Traditional proverbs of Cayman Islands in en and English — each with its meaning and source.
“Finger never say 'look here,' it says 'look yonder.'”
People are quick to point out faults in others while avoiding a look at their own shortcomings.
Source: Traditional Jamaican proverb, shared West Indian oral heritage with the Cayman Islands (a dependency of Jamaica until 1962), public-domain oral tradition; documented by the National Library of Jamaica.
“If you get your hand in the devil's mouth, take it out slowly.”
When you find yourself in a dangerous or difficult situation, use caution and care to get out of it safely.
“The peacock hides its foot when it hears about its tail.”
A proud person is quick to hide their flaws once those flaws are pointed out.
“Don't wait until the drum beats before you grind your axe.”
Prepare for challenges ahead of time, not after they have already arrived.
“It isn't wanting to be fat that makes the nightingale's foot stay so thin.”
Do not judge a person's circumstances only by outward appearance; there is often a deeper reason behind it.
“Every day the devil helps the thief; one day God will help the watchman.”
Wrongdoing may seem to succeed for a time, but justice and faithfulness are eventually rewarded.
“A coward man keeps a sound bone.”
A strategic retreat from danger preserves your strength for another day.
“Cock mouth kill cock.”
Careless boasting or loose talk brings trouble upon the speaker.
“A dog doesn't howl if he has a bone.”
A person who is comfortable and provided for tends to remain content and untroubled.
“Chicken merry, hawk deh near.”
Danger is often closest during moments of carelessness and celebration.
“You can't sit down on a cow's back and curse its hide.”
Never show ingratitude or speak ill of someone who is supporting or helping you.
“Fire deh a muss-muss tail, and he thinks it's a cool breeze.”
A naive person may fail to notice danger creeping up until it is too late.
“What goes bad in the morning can't come good in the evening by worrying.”
Fretting over a mistake after it has happened rarely makes things better.
“A big blanket makes a man sleep late.”
Too much comfort and luxury can breed complacency.
“What is sweet in the mouth may be hot in the belly.”
Something that seems appealing at first can bring pain or regret afterward.
“A patient man rides the donkey.”
Patience may be slow, but it eventually carries you to your destination.
“Want all, lose all.”
Trying to grab everything out of greed often ends in losing everything.
“Wanti wanti can't getti, and getti getti no wanti.”
People often long for what is out of reach while taking for granted what comes easily.
“New broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners.”
Fresh energy is valuable, but experience knows the details that newcomers miss.
“A pound of fret can't pay an ounce of debt.”
Worrying about a problem does nothing to actually solve it.
“Willful waste brings woeful want.”
Careless waste today creates painful scarcity tomorrow.
“Don't buy puss in a bag.”
Examine something carefully before committing to it, rather than trusting it blindly.
“A quattie buys trouble that a hundred pounds can't pay to settle.”
A small careless decision can create a costly and complicated problem.
“Long run, short catch.”
Wrongdoing may escape justice for a long time, but it is eventually caught.
“One hand washes the other.”
People who help each other accomplish more together than they could alone.
“The more you look, the less you see.”
Complete understanding of any subject is never fully possible, no matter how closely you study it.
“Bowl go, packy come.”
Kindness given generously tends to be returned in kind.
“One finger can't kill a louse.”
Some tasks require the cooperation of more than one person to succeed.
“If you spread your bed hard, you have to lie down on it hard.”
You must accept the consequences of the choices you make for yourself.
“Every dog has his day, and every cat has his four o'clock.”
Opportunity eventually comes to everyone, even the most unlikely person.
“When the coco is ripe, it must burst.”
A person's true character and intentions eventually reveal themselves through their actions.
“What the goat does, the kid follows.”
Children learn their behavior by watching and imitating the adults around them.
“Take what you get, till you get what you want.”
Make good use of the opportunities available now while working toward your larger goal.
“A good friend is better than pocket money.”
True friendship is worth more than material wealth.
“Self-praise is no recommendation.”
Praising yourself carries little weight; true worth is recognized and vouched for by others.
“Rain never falls on one man's door alone.”
Hardship and difficulty come to everyone at some point; no one is spared.
“Nanny goat never scratches her back until she sees a wall.”
Wise action waits for the right timing and the right support before it begins.
“Every day is a fishing day, but not every day is a catching day.”
Consistent effort does not always guarantee an equal reward, yet the work must still continue.
“John Crow never builds a house until the rain comes.”
Some people fail to prepare for troubles that could easily have been foreseen.
“A stranger doesn't know where the deep water is in the channel.”
Avoid taking on unfamiliar tasks or waters without first understanding them properly.
“Play with puppy, puppy lick your mouth.”
Being too familiar or lenient with someone can lead them to disrespect you.
“Time longer than rope.”
Given enough time, hidden truths and old debts eventually come to light, no matter how long it takes.
“An empty barrel makes the most noise.”
Those who talk the loudest and most often frequently have the least of substance to say.
“Rockstone at the river bottom never feels how hot the sun is.”
Someone who has never suffered a hardship cannot truly understand the pain of those who have.
“You can't get water out of a stone.”
You cannot demand help, money, or sympathy from someone who has none to give.
“Two bulls can't reign in one pen.”
Two strong-willed leaders cannot share the same position without conflict.
“Sorry for maga dog, maga dog turn around bite you.”
Showing pity to someone in a weak position can later be repaid with betrayal.
“Cuss-cuss never bore hole in skin.”
Harsh words may sting, but unlike actions, they leave no lasting physical wound.
“One one coco full basket.”
Small, steady efforts gathered one at a time eventually fill up something substantial.
“If you can't hear, you will feel.”
Those who ignore good advice often must learn the same lesson the hard way, through painful experience.
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