African proverbs are not just wise sayings,they are words of encouragement, admonishment and sometimes they can used to pass a secret message.
One beautiful thing about African proverbs is that different people might have different meaning or opinions about the interpretation. Whatever your interpretation might be,you are not wrong,that's is just your own interpretation. Just like the saying goes "Opinions are like noses,everybody has one". Below is a complication of 10 African proverbs that teaches about life.
10.
Literally this means, Anything you can see cannot harm you.
It can also be interpreted as anything you can think of can be possible. It is impossible,because you have worked towards. Humans in the 19th century won't have thought of the advancement in technology in the 21st Century. If you can dream it,then you can live it. Don't give up
9.
Literally, if you're taking bath and a mad man grabs your clothes,don't run after him as you will also be mistaken for a mad man
Do not be in a hurry to make decisions. You might think you have no choice but that's not true. Think over and over and over again. If you literally decide to chase the mad man,people will chase the both of you and no matter how hard you try to defend yourself, no one will listen to you. Do not make decisions because you feel like that's what you need it. Give a deep thought ask yourself which is better "The pain or the Shame",the pain of today can be it be compared to the Shame of tomorrow? Be wise.
8.
This literally means that you should listen to the message and not the messenger. In life, the messenger might not be rich, wealthy or even good looking but that doesn't matter,it is the message you are after and not the messenger.
No one is too small to correct you,no one is too big to advise you. There is wisdom in the mouth of babes(Children). In my own opinion,listen to every opinion and take the one that is necessary for your life. Do not be in a hurry to ignore every message you tag as "Unworthy". Be wise. There might be so much wisdom in that little piece of advise
7.
Life is not a bed of roses,life is full of tough times but to shape tough people. Life is for survivors. Whatever you might be going through is not meant to harm or kill you,it is meant to shape you into a better human being. The pain of today will be your testimony tomorrow. Don't give up,hold on and hold tight. God has a great plan for you.
It can also be interpreted as not all that glitters is gold. If you have so much now invest and please don't spend it all. If this is your rainy season that things are moving on very well and fine,please save for the dry seasons so you don't end up complaining. Not everything you get should be spent. Learn to save .
6.
Nothing is permanent in life. The poor man today might be a rich man tomorrow. It is just a matter of time and season. No matter how long the night is(your problem),the dawn will break(help is on its way). Grace is on its way. Your tomorrow will be greater than today. Put in more effort,God has a great reward for you. Be wise and do not give up
5.
Never belittle yourself. Never feel you are inferior to make a change. That idea you have,that plan you have might be the solution to someone else's problem. A cobbler might not be rich,the nature of their job might not command respect for them but when your shoe needs repair,you will always remember them. You are not too young to be the richest man in your community or your country. Just work hard and pray hard.
Think about this no one likes mosquitoes, in fact everyone wants to get them out of their rooms that's why we make sure use of insecticides but that doesn't stop them from being part of our life. In fact they can not be removed from the Ecosystem just because we don't like them. People shouldn't be the determinant of your life. Be focused and press on to your goal.
4.
There are two phases of every man's strength - your strong and your weak stage. You will not be strong and beautiful forever. Due to age, your beauty and strength will eventually fade away someday. Take your time and work very hard for the days are rolling on,once an opportunity is lost it can never be regained do not waste your golden chance. It is better you pay the price now and play later than for you to play now and pay the price later. As an old man or woman,there isn't much you can do. Do not live your life in regret just because you failed to make the right choice at the right time be wise.
3.
Knowledge is power but knowledge without wisdom is actually a waste of power. No matter how much power you have,a wise man will always be considered as more powerful man. Wisdom is the principal thing after getting wisdom, get knowledge and understanding. Strive to be wise then you can go on to get knowledge and understanding.
2.
No wise man is an island or fountain of knowledge. Where your knowledge stops might is where someone else's begins. Do not reject or ignore corrections or admonishment. Study to approve yourself. Never stop learning,"The day you stop learning,you start dying". Learn and study as much as you can
1.
Women are very great individual because they are not just mothers but "Carriers of destiny and glory". I would have interpreted this one but I leave it to you. Drop your interpretation in the comment section
.
One beautiful thing about African proverbs is that different people might have different meaning or opinions about the interpretation. Whatever your interpretation might be,you are not wrong,that's is just your own interpretation. Just like the saying goes "Opinions are like noses,everybody has one". Below is a complication of 10 African proverbs that teaches about life.
10.
Literally this means, Anything you can see cannot harm you.
It can also be interpreted as anything you can think of can be possible. It is impossible,because you have worked towards. Humans in the 19th century won't have thought of the advancement in technology in the 21st Century. If you can dream it,then you can live it. Don't give up
9.
Literally, if you're taking bath and a mad man grabs your clothes,don't run after him as you will also be mistaken for a mad man
Do not be in a hurry to make decisions. You might think you have no choice but that's not true. Think over and over and over again. If you literally decide to chase the mad man,people will chase the both of you and no matter how hard you try to defend yourself, no one will listen to you. Do not make decisions because you feel like that's what you need it. Give a deep thought ask yourself which is better "The pain or the Shame",the pain of today can be it be compared to the Shame of tomorrow? Be wise.
8.
This literally means that you should listen to the message and not the messenger. In life, the messenger might not be rich, wealthy or even good looking but that doesn't matter,it is the message you are after and not the messenger.
No one is too small to correct you,no one is too big to advise you. There is wisdom in the mouth of babes(Children). In my own opinion,listen to every opinion and take the one that is necessary for your life. Do not be in a hurry to ignore every message you tag as "Unworthy". Be wise. There might be so much wisdom in that little piece of advise
7.
Life is not a bed of roses,life is full of tough times but to shape tough people. Life is for survivors. Whatever you might be going through is not meant to harm or kill you,it is meant to shape you into a better human being. The pain of today will be your testimony tomorrow. Don't give up,hold on and hold tight. God has a great plan for you.
It can also be interpreted as not all that glitters is gold. If you have so much now invest and please don't spend it all. If this is your rainy season that things are moving on very well and fine,please save for the dry seasons so you don't end up complaining. Not everything you get should be spent. Learn to save .
6.
Nothing is permanent in life. The poor man today might be a rich man tomorrow. It is just a matter of time and season. No matter how long the night is(your problem),the dawn will break(help is on its way). Grace is on its way. Your tomorrow will be greater than today. Put in more effort,God has a great reward for you. Be wise and do not give up
5.
Never belittle yourself. Never feel you are inferior to make a change. That idea you have,that plan you have might be the solution to someone else's problem. A cobbler might not be rich,the nature of their job might not command respect for them but when your shoe needs repair,you will always remember them. You are not too young to be the richest man in your community or your country. Just work hard and pray hard.
Think about this no one likes mosquitoes, in fact everyone wants to get them out of their rooms that's why we make sure use of insecticides but that doesn't stop them from being part of our life. In fact they can not be removed from the Ecosystem just because we don't like them. People shouldn't be the determinant of your life. Be focused and press on to your goal.
4.
There are two phases of every man's strength - your strong and your weak stage. You will not be strong and beautiful forever. Due to age, your beauty and strength will eventually fade away someday. Take your time and work very hard for the days are rolling on,once an opportunity is lost it can never be regained do not waste your golden chance. It is better you pay the price now and play later than for you to play now and pay the price later. As an old man or woman,there isn't much you can do. Do not live your life in regret just because you failed to make the right choice at the right time be wise.
3.
Knowledge is power but knowledge without wisdom is actually a waste of power. No matter how much power you have,a wise man will always be considered as more powerful man. Wisdom is the principal thing after getting wisdom, get knowledge and understanding. Strive to be wise then you can go on to get knowledge and understanding.
2.
No wise man is an island or fountain of knowledge. Where your knowledge stops might is where someone else's begins. Do not reject or ignore corrections or admonishment. Study to approve yourself. Never stop learning,"The day you stop learning,you start dying". Learn and study as much as you can
1.
Women are very great individual because they are not just mothers but "Carriers of destiny and glory". I would have interpreted this one but I leave it to you. Drop your interpretation in the comment section
.
