23/07/2025
Which of these African proverbs makes sense to you...
1. “You can’t climb a ladder with your hands in your pocket.”
Success needs your hustle, not just your mouth.
2. “A bird that flies off the earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground.”
Small wins are cute, but don’t settle.
3. “The child who is not embraced by the village will burn it down to feel its warmth.”
Ignored people become the loudest.
4. “When the roots do not know the dance, the leaves are lost in rhythm.”
Know your history or get confused by trends.
5. “Even a lion must defend itself against flies.”
No matter how big you are, disrespect is never acceptable.
6. “The one who ties a goat where it cannot graze should not ask why it starves.”
Don’t blame people for the limitations you placed on them.
7. “Money can’t talk, but it can make lies sound like truth.”
Clout isn’t always credibility.
8. “When the music changes, so must the dance.”
Adapt or stay stuck.
9. “Wisdom is like a lion; you don’t have to shout to prove it’s there.”
Your vibe will always speak louder than your captions.
10. “You cannot run faster than your shadow.”
Some things can’t be rushed, growth is one of them.
11. “The young bird does not crow until it hears the old ones.”
Learn before you talk big.
12. “The axe forgets, but the tree remembers.”
People may forget what they did to you, but your scars don’t.
13. “He who refuses to pick a pebble will one day be crushed by a rock.”
Ignoring small problems creates big disasters.
14. “A person who sells eggs should not start a fight in the market.”
Know your own vulnerability before clashing with others.
15. “Even a blind man knows when he is asleep.”
Deep down, you know when you’re slacking.
16. “A man who hangs around a beautiful girl without saying a word ends up fetching water at her wedding.”
Shoot your shot, regret lasts longer.
17. “The dog that follows every scent will not find a home.”
Chasing every trend will leave you lost.
18. “If you do not step on the ant, you will not know it has guts.”
Never underestimate quiet people.
19. “The path does not close for the person who walks it daily.”
Consistency keeps doors open.
20. “A rooster does not crow for fun, it means morning is coming.”
When you keep hearing the same warning, maybe it’s time to move.
© Echoes of purpose
