Papua New Guinea — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of Papua New Guinea, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

Proverbs

Kirap bek ken long dust

“Rise up from the ashes.”

A message of hope and resilience adopted after the Bougainville conflict, encouraging recovery and a better, self-determined future.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Bougainville region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

Mekim wanem samting yu ken na Papa God bai mekim long wanem hap yu sot lo mekim

“Do what you can, and God will take care of what you cannot do.”

Effort paired with faith is enough; divine grace is trusted to complete what human strength alone cannot finish.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Chimbu region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

Taim i no inap kambekgen. Em go na go olgeta

“Time cannot come back again. It goes, and it goes completely.”

Time, once spent, can never be recovered or reused, so it should not be wasted.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Mani em i no laip

“Money is not life.”

Wealth is secondary to caring for the true needs of family and loved ones.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Jimi Valley region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

Heven na graun bai pinis tasol tok bilong God bai i no inap pinis

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but the word of the Lord will never pass away.”

Earthly things are temporary, but God's word is held to endure forever.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Jiwaka region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

Wara contana save buruk long aus doa

“The container filled with water breaks right at the door.”

A long effort or investment can still fail at the very last moment, right before it is completed.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Enga region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

Yumi rolim nupela simuk

“Let us roll new smoke to smoke.”

A saying describing the deliberate stirring up of tension or confrontation between rival groups.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb (Hela region); collected in Ted and Rachel Henderson, "PNG Proverbs," missionary blog (2015), from Papua New Guinea College of Nursing students at Kudjip for World Trade Press AtoZ World Culture

“Knowledge is only a rumor until it is in the muscle.”

Learning is not real or trustworthy until it has been tested and proven through actual practice and experience.

Traditional Papua New Guinea Wisdom

Source: Traditional Papua New Guinea proverb, public-domain oral tradition; widely cited in English-language proverb collections (e.g. Goodreads "Papua New Guinea Proverb" quotes)