Somali Proverbs

“The mother of a beautiful woman is the mother of the whole community.”

When one family has something admirable, the whole community shares in the pride.

“Blood is heavier than water; family ties cannot be washed away.”

Family bonds are the strongest connections a person has and endure through all difficulties.

“He who has no home has no grave.”

Without family and roots, a person has nothing, not even a place of rest.

“Every mother thinks her child is beautiful, even the mother of the hyena.”

Parental love is unconditional and sees beauty where others may not.

“The seed does not know whether it will become a flower or a thorn.”

Beginnings do not reveal endings; potential unfolds in unpredictable ways.

“Patience is the key which solves all problems.”

Many difficulties resolve themselves when approached with patience.

“The moon does not grow full in one night.”

Completeness and fulfillment are gradual processes that cannot be rushed.

“The camel does not see its own hump but walks the desert anyway.”

Do not let self-consciousness about your limitations prevent you from pressing forward.

“One tree does not make a windbreak.”

A single individual cannot protect the community; collective effort is needed for shelter.

“The tongue has no bones but it can break bones.”

Words are immensely powerful and can cause greater damage than physical force.

“The wise man settles disputes; the fool starts them.”

Wisdom is shown through conflict resolution, not conflict creation.

“The arrow that has left the bow never returns.”

Words spoken and actions taken cannot be undone; be deliberate before you act.

“The wise man never argues with a fool because onlookers cannot tell who is who.”

Engaging in pointless arguments reduces you to the level of the unreasonable person.

“The grave makes no distinction between the rich and the poor.”

Death is the great equalizer; material wealth means nothing in the end.