Wise Jamaican

Mi neva bawn wen mi madda gone a market

Translation: I was not born when my mother was gone to the market

Meaning: I am not stupid

If ‘peech wurt a shillin’, silence wurt a pound

Translation: If speech is worth a shilling, silence is worth a pound

Meaning: While talking might be beneficial, sometimes silence is more important; Silence is golden

De tune yuh playing nuh de one I dancing

Translation: The tune you are playing is not the one I am dancing to

Meaning: The situation that you are in, I don’t want to be a part of it

Translation: Before a dog goes without his supper, he will eat cockroaches

Meaning: When times are hard, people will make do with whatever is available

Yuh nuh no how parson get ‘im gown

Translation:  You do not know how the parson got his gown

Meaning: Do not be envious of other people’s success; you don’t know what they may have gone through to achieve their goals

Beg wata cyaan bwile cow ‘kin

Translation: Begged water cannot boil cow skin

Meaning: You can’t beg enough water in which to boil cow skin, so you need look for some for yourself

Belly full, pitata ave ‘kin

Translation: When one’s belly is full, potato has skin

Meaning: In times of plenty, people are selective; When we are not in need we find fault with common things

Whatever come light curve round brick

Translation: Whatever comes light will curve around a brick

Meaning: Anything that is easily acquired is easily lost

Hungry mek monkey blow fire

Translation: Hunger makes the monkey blow fire

Meaning: When people are in need, they are forced to become resourceful and learn new habits

Play fool fi ketch wise

Translation: Act foolishly to catch the wise

Meaning: To feign ignorance to one’s own benefit