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São Tomé & Príncipe — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Real words from the people of São Tomé & Príncipe, each with a verified source. New quotes are added as each is fact-checked.

Quem não arrisca, não petisca.

“Who does not risk, does not snack.”

Nothing is gained without taking some chance; caution alone brings no reward.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Água mole em pedra dura, tanto bate até que fura.

“Soft water on hard stone strikes until it bores through.”

Gentle but constant effort eventually overcomes even the hardest obstacle.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Devagar se vai ao longe.

“Go slowly and you will go far.”

Steady, unhurried effort leads to greater and more lasting achievement than haste.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Quem semeia ventos, colhe tempestades.

“Sow the wind and you will reap the storm.”

Reckless or harmful actions bring consequences far larger than the act itself.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Mais vale um pássaro na mão que dois a voar.

“A bird in the hand is worth two in flight.”

A smaller, certain gain is worth more than a larger, uncertain one.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Filho de peixe sabe nadar.

“The fish's child knows how to swim.”

Children often inherit the skills, trade, or character of their parents.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Cão que ladra não morde.

“A barking dog rarely bites.”

Those who make the loudest threats are often the least dangerous.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Quem tem boca vai a Roma.

“A person with a mouth can find their way to Rome.”

Those willing to ask questions can find their way through any difficulty.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

A pressa é inimiga da perfeição.

“Haste is the enemy of perfection.”

Rushed work is rarely done well; care and time produce better results.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Antes tarde do que nunca.

“Better late than never.”

Doing something after a delay is still better than never doing it at all.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

O que os olhos não veem, o coração não sente.

“What the eyes do not see, the heart does not feel.”

People are not troubled by problems or truths they are unaware of.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Grão a grão, a galinha enche o papo.

“Grain by grain, the hen fills its crop.”

Small, steady contributions accumulate into something substantial over time.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Quem tudo quer, tudo perde.

“Who wants everything loses everything.”

Excessive greed or ambition often ends in losing what one already has.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Nem tudo que reluz é ouro.

“Not all that glitters is gold.”

Attractive appearances do not guarantee real value or worth underneath.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Casa de ferreiro, espeto de pau.

“In the blacksmith's house, the roasting spit is made of wood.”

People skilled at something often neglect to apply that very skill within their own home.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Quem canta seus males espanta.

“Whoever sings scares their troubles away.”

A cheerful spirit and song can ease the burden of hardship.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

A união faz a força.

“Union makes strength.”

People working together accomplish far more than they could separately.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Panela velha é que faz comida boa.

“It is the old pot that makes the good food.”

Experience and long practice, though worn by time, produce the best results.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Quem ri por último, ri melhor.

“Who laughs last, laughs best.”

Early success or mockery means little; the final outcome is what truly matters.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

Mais vale prevenir do que remediar.

“It is better to prevent than to remedy.”

Taking precautions beforehand is wiser than dealing with damage after it happens.

Traditional São Tomé & Príncipe Wisdom

Source: Traditional Portuguese-language proverb, shared Lusophone oral heritage of São Tomé & Príncipe (official language), public-domain oral tradition

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