21 Short, Funny & Timeless
Jamaican Sayings & Proverbs

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1. "Mi old, but mi nuh cold" 
   
   [Do not underestimate the value of the elderly]
   
   
2. "Every mikkle mek a mukkle" 
   
   [Every little bit counts]
   
   
3. "Every dawg has his day and every puss his 4 o'clock" 
   
   [Today for me, tomorrow for you]
   
   
4. "Cock mouth kill cock" 
   
   [Watch your mouth, it can get in the great trouble!]
   
   
5. "Sorry fi mawga dog, mawga dog wi tun round bite you"
   
   [Sometimes it is those whom we help who are the least grateful]
   
   
6. "Duppy know who fi frighten" 
   
   [Bullies pick on those who can defend themselves the least]
   
   
7. "De olda de moon, de brigther it shines" 
   
   [The older a person is, the wiser]
   
   
8. "Hog say, 'de first dutty water mi ketch, mi wash'." 
   
   [Make use of the first opportunities that comes your way]
   
   
9. "One eye man a king in blind man country". 
   
   [No matter how bad your situation seems, there is always another for whom things are worse]
   
   
10. "Talk and taste your tongue" 
    
    [Think before you speak]
    
    
11. "Cockroach nuh business inna fowl fight" 
    
    [Don't get involved in this that don't concerns you]
    
    
12. "One, one coco full basket" 
    
    [Do not expect to achieve success overnight, take it slowly]
    
    
13. "Chicken merry; hawk deh [is] near" 
    
    [Be careful when things are going too good for you as its always possible that danger is around the corner]
    
    
14. "Mi throw mi corn, but me no call no fowl" 
    
    [A statement is made, the guilty party will pick it up]
    
    
15. "What sweet nanny goat ago run eeh belly" 
    
    [That that appear too good, can hurt you]
    
    
16. "See and Blind, Hear and Deaf" 
    
    [Sometimes you need to give a deaf ear, and turn a blind eye to things in order to not get involved]
    
    
17. "fire deh a mus-mus tail him tink a cool breeze" 
    
    [You may be heading for trouble and don't even realize it]
    
    
18. "Yuh tink a one day monkey want wife?" 
    
    [Do think you won't need my help in the future? Never forget those who help you]
    
    
19. "Every hoe have dem stik a bush" 
    
    [There's someone out there for everyone]
    
    
20. And finally, "Wanti, wanti, cyan getti, getti, getti nuh want it"
    
    [Count your blessings and do not take what you have for granted- others may just be hoping they had what you have]
    
    
21. "Wey goat go, kid falla"
    
    [Leaders must always lead by positive example as their actions will determine the direction of the followers]
    

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