Traditional Sint Maarten Wisdom

“All grin teeth ain't laugh.”

A smiling face does not always mean genuine happiness.

“Old fire stick burns quick.”

Older people tire more quickly than the young.

“A still mouth keeps a wise head.”

Knowing when to stay silent is a sign of wisdom.

“Never spit in the sky; it will fall back in your face.”

Harmful actions eventually return to the one who caused them.

“Never get between the tree and its bark.”

Do not interfere in the private affairs of people who are close to one another.

“Never cut down the tree that gives you shade.”

Do not harm the people or things that protect and support you.

“The monkey knows what tree to jump on.”

Experienced people instinctively know where to place their trust or effort.

“Don't be a carry-go-bring-come.”

Do not spread gossip or carry tales between people.

“Tell the truth and you never have to remember what you said.”

Honesty spares a person the burden of keeping track of lies.

“Never hang your hat higher than you can reach.”

Do not set goals or claim a lifestyle beyond your real means.

“While the grass is growing, the horse is starving.”

Waiting too long for a solution can cause suffering in the meantime.

“You will never see the fowl's behind until the wind blows.”

Hidden truths are eventually revealed by circumstance.

“Let-alone is better than beg-pardon.”

It is wiser to avoid trouble than to have to apologize for it afterward.

“What sweetens the goat's mouth sours his behind.”

A pleasure enjoyed now can bring pain or consequences later.

“Talk is cheap; tobacco costs money.”

Words are easy to give, but they carry less weight than something of real value.

“Nothing comes from an empty coal bag but dust.”

A person or thing with nothing to offer cannot produce anything of worth.

“Empty bag can't stand up.”

Without real substance or resources, a person cannot hold their position.

“What hurts the eye makes the nose run.”

Pain in one part of life affects the whole person.

“It's a long run for a meager goat.”

A great deal of effort was spent for very little reward.

“A hungry dog eats raw corn.”

Desperation makes a person less selective about what they will accept.

“Make haste, less speed.”

Rushing carelessly tends to slow real progress rather than speed it up.

“Where the horse can reach, the jackass will reach also.”

Lesser or less capable individuals often follow wherever the strong or capable lead.

“The cattle-boy knows the cattle's temper.”

Close, hands-on experience teaches understanding no outsider can claim.

“Pure water comes from the head of the fountain.”

The truest quality of anything is found closest to its source.

“To beat a dog, first find a stick.”

Preparation comes before any action, good or bad.

“A bald-headed man never parts with his comb.”

People often hold on to things long after they have stopped being useful, out of habit or pride.

“Tall trees catch much wind.”

Those who rise to prominence attract more criticism and difficulty.

“Every dog has his day, and every hog his Saturday.”

Everyone eventually gets their moment of fortune or reckoning.

“Moonlight may run, but daylight will surely catch her.”

Wrongdoing hidden in secrecy is eventually exposed in the light of truth.

“Do your best, and God will do the rest.”

Put in honest effort, and trust that the outcome will follow.

“Every day the bucket goes to the well, one day the rope will burst.”

Repeating a risk again and again eventually leads to failure.

“I am no bamboo to cover the rain.”

A person should not be expected to shield others from every hardship alone.

“He who has the watch must keep the lookout.”

Responsibility comes attached to whatever position or privilege a person holds.

“Who has quaw-quaw drying in the sun must keep an eye out for rain.”

Anyone with something valuable at stake must stay alert to protect it.

“A small boat can still carry a big sail.”

Even the humble or small can accomplish great things.

“If you care, you will share.”

True compassion is shown through the willingness to give.

“Never ask how much, ask how good.”

Quality matters more than price when judging something's true worth.

“An old broom sweeps cleaner than a new broom.”

Experience often outperforms novelty, however impressive the new may look.

“Never be wrong and strong.”

Do not stubbornly insist you are right when you know you are wrong.

“What you have bought, you will have to wear.”

You must live with the consequences of the choices you make.

“What soberness would have concealed, drunkenness has revealed.”

Alcohol strips away the guarded truths a sober person keeps hidden.

“When Jack says walk, Tom, you had better run.”

When authority gives an instruction, it is wise to obey without delay.

“If you sleep with dogs, you must catch fleas.”

Keeping bad company brings the troubles that come with it.

“Who won't hear will feel.”

A person who ignores warnings will eventually learn the hard way.

“When the monkey can't reach the grapes, he says they are sour.”

People often belittle what they cannot have to soothe their own disappointment.

“Love-so don't have-so.”

Affection or desire for something does not guarantee that you will possess it.

“One rotten mango spoils the bunch.”

A single bad influence can corrupt an entire group.

“Never put a monkey to watch the bananas.”

Do not place a tempted person in charge of guarding what tempts them.

“Who has butter on his head must keep out of the sun.”

A person with something to hide must be careful not to expose their own weakness.

“Today for me, tomorrow for you.”

Fortune and misfortune take turns visiting everyone in time.