Wise Jamaican
Jamaican Proverbs - “To Di Worl”
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Jul 22
When bull foot bruk, ‘im nyam wid monkey
Translation: When a bull’s foot is broken, he will eat with a monkey
Meaning: When misfortune overtakes strong people, they will live with persons that they consider their inferiors
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Jun 28
Anyting tan too long, serve two masta
Translation: Anything that stays too long, will serve two masters
Meaning: If you don’t make use of something you have, someone else will want it and start using it
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“De man all honey, fly wi’ nyam him”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsJun 17De man all honey, fly wi’ nyam him
Translation: The man who is all honey, flies will eat him
Meaning: People will take advantage of a good natured person
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May 10
When fiyah an’ wata mek fr’en’ anybody can lib
Translation: When fire and water can make friends anybody can live
Meaning: If two enemies can make up, then everyone can live in peace
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“Fowl nyam done, wipe mout’ a grung”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsApr 29Fowl nyam done, wipe mout’ a grung
Translation: When a fowl is through eating, it wipes its mouth on the ground
Meaning: Some people show ingratitude for hospitality
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“A nuh one day monkey waan wife”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsMar 18A nuh one day monkey waan wife
Translation: It is not for only one day that the monkey wants a wife
Meaning: Never forget the people that help you today, as you may need their help in the future
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Mar 8
Ebery day devil help t’ief, one day God wi’ help watchman
Translation: Every day the devil helps the thief, but one day God will help the watchman
Meaning: Even though evil people seem to be succeeding all the time, good people should be not be discouraged because eventually they will win.
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“Anywey it mawga it bruk”
Filed under Jamaican Life, RelationshipsMar 1Anywey it mawga it bruk
Translation: Anywhere it’s thin, it will break
Meaning: When a situation is at its weakest point that’s when it will break. A chain is only as strong as the weakest link.
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“Nuh buy rancid butta to feed tom-cat”
Filed under Animals, RelationshipsFeb 18Nuh buy rancid butta to feed tom-cat
Translation: Don’t buy rancid butter to feed a tom cat
Meaning: Don’t provide for a woman who is giving her favours to another man
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“One han’ cyaan clap”
Filed under RelationshipsFeb 11One han’ cyaan clap
Translation: One hand cannot clap
Meaning: You have to work with others to achieve a common goal, you can’t do it alone
