Traditional proverbs of South Sudan in en and English — each with its meaning and source.
Moea uecha heavy hayen.
“A friend is someone you share the path with.”
True friendship is shown by walking life's journey together, not just by words.
Source: Dinka (South Sudan) proverb, African Proverb of the Month (June 2022), African Proverbs Working Group / Tangaza University College, Nairobi
Agal hosi arik naboite.
“Two heads are better than one.”
A community that works together, as in hunting parties, succeeds where a lone individual cannot.
Source: Lopit (South Sudan) proverb, African Proverb of the Month (March 2020), African Proverbs Working Group / Tangaza University College, Nairobi
Thilɛ dit tuɔ̱ŋ.
“There are not big horns, they are all horns.”
A person's worth should be judged by character and behavior, not by outward size or status — all are equal.
Source: Nuer (South Sudan / Ethiopia) proverb, African Proverb of the Month (July 2020), African Proverbs Working Group / Tangaza University College, Nairobi
Labwor ma kok pe mako lee.
“A roaring lion does not catch any prey.”
Loud boasting without action achieves nothing; results come from deeds, not declarations.
Source: Acholi (South Sudan / Uganda) proverb, African Proverb of the Month (November 2011), African Proverbs Working Group / Tangaza University College, Nairobi
Ɛ yak mi cɛ yaŋ cam la nyɔkε ni jɛn kɛ ɣɔɔk piny.
“The hyena that bit the cow will do it again.”
Wrongdoing left unaddressed will be repeated; a mistake must be corrected so it does not happen again.
Source: Nuer (South Sudan) proverb, from "A Collection of 100 Nuer Proverbs and Wise Sayings" by Margaret Wambere Ireri with Daniel Chier and John Maker, African Proverbs Working Group, Tangaza University College, Nairobi
“The death of the father does not make the son an orphan.”
The extended family and community continue to raise and support a child even after a parent is gone.
“A water hole is not dug in a place without water.”
Pursue your goals where the right conditions actually exist, not where success is impossible from the start.
“A man who does not possess cows cannot govern.”
Leadership is earned by first managing one's own responsibilities well; those who cannot govern their own affairs cannot be trusted to govern others.
“Each day dawns in its own way.”
Opportunities and circumstances differ from one day to the next; good fortune is never constant, so one cannot foretell the future.
“The leopard's skin does not change colour.”
A person's true character does not change, even when they present themselves to others differently.
“A wound is not touched.”
When a person is hurting emotionally, do not remind them of their pain; be considerate of others' agonies.
“Animals with a long tail should not step over the fire.”
A person carrying a known weakness or fault should avoid situations that could expose it to the community.
“God cannot be pushed to do what we like.”
A person cannot manipulate providence to their own desires; instead, be grateful and pray humbly for what is needed.
“One's fate is not chosen.”
No human being can fully control their own future; a person may strive to improve their life, but its ultimate course is not theirs to decide.
“Years are not like twins.”
One season of life is never quite like the next; success and hardship both come and go over time.
“People do not grow downward like a cow's tail.”
A person should always work toward progress and betterment, never toward decline.
“The buttock does not miss its place.”
Every person has a purpose and a role within the community, and is expected to take up their responsibilities.
“People must not be corrected at their departure time.”
Correct a person's mistake as soon as it happens rather than waiting until the moment for change has already passed.
“Changing your mind is not being a liar.”
Revising an opinion in light of new facts and circumstances is honest, not dishonest.
“The husband of a bad woman grows old without stomach.”
A troubled marriage causes lasting distress, while a caring spouse keeps a family healthy and whole.
“Problems cannot be foreseen like the coming of the rain.”
Hardship in life arrives unexpectedly, so a person should be ready to face and overcome it when it comes.
“In times of famine, even eatable creeping grass is not kept aside.”
Use every resource available to you in hard times; every asset has value when true need arrives.
“The medicine is not drunk free.”
Nothing of value comes without cost; every cure or solution carries some price or effort.
“Returning insult for insult makes people lose sight of what is right.”
Responding to abuse with more abuse clouds good judgment; it is wiser to stay calm and reason things through.
“Do not talk in the bush that has not been burnt.”
Be careful speaking ill of others behind their backs, because word travels and secrets rarely stay hidden.
“Do not throw words like a stick in the night.”
Speak with care and forethought, because careless words can wound deeply and can never be taken back.
“Do not give yourself away like the Nile Perch did.”
Avoid drawing attention through pride or showiness, since standing out too much can invite trouble.
“Do not remain on the riverbank.”
Passiveness and indecision help no one; a person should make a decision and act rather than hesitate forever.
“A false allegation is like biting your tongue while chewing a hard piece of meat.”
Telling lies brings self-inflicted pain of conscience; it is better to always speak the truth.
“The foot does not remain along the way.”
No human being is free of mistakes; we must keep adjusting our path toward what is right.
“Do not dissent with people the way calves do.”
Cooperate with others toward shared, common goals instead of constant, pointless quarrelling.
“A violent man does not easily find food.”
Disrespectful and hostile behaviour isolates a person from the support and goodwill of the community.
“Blindness of the heart brings misunderstanding.”
Stay open to the opinions of others rather than assuming your own view of a matter is complete.
“Do not look for the severed head of Nyankiir.”
Do not go looking for trouble in daily life; face hardship bravely only when it truly comes to you.
“It is not so difficult to drive a goat across the river.”
With determination and a clear plan, nothing worth achieving is truly out of reach.
“Do not do things in the darkness.”
Act with openness and honesty, since anything done secretly is eventually brought to light.
“Do not clean the field that you will not be able to cultivate.”
Take on only what you can genuinely manage; greed or overreach leads to failure and waste.
“Too many words bring a bad word.”
Excessive talking increases the chance of saying something careless or hurtful; speech should be measured.
“Long life is better than earthly wealth.”
A long life spent serving family and community is worth more than riches alone.
“Do not let your hair be shaved with a blunt blade.”
Avoid walking knowingly into a difficult or painful situation that could have been sidestepped.
“A house that is broken in its foundation cannot be repaired and made to stand again.”
Once a relationship is deeply damaged, it is very difficult to fully restore it to how it once was.
“Good reputation is better than wealth.”
The respect and trust a person earns outlasts material riches and can be carried into future generations.
“Children are the seeds of the future.”
Raising children with good values builds a strong, stable future for the whole community.
“Seeking is better than begging.”
Working independently to provide for oneself is more honourable than depending on the charity of others.
“The leg looks after the throat.”
A person must move and work with their own effort to secure food and other basic needs; laziness should be discouraged.
“Bend yourselves when the snake has not yet bitten you.”
Take precautions against a known danger before it strikes, not after the harm has already been done.
“Better to say what you know yourself than what you have only heard people say.”
Speak from verified fact rather than hearsay, to avoid spreading disagreement, shame, or mistrust.
“A rascal child gets easily into the fire.”
A troublesome, undisciplined person more easily brings misfortune upon themselves through their own behaviour.
“One wise child is better than ten foolish ones.”
A single person of good judgment can be of more value to a family or community than many who lack sense.
“Words said behind one's back cause misunderstanding.”
Openness and direct speech prevent the confusion and harm caused by gossip and secret talk.
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