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Bo ta bomba awa di renbak.

“You sing so badly you have spoiled the water.”

Said to someone singing badly out of tune — a light-hearted way of mocking a poor performance.

— Traditional Papiamento Wisdom, Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

More Proverbs from Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba

Mihó lat ku nunka.

“Better late than never.”

Acting late is still worth more than never acting at all.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

Den dos man funchi no por sali papa.

“With only two hands, the funchi cannot come out right.”

A single pair of hands is rarely enough — real work goes better with the help of others.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

Galiña ta laba ku e awa ku e tin.

“The chicken washes with the water it has.”

Make do with what is available to you rather than waiting for ideal conditions.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

Un konsenshi limpi ta e mihó kusinchi.

“A clean conscience is the best pillow.”

Living honestly brings peace of mind and untroubled sleep.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

Sali fo'i panchi kai den kandela.

“To jump out of the pot and fall into the fire.”

Escaping one bad situation only to land in a worse one.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition

Pushi ku hanskun no por kohe raton.

“A cat wearing gloves cannot catch mice.”

Being overly careful or restrained can stop you from getting anything done.

Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition