Mauritius Proverbs (18)

Dilo trankil ena so profonder.

“Even still water has its depth.”

Calm, quiet people should not be underestimated — a still surface can hide deep knowledge or feeling.

Tou lannwit ena so gramatin.

“Every night has its morning.”

No matter how dark or difficult a time feels, it will pass and better days will follow.

Dilo lor bred sonz.

“Water on taro leaves.”

Criticism or harsh words roll off without effect, like water sliding off a taro leaf — "in one ear and out the other."

Priye bondie, kaka diab.

“He prays to God but does the devil's business.”

Calls out hypocrisy — someone who acts pious in public while behaving badly in private.

Lalang kabri.

“A goat's tongue.”

A compliment for someone whose words carry real weight and tend to come true, as if spoken with an almost prophetic tongue.

Zordi mwa, dime twa.

“Today me, tomorrow you.”

What goes around comes around — fortune or misfortune eventually reaches everyone in turn.

Leker dimun kass ros.

“With the human heart, you can break stones.”

Human will and love have the power to overcome even the hardest obstacles.

Soley briye pou tou dimounn.

“The sun shines for everyone.”

Life's joys and opportunities belong equally to all people, regardless of background.

Zafferes mouton napas safferes cabris.

“The sheep's business is not the goat's business.”

Mind your own affairs — do not meddle in matters that do not concern you.

Malade vine lahaut lieve, li alle lahaut tourtie.

“Illness arrives on a hare, but leaves on a turtle.”

Sickness strikes suddenly and fast, but recovery is slow — patience is needed while healing.

In dizef poul napa gagn ti kanar.

“The hen's egg does not hatch a duckling.”

Children resemble their parents in character as well as appearance — similar to "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

Bef travay souval manze.

“The oxen work and the horses eat.”

A complaint about unfairness — some people do all the labor while others reap the reward.

Bate rande napa fer dimal.

“Returning what you receive does no harm.”

A call for fairness and reciprocity — treat others as you wish to be treated; giving back in kind is never wrong.

Dan vye karay ki fer meyer kari.

“It is in the old pot that the best curry is made.”

Experience and age bring wisdom and skill, much like the saying that fine wine improves with age.

Frekant lisien gayn piss.

“Keep company with dogs and you will catch fleas.”

The people you associate with shape your character and fate — choose your company wisely.

“Most impenetrable to the thoughts of others are those who have no personal language.”

People who lack a distinct voice or way of expressing themselves struggle most to understand the minds of others.

“Laughter is regional: a smile extends over the whole face.”

Laughter is localized and specific, while a smile is universal and spreads across the entire face — a meditation on the differing nature of joy and warmth.

“The idealist walks on tiptoe, the materialist on his heels.”

A vivid image contrasting the light, aspiring nature of idealism with the grounded, weighty nature of materialism.