The Caribbean Dictionary
The Caribbean Dictionary
Payment is more useful than expressions of gratitude
There's no place like home.
Seeing is different from having.
It is dangerous to meddle in the affairs of others.
A dishonest person can't remember to keep his story straight.
it's sometimes wisest to keep one's mouth shut.
One bit of misfortune does not mean total destruction
Use the right motivation for each person
People may look alike, but all act differently
Everyone finds their place in life.
Those with a history of bad behaviour are always the first ones accused
If everyone says the same thing, there may be truth behind it.
Things are not always as they seem.
You shouldn't belittle or criticise others when you have the same faults.
Be careful that you are not caught in the traps you set for others.
Someone who smiles to your face does not necessarily mean you well
Excessive greed will hurt you.
Take advantage of what you have before someone else takes it away from you
"After the dance, the drums are heavy". It's not all fun and good times when the party ends. Sometimes there's hard work.
No one wants to take responsibility for a mistake or bad situation
Make do with what is available to you.
Make sure the fashions of others suit you before you rush to adopt them.
A beautiful funeral is no guarantee of entry into heaven.
Contented people can afford to be choosy
It is easier to train children when they are young than when they are older
It is better to overeat than to waste great food.
There's always a better lover than your current one.
When the mighty fall on hard times, they are disrespected by all.
Small amounts will eventually add up
Attend to your own affairs before the affairs of others.
Two wrongs don't make a right.
Family comes first
Dealing with friends or strangers is often better than dealing with family
Some people will change direction or opinion to suit the moment
If you repeatedly take the same risks, eventually it will end in disaster
Don't criticise others when you have faults of your own.
Excessive ambition puts one in danger of missing their goals
Very close is not home yet. A miss by an inch is the same as a miss by a mile.
Good and evil often come from the same source.
The loudest and most obvious always gets blamed.
Every day is not Sunday. You can't rest all the time, sometimes you have to work.
To make an exchange for something equally bad or worse than the original
Danger lurks wherever there is too much merriment and excitement.
The young and inexperienced don't understand true troubles or hardships.
Those with a clear conscience can sleep well through the stormiest nights
Choose your words with care lest you draw unpleasant or unwanted attention to yourself.
One will never be judged fairly by one's enemies.
Don't go where you don't belong.
Not all useful knowledge comes from books or formal learning.
Don't make assumptions in uncertain situations.
If you overuse a thing you will break or lose it.
Excessive greed puts one in danger of losing everything.
Greed will hurt you
When the mighty fall on hard times, they are disrespected by all.
Be sure to properly complete the task at hand
Practice good behaviour at home before you go outside.
Things are not always what they seem. Not all that glitters is gold. Outward success often masks hidden struggles or stress.
Things are not always as they seem
Some people spend money on useless or necessary things.
Bad habits are hard to break
Time will right or avenge all wrongs
The person that gossips to you will gossip about you.
The more one shows off, the more one is vulnerable to ridicule and criticism.
The final straw breaks the camel's back - Doing something once too many can cause disaster.
Be certain of what you have heard before you choose to repeat it
Success is more rewarding after hard work and struggle
When you become successful, look out for those that helped you during your hard times.
People take advantage of the goodnatured.
Age brings widsom
Age brings wisdom
People don't like to take criticism.
Bullies know exactly who they can abuse.
Work hard and you will eat well and enjoy the fruits of life
Every thing has its use.
Every thing has its use.
There's someone for everyone.
A hungry person cannot work
You can't rest every day, sometimes you have to work
Good people should not be discouraged by the successes of unscrupulous people
Everyone has their limits
Every little bit adds up
Every story has two sides.
Every person will have to take responsibility for his own life and actions.
Some people try to keep up with the fashions of others even if they have to deprive themselves of basic necessities.
Taking care of a woman only for a next man to enjoy her.
People never point out their own faults.
People are oblivious to their own faults and flaws
Fools worry about everything
Adult behaviours begin in childhood
It is easy to catch up to someone who is avoiding or running away from you when that person depends on you for something essential.
Don't blame the first one deceived.
He who laughs last, laughs best
Some people are happily oblivious to the trouble or dangers hanging over them.
Help someone once and they'll always want more
Children turn out like their parents.
True friends are better than money
Good things rarely happen at the same time
Disobedient children often learn the hard way
Someone who has advanced in life and now looks down on others
As you give, so shall you receive.
Keep your goals within your abilities and means
Experience teaches wisdom
Bullies know exactly who they can abuse.
Take advantage of the first opportunity.
It never costs anything to be polite.
Humility is more rewarding that arrogance
Necessity or hard times forces people to do strange things
People are forced to become innovative and resourceful under harsh conditions
You are judged by the company you keep.
Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut. Silence is golden.
Your destiny will be fulfilled
People resent when you criticise others that are similar to them
Make the best of a bad situation, and be content with what you have.
Master the basics before you attempt more difficult activities
Master the basics before you attempt more difficult activities
One must be willing to put up with unpleasant things in order to be successful
People reveal their true colours when faced with pressure or hard times.
Look before you leap
People abuse you or take advantage of you unless you put yourself in a position for them to do so.
Don't be too eager to follow others
Success requires hard work
If you want a job done right, do it yourself
People who have nothing to do, or are bored do stupid things to kill time
Life is filled with ups and downs
Life isn't fair.
Parents think their children are saints, different from other children
A leaky house can fool the sun, but it can't fool the rain.
You'll never get beat up for saying something nice or polite
Health is the greatest wealth.
There's no smoke without fire. Rumours always have a grain of truth.
The thing that makes you happy may also hurt you
Fewer people, fewer problems.
Children invariably adopt all the bad attributes of their parents.
"A monkey never thinks her baby's ugly." People never see their own faults
People who dislike you will give you difficult or impossible tasks
Don't underestimate people
Someone who appears weak or vulnerable may have powerful allies.
It is better to verify than to assume
Many hands lighten the load.
It only takes a little effort or few words to start a lot of trouble.
People never recognise their own faults
Your actions and misdeeds will eventually have consequences.
In times of famine and hardships potatoes have no skin.
Don't lose what you have because of greed for more.
Mind your own business.
Don't expect children to be better than, or different from, their parents.
Don't provoke people while they are in a position to retaliate.
Don't be too quick to discard or reject things because you may need them in the future
There is more than one way to accomplish a goal
People's true colours will always come to the surface
Don't laugh at the misfortunes of others
The successful are criticised
You can't succeed if you don't try.
Plan for tomorrow; Don't consume everything all at once.
It's easier to rekindle a romantic relationship than to start a new one with someone new.
Sometimes it is necessary to cooperate in order to achieve a goal
Simple or minor annoyances may build up to cause major damage
Little by little the task will be completed
One piece of good luck doesn't do much to change a bad state of affairs
People look out for themselves before others
Take care of your own affairs before you attend to the affairs of others.
A proud person hides his weaknesses when praised.
Outward beauty isn't the most important thing
People attack you for your successes
Harsh advice may be good for you
The excessively pickny end up making poor choices
Make do with what is available to you
Feign ignorance to one's advantage
One person's fun and games may have serious consequences for another.
Familiarity breeds contempt
Worrying does not improve a bad situation.
Worrying doesn't solve problems
Worrying does not improve a bad situation.
You need the right tools for each job
Only contented people can afford to be choosy.
The poor or disadvantaged are easily satisfied
Income is coming in, but not enough to meet all needs
Talking too much gets one in trouble
"Hate the dog, but admit its teeth are white". Give the devil his due; even those you dislike may have good qualities.
Sheltered persons don't know true hardship or troubles.
What happens to the turkey can happen to the rooster too.
Talking too much gets one in trouble
Lazy people wait for rewards instead of working for them
The thing you do to others can be done to you.
Salt doesn't brag that it is salty.
If you don't care about your own problems, don't expect anyone else to care
If everybody makes the same accusation then there must be some truth in it.
No good deed goes unpunished.
Common sense is better than formal education or learning.
God laughs at poetic justice
Unscrupulous people begrudge the successes of other unscrupulous people
Laughter is the best medicine
Those who prosper by illegal or crooked means dislike those who are more successful than themselves via the same means
Problems often arrive without warning
There can be too much of a good thing
People of limited means can improve themselves by working together and combining resources
Success requires hard work
Excessive greed puts one in danger of losing everything.
Train children properly before it's too late
The dead are soon forgotten.
When you try to hurt another be sure you aren't hurting yourself.
That which does not destroy you makes you stronger
That which causes merriment and pleasure now will cause grief and sorrow later.
The race is not for the swift, slow and steady wins
One is not welcome where one is not invited
Misfortune or harsh time creates unlikely companionships
One rough time does not mean all hope is lost
Don't invite trouble.
All will be revealed when the time is right.
Use the appropriate encouragement for each person
People who have nothing to do, or are bored do stupid things to kill time
Some people love to complain, and will complain about every and anything
If you continually flirt with danger you will eventually get hurt.
People squeeze themselves into tight situations in order to escape trouble.
Use the resources available to you.
Some people will never show gratitude.
Children who are helpful and willing are better rewarded
Choose your goals or battles carefully
The young and inexperienced don't understand true troubles or hardships.
Your reward or punishment is in line with your actions
You shouldn't criticise those on whom you depend.
Don't expect success if you set someone a task that is beyond their ability
Don't envy the success of others when you don't know what it cost.
Appearances can be deceiving
Debt always comes between friends and family
Unless you're close to someone you don't know the true nature of their problems
The goat's business is not the sheep's business. Focus on your own affairs instead of the affairs of others.
You can achieve success regardless of your origin or background.
People with too much money spend it on unnecessary things.
Nobody is getting any.