E pala le ma'a, a e le pala le upu.

“Stones rot, but words do not.”

A promise or a spoken statement outlasts even solid rock — words carry lasting weight and must be honored.

E le pu se tino i upu.

“Words do not break bones.”

Harsh words may sting, but they cannot physically harm the way violence does — encouragement to bear criticism with composure.

Fale-taeao e le afiafi.

“Who sits at home in the morning will not eat in the evening.”

Idleness in the early part of the day leads to want later on — a warning against laziness.

Ua se ana.

“It is like a cave — something promised, but never given.”

Describes an empty promise, something spoken of but never delivered.

E toa e le loto, a e pa le noo.

“Strong in heart, but broken in the back.”

Said of someone whose willpower and courage exceed their physical strength.

Ua se taʻataʻa a le ala.

“Like grass by the roadside.”

Describes someone with no fixed home, drifting without belonging to a family or place.