A di gàárì sílè[ch61481] ewúré[ch61481] [ch324] y[ch7885]jú; [ch7865]rù ìran rè[ch61481] ni?
We prepare the saddle, and the goat presents itself; is it a burden for the lineage of goats?
(Goats that know their place do not offer their backs to be saddled.)
This is a variant of A gbé gàárì [ch7885]m[ch7885] ewúré[ch61481] [ch324] rojú . . .
http://libtextcenter.unl.edu/yoruba/index.html (http://libtextcenter.unl.edu/yoruba/index.html)
A fi ó[ch61470] j[ch7885]ba ò [ch324] [ch7779]àwúre o fé[ch803] j[ch7865] [ch7884]ló[ch61470]run ni?
You have been crowned a king, and yet you make good-luck charms; do you want to be crowned [ch7884]ló[ch61470]run?
(Being crowned a king is about the best fortune a mortal could hope for.)
A fijó gba Awà; a fìjà gba Awà; bí a ò bá jó, bí a ò bá jà, bí a bá ti gba Awà, kò tán bí?
By dancing we take possession of Awà; through fighting we take possession of Awà; if we neither dance nor fight, but take possession of Awà anyway, is the result not the same?
(Why make a huge production of a matter that is easily taken care of?)
A gbé gàárì [ch7885]m[ch7885] ewúré[ch61481] [ch324] rojú; kì í [ch7779]e [ch7865]rù àgùntàn.
We lift a saddle and the goat (kin) scowls; it is no burden for a sheep.
(The goat has no cause to scowl, because no one will condescend to ride it anyway.)
This is a variant of A di gàárì sílè[ch803] . .
A kì í bá [ch7885]ba pààlà kí [ch7885]kó[ch61470] [ch7885]ba má [ch7779]àn-án 'ni lé[ch61481]sè[ch61481].
One does not share a farm boundary with a king without getting one's feet gashed by the king's hoe.
(One should be cautious in dealing with people in authority.)
A kì í bínú ààtàn ká dalè[ch61481] sígbè[ch61481][ch803]é.
One does not get angry with the trash heap to the point that one discards one's trash into the woods.
(One should not act in unreasonable and harmful ways because of anger.)
A kì í bínú orí ká fi fìlà dé ìbàdí.
One does not get angry with one's head and therefore use one's cap to cover one's buttocks.
(Do not cut your nose to spite your face.)
A kì í bè[ch61481]rù ikú bè[ch61481]rù àrùn ká ní kí [ch7885]m[ch7885] ó kú sin 'ni.
One does not so fear death and disease that one asks that one's child die before one.
(One should not be more concerned with saving oneself than with saving one's dependents.)
A kì í b[ch7885] òrì[ch7779]à lójú ò[ch61481]fó[ch61481]n-ò[ch61481]n; bó bá dalé[ch61481] á máa tú p[ch7865]p[ch7865].
One does not sacrifice to an òrì[ch7779]à in the presence of a house rat; otherwise, when night falls it invades the rafter shelves.
(Do not do things that might constitute temptation to others.)
A kì í dàgbà má làáyà; ibi ayé bá báni là [ch324] j[ch7865] é[ch61481].
One does not become an adult and yet lack courage; one lives life as it finds one.
(One should do what is fitting for one's station in life.)
A kì í dá [ch7885]wó[ch61481] lé ohun tí a ò lè gbé.
One does not lay one's hands on a load one cannot lift.
(One should not overreach.)
A kì í dájó[ch61481] orò ká yè[ch61481] é[ch61481].
One does not set the day for an orò rite and then ignore it.
(One must not let important matters slide.)
A kì í dáké[ch61481] ká [ch7779]ìwí; a kì í wò sùn-ùn ká dáràn.
One does not keep quiet and yet misspeak; one does not silently contemplate the world and yet get into trouble.
(A careful and cautious person seldom gets into trouble.)
A kì í dé Màró[ch61481]kó[ch61481]* sin [ch7865]lé[ch61481]jó[ch61481].
One does not arrive at Màró[ch61481]kó[ch61481] ahead of the litigant.
(One should not take charge of other people's business.)
*Màró[ch61481]kó[ch61481] is a place name and the site of a court.
A kì í fi gbèsè só[ch61481]rùn [ch7779]ò[ch61481][ch7779]ó[ch61481].
One does not carry debt around one's neck as a medallion.
(One should not buy extravagant things that will only lead to debt just to show off.)
A kì í fi ìka ro etí, ká fi ro imú, ká wá tún fi ta ehín.
One does not use one's finger to clean one's ear passages, use it to pick one's nose, and then use it to pick one's teeth.
(One should always behave with decorum.)
A kì í fini joyè àwòdì ká má lè gbádì[ch7865].
One cannot be given the title "eagle" and yet be incapable of snatching chickens.
(One should be able to live up to expectations.)
A kì í fi orí wé oríi Mokú[ch7779]iré*; bí Mokú kú láàárò[ch61481] a jí lálé[ch61481].
One does not liken one's fortune to Mokú[ch7779]iré's; if Mokú dies in the morning. he resurrects at night.
(Never emulate people who know tricks you don't.)
*The name Mokú[ch7779]iré translates to "I play at dying."
A kì í fi pàtàkì bé[ch61481] èlùbó[ch61481]; [ch7865]ni bá ní[ch7779]u ló [ch324] bé[ch61481] [ch7865].
One does not come by yam-flour because of one's importance; only people who have yams can make yam flour.
(One cannot eat one's importance.)
A kì í gbé sàráà k[ch7885]já-a mo[ch769][ch803][ch7779]álá[ch7779]í.
One does not carry alms beyond the mosque.
(Excess brings disgrace.)
A kì í gbó[ch61481] "Lù ú" lé[ch61481]nu àgbà.
One never hears "Beat him/her up" in the mouth of an elder.
(Elders resolve disputes; they do not goad disputants on.)
A kì í gbó[ch61481]n ju [ch7865]ni tí a máa dÍfá fún.
One cannot be wiser than the person for whom one will consult the Ifá oracle.
(It is better to listen to the supplicant rather than put words in his/her mouth.)
Compare the two that follow.
A kì í gbó[ch61481]n tó "Èmi-lóní-i."
One cannot be as wise as "I-am-the-owner."
(One should not presume to know as much about something as the owner.)
Compare the preceding two entries.
A kì í gbó[ch61481]n tó [ch7865]ni tí [ch324] tan 'ni j[ch7865].
One is never as wise as the person deceiving one.
(The deceiver always has the advantage of the dupe.)
A kì í gbó[ch61481]n tó Báyìí-ni-N-ó-[ch7779]e-n[ch768]nkan-àn-mi.
One cannot be as wise as "This-is-how-I'll-do-with-my-own-thing."
(Never impose your preferences on other people in their own affairs.)
A kì í jayé [ch7885]ba k'á [ch7779]u sára.
One does not so luxuriate in one's majesty that one shits on oneself.
(Lack of moderation and decorum will bring disgrace to even the most elevated person.)
A kì í j[ch7865] oyè [ch7865]nu ò[ch61481]nà kalé[ch61481].
One does not bear the title of gatekeeper even until night time.
(As one advances in age, so should one's responsibilities advance in gravity and importance.)
http://libtextcenter.unl.edu/yoruba/index.html (http://libtextcenter.unl.edu/yoruba/index.html)
A kì í kó èlé [ch7779][ch803]è[ch7779]ó[ch61481].
One does not live fashionably on borrowed money.
(Live within your means.)
A kì í kórira ò[ch61481]fó[ch61481]n-ò[ch61481]n ká finá b[ch7885] ahéré.
One does not so hate the bush rat that one sets one's farm hut alight.
(One should not destroy oneself simply to get at one's enemy.)
A kì í kó[ch61481] àgbàlagbà pé bó bá rún kó rún.
One does not teach an elder that what has been crushed should remain crushed.
(An elder should know when a matter should end.)
A kì í k[ch7885] [ch7865]lé[ch61481][ch7779]in ká tún l[ch7885] fé[ch61481] [ch7865]lé[ch61481]sè[ch61481].
One does not divorce a horse rider and go marry a pedestrian.
(One should ever progress, never regress.)
A kì í lé èkúté ilé [ch7865]ni ká f[ch7885]wó[ch61481] [ch7779]é[ch61481][ch803]
One does not chase the mouse in one's house and break one's hand.
(One should be safe from hazards in one's own home.)
A kì í mó[ch61481] egbò fúnra [ch7865]ni ká sunkún.
One does not treat one's own sore and yet cry from the pain.
(One should know one's own pain threshold.)
A kì í m[ch7885] ìyá Òjó ju Òjó l[ch7885].
One does not presume to know Òjó's mother better than Òjó himself does.
(Never claim to know a thing better than the people closest to it.)
Compare A kì í m[ch7885] ò[ch61481]nà [ch7885]gbà ju [ch7885]ló[ch61481]gbà l[ch7885] . . .
A kì í m[ch7885] ò[ch61481]nà [ch7885]gbà ju [ch7885]ló[ch61481]gbà l[ch7885]; [ch7865]ní múni wá là [ch324] tè[ch61481]lé.
One does not presume to know the way to or around a garden better than the owner of the garden; one always follows the person who brought one.
(Never presume to have a better knowledge of a matter than has the person most intimately involved.)
Compare A kì í m[ch7885] ìyá Òjó ju Òjó l[ch7885].
A kì í mò[ch61481]-ó[ch61481] rò bí [ch7865]lé[ch61481]jó[ch61481].
One never knows how to present it like the owner of the case.
(No one can know better than the person itself where it hurts most and what relief is needed.)
A kì í mú oko ló[ch61481]nà ká [ch7779]èmé[ch61481]lé[ch61481]; tajá t[ch7865]ran níí [ch324] búni.
One does not farm a plot by the road and neglect its care; every dog and goat would ridicule one.
(Never expose yourself to insult by behaving badly in public view.)
A kì í ní agbára kékeré [ch7779]e èkejì.
One does not offer to second a combatant in spite of one's negligible strength.
(Never attempt more than you have the power to accomplish.)
A kì í ní ò[ch61481]kánjúwà ká mò[ch61481]; ará ilé [ch7865]ni níí [ch324] s[ch7885] fún 'ni.
One does not know that one has covetousness; it is one's kin who so inform one.
(Often, only those close to one can recognize one's flaws and alert one to them.)
A kì í pe ìyàwó kó kan alárinà.
One does not summon the wife and then involve the go-between.
(People should mind their own business.)
A kì í peni lák[ch7885] [ch7865]ran ká [ch7779]orí bòró.
One does not enjoy the designation "He Goat" and yet sport a smooth (horn-less) head.
(A person should live up to his/her billing.)
A kì í pè[ch61481]lú ò[ch61481]b[ch7885] jáko.
One does not join a monkey in roaming the bush.
(Do not join others in their madness.)
A kì í [ch7779]íwájú [ch7865]lé[ch61481]è[ch61481]é[ch61481]dé[ch61481].
One does not conclude for the person who says "è[ch61481]é[ch61481]dé[ch61481]*.. . ."
(Never presume to know what someone else intends to say.)
*In Yorùbá numeration "è[ch61481]é[ch61481]dé[ch61481][ch803] . . ." indicates a certain amount (or figure) "less than ..."; "è[ch61481]é[ch61481]dógún," for instance, is fifteen (five less than twenty), while "è[ch61481]é[ch61481]dé[ch61481][ch803]gbè[ch61481]rin" is seven hundred (one hundred less than eight hundred.).
A kì í yàgò fún "Mo gun [ch7865][ch7779]in rí o!"
One does not get out of the way for "I used to ride a horse!"
(People should not expect to live on past glory.)
A kì í yàgò fún [ch7865]lé[ch61481][ch803][ch7779]in àná.
One does not get out of the way for a person who rode a horse yesterday.
(Past glory avails little in the present.)
A lé[ch7779]u sílè[ch61481] pá[ch324]dò[ch61481]rò[ch61481]-ó[ch61481][ch803] já lù ú; èlé mbénì?
We group yams in lots and the fruit of the saunited snakesge tree drops among them; does it count as complement to a lot, or as gratuity?
(The fruit might look somewhat like a yam, but it does not belong with yams.)
À [ch324] báni mú adì[ch7865] à [ch324] forúnkún bó; bó[ch61481]wó[ch61481] bá ba òkókó, a ò ní fún aládì[ch7865]?
One helps to catch a chicken and scrapes one's knees; having laid one's hands on the chick will one not hand it over to the owner?
(One should not be overzealous in helping others, especially when no benefit will accrue to one from the effort.)
À [ch324] bè[ch61481]rù alájá, ajá [ch7779]ebí òun là [ch324] bè[ch61481]rù.
One shows deference to the dog's owner, and the dog thinks the deference is to it.
(A person who has a powerful patron mistakenly believes that the respect he enjoys from others is due to his or her own qualities, whereas it is reflected from the patron.)
À [ch324] gé e ló[ch61481]wó[ch61481] ó [ch324] b[ch7885] òrùka.
His hand is being severed, yet he is slipping on a ring.
(The person has been judged undeserving of a hand; it is an affront, therefore, for him or her to adorn his or her fingers-an indication of heedlessness.)
A ní ká wá [ch7865]ni tó lé[ch61481]hìn ká f[ch7885]m[ch7885] fún, abúké ní òun rèé; ti gànnàkù è[ch61481]hìn-in rè[ch61481] là [ch324] wí?
One seeks a person with a prominent back as suitor for one's daughter, and the humpback presents himself; who spoke of protruding back?
(The expression that translates as "prominent back" is an idiom meaning a proud pedigree. The humpback makes a rather embarrassing mistake.)
A ní Tanlúkú ò mò[ch61481]-ó[ch61481][ch803] jó, Tà[ch768]nlukú wá gbè é lé[ch61481]sè[ch61481].
People say that Tanlúkú is a poor dancer, and Tanlùkù comes to his aid.
(A person who is as helpless as the person in trouble should not offer to rescue him/her.)
As the names suggest, the one is a virtual clone of the other; the aid the one offers will not make the other any better as a dancer.
À [ch324] já ìbà[ch324]té[ch61481] è[ch61481] lé[ch61481]hìn, ó [ch324] já tará iwájú.
His loincloth is being stripped from behind, yet he is stripping those of the people ahead of him.
(Attacks on him do not stop him from belaboring his enemies.)
À [ch324] sò[ch61481]rò[ch61481] olè, aboyún [ch324] dáhù[ch324]; odiidi èèyàn ló gbé pamó[ch61481].
We speak of stealing and a pregnant woman intervenes; she herself is concealing a whole person.
(Her condition makes her guilty of concealment.)
À [ch324] sunkún Awúgbó, Awúgbó ò sunkún ara-a è[ch61481].
We lament Awúgbó's plight; Awúgbó does not lament his own plight.
(The person the proverb is aimed at is too stupid to realize his/her sorry plight.)
À [ch324] wá [ch7865]ni tí a ó f[ch7885]m[ch7885] fún, olò[ch7779]ì [ch324] y[ch7885]jú.
We seek a person to give a child to (in marriage) and a worthless person presents himself.
(People should know their place and not over-rate themselves.)
This is a variant of A ní ká wá [ch7865]ni tó lé[ch61481]hìn ká f[ch7885]m[ch7885] fún . . .
À [ch324] wó[ch61481]nà àti fi a[ch7779]iwèrè sílè[ch61481], ó ní bí a bá dé òkè odò ká dúró de òun.
People are scheming to shake an imbecile from their company, and he asks that they wait for him on reaching the bank of the river.
(If people are seeking ways of getting rid of a person, that person should not lay down his conditions for remaining with them.)
A ò lóbìnrin à [ch324]dá oóyó[ch61481] sí; bí a bá dá oóyó[ch61481] sí ewúré[ch61481] ni yóò j[ch7865] é[ch61481].
Without having a wife a person spares oóyó[ch61481] [7] to grow; if it flourishes it is destined to be food for goats.
(The vegetable is used in stews, and stews are for wives to cook.)
A ò m[ch7885] ohun tí eléwé-e gbégbé [ch324] tà kó tó s[ch7885] pé [ch7885]jà ò tà.
One does not know what the seller of gbégbé leaves was selling before she started complaining about the slow market.
(The seller of goods that nobody wants blames her fortune on the slow market.)
This is a variant of Kí ni eléwé-e-gbégbé . . .
Gbégbé leaves are used for making charms that enable the user to transport himself instantly over long distances.
[ch7884]gbó[ch61481]n l'a fi [ch324] gbé ayé.
One needs wisdom to live in this world.
Gbogbo àw[ch7885]n tí [ch7884]ló[ch61481]run bá so pò[ch61481], kí [ch7865]niké[ch61481]ni má [ch7779]e yà wó[ch61481]n.
All those who Olorun joins together, may noone tear them apart
Lásán l'àjèjì l'ójú, kò fi ríran tó onílë
For no reason the stranger/visitor has eyes, he or she doesn't use them to see up to the standard of the citizen of the country.
Æm[ch7885] tí ó m[ch7885] [ch7885]wó[ch61481] wè[ch61481] l'ó bá àgbà jeun
A child who knows how to wash his or her hands joins the elders in eating.
Ahó[ch61481]n àti eyín máa [ch324] jà lé[ch61481]è[ch61481]kò[ch61481]ò[ch61481]kan.
The tongue and the teeth be fightin' every so often.
Bí ò[ch61481]rò[ch61481] bá pé[ch61481] nílè[ch61481], gbígbó[ch61481]n ní í gbó[ch61481]n.
If an issue lasts for a long time in the land, wisdom will become wise.
Igi tí a fi [ch324] na ìyàálé mbè[ch61481] l'ájà fún ìyàwó.
The stick that was used to hit the first wife remains in the rafters to use for the new wife.
Oorun l'a fi [ch324] dán ikú wò.
Sleep is what WE use to test out what death is like.
Kí a fi [ch7885]wó[ch61481] w[ch7865] [ch7885]wó[ch61481] ni [ch7885]wó[ch61481] fi mó[ch61481].
That the hand washes the (other) hand is how the hands get clean.
Bí iró[ch61481] bá sáré fún ogún [ch7885]dún, [ch7885]jó[ch61481] kan ni òótó[ch61481] máa bá a.
If lies run for twenty years, in one day, truth will catch it.
Màálu[ch61455] tí o[ch61455] nírù, O[ch61481]ló[ch61481]run l'o máa [ch324] bá a lé e[ch61481]s[ch61481]ins[ch61481]in.
The cow that doesn't have a tail, O[ch61481]ló[ch61481]run helps him/her chase away flies.
A ò m[ch7885] ohun tí Dárò-ó ní kó tó wí pé olè-é kó òun.
One does not know what Dárò owned before he claimed to have been robbed.
(The poor person conveniently blames his poverty on thieves.)
This is a variant of Kí ni Dáàró ní . . .
Bí òní s[ch61481]e rí kó[ch61481] ni ò[ch61481]la yóò ti rí l'ó jé[ch61481] kí babaláwo dífá l'ó[ch61481]r[ch7885][ch7885]rún.
The way today is like is not how what tomorrow will be like is what makes the Babaláwo divine with Ifá every five days.
Bí òní s[ch61481]e rí kó[ch61481] ni ò[ch61481]la yóò ti rí l'ó jé[ch61481] kí babaláwo dífá l'ójoojúmó[ch61481].
The way today is like is not how what tomorrow will be like is what makes the Babaláwo divine with Ifá every morning.
E[ch61470]ni t'ó [ch324] s[ch61481]e rere, k'ó múra sí rere, S[ch61470]ìkàs[ch61481]ìkà k'ó múra síkà rè[ch61481]...àtoore àtìkà, ò[ch61481]kan k[ch61470]ìí gbé.
A person who does good, let him/her prepare for good, Do-wicked-do-wicked should prepare for his/her wickedness...Goodness and wickedness, neither goes unrecompensed.
A ò m[ch7885] ohun tí Dárò-ó ní kó tó wí pé olè-é kó òun.
One does not know what Dárò owned before he claimed to have been robbed.
(The poor person conveniently blames his poverty on thieves.)
This is a variant of Kí ni Dáàró ní . .
A pè o[ch769][ch803] lo[ch769][ch803]m[ch7885] erín-màgb[ch7885]n ò [ch324]yo[ch768][ch803]; ìw[ch7885] pàápàá ló mì í?
You are described as the child of the elephant that swallows coconuts, and you rejoice; are you the one who swallows coconuts?
(The description honors the father, not the person being addressed.)
A rí èyí rí ni tonílé; a ò rí èyí rí ni tàlejò; bónílé bá ní ká j[ch7865] é[ch803] tán, àlejò a ní ká j[ch7865] é[ch803] kù.
"Its likes have been seen before," is what the host says; "No one has ever seen its likes before," is what the guest says; if the host says that we should empty the plate, the guest should argue for leaving a little.
(A host might minimize his hospitality, but the guest should praise it; if the host is lavish, the guest should not be greedy.)
A rígi lóko ká tó fi o[ch768][ch803]mo[ch768][ch803] gbé[ch803] ìlù.
We saw other trees in the bush before we settled on o[ch768][ch803]mo[ch768][ch803] [9] for making drums.
(One should never presume to be the only possible answer to every challenge.) [10]
A sìnkú tán, alugbá ò lo[ch769][ch803] ó fé[ch803] [ch7779]úpó ni?
The funeral is over, but the calabash beater does not take his leave; does he want to inherit a wife?
(This proverb has the same import as, A kúnlè[ch803], a pàgbò . . . ) [11]
Àbá ni ikán [ch324]dá; ikán ò lè mu òkúta.
The termite is only striving; it can never eat a rock.
(Termites may make their tunnels on a rock; the rock will be safe.)
A-báni-gbé kì í yáná; a-bo[ch768][ch803]rì[ch7779]à kì í sun òtútù; [ch7865]yin gé[ch803]gé[ch803] kì í gbé àwùjo[ch769][ch803]; ilé kannáà ni wo[ch769][ch803]n ko[ch769][ch803] fún àw[ch7885]n mé[ch803]tè[ch803]è[ch803]ta.
A guest does not warm himself by the fire; a priest or priestess does not sleep in the cold; a delicate egg does not live in a crowd; the same house was built for all three.
(Know yourself and your place.) [12]
A-bánij[ch7865]un-bí-aláìm[ch7885]ra, ó bu òkèlè bí è[ch803]gbo[ch769][ch803]n ìyá è[ch803].
He-who-eats-with-one-without-self-restraint; he breaks off morsels like his mother's senior.
(When eating in company one should be restrained. A man eating with the child of his younger sister need show no such restraint.)
A-bèèrè kì í [ch7779]ìnà.
He who asks the way does not lose his way.
(One should admit one's weaknesses.)
À-bí-ì-ko[ch769][ch803]; à-ko[ch769][ch803]-ì-gbà; òde ló ti [ch324]ko[ch769][ch803]gbo[ch769][ch803]n wálé.
A-child-that-was-never-taught-how-to-behave; a-child-that-was-taught-but-that-refused-to-heed-instruction; it is from outside the home that he will learn wisdom.
(Look well to your child's upbringing.)
A-bínú-fùfù ní [ch324]wá oúnj[ch7865] fún a-bínú-wé[ch803]ré[ch803]-wé[ch803]ré[ch803].
A volatile-tempered person secures food for a mild-tempered person.
(Whatever good fortune might have been meant for the volatile person will wind up in the lot of the mild-mannered person.)
Aboyún kì í jó bè[ch803]m[ch768]bé[ch803]; a-bodò-ikùn-kè[ch803]rè[ch803]bè[ch803]tè[ch803].
A pregnant woman does not dance to bè[ch803]m[ch768]bé[ch803] music; pendulous-stomached woman.
(One should match one's actions to one's circumstances.) [13]
Ààbo[ch768][ch803] ejò kì í gbé isà.
Half a snake does not live in a burrow.
(One should act according to one's circumstances.)
Abùlàn[ch768]gà kì í [ch7779]asán; bíyàá ò lo[ch769][ch803]ro[ch768][ch803], baba á lówó lo[ch769][ch803]wo[ch769][ch803].
The arrogant person is not arrogant for nothing; if his mother is not wealthy, his father must be rich.
(There is, or should be, some basis for one's strutting.)
Abùléra o[ch768][ch803]fo[ch769][ch803]n-o[ch768][ch803]n; ó ní [ch7885]jo[ch769][ch803] tí ológbò-ó ti bí òun ò ìtí-ì dá a ní báríkà.
Mouse-that-does-not-know-its-place; it says that since the day the cat delivered (a baby) it has not gone to offer congratulations.
(Never forget your vulnerabilities and limitations.)
Àbúrò kì í pa è[ch803]gbo[ch769][ch803]n nítàn.
The younger person does not give the older person history lectures.
(One should not exceed one's station.)
Àbúrò r[ch7865] [ch324]dá[ch7779][ch7885] fún [ch7885], o ní o ò lo elékuru; ta ní [ch324]lo alákàrà?
Your junior brother (or sister) buys clothing for you, and you say you will not wear anything with bean-grits patterns; who has the right to opt for clothing with a bean-fritter patterns?
(One should act in accordance to one's station in life.) [14]
Compare E[ch803]ni tí a bá [ch324]dá[ch7779][ch7885] fún kì í ka èèwö[ch768][ch803].
A-dá-má-lè-[ch7779]e àdàbà tí [ch324]dún bè[ch803]m[ch768]bè[ch803].
Start-something-it-cannot-finish dove that makes bombastic noises.
(Bombast often masks fickleness.)
Adì[ch7865] funfun ò m[ch7885] ara è[ch803] lágbà.
The white chicken does not recognize itself as an elder.
(One should act one's age always.) [15]
Adì[ch7865] ò bí y[ch7885]y[ch7885] kú yo[ch768][ch803].
A chicken does not give birth to a multitude of chicks and die of the exertion.
(Children should not be the death of their parents.) [16]
Adìé[ch803] tó [ch7779]u tí kò to[ch768][ch803], ara-a rè[ch803] ló kù sí.
The chicken that shits and does not piss retains the rest in its body.
(Self-deprivation hurts the person concerned, not anyone else.)
A-dìtan-mo[ch769][ch803] èsúó; ó ní èkùlù ló bí ìyá òun.
The red-flanked duiker, desperate to claim relationship, says that its mother was born of a crested duiker.
(Never make preposterous claims of kinship.)
Adígbo[ch769][ch803]nránkú [ch324]fikú [ch7779]eré.
Death-feigning-beetle flirts with death.
(If one persists in flirting with disaster, disaster is liable to befall one.) [17]
Adé[ch803]tè[ch803]é[ch803] ní òun ò lè fún wàrà, [ch7779]ùgbo[ch769][ch803]n òún lè yí i dànù.
The leper says he may not be able to squeeze out milk, but he can spill it.
(Even feckless people can cause some damage.)
Adé[ch803]tè[ch803]-é[ch803] rí wèrè, ó kán lùgbé[ch803].
The leper sees a mad person and dashes into the bush.
(A person who should be ostracized ostracizes others.)
Adé[ch803]tè[ch803]-é[ch803] so[ch768][ch803]ro[ch768][ch803] méjì, o[ch769][ch803] fìkan puro[ch769][ch803]; ó ní nígbàtí òún lu [ch7885]m[ch7885] òun lábàrá, òún já a léèékánná pàtì.
The leper said two things, one of them being a lie; he said after he had struck his child with his palm, he also pinched him severely with his nails.
(One fools only oneself when one claims to have done the impossible.)
Adití ò gbo[ch769][ch803], "Yàgò!"
The deaf does not hear,"Make way!"
(Cautionary words are lost on reckless people.)
À-fà-tiiri ni tìyàwó; bí a bá fà á tí kò tiiri, ó ní ohun tó [ch324][ch7779]e é.
Resisting-while-being-pulled is the proper behavior for a bride; if she is pulled and she does not resist, something is the matter with her.
(However eager the bride, she must appear coy and shy; one should behave with decorum appropriate to one's position.)
Àfi ohun tí a kì í tà lo[ch769][ch803]jà l[ch7865]rú kì í j[ch7865].
The only thing a slave cannot eat is something not available in the market.
(A slave has no choice.)