African Proverbs, African Sayings and African Quotes to Educate You

Proverbial Wisdom from Africa. A short list of some traditional African wise sayings and proverbs for everyday life. In these proverbs are some hidden treasures of wisdom and common sense. Enjoy!

African proverbs, African Sayings, African talks and African thoughts

It takes a whole village to raise a child. ~African Proverb (“Ora na azu nwa” from Igbo, Nigeria)
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for something. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Do not look where you fell, but where you slipped. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Don’t set sail on someone else’s star. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
For tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)

To try and to fail is not laziness. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
He who learns, teaches. ~African Proverb (Sometimes attributed to the Ethiopians otherwise classified under unknown African source)

It is not work that kills, but worry. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)

If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)

Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Lack of knowledge is darker than night. ~African Proverb (Hausa, Nigeria)

One must talk little and listen much. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Knowledge is like a garden: If it is not cultivated, it cannot be harvested. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
Rain does not fall on one roof alone. ~African Proverb (Cameroon, West Africa)
When God cooks, you don’t see smoke. ~African Proverb (“Kuteka Lesa ke kumweka bwishi ne.” from Kaonde, Zambia)

One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. ~African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)
Do not call the forest that shelters you a jungle. ~African Proverb (Ashanti, Ghana)

Ashes fly back into the face of him who throws them. ~African Proverb (Nigerian)
The path is made by walking. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)

He who forgives ends the argument. ~African Proverb (Unknown African source)
A bad name is like a stigma. ~African Proverb (South Sotho, South Africa)

A close friend can become a close enemy. ~African Proverb (Ethiopian)
Do not say the first thing that comes to your mind. ~African Proverb (Kenyan)

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