Anguilla Proverbs (41)

Traditional proverbs of Anguilla in en and English — each with its meaning and source.

“Every day the bucket goes to the well, but one day the bottom will drop out.”

Repeated risky or dishonest behavior will eventually catch up with you.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“One one cocoa full basket.”

Small, steady contributions add up to something substantial over time.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.”

The more someone shows off or rises above their station, the more their flaws are exposed.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“What is sweet in the mouth can be sour in the belly.”

A pleasure enjoyed carelessly now can bring pain or regret later.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The sea has no back door.”

At sea, and in life's real dangers, there is no hidden escape route — you must face what is ahead directly.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Cockroach has no business in a fowl fight.”

Stay out of conflicts where you are the weaker party and likely to be hurt.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Monkey see, monkey do.”

People copy the behavior they observe around them, whether good or bad.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Time is longer than rope.”

However long it takes, time eventually reveals the truth and brings justice.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“An empty bag cannot stand up.”

A person without food, rest, or resources cannot keep going or hold their ground.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“If you can't hear, you will feel.”

Someone who ignores good advice will eventually learn the lesson the hard way.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Two dogs can't agree over one bone.”

Conflict is almost guaranteed when two parties compete for the same limited prize.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Play with puppy, puppy will lick your mouth.”

Being too familiar or careless with someone beneath your guard invites disrespect.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“When rain falls, it falls on the whole town.”

Hardship, like fortune, tends to touch everyone in a community, not just one person.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Cut your coat according to your cloth.”

Live within your means and do not spend or promise beyond what you actually have.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“A hungry man is an angry man.”

Unmet basic needs such as hunger easily turn into frustration and short temper.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The rock at the bottom of the river does not know the sun is hot.”

People who have never faced real hardship struggle to understand what others are going through.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“When the fowl's belly is full, it says the corn is bitter.”

Comfort and abundance breed ingratitude, making people quick to complain despite having enough.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Pity the mangy dog, and it will turn around and bite you.”

Kindness shown to an undeserving or troubled person is sometimes repaid with harm rather than gratitude.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The one who wants cannot get it, and the one who gets it no longer wants it.”

Desire and fortune rarely line up — people often long for what they cannot have, while those who have it take it for granted.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The duppy knows exactly who to frighten.”

Those who prey on others are careful to choose their victims, targeting the vulnerable rather than the strong.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“What is not dead should not be thrown away.”

Do not give up on a person, relationship, or effort while there is still life or potential left in it.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Every day the devil helps the thief, but one day God helps the watchman.”

Wrongdoing may seem to succeed for a while, but justice eventually catches up with it.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“What goes wrong in the morning cannot be made right by evening.”

A bad beginning can be difficult to fully undo, no matter how the rest of the day unfolds.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Not every smile is a laugh.”

A smiling face does not always reflect true happiness or genuine friendliness underneath.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“When your neighbor's house is on fire, wet your own roof.”

Learn from the misfortune of others and take precautions before trouble reaches your own door.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Once your mouth opens, the story jumps out.”

Secrets are difficult to keep once a conversation gets started.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“A bull's horns are never too heavy for its own head.”

A person can carry the burdens and responsibilities that naturally belong to their own life and family.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The little pot soon gets hot.”

Young or small people tend to lose their temper more quickly than others.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Play the fool to catch the wise.”

Pretending to know less than you do can be a clever way to learn other people's true intentions.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“If you can't catch Quaco, catch his shirt.”

If you cannot get exactly what you want, settle for whatever part of it you can still obtain.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“A new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners.”

New people or methods may look impressive at first, but experience knows the small details that novelty overlooks.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“One finger alone cannot pick up a stone.”

Cooperation is often necessary — a single person working alone cannot always accomplish what a group can do together.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Little by little, the tortoise reaches the market.”

Slow, steady effort eventually accomplishes what haste and impatience cannot.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Every hoe has its stick waiting in the bush.”

Everyone eventually meets someone or something equal to their own strength, trickery, or ambition.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Cursing does not bore a hole in your skin.”

Harsh words alone cannot cause real physical harm, even though they may sting in the moment.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“The sun is shining, but things are not bright.”

A good appearance on the surface does not always mean that circumstances underneath are truly good.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“A willful puppy gets its rope cut short.”

Someone who insists on having their own way despite warnings will eventually find their freedom restricted.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Every day is not Christmas.”

Good times and celebration do not last forever, so do not expect ease and plenty every single day.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Two heads are better than one, but two heads can also bump.”

Working together is often stronger than working alone, but more people involved also means more room for disagreement.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Rain may fall, but the ground stays hard.”

Even when help or relief arrives, the underlying hardship of daily life does not always ease.

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: Traditional West Indian proverb, shared Anglophone Caribbean oral heritage (Leeward Islands region including Anguilla), public-domain oral tradition

“Sheep don't bring goat.”

Children tend to resemble their parents in nature and behavior — used the way English speakers say "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Traditional Anguilla & West Indian Wisdom

Source: TRUE Anguilla Magazine, "10 Essential Anguillian Dialect Words & Phrases" (trueanguilla.com), corroborated against the wider Caribbean goat/sheep proverb family (Wiwords Caribbean Dictionary, Trinidad & Tobago; Jamaica Observer)