The Caribbean Dictionary

Haiti proverbs and sayings

Byen prè pa lakay.
__

Very close is not home yet. A miss by an inch is the same as a miss by a mile.

Lafimen pa janm leve san dife.
__

There's no smoke without fire. Rumours always have a grain of truth.

Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton.
__

The goat's business is not the sheep's business. Focus on your own affairs instead of the affairs of others.

Nan tan grangou patat pa gen po.
__

In times of famine and hardships potatoes have no skin.

Makak pa janm kwe petit-li led.
__

"A monkey never thinks her baby's ugly." People never see their own faults

Sel pa vante tèt li di li sale.
__

Salt doesn't brag that it is salty.

Sa k rive koukouloulou a, ka rive kakalanga tou.
__

What happens to the turkey can happen to the rooster too.

Kay koule twompe soley soley men li pa twompe lapil.
__

A leaky house can fool the sun, but it can't fool the rain.

Men anpil chay pa lou.
__

Many hands lighten the load.

Rayi chyen di dan’l blan.
__

"Hate the dog, but admit its teeth are white". Give the devil his due; even those you dislike may have good qualities.

Bel anteman pa di paradi.
__

A beautiful funeral is no guarantee of entry into heaven.

Apre dans tanbou lou.
__

"After the dance, the drums are heavy". It's not all fun and good times when the party ends. Sometimes there's hard work.

Chak jou pa dimanch
__

Every day is not Sunday. You can't rest all the time, sometimes you have to work.