Nigerian Proverbs

• A rat is not born a rabbit.

• A tiger does not have to proclaim its tigeritude.

• A traveler to distant places should make no enemies.

• A tree does not move unless there is wind.

• A tree is best measured when it"s down.

• A tree is known by its fruit.

• An old man is there to talk.

• Fine words do not produce food.

• If a blind man says, "Let"s throw stones," be assured that he has stepped on one.

• If a monkey is amongst dogs, why won"t it start barking.

• If crocodiles eat their own eggs, what would they do to the flesh of a frog?

• If death be terrible, the fault is not in death, but thee.

• If one finger brought oil it soiled others.

• If you fail to take away a strong man"s sword when he is on the ground, will you do it when he gets up?

• It is the fear of offence that makes men swallow poison.

• It is the first step that is difficult.

• It takes a village to raise a child.

• It takes all sorts to make a world.

• No sane person sharpens his machete to cut a banana tree.

• Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.

• Not to know the good we have Till time has stolen the cherish"d gift away, Is cause of half the misery that we feel, And makes the world the wilderness it is.

• Not to oversee workmen, is to leave your purse open.

• One goat cannot carry another goat"s tail.

• The disobedient fowl obeys in a pot of soup.

• The frog does not jump in the daytime without reason.

• The house roof fights the rain, but he who is sheltered ignores it.

• The hunter does not rub himself in oil and lie by the fire to sleep.

• The lizard that jumped from the high iroko tree said he would praise himself if no one else did.

• The one being carried does not realize how far away the town is.

• When the mice laugh at the cat, there is a hole nearby.

• When the next house is on fire, "tis high time to look to your own.

• You cannot compare the living with the dead.

• You cannot roast corn with two eyes.

• You cannot run with the hare and hunt with the hounds.