Wise Jamaican

Wha drap af a hed drap pan shoulda

Translation: What drops off someone’s head falls on his shoulder

Meaning: Reaping benefits from another person’s effort

Wi run tings, tings nuh run wi

Translation: We control things, things do not control us

Meaning: You can control your own destiny

Suck salt outa wood’n spoon

Translation: To suck salt from a wooden spoon

Meaning: Surviving a difficult situation

Translation: When the horse dies, the cow gets fat; when the cow dies, the mule laughs

Meaning: When the horse dies cow gets fat (because she gets a double portion of food); when the cow is dead, the mule laughs (because he gets the whole)

Tek time mash ants yu fin’ im belly

Translation: Take time in killing an ant, you will find his belly

Meaning: It is best to be patient in whatever one does

Wha tan too lang sarve neda man

Translation: What stays too long serves another man

Meaning: Things that are left neglected will benefit another person

Di darkes’ part a di night a when day soon light

Translation: The darkest part of the night is when daytime is coming

Meaning: When things and times are the hardest, brighter times are near

Nuh mug nuh bruk, nuh coffee nuh dash wey

Translation: No mug is broken, no coffee has been thrown away

Meaning: Count your blessings and do not take what you have for granted

Trouble nuh set like rain

Translation: Trouble does not set up like rain

Meaning: Problems can arrive when one does not expect it

Clear conscience sleep a tunda

Translation:  A clear conscience can sleep in thunder

Meaning: Once you have a clear conscience you can sleep well, even through thunder storms