Mizè pa tini manman, mé i tini papa'y: lajan.
“Misery has no mother, but it has a father: money.”
The root of hardship most often traces back to a lack of money.
— Traditional Martinique Wisdom, Martinique
Source: Traditional Martinique proverb, public-domain oral tradition
More Proverbs from Martinique
If you want to know where you are going, look at where you came from.
Understanding your roots and past is essential to moving forward wisely.
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Little by little, the frog crossed the road.
Patience and small, steady steps eventually accomplish a large goal.
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It is the grains of rice that fill the sack.
Every small contribution adds up to something substantial in the end.
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One hand washes the other.
People need each other; mutual help is what allows a community to move forward.
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What does not kill you makes you move forward.
Hardship, when survived, becomes a source of strength and progress.
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Your mouth is your own cooking pot.
Think carefully before you speak, because your words are entirely your own responsibility.
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