Ethiopia Proverbs (8)

Traditional proverbs of Ethiopia in Khmer and English — each with its meaning and source.

ድር ቢያብር አንበሳ ያስር

“When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion.”

Individually weak people or efforts become powerful when they join together in unity.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

ቀስ በቀስ እንቁላል በእግሩ ይሄዳል

“Little by little, an egg will walk on its legs.”

With patience and gradual, steady effort even seemingly impossible things are accomplished.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

እግርህን በልብስህ ልክ ዘርጋ

“Stretch your legs according to the length of your blanket.”

Live within your means and act according to your resources and circumstances.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

ጅብ ከሄደ ውሻ ጮኸ

“When the hyena has already left, the dog starts barking.”

Taking action or raising an alarm after the danger has passed is useless.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

ውሃ ሲወስድ እያሳሳቀ ነው

“The river carries you away while it is laughing (looking gentle).”

Danger and ruin often arrive disguised in a pleasant, harmless-looking form.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

ሲሮጡ የታጠቁት ሲሮጡ ይፈታል

“What is tied while running comes loose while running.”

Things done hastily and carelessly fall apart just as quickly.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

ላም አለኝ በሰማይ ወተትዋንም አላይ

“I have a cow in the sky, but I cannot see its milk.”

Boasting about a possession or promise that is unreachable and of no real benefit.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition

አንድ እጅ ብቻዋን አታጨበጭብም

“One hand alone cannot clap.”

Cooperation is needed to achieve anything; nothing is done successfully alone.

Source: Traditional Ethiopian (Amharic) proverb, public-domain oral tradition