African proverbs

African culture is rich with wise sayings that have practical uses for us. Some gems, with our insights enclosed in parentheses:

When the heart acts, the body is its slave. (Do not let emotions make you do foolish things.)

He who has not traveled widely thinks that his mother is the best cook. (Limited experience can lead to inaccurate conclusions.)

Good purpose  

If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for something. (Fight for a good purpose. Weakness leads to failure.)

When there’s no enemy within, your enemies outside cannot hurt you. (Lust, anger, pride and ignorance are our enemies within.)

A weapon that you don’t have in your hand will not kill a snake. (Illusion does not protect you.)

A person who rides a donkey cannot avoid smelling its fart. (Associate with donkey-like people, and you’ll smell their stink.)

A leopard is chasing us, and you ask, “Is it male or female?” (In times of crisis, do not fuss over trivial matters.)

A market isn’t an appropriate place for a husband and wife to argue. (Decent people do not seek an audience to watch them resolve private conflicts.)

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