British Virgin Islands Proverbs (50)

Traditional proverbs of British Virgin Islands in en and English — each with its meaning and source.

“What sweet in goat mouth is sour in his belly.”

Something that feels pleasurable in the moment can bring painful consequences later.

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Every day the bucket goes to the well, one day the bottom will drop out.”

Repeated risky or dishonest behavior eventually catches up with you.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Little by little the bird builds its nest.”

Patient, steady effort accomplishes what haste cannot.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“One one coco full basket.”

Small, steady contributions accumulate into something substantial over time.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Time longer than rope.”

Given enough time, the truth and justice will eventually catch up with everything.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Play with puppy, puppy licks your mouth.”

Allowing too much familiarity without boundaries invites disrespect.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Monkey knows which tree to climb.”

People instinctively know where their advantage or opportunity lies.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Hard head makes soft backside.”

Stubbornness that refuses good advice usually ends in a painful lesson.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Cut your coat according to your cloth.”

Live within the means you actually have, not the means you wish you had.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Empty barrel makes the most noise.”

Those with the least substance often talk the loudest.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Rain doesn't fall on one man's housetop alone.”

Hardship eventually touches everyone, not only the person suffering it now.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“The higher the monkey climbs, the more he shows his tail.”

The more a proud person rises, the more clearly their flaws are exposed.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Sorry for maga dog, maga dog bite you.”

Kindness shown to the desperate or wretched is sometimes repaid with betrayal.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“If you can't hear, you will feel.”

A warning ignored is usually followed by a painful, firsthand lesson.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Cockroach never right in front of fowl.”

In a dispute between an obvious wrongdoer and the one who confronts them, the wrongdoer rarely gets the benefit of the doubt.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“What is joke to you is death to me.”

Something that seems trivial or funny to one person may be a real hardship to another.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“A busy hand is better than an idle head.”

Productive work keeps a person out of trouble that idleness invites.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Wood already bent is hard to straighten.”

Habits and character formed early in life are difficult to change later.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“No condition is permanent.”

Whether times are hard or good, circumstances always change eventually.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“One finger can't pick up a stone.”

Cooperation achieves what a single person acting alone cannot.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“A smiling face doesn't always mean a friend.”

Pleasant appearances can hide someone's true, less friendly intentions.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Two dogs can't agree over one bone.”

When two parties both want the same limited prize, conflict is hard to avoid.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Better belly buss than good food waste.”

A wry saying about not letting good food go to waste, even at the cost of overeating.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Ask no question, hear no lie.”

Sometimes not prying into a matter spares you from being told a falsehood.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Never test the depth of a river with both feet.”

Approach uncertain or risky situations cautiously, testing carefully rather than committing fully at once.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“The tongue has no bone, but it can break a man's back.”

Harsh or careless words can cause damage far greater than physical force.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“You can't hide the sun with a basket.”

The truth is too large and obvious to be concealed for long.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Rockstone at the bottom of the river doesn't know the sun is hot.”

Those who are sheltered from hardship often fail to understand what others are suffering.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“When a man dies, grass grows at his door.”

Life and the world move on quickly, even after someone important is gone.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Craven choke puppy.”

Excessive greed eventually destroys the greedy person.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Take skin-teeth to cover heart-burn.”

People often smile outwardly to hide the pain or sorrow they carry inside.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Duppy know who to frighten.”

Cunning or dishonest people are careful to target only those who are vulnerable enough to be fooled.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“New broom sweeps clean, but old broom knows the corner.”

Newcomers may bring energy and enthusiasm, but experience knows the details that novelty misses.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Wanti wanti can't getti, getti getti no wanti.”

Those who desperately want something often cannot get it, while those who already have it may not even want it — a comment on the irony of desire.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“If you can't catch Quaco, you catch his shirt.”

When you cannot get exactly what you were after, settle for whatever part of it you can reach.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Trouble doesn't set like rain.”

Unlike rain clouds that give warning, misfortune can arrive without any sign at all.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“When your hand is in a dog's mouth, take your time to draw it out.”

In a delicate or dangerous situation, act carefully and patiently rather than yanking free and making things worse.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Sleep has no calendar.”

Trouble and misfortune can strike at any time, without regard for when it is convenient.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Coward man keeps sound bones.”

A person who avoids unnecessary risk and conflict is spared the injuries that bolder people suffer.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Nothing beats a trial but a failure.”

It's always worth attempting something, since the only real defeat is refusing to try at all.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Every hoe has its stick in the bush.”

Everyone will eventually meet their match or their equal, however confident they may be.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“A hungry belly has no ears.”

A person in real need cannot be reasoned with by words alone; their circumstances must be addressed first.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Give and take is what keeps a friendship alive.”

Relationships endure only when both sides are willing to compromise and share fairly.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“A little axe can cut down a big tree.”

Persistence and small consistent efforts can overcome even the largest obstacles.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“You can't get blood out of a stone.”

It is pointless to demand something from someone who genuinely has nothing to give.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“What can't run, must walk.”

When you cannot move quickly toward a goal, steady progress will still get you there eventually.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Every day is not Christmas.”

Good fortune and celebration do not last forever, so enjoy and prepare wisely while they do.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“You can't run from your own shadow.”

A person cannot escape their own nature, past, or conscience no matter how far they go.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Empty bag can't stand up.”

A person without resources or support cannot be expected to hold themselves up, let alone help others.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition

“Cuss-cuss doesn't bore a hole in the skin.”

Harsh words exchanged in an argument, however heated, leave no physical wound behind.

Traditional Virgin Islands Wisdom

Source: Traditional Eastern Caribbean/West Indian proverb, shared regional oral heritage of the Virgin Islands and neighboring West Indies, public-domain oral tradition