African proverbs are full of wisdom and guidence for daily living. Here are a few collected by Steward Julia in the book "Words to the wise: A collection of African proverbs."
- A horse owns only the grass in its stomach. Setswana, South Africa
- Flowing water makes stagnant water move. Somalia
- A man's deeds are of greater importance than the facts of his birth. Maasai, Kenya
- A man wo takes advice is still a man who acts on his own free will. Nigeria
- A louse bites after hiding in your blanket. Setswana, South Africa
- When an ape cannot reach a banana with its hand, he says it is sour. Bambara, Mali
- When one person on the street kills a dog, the whole street is called "the street of dog killers". Nigeria
- A good thing sells itself; a bad thing advertises itself for sale. Swahili, East Africa.
- Caution is not cowadice; even the ants march armed. Baganda, Uganda
- Live with him who prays, and thou prayest; live with the singer, and thou singest. Egypt
- The eye crosses the river before the body. Ndebele, Zimbabwe
- A louse bites after hiding in your blanket. Setswana, South Africa
- Quarrels end, but words once spoken never die. Sierra Leone
- No elephant is ever burdened by its own trunk. Xhosa, South Africa
- However long the night might be, there will be a morning. Morocco
- The reward of life is death. Anyuak. Sudan
- Copying everyone else all the time, the monkey one day slit his throat. Zulu, South Africa
- If you see someone riding a log, compliment him on his beautiful horse. Tunisia
- The goat is not big in cowtown. Vai, Nigeria
- One who enters the forest does not turn back on hearing twigs breaking. Bemba, Zambia
- The family is like a forest; if you are outside, it looks dense. If you are inside, you see that each tree has its own position. Akan, Ghana
- You cannot turn the wind, so turn the sail. Swahili, East Africa
- A sinking vessel needs no naviagtion. Swahili, East Africa
- My country is my country even though it is unjust to me. Morocco
