Papua New Guinea Proverbs (21)

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.

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.

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.

Mani em i no laip

“Money is not life.”

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

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.

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.

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.

“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.

“A saying from the cassowary to her chicks: whatever falls from above is always the fruit of the tree — take and eat it, but avoid anything that comes to you from the ground, for it will bring you harm.”

Accept correction from those who point out your mistakes; be wary of those who conceal them, for they lead you to harm.

“Respecting old people, listening to their instructions, and giving priority to the teaching they give you helps you become a good, respected, and successful person.”

Respect your elders and follow their guidance — it brings lasting benefit and success in life.

“With words alone, nothing is done.”

Talk by itself accomplishes nothing — real action is required to achieve any goal.

“When an opossum is sitting in the tree, don't say you are going to eat it.”

A warning against making plans based on outcomes that haven't happened yet — similar to 'don't count your chickens before they hatch.'

“Pigs are bound with rope; men are bound with words.”

Among people, spoken agreements and words carry more binding power than physical restraint.

“The small tongue kindles a big fire.”

A small remark or bit of gossip can spark consequences far larger than its size suggests.

“What you do for someone else, that also he does to you.”

A reciprocity saying reflecting the idea that how you treat others returns to you in kind.

“When you see the sun, don't put out the fire.”

Don't abandon what reliably sustains you for something that only appears better — a warning against the 'grass is greener' impulse.

“Once you have split a taro, you cannot put it back together.”

Some things, like broken relationships or trust, cannot be undone once damaged.

“You can put an axe back, but you can't put words back.”

Think carefully before speaking — unlike a tool, spoken words can never be retracted once said.

“Don't try to knock down a hawk while looking at its shadow.”

Focus on the real substance of a problem rather than being distracted by its surface appearance.

“An earthworm that crawls around is destined to die.”

Aimless wandering, without purpose or direction, leads to ruin.

“A sprouting bean seed will always climb a bean stick.”

Trouble that has been set in motion will persistently keep following the one who started it.