Igbo Proverbs

“It takes a village to raise a child.”

Children are the responsibility of the entire community, not just their parents.

“The hand that feeds the family is the hand that rules it.”

The provider in a family wields significant influence and authority.

“The tortoise carries its house wherever it goes.”

Self-sufficiency and preparedness mean you are at home everywhere.

“The yam does not ripen in a day.”

Important things take time to develop; impatience produces nothing of value.

“A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.”

Do not be satisfied with small progress; keep striving for greater heights.

“The tortoise's thick shell is not borrowed armor.”

True protection comes from one's own developed strengths, not borrowed power.

“A child who asks questions does not become a fool.”

Curiosity and the willingness to learn prevent ignorance.

“The wise create proverbs for fools to learn, not to repeat.”

Proverbs should be understood and applied, not merely recited.

“An old man sitting down sees farther than a young man standing up.”

Experience and age confer perspectives that youth and energy cannot.

“The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did.”

If others will not acknowledge your accomplishments, you must recognize them yourself.

“What the elder sees sitting down, the young cannot see standing up.”

Experience gives perspectives that youth and energy alone cannot match.

“The palm wine tapper does not fear heights.”

Those trained in a skill become comfortable with its inherent risks.

“The child who washes his hands can eat with the elders.”

Young people who demonstrate maturity and good behavior earn the respect of elders.