African proverbs about life
In different countries and continents of the world, there are proverbs about life that people use, especially the elders, to teach the younger generations. These proverbs are full of wisdom and inspirations. Those who know them and can apply them accordingly are usually classed as people of wisdom and experience. This is why in this article, we take a look at different famous proverbs from different parts of the world that can be used to teach others and during discussions. More so, we consider various African proverbs about life and death, as well as on good health among others.
Real life quotes
- The best time to know your true friends is when things are not going smoothly for you.
Sometimes when we see people gather around us, we are tempted to think that they actually love us not knowing that they are after what they will get from us. This is an admonition that one should not be carried away by the crowd that follows him/her.
- Never be bullied into silence. Never allow yourself to be made a victim. Accept no one's definition of your life; define yourself.
Quite a lot people have become irrelevant in life just because they allowed others’ opinion about them to overshadow theirs. What others say about you, most time, do not have to bother you because everyone has their right to his or her opinion. All you have to do is choose what is best for you and discard the rest. What you should aim for always should be excellence and fulfilment in life.
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- The strongest force in the universe is a human being living consistently with his identity.
There is no glory is doing many things without achieving success. We must define what really matters to us and stay through to it until it is completed. After all, it is the head that endures to the end that wears the crown. So, when we define what we want to become and remain consistent about it, success becomes inevitable, no matter what.
- Change your life today. Don't gamble on the future, act now, without delay.
It is not a new thing that many people keep waiting for a future that ends up not coming. The best time you have is today and you must make the best of it. Every new day you see is the best time to do what you believe to be important to you. You must always remember that tomorrow may never come, but you have today.
- The greatest gift of life is friendship, and I have received it.
It is true that no man can succeed alone. We all need, at least, one person in our life especially because of our downtimes. Friendship is one of the best gifts that we can get in life. Having the right friends around is worth pursuing at all times.
Proverbs about beauty of life
There are philosophical proverbs about life that help us to appreciate the gift of life better. Having an understanding of them help us to live more fulfilled. Then, it gives us the right mindset to walk through and handle the situations that come our way. Here is a list of some of these proverbs.
- Where there's a will, there's a way.
There is a lot of truth in this saying. This is because it points to everyone that there are actually no barriers in life except the ones we set for ourselves. When the will to achieve something is really there, we will find the best way out to accomplish it.
- Life has no meaning. Each of us has meaning and we bring it to life. It is a waste to be asking the question when you are the answer.
It is so true that life consists of what we make out of it. You can’t go far if we continue to search for what does not exist. What you owe yourself is to chart the path you want to follow and stay committed to it until it becomes real.
- If you can’t live longer, live deeper.
You see, it is not just about how long you live on earth that matters but how well you have lived your life. Since an inevitable event of our life is death, this proverb then admonishes everyone to live with purpose and the willingness to impart positively others before we go.
Great proverbs about life
- Fall seven times, stand up eight.
This is one of the best proverbs about life that explains the importance of perseverance. When you understand that success is not easily come by, then, you will see the need to put in all your effort never to give up in the face of any challenge. So, when you are truly ready to make a meaning out of life, you must also prepare to give it all that it will take.
- Even though you know a thousand things, ask the man who knows one.
No one is an island of knowledge. Sometimes, it pays off to ask questions and to learn the more from others. When people do this often, they will soon find out that they can actually avoid many of the mistakes they make. More so, they can achieve more than whatever they may think they have and boast on.
- Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.
Sometimes we become so optimistic that we forget to understand that things can go wrong at any time. This is a lovely quote that everyone must work with to keep reminding themselves of the need to give room for some worst events. By this, no one will be caught unawares, and the tenacity to move on would have been built.
- You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs.
A fact about life is that you can try to please everyone and go far. While trying to do something meaningful, there will always be some set of people who will want to stand against it. So, not minding who is happy and who gets angry is a mindset anyone must cultivate to move forward in life.
Motivational proverbs about life
No one is a superhero. Everyone needs to be motivated, irrespective of how sweet or bad the experience may be. Check out these unique proverbs about life that you can use to motivate yourself or even share to motivate others around you at any time.
- No one knows what he can do until he tries.
This is absolutely true. There is an immense capability in everyone that they can use to achieve anything they want in life. It is until they make a try that they will ever discover this ability in them. So, when you are thinking of whether to take that major step or not, or you have someone around you who is in that state of confusion, this proverb is worth sharing to motivate them.
- The most difficult phase of life is not when no one understands you, it is when you don't understand yourself.
Although, sometimes, it can be challenging when you have the right intentions and it is misunderstood. However, that does not have to discourage you from moving on. After all, the most important player in the game of life is you.
- Success is a journey, not a destination.
It can be so tempting when the desire to rest after a major achievement suddenly pops up from within. This proverb is just right-in-time to keep reminding yourself that you don’t have to stop because of whatever achievement you make. Every success should remind you that better ones are ahead and so, you have to reach forth to get them.
- Those who wish to sing always find a song.
There is no excuse for not doing something great. No matter how bad one’s background is, such must never allow his or her back to remain on the ground. When you are really willing to make a headway in life, you will see every obstacle as a stepping stone to achieve your aim.
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Famous Ghanaian proverbs about life
Just like other African countries, Ghanaian proverbs give us an understanding of the richness of their culture. They also remain a principal tool that is used to convey words of wisdom and in educating the younger generations. Here are some of them:
- It is when you climb a good tree that we push you.
- When women increase in wealth, they are silent. But when they fall into trouble, the whole world gets to know.
- Time operates like a bird; while it is before you, if not caught, it flies away and never to be seen again.
- What someone calls his delicacy is the guts of another’s odompo.
- Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face.
- If something had not touched the papa (dried palm frond?) it wouldn’t have made a sound.
- A child who is to be successful is not reared exclusively on a bed of down.
African proverbs about life and death
An inevitable thing in life is death. More so, the fact that someone has life is proof that someday, such will die. If you need a proverb to encourage someone who has just been bereaved of someone dear to them or you need it to teach wisdom, here are some witty proverbs about life and death that you can use.
- Death is like a dress that, at some point or another, everyone has to wear.
Remembering that someday everyone will die helps us all to keep our lives under a check. When someone is reminded that his or her life does not last forever, he or she will learn to maximize it and do good while they still have their breath.
- You won’t last long, so leave a legacy.
This proverb serves to challenge everyone that it is only what they have done, whether right or wrong, that they would be remembered for when they are no more. With this understanding, it is then advisable that everyone should leave a legacy that will outlast them for generations to come.
Nigerian proverbs about life
Just like it exists for other nations, there are various proverbs which Nigerians use to teach wisdom. Sometimes, when they don’t want to say things literally, they use proverbs to express their mind. Among the various categories of proverbs in Nigerian are proverbs about long life. In fact, there are proverbs life examples that the elders use to teach the younger ones. Check out some of the proverbs about life that are used in Nigeria below.
- When you use the left hand to wash the right hand, both hands become cleaner.
This is a proverb that talks about working with others. When people learn to work together as one, the result will far outweigh what individuals will do on their own without the support of others.
- The dog that will get lost will not hear the whistle of the hunter.
Sometimes, when you warn a child of an impending disaster or you are trying to encourage such as to a negative action they are about to take, this proverb fits in. It simply means that no matter how much you encourage someone on the right things to do, if they are set for doom, they will never listen.
- The sheep that move with a dog would eat faeces.
This is to remind anyone that when they move with the wrong company, they will soon be influenced to do what is not right or what is not in their nature.
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Proverbs about good health
Enjoying a good health should be one of the pursuits of everyone. Here are some proverbs that address healthy living.
- Eat to live, not live to eat.
It is not just about eating but eating what is right always. This proverb explains the need to eat the right meal always so as to enjoy a good health.
- One day in perfect health is much.
Living at peace with everyone and staying away from every form of worry, anxiety and stress are some of the things that promote good health. This is why everyone must strive to remain healthy on a daily basis.
- When the heart is at ease, the body is healthy.
This proverb simply explains that a peace of mind is a healing to the entire body.
Proverbs remain a major means of conveying deep and wisdom-filled messages. When you understand the right usage of proverbs, it enhances your communication skill and projects you as one full of wisdom. The proverbs about life that have been shared here, without doubt, will help you to live better and enhance your perspective about life.
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Source: YEN.com.gh
