A Heritage of wisdom: rich proverbs, and rich allegories.
“Greatness is indestructible when it is not built on terror, envy, and suspicion, nor gained at the expense of others, but rather based on hope, trust, friendship, and directed for the good of all humanity.” Kwame Nkrumah, first President of Ghana.
On ne prend pas le léopard pour garder la viande (Proverbe Zulu – South Africa).
We do not take a leopard to guard meat (Zulu proverb – South Africa).
C’est par ses paroles qu’on entre dans les pensées d’un autre (Proverbe Gâ – Ghana). – Si vous voulez connaître quelqu’un, faites le parler.
It is by his words that one enters the thoughts of another (Ga proverb – Ghana). – If you want to know someone, make him/her talk.
Le temps est comme l’oiseau; si vous ne le saisissez pas, il est parti (Proverbe Ashanti – Ghana).
Time is like a bird; if you don’t catch it, it is gone (Ashanti proverb – Ghana).
Qui arrive le premier à la source, boit l’eau la plus pure (Proverbe Sukuma et Bayombe – Republique Democratique du Congo (RDC)). – Ne tardez pas à agir.
Who arrives first at the river, drinks the purest water (Sukuma and Bayombe Proverb – Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)). – Do not wait to act.
Le rameur ne craint pas les vagues (Proverbe Badjoue – Cameroun).- Bien faire et laisser dire.
The rower does not fear waves (Badjoue proverb – Cameroon).- Do well and let others talk.
Le charbon ne craint pas le feu (proverbe Dogon – Mali). – Vous en avez bien vu d’autres.
The coal does not fear the fire (Dogon proverb – Mali). – You’ve seen worse.
Envoyez un autre à votre place, vos pieds auront du repos, mais pas votre coeur (Proverbe Bornu – Tchad).
Send someone in your stead, your feet will rest, but not your heart (Bornu proverb – Chad).
Le forgeron n’emploie pas deux marteaux à la fois (Proverbe Sukuma – Tanzania).
The blacksmith does not use two hammers at the same time (Sukuma proverb – Tanzania).
Quand on se promène avec un écureuil, on apprend à grimper à l’arbre mais aussi à voler (Proverbe Solongo – Angola). – Mauvaise compagnie.
When walking with a squirrel, you learn to climb a tree, but also to steal (Solongo Proverb – Angola). – Poor company.
Quando se anda por aí com um esquilo, você aprende a subir na árvore, mas também para voar (provérbio Solongo – Angola). – Diz-me com quem andas dir-te-ei quem és.
African Heritage 