Discover wise ancient sayings of Nigerian elders that inspire patience, hard work, and wisdom to guide your journey toward life success.
Rooted in the traditions of various Nigerian ethnic groups, these timeless expressions encourage virtues such as patience, respect, hard work, and humility. They are built on the understanding that life is a continuous journey of learning and growth. Nigerian elders have used these sayings to inspire younger generations, teach the value of community, and show the importance of making wise choices. They are practical, relatable, and relevant to both personal and professional success.
The beauty of these wise ancient sayings lies in their ability to remain meaningful across time, regardless of changing trends or lifestyles. They connect the past to the present, offering perspectives that help people stay grounded while pursuing their goals. By reflecting on these powerful words, individuals can gain the insight needed to make thoughtful decisions, overcome challenges, and embrace a path that leads to lasting fulfillment and success.
Wise Ancient Sayings Of Nigerian Elders
[1]. There is no shot cut to the top of a palm tree.
[2]. It is better to see the dead body of a dog at the house of a fowl than to see the dead body of a fowl at the house of a dog.
[3]. It is not only well you hear the cry of baby that you would want to breast feed him.
[4]. Women are like clothes in the market, not the first person that offers a price will later buy it.
[5]. A man who refuses to work hard in life will end up to be a best friend to poverty.
[6]. If you don't stand for what is right why then stand at all.
[7]. A wolf cannot intimidate the sheep when the Shepherd is awake and vigilant.
[8]. All ways are no ways. In life pretending is the worst thing so far but let every man be careful.
[9]. The old age of King Methuselah has nothing to do with the Wisdom of Solomon.
[10]. A wise man can learn more from a foolish question than a fool can learn from a wise answer.
[11]. There's no way without the Way.
[12]. He who tells you not to border about little things has never slept in a room with mosquito.
[13]. Two head are better than one but all fingers are not equal. The way you make your bed so you sleep on it.
[14]. A fly that follow the corpse to the grave end up been buried.
[15]. The believer is naturally disposed to all the traits except betrayal and lying.
[16]. Chameleon said, not that he cannot walk faster but he beg the ground before walking.
[17]. Patient is the stepping stone.
[18]. The white pot on firewood has not seen the test of life.
[19]. The road to success is always very bushy you have to clear the bush.
[20]. If you say I am good for nothing therefore you are bad for something.
[21]. You can only give what you have.
[22]. It is only the woman that has not seen trouble that would hold her breast while running.
[23]. What do you gain asking a leper to clap? It is never fun oppressing those you are better off.
[24]. In a community in which a dog kills a lion, such a community is not fit to live.
[25]. You cannot feature in a future that you did not picture.
[26]. A woman without a husband is like a well dressed person without footwear.
[27]. Even if education is free a rat will never go to the same school with a cat.
[28]. A successful man is the one who makes more money than his wife can’t spend. A successful woman is that woman who finds such a man.
[29]. When you go to sleep with an itching anus, expect to wake up with smelly fingers.
[30]. Don't believe every picture you see because even the salt looks like sugar.
[31]. The lizard that nods its head has seen something worth respecting.
[32]. A tree does not make a forest.
[33]. The child who respects elders will one day be respected.
[34]. The river that forgets its source will soon dry up.
[35]. A patient hunter eats fat meat.
[36]. Words are like eggs; once broken, they cannot be gathered.
[37]. When the handshake goes beyond the elbow, it has turned into something else.
[38]. The person who fetches firewood for the family is never cold.
[39]. Even the smallest calabash can hold sweet palm wine.
[40]. The sun does not wait for anyone before rising.
[41]. A lie may run for years, but the truth will catch it in a day.
[42]. The monkey that jumps from tree to tree will one day fall.
[43]. A goat owned by two people sleeps hungry.
[44]. You cannot know the depth of the river by looking at it.
[45]. When the drum is too loud, it bursts.
[46]. A chicken does not crow in the house of the eagle.
[47]. The person who climbs a good tree gets a push.
[48]. The yam one hides from the sun will not grow.
[49]. An elder does not sit in the house and watch the goat give birth in a tether.
[50]. The moon does not refuse to shine because the night is dark.
[51]. A market that is not visited will fade away.
[52]. The crab does not give birth to a bird.
[53]. The child who refuses to be sent on errands refuses blessings.
[54]. A pot that is left on the fire without attention will burn.
[55]. If the bushmeat plays smart, the hunter will play wiser.
[56]. One who does not look forward will stumble on the path.
[57]. The eyes that see today may not see tomorrow.
[58]. A tree that forgets its roots will fall with the wind.
[59]. The mouth that eats pepper should be ready to drink water.
[60]. A person who sharpens a knife for war must be ready to use it.
[61]. Even the tortoise moves with a purpose.
[62]. The rain does not beat one house alone.
[63]. A good name is better than bags of gold.
[64]. The fish that opens its mouth wide will be caught.
[65]. The road does not greet the traveler; the traveler greets the road.
[66]. An elder’s silence is full of meaning.
[67]. You cannot tie a goat without it crying.
[68]. A bird that abandons its nest will face the cold.
[69]. The yam eater must not forget the digger.
[70]. When the snail moves, its shell moves with it.
[71]. The ear that refuses to listen will hear by force.
[72]. The house that is built on lies will collapse.
[73]. A hen does not forget the path to the place it scratched.
[74]. If the hand is clean, it can enter the mouth.
[75]. One does not count a chick before it hatches.
[76]. The kola nut lasts longer in the mouth of the patient person.
[77]. If the elders are not at home, the children will sell the family goat.
[78]. A river that forgets the rain will dry up.
[79]. When the eyes cry, the nose will also run.
[80]. The broom’s strength lies in its numbers.
[81]. The snake that cannot shed its skin will die.
[82]. A word from the wise is enough for the listening ear.
[83]. The hunter who chases two animals at once will return empty-handed.
[84]. The dog that will get lost will not hear the hunter’s whistle.
[85]. A man who carries an old woman on his back cannot run.
[86]. Even the biggest drum needs a stick to make a sound.
[87]. The person who refuses to learn will suffer twice.
[88]. The clay pot says nothing until it meets the stone.
[89]. You cannot hide the smoke of a burning fire.
[90]. The foot that walks will wear the shoe.
[91]. A lamp that is not trimmed will burn out quickly.
[92]. The toad does not run in the daytime for nothing.
[93]. A wise elder speaks once, and the words last a lifetime.
[94]. The millet that refuses to bend will break.
[95]. A tortoise with a broken shell still has wisdom.
[96]. When a drum sounds in the distance, the message is already on the way.
[97]. The broom sweeps well when its strings are bound together.
[98]. The food cooked in haste will burn the tongue.
[99]. Even the river bends where the rock stands firm.
[100]. An elder’s blessing is better than a king’s gold.
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