heart, it will eventually come out. You’ll say it.

6) One who hides private parts wont get a child. Swahili Proverb

Meaning – I guess that speaks for itself.

7) A happy man marries the girl he loves, but a happier man loves the girl he marries. African Proverb

Meaning – Another proverb that speaks for itself and reveals the secret of a long marriage.

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Comments (10)

THEMADTYPER on Dec 29, 2010
The was really good great work I like the insight!
emma90 on Dec 29, 2010
Thnks for share
SowmyaT on Dec 29, 2010
Thanks for sharing.
Wrath Warbone on Dec 29, 2010
I didn’t know there are proverbs from Africa written down. Good ideas, too.
Treasures on Dec 29, 2010
Very lovely share LadyElena, some humorous too!
J Anderson on Dec 29, 2010
Thanks for share.
jimbob1 on Dec 31, 2010
LadyE…this is a fantastic article…some of them like you say speak for themselves while others did require a bit of a translation…thank you for doing that for us…I voted that I like this and I’m sure there will probably be more that you will share from your up-bringing and culture…this is tremendous…thanks and take care…
Joseph Parks on Dec 31, 2010
That is so true. You will never know who loves you. Best to just give love… no strings attached.
crisdiwata on Jan 2, 2011
Those were bits of wisdom. Thanks for sharing these proverbs to us.
Rof on Dec 2, 2011
thinking that there still exists a culture which does not have written proverbs is the equivalent of thinking the world is flat.