Traditional Guadeloupe Wisdom

Pran douvan avan douvan pran-w.

“Take the lead before the lead takes you.”

You must know how to anticipate trouble so it does not catch you by surprise.

Bennyé bonnè sèk vit!

“Who bathes early dries quickly.”

Those who act first reap the benefit; the early are best served.

Apatoudi menné koulèv lékol, sé fè-y sizé i tout.

“It is not enough to lead a snake to school — you must also make it sit down.”

Starting a project is not enough; the real difficulty is seeing it through to the end.

Bannann jonn pa ka vini vèt.

“Yellow bananas do not turn green again.”

Some changes cannot be undone; there is no going back once something has run its course.

Vrè zanmi ka konté si on sel min.

“True friends can be counted on one hand.”

Genuine, trustworthy friendships are rare, however many acquaintances a person has.

Nónm la ka di san fè, bondié ka fè san di.

“Man says it without doing it; the good Lord does it without saying it.”

People are often full of empty words, while real outcomes unfold quietly, without announcement.

A fòs makak karésé pitit a-y, i kyouyé'y.

“By dint of caressing its baby, the monkey killed it.”

The best can become the enemy of the good; even care and affection can be harmful in excess.

Chat pa la, rat ka bay bal.

“When the cat is not there, the rats throw a ball.”

People misbehave or take liberties as soon as those in authority are absent.

Chakmoun sav sa i ka bouyi an kannari a-y.

“Everyone knows what is cooking in their own pot.”

Every person best understands their own private troubles and affairs, whatever they show outwardly.

Two présé pa ka fè jou ouvè.

“Being too much in a hurry does not make the day break any sooner.”

Rushing does not speed up what needs its own natural time to happen.

Mété tèt a'w égal a kó a'w!

“Keep your head level with your body.”

Pay attention and think matters through carefully before acting.

Rich ka fè sa yo vlé, maléré ka fè sa yo pé.

“The rich do as they wish; the poor do as they can.”

Wealth grants freedom of choice, while poverty limits people to whatever options remain open to them.

A pa lè ou fen pou mété manjé si difé.

“It is not when you are hungry that you should put the food on the fire.”

One must plan and prepare ahead of time rather than scrambling once the need is already urgent.

A pa sa ka travay plis ka manjé plis.

“It is not the one who works the most who eats the most.”

Reward is not always proportional to effort; the hardest workers are not necessarily the wealthiest.

Deux crabes mâles ne peuvent vivre dans le même trou.

“Two male crabs cannot live in the same hole.”

Two strong-willed people cannot share the same position of authority without conflict.

Le cochon qui a deux maîtres meurt de faim.

“The pig that has two masters dies of hunger.”

When responsibility is divided between too many people, no one truly takes care of it.

Avant de traverser la rivière, n'injuriez pas la mère du caïman.

“Before crossing the river, do not insult the caiman's mother.”

Do not offend those whose help or goodwill you may still need.

Les fourmis peuvent tuer un bœuf.

“Ants can kill an ox.”

Many small, weak forces acting together can overcome something far larger and stronger.

Tous ceux qui portent des éperons ne sont pas maquignons.

“Not all who wear spurs are horse-traders.”

Appearances can be deceiving; looking the part does not mean someone truly has the skill or role.

Parler correctement le français n'est pas signe d'esprit.

“Speaking correct French is not a sign of intelligence.”

Fluency in the language of the powerful does not equal wisdom or true worth.