Den tempu di gera no tin misa.
“In times of war there is no mass.”
Normal courtesies and rules are suspended during a real crisis or conflict.
— Traditional Curaçao Wisdom, Curaçao
Source: Traditional Papiamento proverb, shared Aruba-Bonaire-Curaçao (ABC islands) oral tradition, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Curaçao
Better late than never.
Acting late is still worth more than never acting at all.
Traditional Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →
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 Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →
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.
Traditional Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →
The chicken washes with the water it has.
Make do with what is available to you rather than waiting for ideal conditions.
Traditional Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →
A clean conscience is the best pillow.
Living honestly brings peace of mind and untroubled sleep.
Traditional Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →
To jump out of the pot and fall into the fire.
Escaping one bad situation only to land in a worse one.
Traditional Curaçao Wisdom
Read more →