Trinidad & Tobago — quotes, proverbs & wisdom

Wha' is fuh yuh cyah be un-fuh yuh.

“What is for you cannot be un-for you.”

Whatever is destined to come to you will reach you, and nothing meant for you can be taken away.

One one cocoa full basket.

“One by one, the cocoa fills the basket.”

Small, steady contributions accumulate into something substantial over time.

Cockroach have no right in fowl party.

“The cockroach has no business at the fowls' party.”

Those who overstep their place among people who do not welcome them will come to harm.

Monkey know wha' tree to climb.

“The monkey knows which tree to climb.”

A cunning person knows exactly whom they can take advantage of.

Play de fool to catch de wise.

“Play the fool to catch the wise.”

Sometimes feigning ignorance is the cleverest way to outwit someone smarter than you.

Sweet mouth does bruk bone.

“A sweet mouth can break bones.”

Flattery and smooth talk can lead you into serious trouble if you are not careful.

Every day eh Christmas.

“Every day is not Christmas.”

Good fortune and celebration do not last forever, so enjoy them while they come and prepare for ordinary days.

If yuh cyah get de meat, yuh have to eat de bone.

“If you cannot get the meat, you must eat the bone.”

When you cannot obtain what you truly want, you must make do with what is available.

Empty barrel making de most noise.

“The empty barrel makes the most noise.”

People with the least substance or knowledge often boast and talk the loudest.

Wha' sweet in goat mouth sour in he belly.

“What is sweet in the goat's mouth turns sour in its belly.”

Something that brings pleasure in the moment can bring pain and regret afterward.

Trouble doh set like rain.

“Trouble does not gather like rain clouds.”

Unlike rain, which you can see coming, trouble often arrives without any warning at all.

God doh sleep.

“God does not sleep.”

Wrongdoing will eventually be answered for, even if justice seems delayed.

Yuh cyah get vex and eat done food.

“You cannot get vexed and refuse food that is already cooked.”

Do not let anger or pride cause you to waste or turn away something good that is already yours.

Bad talk does bruk friendship.

“Bad talk can break a friendship.”

Gossip and careless words can destroy relationships that took years to build.

De higher de monkey climb, de more he expose.

“The higher the monkey climbs, the more it exposes itself.”

The more prominent or boastful a person becomes, the more clearly their flaws are revealed.

Yuh cyah run 'way from yuh own shadow.

“You cannot run from your own shadow.”

You cannot escape your own nature, past, or conscience, no matter how far you go.

Yuh cyah please everybody.

“You cannot please everybody.”

No matter what you do, someone will always find fault, so live according to your own judgment.

Hard ears does get licks.

“Hard ears get licks.”

Someone who refuses to listen to warning or advice will eventually suffer painful consequences.

All skin teeth eh a laugh.

“Not all bared teeth are a genuine laugh.”

A smiling face does not always mean genuine friendliness; some smiles hide other intentions.

New broom does sweep clean, but de old broom know de corner.

“A new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners.”

Newcomers may bring fresh energy, but experience knows the hidden details that others miss.

“Massa day done.”

The era of colonial masters and deference to colonial authority in the Caribbean has ended.