caribbean proverbs and sayings
A crab never forget he hole
There's no place like home.
proverb
1 comments
A eyeful en a bellyful
Seeing is different from having.
proverb
1 comments
A faas mek anansi de a house top
It is dangerous to meddle in the affairs of others.
proverb
A lia is fugetful
A dishonest person can't remember to keep his story straight.
proverb
a no want a fat mek nightingale foot tan so
Do not prejudge based on appearances
proverb
A no wantin tongue mek cattle can't talk
it's sometimes wisest to keep one's mouth shut.
proverb
A nu same day leaf drop it rotten
One bit of misfortune does not mean total destruction
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A word betta dan a wink fo a bline horse
Use the right motivation for each person
proverb
All cassava get same skin but all nah taste same way
People may look alike, but all act differently
proverb
all crab fine dey hole
Everyone finds their place in life.
proverb
All fish does bite but shark does get di blame.
Those with a history of bad behaviour are always the first ones accused
proverb
1 comments
All mout nu set fi tell di same lie.
If everyone says the same thing, there may be truth behind it.
proverb
1 comments
Alligator lay egg, but him nu fowl
Things are not always as they seem.
proverb
Alligator shouldn't call hog long mout.
You shouldn't belittle or criticise others when you have the same faults.
proverb
2 comments
ananci rope tie ananci
When you set traps for others you may trap yourself. The spider's web catches the spider.
proverb
Anansi rope tie him maasa
Be careful that you are not caught in the traps you set for others.
proverb
Annu every kin teet a laugh
Someone who smiles to your face does not necessarily mean you well
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1 comments
Ants follow fat, fat drown im
Excessive greed will hurt you.
proverb
Anyting stay too long serve two masta
Take advantage of what you have before someone else takes it away from you
proverb
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.
proverb
backing ah jackass in ah horse race
Picking a losing side
proverb
Bad luck wus dan obeah
Misfortune is worse than witchcraft
proverb
Bad ting neva got owner
No one wants to take responsibility for a mistake or bad situation
proverb
1 comments
Before dawg go widout suppa, im nyam cockroach
Make do with what is available to you.
proverb
1 comments
Before monkey buy trousers, him affi know whe fi put him tail
Make sure the fashions of others suit you before you rush to adopt them.
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1 comments
behin dog is dog, in front dog is mister dog
To gossip behind someone's back but be friendly to their face
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1 comments
Bel anteman pa di paradi.
A beautiful funeral is no guarantee of entry into heaven.
proverb
Belly full, pitata ave kin
Contented people can afford to be choosy
proverb
Ben di tree when it young, when it ole it wi bruk
It is easier to train children when they are young than when they are older
proverb
Betta belly buss dan good food waste
It is better to overeat than to waste great food.
proverb
Better fish in di sea dan wha get ketch
There's always a better lover than your current one.
proverb
big blanket mek man sleep late
Luxury and comfort make people lazy, complacent, and take things for granted
proverb
Big tree fall down, goat bite he leaf
When the mighty fall on hard times, they are disrespected by all.
proverb
Bit bit mek poun
Small amounts will eventually add up
proverb
Black bud say fi im pickny fus
Attend to your own affairs before the affairs of others.
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Blood can't wash out wit blood
Two wrongs don't make a right.
proverb
Blood falla vein
Family comes first
proverb
Blood ticka dan water, but water taste better
Dealing with friends or strangers is often better than dealing with family
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2 comments
bowl go, packy come
One good turn deserves another
proverb
Breeze blow pelikin same place him waa go
Some people will change direction or opinion to suit the moment
proverb
Bucket go well every day, one day di bottom ago drop out
If you repeatedly take the same risks, eventually it will end in disaster
proverb
Bucket wid hole a battam nu have no business a riverside
Don't criticise others when you have faults of your own.
proverb
3 comments
Bud fly too faas, pass him nes
Excessive ambition puts one in danger of missing their goals
proverb
Byen prè pa lakay.
Very close is not home yet. A miss by an inch is the same as a miss by a mile.
proverb
Cat a ketch rat, but he a teef he massa fish.
Good and evil often come from the same source.
proverb
Cause parrot mek noise, dem say a him one nyam banana
The loudest and most obvious always gets blamed.
proverb
Chak jou pa dimanch
Every day is not Sunday. You can't rest all the time, sometimes you have to work.
proverb
Changie black dog fuh monkey
To make an exchange for something equally bad or worse than the original
proverb
Chicken merry, hawk de near.
Danger lurks wherever there is too much merriment and excitement.
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3 comments
Chile whe de on mudda back nu know how road long
The young and inexperienced don't understand true troubles or hardships.
proverb
Clear conscience sleep a tunda
Those with a clear conscience can sleep well through the stormiest nights
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Cock mout kill cock
Choose your words with care lest you draw unpleasant or unwanted attention to yourself.
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Cockroach neva right before chicken
One will never be judged fairly by one's enemies.
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2 comments
Cockroach nu go da fowl dance
Don't go where you don't belong.
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Common sense make before book sense.
Not all useful knowledge comes from books or formal learning.
proverb
7 comments
counting egg in fowl bottom
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
proverb
cowad man kip soun bone
It is better to be considered a coward that to take foolish risks.
proverb
Crab say im nu trus nu shadow afta dark
Don't make assumptions in uncertain situations.
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Crab walk too much lose him claw
If you overuse a thing you will break or lose it.
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Crave all, get none at all
Excessive greed puts one in danger of losing everything.
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Craven choke puppy
Greed will hurt you
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Crow does fly high, but when e come down, de ants does still eat out e eye
When the mighty fall on hard times, they are disrespected by all.
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cry cry pickny neva have him right
People don't pay attention to those who constantly complain.
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Cyaa bury a man an lef out him foot
Be sure to properly complete the task at hand
proverb
Dance a yard before yu dance abroad
Practice good behaviour at home before you go outside.
proverb
1 comments
Dawg a sweat an long hair hide it
Things are not always what they seem. Not all that glitters is gold. Outward success often masks hidden struggles or stress.
proverb
Dawg a sweat and long hair hide it
Things are not always as they seem
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Dawg say 'if im ave money', im woulda buy flea
Some people spend money on useless or necessary things.
proverb
Dawg whe eat egg neva stop
Bad habits are hard to break
proverb
Day longa dan rope
Time will right or avenge all wrongs
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De dog dat bring a bone will caah one
The person that gossips to you will gossip about you.
proverb
De higher de monkey climb de more he show he tail
The more one shows off, the more one is vulnerable to ridicule and criticism.
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1 comments
De las' calf kill di cow
The final straw breaks the camel's back - Doing something once too many can cause disaster.
proverb
Def ears gi liad trouble
Be certain of what you have heard before you choose to repeat it
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di higher monkey climb di more him expose
The more one shows off the more one is vulnerable to ridicule and criticism.
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1 comments
Di hotta di battle, di sweeta di victory
Success is more rewarding after hard work and struggle
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Di house whe shelta yu when a rain, look fi it when sun hot
When you become successful, look out for those that helped you during your hard times.
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Di man mek outa honey, fly wi nyam him
People take advantage of the goodnatured.
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di more yu look di less yu si
The more you learn the more you realise you don't know
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di more yu stir shit di more it stink
The more you dig in a bad situation the worse it becomes
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Di ola di moon di brighta di shine
Age brings widsom
proverb
Di olda di moon di brighta it shine
Age brings wisdom
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dog nu howl if him ha bone
Contented people don't protest things that don't concern them.
proverb
Donkey got long ear but he don' like to hear he own story
People don't like to take criticism.
proverb
duck nu lay egg before fowl
You can achieve success regardless of your origin or background.
proverb
2 comments
Duppy know who fi frighten
Bullies know exactly who they can abuse.
proverb
Dutty han mek greasy mout
Work hard and you will eat well and enjoy the fruits of life
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Dutty water cool hot iron
Every thing has its use.
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4 comments
Dutty water will out fyah
Every thing has its use.
proverb
2 comments
Ebery pat gat a kibber
There's someone for everyone.
proverb
Empty bag cyaa stan up
A hungry person cannot work
proverb
Every day da nu Sundeh
You can't rest every day, sometimes you have to work
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1 comments
Every day devil help teef. One day god wi help watchman
Good people should not be discouraged by the successes of unscrupulous people
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Every day yu goad donkey, one day him gwine kick yu
Everyone has their limits
proverb
2 comments
Every mickle mek a muckle
Every little bit adds up
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1 comments
Every rope gat two ends.
Every story has two sides.
proverb
Every tub affi sit on it own bottom.
Every person will have to take responsibility for his own life and actions.
proverb
Falla fashion monkey caahn buy good soup
Some people try to keep up with the fashions of others even if they have to deprive themselves of basic necessities.
proverb
1 comments
Fattening frog for snake
Taking care of a woman only for a next man to enjoy her.
proverb
6 comments
Finger neba say look ya, him say look yonda.
People never point out their own faults.
proverb
Fisherman never smell he own basket
People are oblivious to their own faults and flaws
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Fool fool daag bark afta moonlight
Fools worry about everything
proverb
Fowl gwine fat im begin fram him toe
Adult behaviours begin in childhood
proverb
Fowl whe feed a yard nu hard fi ketch
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.
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Fus food da nu fool
Don't blame the first one deceived.
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Fus laaf anno laaf
He who laughs last, laughs best
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3 comments
Fyah de a mus mus tail, him tink a cool breeze
Some people are happily oblivious to the trouble or dangers hanging over them.
proverb
Gi a man a haas him want saggle to
Help someone once and they'll always want more
proverb
1 comments
Goat doh make sheep
Children turn out like their parents.
proverb
5 comments
Good friend betta dan pocket money
True friends are better than money
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Good soup neva meet good fufu
Good things rarely happen at the same time
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Haad ears pickny nyam rockstone
Disobedient children often learn the hard way
proverb
Han napkin tun tablecloth
Someone who has advanced in life and now looks down on others
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Hand go, hand come.
As you give, so shall you receive.
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Hang yu basket whe yu can reach it
Keep your goals within your abilities and means
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1 comments
Hog ask he mumma "whe mek yu mout so long?". He mumma say "nu worry chile, you soon fine out"
Experience teaches wisdom
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1 comments
Hog know where to rub he skin
Bullies know exactly who they can abuse.
proverb
hog nyam wha him myne gi him fa
To each their own.
proverb
Hog say the fus water im ketch im walla
Take advantage of the first opportunity.
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Howdy an tenk yu nu bruk no square
It never costs anything to be polite.
proverb
Humble calf suck di most milk
Humility is more rewarding that arrogance
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hungry hungry an full full nu travel same pass
The rich and the poor live different lives and go different ways
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Hungry mek cat eat salt
Necessity or hard times forces people to do strange things
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Hungry mek monkey blow fire
People are forced to become innovative and resourceful under harsh conditions
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If blackbird fly wid pigeon he will get shoot
You are judged by the company you keep.
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If speech wort shillin, silence worth pound
Sometimes it is better to keep your mouth shut. Silence is golden.
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If you bawn fi heng, yu cyaa drown
Your destiny will be fulfilled
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If yu cuss Johncrow peel head turky wi bex
People resent when you criticise others that are similar to them
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If yu cyaa get turkey, satisfy wid John Crow.
Make the best of a bad situation, and be content with what you have.
proverb
1 comments
If yu cyaa walk faas, tek time run
Master the basics before you attempt more difficult activities
proverb
If yu fraid a yeye yu cyaa nyam head
One must be willing to put up with unpleasant things in order to be successful
proverb
if yu get yu han in devil mout tek time tek it out
Be careful and cautious when you get into difficulty
proverb
If yu mash ants yu fine im guts
People reveal their true colours when faced with pressure or hard times.
proverb
If yu nu check di watah, nu tek off yu shoe
Look before you leap
proverb
If yu nu go unda fowl coob, fowl cyaa shit pan yu
People abuse you or take advantage of you unless you put yourself in a position for them to do so.
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2 comments
If yu see everybody a run tek time
Don't be too eager to follow others
proverb
If yu waa good, yu nose affi run
Success requires hard work
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If yu want half a bread beg it, if yu want one, buy it yuself
If you want a job done right, do it yourself
proverb
Igle jackass follow cane trash go a poun
People who have nothing to do, or are bored do stupid things to kill time
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Jackass say 'hill an gully yasso', 'hill and gully desso'
Life is filled with ups and downs
proverb
1 comments
Jackass seh di worl nu level
Life isn't fair.
proverb
john crow neva mek house til rain come
Some people never make plans until the last minute when they have no choice.
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John Crow tink he pickny white
Parents think their children are saints, different from other children
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Kay koule twompe soley soley men li pa twompe lapil.
A leaky house can fool the sun, but it can't fool the rain.
proverb
1 comments
Kine word neva bruk jawbone
You'll never get beat up for saying something nice or polite
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1 comments
La salud es la mayor riqueza
Health is the greatest wealth.
proverb
2 comments
Lafimen pa janm leve san dife.
There's no smoke without fire. Rumours always have a grain of truth.
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Laugh an cry does live in di same house
The thing that makes you happy may also hurt you
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2 comments
Lessa fowl, lessa shit
Fewer people, fewer problems.
proverb
2 comments
Likkle alligator tun big alligator
Children invariably adopt all the bad attributes of their parents.
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long run, short ketch
You may escape for now, but you will eventually get caught
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Makak pa janm kwe petit-li led.
"A monkey never thinks her baby's ugly." People never see their own faults
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Man hate yu, he gi yu basket fi carry wata
People who dislike you will give you difficult or impossible tasks
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Man nu dead, nu call dem duppy
Don't underestimate people
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Mawga cow a bull mumma
Someone who appears weak or vulnerable may have powerful allies.
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mek one jackass bray
If someone is saying nonsense don't add to it.
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Mek sure betta dan cock sure
It is better to verify than to assume
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Men anpil chay pa lou.
Many hands lighten the load.
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mischief come by di poun an go by di ounce
People can stir up a lot of trouble with very little action or very few words
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Mischief come by di poun and go by di ounce
It only takes a little effort or few words to start a lot of trouble.
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Monkey doh si he own tail
People never recognise their own faults
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Moon run faas but day ketch im
Your actions and misdeeds will eventually have consequences.
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Nan tan grangou patat pa gen po.
In times of famine and hardships potatoes have no skin.
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nanny goat neva scratch him back til him si wall
Always wait for the perfect time and opportunity
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Neva drap di bone fi ketch di shadow
Don't lose what you have because of greed for more.
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new broom sweep clean, ole broom know corna
The young have energy and enthusiasm but the old have experience and wisdom
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no matta how cockroach drunk him nah walk paas fowl yard
Always look out for yourself no matter what
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No stop a donkey whe yu no own
Mind your own business.
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1 comments
Nu betta herrin, nu betta barrel
Don't expect children to be better than, or different from, their parents.
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Nu cuss alligator long mout til yu cross di riva
Don't provoke people while they are in a position to retaliate.
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Nu dash whe stick before yu done cross riva
Don't be too quick to discard or reject things because you may need them in the future
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Nu jus one way fi heng dog
There is more than one way to accomplish a goal
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Nu matta how boar hog hide unda sheep wool, him grunt betray him
People's true colours will always come to the surface
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nu mek one donkey choke yu
Don't be misled by a fool
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nu stone fluxy mango
Don't spend effort on useless things
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Nu tek ugly mek laugh
Don't laugh at the misfortunes of others
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1 comments
nu wait til drum beat before yu grine yu axe
Always be prepared
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Nubady neva kick dead dawg
The successful are criticised
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Nutt'n beat a trial but a failure.
You can't succeed if you don't try.
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Nyam some, lef some
Plan for tomorrow; Don't consume everything all at once.
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Ole fyah stick easy fi ketch
It's easier to rekindle a romantic relationship than to start a new one with someone new.
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One finga cyaa ketch lice
Sometimes it is necessary to cooperate in order to achieve a goal
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2 comments
one finga cyaa kill louse
Sometimes it is necessary to cooperate in order to achieve a goal
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One one blow does kill ole cow
Simple or minor annoyances may build up to cause major damage
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One one coco full basket
Little by little the task will be completed
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One plate a dinner nu fatten maaga dog
One piece of good luck doesn't do much to change a bad state of affairs
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Parson christ'n him pickny fus
People look out for themselves before others
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Pastor christen him pickny first
Take care of your own affairs before you attend to the affairs of others.
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Peacock hide him foot when him hear 'bout him tail.
A proud person hides his weaknesses when praised.
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1 comments
Peel neck fowl bawl fi life, im nu bawl fi fedda
Outward beauty isn't the most important thing
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People nuh stone mango tree when it naw bear.
People attack you for your successes
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Pepper bun hot but it good fi curry
Harsh advice may be good for you
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Pick an pick until yu pick shit
The excessively picky end up making poor choices
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4 comments
Plantain nu eat like rice
Make do with what is available to you
proverb
Play fool fi ketch wise
Feign ignorance to one's advantage
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Play stone kill bud
One person's fun and games may have serious consequences for another.
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Play wid puppy he lick yu mout
Familiarity breeds contempt
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Poun a fret cyaa pay ounce a debt
Worrying does not improve a bad situation.
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1 comments
Poun o fretment nu pay fo gill o debtment
Worrying does not improve a bad situation.
proverb
1 comments
Pudd'n cyaa bake widout fyah
You need the right tools for each job
proverb
Puss belly full him say rat batty stink
Only contented people can afford to be choosy.
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Quattie bread full monkey belly
The poor or disadvantaged are easily satisfied
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Rain a fall but dutty tough
Income is coming in, but not enough to meet all needs
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rain neva fall a one man door
Some things affect everybody
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Rat mout does sell he head
Talking too much gets one in trouble
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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.
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Rockstone a riva bottom nu know sun hot
Sheltered persons don't know true hardship or troubles.
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Sa k rive koukouloulou a, ka rive kakalanga tou.
What happens to the turkey can happen to the rooster too.
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Sake a mout fish get ketch
Talking too much gets one in trouble
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Saltfish de pan counta a wait pan bread an butta
Lazy people wait for rewards instead of working for them
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Same knife kill sheep kill goat
The thing you do to others can be done to you.
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Sel pa vante tèt li di li sale.
Salt doesn't brag that it is salty.
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shoes alone know if stocking have hole
Only those closest to a situation fully understand it.
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Sick nu care, doctor worst
If you don't care about your own problems, don't expect anyone else to care
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2 comments
sleep nu ha no massa
Sooner or later you have to sleep
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So much mout cyaa set fi tell di same lie
If everybody makes the same accusation then there must be some truth in it.
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Sorry fi mawga daag dem tun roun bite you.
No good deed goes unpunished.
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1 comments
stranger nu know di deep wata
Be careful with things you don't fully understand
proverb
Studyation betta dan education
Common sense is better than formal education or learning.
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'Tank yu' nu buy half bit bread
Payment is more useful than expressions of gratitude
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Teef neva love fi si teef wid long bag
Unscrupulous people begrudge the successes of other unscrupulous people
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Teef Teef from feef, God laugh
God laughs at poetic justice
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Tek kin teet kibba heart bun
Laughter is the best medicine
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Thief neva like fi see thief with long bag
Those who prosper by illegal or crooked means dislike those who are more successful than themselves via the same means
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Trouble nu set like rain
Problems often arrive without warning
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tu much ratta neva dig good hole
If too many people are involved in a thing it will not be done well
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tu much siddung bruk breeches
Idleness creates wants
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Tumuch callaloo mek peppa pot bitta
There can be too much of a good thing
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Two poor cow does make good dung
People of limited means can improve themselves by working together and combining resources
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Victory nu come fram lie dung inna bead
Success requires hard work
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Want all, lose all.
Excessive greed puts one in danger of losing everything.
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We don't play hockey, we eat ackee
A funny bit of wordplay by deejay Shabba Ranks that depends on the overlapping pronunciations of 'ackee' (the food) and 'hockey' (the game). This pronunciation overlap is made stronger (and funnier) with the additional context that some Jamaicans have a tendency to add an intrusive 'h' at the start of words beginning with vowels and some Jamaicans have a tendency to drop the leading 'h' in words.
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2 comments
Wen da tree ben yu cyaa straighten it
Train children properly before it's too late
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Wen man dead grass grow da i door mout
The dead are soon forgotten.
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Wen yu gwine knock anansi memba di wall
When you try to hurt another be sure you aren't hurting yourself.
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Wha nu kill fatten
That which does not destroy you makes you stronger
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Wha sweeten yu mouth goin bitter yu tail.
That which causes merriment and pleasure now will cause grief and sorrow later.
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What is joke to bwoy is death to frog.
One person's fun and games may have serious consequences for another.
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whe goat do, kid falla
Children invariably adopt all the bad attributes of their parents.
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Whe horse reach, jackass does reach an pass
The race is not for the swift, slow and steady wins
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1 comments
when ashes cold dog sleep de
Circumstances change.
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When bone nu provide, dog nu de
One is not welcome where one is not invited
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When bull foot bruk, im nyam wid monkey
Misfortune or harsh time creates unlikely companionships
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When cloud shado come, sun nu set
One rough time does not mean all hope is lost
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When cockroach mek dance e no invite fowl
Don't invite trouble.
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When coco ripe it mus bus
All will be revealed when the time is right.
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when eskimo have money him buy fridge
People with too much money spend it on unnecessary things.
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1 comments
When jackass smell corn him gallop
Use the appropriate encouragement for each person
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2 comments
when man dead him nu fraid fi rotten
No need to fear things that cannot harm you.
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When man no gat nutt'n fu do he go da sabana an tell cow maanin
People who have nothing to do, or are bored do stupid things to kill time
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When pickny waa cry, yuh only look pan dem an dem cry
Some people love to complain, and will complain about every and anything
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When rat like ramp roun puss jaw, one day him gwine en up in puss craw
If you continually flirt with danger you will eventually get hurt.
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When trouble ketch yu, pickny shut fit you
People squeeze themselves into tight situations in order to escape trouble.
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When yuh en got horse, ride cow.
Use the resources available to you.
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1 comments
White mout fowl does eat and den wipe he mout in grass
Some people will never show gratitude.
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who beg nah get and who nu beg nu want
Nobody is getting any.
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1 comments
willful waste bring woeful want
You will often find yourself needing the things you wasted
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Willin pickny belly full, unwillin pickny belly empty
Children who are helpful and willing are better rewarded
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Wise monkey know wha tree fi climb
Choose your goals or battles carefully
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1 comments
Young bud nu know storm
The young and inexperienced don't understand true troubles or hardships.
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Yu can' plant yam and reap eddoe
Your reward or punishment is in line with your actions
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Yu cyaa ride cow an cuss cow kin
You shouldn't criticise those on whom you depend.
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Yu neva si pop gun kill alligator
Don't expect success if you set someone a task that is beyond their ability
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Yu nu know how parson get him gown.
Don't envy the success of others when you don't know what it cost.
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Yu shake man han, yu nu shake him heart
Appearances can be deceiving
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yu spread yu bed haad, yu affi liddung pan it hard
You have to live with the consequences of your actions
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Yuh borrow money, i mek enemy
Debt always comes between friends and family
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Yuh caan stan in de road an sih de leak in somebody else house
Unless you're close to someone you don't know the true nature of their problems
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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.
proverb
1 comments