The Wisdom of African Proverbs

Introduction

Proverbs are short and memorable sayings that express a truth or a lesson. They are often based on common sense, experience, or observation. Proverbs can be found in many cultures and languages, and they can offer valuable insights and guidance for life. In this blog post, I will share with you some proverbs that I have collected from various sources. These proverbs are about family, money, sex, success, and more. I hope they will inspire you and make you think.

Family

> It is still a mystery how one father can feed seven children. But seven children cannot feed one father. This proverb reminds us of the sacrifices and responsibilities that parents have for their children. It also warns us of the ingratitude and selfishness that children may have for their parents. We should always appreciate and honor our parents, and not neglect them when they are old and needy.

> Never plant thorns on someone's path. Your children may take that route barefooted one day. This proverb teaches us to be careful of the consequences of our actions. We should not harm or hurt others, because we may end up harming or hurting ourselves or our loved ones. We should always act with kindness and compassion, and avoid doing evil.

Money

> A man who wants to manage his wealth must start with the zip of his trousers. This proverb advises us to be disciplined and prudent with our money. It implies that sexual indulgence and infidelity can lead to financial ruin and loss of reputation. We should not waste our money on things that do not bring us lasting happiness or value. We should also be faithful and loyal to our partners, and not risk losing their trust and love.

> A broke man who loves sex and alcohol will be forever broke. For nothing stoles a man like sex and alcohol. This proverb warns us of the dangers of addiction and vice. Sex and alcohol can be enjoyable and harmless in moderation, but they can also be destructive and harmful in excess. They can impair our judgment, damage our health, and drain our resources. We should not let our desires and pleasures control us, but rather control them with wisdom and self-control.

> The only woman who loves a poor man is his mother. This proverb is a cynical and bitter remark on the reality of love and money. It suggests that most women are materialistic and opportunistic, and that they will not love a man who has nothing to offer them. It also implies that a mother's love is unconditional and pure, and that she will always love her son regardless of his status or wealth. While this proverb may not be true for all women, it does remind us to be careful of who we choose to love and trust, and to be grateful for our mothers.

Success

> When your grass becomes green, beware of green snakes, for success attracts envy. This proverb alerts us to the dangers of jealousy and envy. It says that when we achieve success and prosperity, we may also attract enemies and rivals who want to harm us or take what we have. We should be vigilant and cautious of those who pretend to be our friends, but are actually our foes. We should also be humble and generous, and not boast or flaunt our success.

> A flourishing garden attracts both butterflies and worms. This proverb is similar to the previous one, but it also acknowledges the positive side of success. It says that when we grow and improve ourselves, we may also attract admirers and supporters who appreciate us and help us. We should be grateful and respectful of those who are our true friends, and who share our vision and values. We should also be open and willing to learn from others, and not be complacent or arrogant.

Conclusion

These are some of the proverbs that I have collected and shared with you. I hope you enjoyed reading them and learned something from them. Proverbs are a rich and fascinating source of wisdom and knowledge, and they can help us navigate the complexities and challenges of life. If you have any proverbs that you would like to share with me, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading and stay tuned for more.