Traditional proverbs of Montserrat in en and English — each with its meaning and source.
“One-one cocoa full basket.”
Small, steady contributions add up over time into something substantial.
Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean proverb, shared West Indian oral tradition across the Leeward Islands including Montserrat, public-domain oral tradition
“What is for you cannot be un-for you.”
What is truly meant for you will come to you no matter the obstacles in the way.
“Cockroach has no business in a fowl fight.”
Do not involve yourself in a conflict far bigger or more dangerous than you are; you will only get hurt.
“Time longer than rope.”
Given enough time, truth and justice eventually catch up with wrongdoing, however long it takes.
“Every skin-teeth is not a laugh.”
A smiling face does not always mean genuine friendliness or good intentions.
“When your neighbour's house is on fire, wet your own roof.”
Take precautions when trouble strikes nearby, even before it reaches your own doorstep.
“Empty barrel makes the most noise.”
Those with the least substance or knowledge are often the loudest and most boastful.
“Every day is not Christmas.”
Good fortune and celebration do not come every day; be prepared for the ordinary and harder times too.
“Play with puppy, puppy licks your mouth.”
Allowing too much familiarity, especially with those beneath your guard, invites disrespect.
“Little pot soon hot.”
Small or young people can lose their temper quickly, boiling over faster than those with more experience.
“Wanti wanti cyaan getti getti, and getti getti no wanti wanti.”
People often cannot get what they truly desire, while those who already have plenty no longer want it.
Source: Traditional West Indian Creole proverb, part of the shared English Creole oral tradition across the Caribbean including the Leeward Islands and Montserrat (see Richard Allsopp, Dictionary of Caribbean English Usage), public-domain oral tradition
“Chicken merry, hawk deh near.”
When things are going well and spirits are high, danger may be closer than it appears.
“New broom sweep clean, but old broom know the corner.”
Newcomers may impress with fresh energy, but experience knows details that enthusiasm alone cannot reach.
“If you can't hear, you will feel.”
Those who refuse to listen to advice will eventually learn the same lesson through painful experience.
“Every day the devil helps the thief, but one day God helps the watchman.”
Wrongdoing may go unpunished for a long time, but justice eventually catches up with it.
“Craven choke puppy.”
Excessive greed can ultimately destroy the greedy person themselves.
“Duppy know who fi frighten.”
Tricksters and wrongdoers know exactly who is vulnerable enough to deceive or exploit.
“Sorry for mawga dog, mawga dog turn round bite you.”
Showing kindness to the undeserving can sometimes be repaid with betrayal.
“Two bulls can't reign in one pen.”
Two equally strong-willed leaders cannot share the same space or authority without conflict.
“Rockstone at the bottom of the river doesn't know the sun is hot.”
Those who are sheltered from hardship often fail to understand the suffering of others.
“Cuss-cuss doesn't bore a hole in your skin.”
Harsh words alone cannot cause lasting physical harm; do not let insults break your resolve.
“Once the mouth opens, the story jumps out.”
Secrets are difficult to keep once a person begins to talk.
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