Bí o l’áyà o ṣ’èkà – Yoruba Wisdom on Power, Cruelty, and Consequence
This Yoruba proverb dares cruelty and answers it with history, reminding us how power abused once ended — and can end again.
Akíńi ńjẹ́ akíńi – Yoruba Wisdom on Exposure and Discretion [Ìbàdàn Version]
In places where identity can become danger, this Yoruba proverb reflects on exposure, restraint, and the subtle intelligence of knowing what not to reveal.
Ẹni à bá tà kí a fi r’àtùpà – When Self-Importance Overshadows Service
What happens when someone meant to bring light to others insists on being the centre of attention? This Yoruba proverb delivers a punchy lesson on entitlement, service, and true worth.
Ìkòkò tí yóò j’ata – Delightful Outcomes are Preceded by Intense Preparation
Some outcomes demand heat, but no vessel survives intensity without preparation. This Yoruba proverb reflects on foundations, patience, and the unseen work that makes strength possible.
Òwú ìyá gbọ̀n ni ọmọ ńrán – Outcomes Are Rooted in Origins
No one spins from nothing. This Yoruba proverb reflects on inheritance, influence, and how what is handed down quietly shapes outcomes across generations.
Iṣẹ́ ni ògùn ìṣẹ́ – Work Is the Antidote for Poverty
A Yoruba proverb that treats work not as punishment, but as healing. This reflection explores why effort, dignity, and responsibility remain the true cure for poverty across generations.
Náání nàànì náání – What We Value, We Handle with Care
Care reveals value. This Yoruba saying reflects on stewardship, restraint, and the quiet ways wisdom shows itself in how we handle what is entrusted to us.
Ẹni tí kô lè ṣe bí aláàárù l’Òyìngbò – Dues Comes Before Elevation
Elevation is often admired, but rarely examined. This Yoruba proverb turns attention to the dues, labour, and service that shape readiness long before recognition arrives.
Wọ́n l’ọ́mọdé ò m’ẹ̀là – When Confidence Outruns Understanding
A child claims to know every boundary — but Yoruba wisdom asks a deeper question. Where does confidence end, and true understanding begin?