Wisdom of the Elders: 60 Proverbs from 12 Islands
The Caribbean is a mosaic of cultures, and one of the most treasured gifts passed down by elders is their wisdom in the form of proverbs. Each island has its own colourful sayings, often rooted in African, European, or Indigenous traditions, but always flavoured with local life experiences. Here are five popular proverbs from 12 Caribbean islands—with their meanings. Of course some of them are said in almost all islands like those in the first island. But, there are some that you may be unfamiliar with, such as those from Haiti or the Bahamas. In some instances where local parlance is used, standard English is given.
St. Kitts & Nevis 
- “Sorry fuh mawgah dawg, mawgah dawg tun roun bite yuh.” — “Feel sorry for a skinny dog, and the skinny dog will turn around and bite you.” If you are too charitable to the undeserving, they may bite you . Be careful who you help.
- “Pig bin arks e mammee wah mek e mouth so long, e mammee tell um wait fuh you time.” (Some people say hog instead of pig)— The pig once asked its mother why its mouth is so long, and the mother told it: ‘Wait for your time and you will see.’ You’ll understand when you’re older. Experience teaches.
- “Two man crab cyarn live in de same hole.” — You can’t have two leaders for one small place. Shared leadership causes conflict.
- “Monkey know wah limb to climb pon.” — People know who they can push around. Don’t be naive.
- “One hand can’t clap.” — You need others to succeed. Teamwork
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Dominica 
- “When crab walk, he walk with one side.” – People act according to their nature.
- “Empty bag cyah stand up.” – Without resources, progress is hard.
- “Every day bucket go to the well, one day the bottom drop out.” – Repeated risk leads to downfall.
- “Monkey break he back for nuts he cyaan eat.” – Don’t waste effort on unreachable goals.
- The lizard knows which tree to climb. One should choose their actions wisely; know your limitations and environment.
Antigua & Barbuda 
- “Hard ears pickney go feel.” – Children who disobey must learn the hard way.
- “Every rope gat two ends.” – Every story has two sides.
- “Time longer than twine.” – Time reveals all truth.
- “Wha’ na kill does fatten.” – Challenges make you stronger.
- “When yuh dig hole, dig two.” – If you plan harm, it may return to you.
Jamaica 
- “Every mickle mek a muckle.” — Small amounts add up over time (save a little, it becomes a lot).
- “One, one cocoa full basket.” — Bit by bit the work gets done.
- “Play fool fi ketch wise.” — Act humble sometimes to learn/teach a lesson.
- “Chicken merry, hawk deh near.” — Danger often lurks when things seem good.
- “Wah nuh kill yuh, fatten yuh.” — Adversity strengthens you
Trinidad & Tobago 
- “Monkey know what tree to climb.” – People know who they can take advantage of.
- “Dey cyar play mas and fraid powder.” – You can’t want the benefits without the responsibilities.
- “What sweet in goat mouth sour in he belly.” – Pleasures may bring consequences.
- “New broom does sweep clean, but old broom know the corners.” –New people bring fresh energy, but experienced ones bring wisdom and insight. Both are valuable.
- “Cockroach have no right in fowl party.” – Know your place and avoid trouble.
Barbados 
- “Every bush is a man’s own business.” – Everyone has their private struggles.
- “Cat luck ain’t dog luck.” – What works for one may not work for another.
- “Don’t hang yuh hat higher than yuh can reach.” – Live within your means.
- “One, one blow kill old cow.” – Small actions can have big impact over time.
- “Wuh sweet in goat mouth does sour in he belly.” –Temptation may lead to consequences.
St. Lucia 
- “Ti zwazo pa ka fè nich an gwo pie.” – A small bird doesn’t build a nest in a big tree. Meaning- Know your limits.
- “Tout sa ki klere pa lò.” – All that glitters is not gold. Meaning – Not everything attractive is valuable.
- “Dlo ka monté, roch ka rété.” – The water rises but the rock remains. Meaning – Resilience matters.
- “Pwan douvan, avan douvan pwan ou.” — Take in front before in front takes you. Meaning –Take precaution and make preparations before they catch you unprepared.
- “Pa koupe bwa ou pa kapab wété.” – Don’t start what you can’t finish. Meaning – Be responsible
Grenada 
- “What you plant is what you go reap.” – Actions bring consequences.
- “No matter how long the night, day must break.” – Hardships don’t last forever.
- “Monkey see, monkey do.” – People imitate others.
- “Small axe cut down big tree.” – Persistence conquers challenges.
- “Who don’t hear, will feel.” – Ignoring advice brings pain.
Guyana 
- “Moon does run till daylight ketch am.” – Wrongdoing eventually comes to light.
- “Cat don’t leave he mouth open when fish deh.” – Be cautious around temptation.
- “No matter how long stick stay in water, it cyaan turn fish.” – Some things never change.
- “Nah every big head get sense.” — Appearances aren’t proof of wisdom.”
- “Bucket wid hole a battam have no business a riverside.” — Don’t bring what’s useless to where it matters
Haiti 
- “Twò prese pa fè jou louvri.” — Translation: Too much haste doesn’t make the day dawn sooner. Don’t rush things.
- “Sak vid pa kanpe.” — Translation: An empty sack cannot stand. You can’t function without provision.
- “Piti piti zwazo fè nich li.” — Translation: Little by little the bird builds its nest. Step-by-step progress.
- “Dèyè mòn gen mòn.” – Translation: Behind mountains, more mountains. Life is full of challenges.
- “Bay kou bliye, pote mak sonje.” – Translation: They who strike the blow forget, they who bear the scar remember. The giver forgets the blow, the receiver remembers.
Bahamas 
- “Dog don’t bark at parked car.” – Success attracts criticism.
- “One dirty pig can spoil the whole sty.” – One bad influence can ruin a group.
- “Don’t let your tongue cut your throat.” – Words can cause your downfall.
- “Monkey can’t see his own tail.” – Easy to spot faults in others, not ourselves.
- “When ya eye too long, ya belly suffer.” – Greed leads to trouble.
Belize 
Please note that though Belize is a country, it also consists of surrounding islands and keys
- “If yuh noh know weh yuh di go, look pan weh yuh di come from.” – Know your past to guide your future.
- “Every dawg got e day.” – Everyone will have their time.
- “No wait till di well dry fi know di worth ah water.” –Value what you have before it’s gone.
- “Monkey no love di man weh got corn.” – Jealousy stirs resentment.
- “Hurry bird noh build good nest.” – Rushing leads to mistakes.