African Proverbs and Meanings

Here are 25 African proverbs and meanings that provide us with valuable life lessons. These proverbs about life come from a variety of countries within Africa and have been selected for their relevance to today and their wisdom.

What are Some African Proverbs and Meanings?

Below is a crafted list of African proverbs and meanings that provide unique perspectives and cultural dimensions that are grounded in their roots.

If you are seeking wisdom, help to process painful feelings and experiences, positivity and keys to being happier in life then why not spend some time going through this list.

You will be inspired and moved by the wisdom and depth of these simple yet memorable proverbs. Feel free to bookmark and to share your favorites on social media.

Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it.

This popular African proverb reminds us that the accumulation of knowledge takes effort. The metaphor of the garden suggests that knowledge is a beautiful and precious thing, a worthy goal to strive for. There is some similarity to the English proverb, "you reap what you sow."

Like everything in life though making a garden doesn't come easy. Just as a garden takes constant upkeep and nurturing so do our minds. Just as we would tend the weeds and fertlize the plants, so we need to do this with ourselves by regularly reexamining our beliefs, values and ideas.




Knowledge is a garden. If it isn’t cultivated, you can’t harvest it. African Proverb.




For the beauty of the rose we also water the thorns.

The meaning of this African proverb is close "to no pain no gain." We nurture all the bits of the rose not just the parts we like in order to achieve the long-term gain beautiful blooms. So in life we have to "take the rough with the smooth" in order to realize our dreams.



When making a fire people like to join you, when cleaning the ashes you are often alone.
African Proverb

This African proverb about life has some similarities to the story of the Little Red Hen. As the story goes when the hard work is to be done no one is around to help but everyone is quite happy to eat the bread.

The onus is on each one of us to identify where help is needed and give it generously and freely. You have a choice about whether you are one of those people who leave others in the lurch or whether you are a person who rallies others in the spirit of "many hands make light work."



To get lost is to learn the way.

No path is straight as an arrow there will always be deviations from the plan. When we take a wrong turn or a difficult path we learn that it is not the correct path for us. This is invaluable experience.




To get lost is to learn the way. African Proverb




Trouble does not discriminate. It comes to everyone at some point.
African Proverb

We all experience sorrows at some point in our lives. No one is immune.

It is not that helpful to compare yourself with others as no two people have the same lives or the same ways of responding to life events. Sometimes it is easy to make assumptions about others and their troubles or seemingly lack thereof. Don't assume you know what someone else is going through.



A person is a person because of other people.
South African Proverb

Community is at the core of this South African proverb. When we can rely on each other and support each other particularly in difficult times it lightens the load. This saying also begs the deep philosophical question - who are we without others to reflect that image of self back to us?



One falsehood spoils a thousand truths.

This proverb from Africa is closely aligned to the English proverb "honesty is the best policy." It also fits with another African proverb, "The end of a cow is beef. The end of a lie is grief."




One falsehood spoils a thousand truths. African Proverb





We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children.
African Proverb

This proverb means we are only guardians of the planet keeping it in good condition for our children and generations to come. Humanity needs to think ahead and be much more mindful of the impact of our actions today on future generations.



Knowledge without wisdom is like water in the sand.
African Proverb

Acquire knowledge whenever you can but remember wisdom comes from being able to integrate that learning and give it meaning. Make sure you allow yourself time to reflect on your experiences and identify ways in which you can improve especially in a case when your behaviour has hurt another.

As we learn from our experiences we gain wisdom. There are no shortcuts. The value is going through an array of experiences that teach us valuable life lessons.



There is no beauty but the beauty of action.
Morrocan Proverb

Taking action is the way to get a job done. We can analyze a situation to our heart's content but their is no substitute for action. If you find yourself bogged down and procrastinating take action. Start somewhere. It really doesn't matter where you start. The most important thing is starting.



Rain does not fall on one roof alone.
African Proverb

When we are in the depths of despair we often feel alone in our pain and begin to believe that we are the only one who suffers. This proverb reminds us that adversity strikes all of us although not at the same time. It helps us to keep perspective. It makes us more able to look beyond or our immediate concerns to hardships that others around us may be experiencing.




Rain does not fall on one roof alone. African Proverb




If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far go together.
African Proverb

We need the support of others in our lives in order to do the greatest good. If we choose to go it alone we might reach our target but we will not achieve nearly as much as we would crosspollinating ideas and using interdependent networks. The meaning here is along the lines of "you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours" and "win-win".



However long the night, the dawn will break.

This proverb from Africa reminds us of a simple truth: the sun always rises again no matter our individual troubles. It has a similar meaning to "there is always light at the end of the tunnel."


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He who runs after good fortune runs away from peace.

Our real fortunes are not made in chasing money but rather in doing what we enjoy. Peace and being happy with life, in other words contentment, flows from utlising our skills on tasks that both benefit ourselves and others. Be happy in work and peace will come.




He who runs after good fortune runs away from peace.





If you are on the road to nowhere, find another road.

Once you realize that you are travelling a road that is not right for you don't be afraid to try another path. The problem is not in changing horses midstream but in continuing to repeat behavior even though you know in your heart of hearts that it is not helpful to you or even potentially harmful.



Once you carry your own water, you’ll remember every drop.

There is no substitute for experience. We learn by doing. These experiences stay with us and shape us in meaningful ways.




Once you carry your own water, you'll remember every drop.





Quarrels end but words once spoken never die.
Sierra Leonean Proverb

We often say things we don't mean in the heat of the moment when quarrelling. Or we say something that we mean but would rather have never given voice to it. Don't underestimate how deeply words can hurt others. And as this proverb points out once said they cannot be unsaid.

We all struggle to express anger safely. When we learn self-management skills we can control our anger responses and give vent to our angry feelings safely. Remember the goal is to treat others as we would like to be treated.



Examine what is said, not who is speaking.

Sometimes we run with an idea or belief because we like the person or their delivery. The meaning in this proverb is clear, always use critical thinking to evaluate the validity and truth of what is being said rather than swallowing it hook, line and sinker to use a fishing term.



Tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today.
African Proverb

It is important to plan for the future and not just float along aimlessly. Otherwise we might find the future has arrived and we are not ready to receive it.




Tomorrow belongs to people who prepare for it today. African Proverb.





If you think you’re too small to make a difference, try spending the night with a mosquito.

Everything is relative. Don't make assumptions until you have walked in someone else's shoes. Personal power comes in many forms and is grounded in self-belief.



The wind does not break a tree that bends.


Flexibility is an important life skill and survival skill. It allows us to adapt quickly in times when the environment around us is changing rapidly.the more readily we accept change the less time we will spend mourning a past that cannot be recaptured.



The wise man never takes a step too long for his legs.

This proverb is similar to saying "don't bite off more than you can chew." It is better to achieve small bite size amounts than try to eat the whole elephant in one sitting.




The wise man never takes a step too long for his legs. African Proverb






A family tie is like a tree, it can bend but it cannot break.

This proverb underscores how important family is. It suggests that the bond of family and blood is a strong one and cannot be broken though at times it needs to give a little.

Families don't always agree. There will always be conflict due to differences in values and beliefs. As members of a family ourselves we need to cultivate an attitude of love and tolerance to promote family well-being.

In most cases it is best when families stick together and overcome their differences. Sometimes though families are just not supportive of members and sticking together may not be the best policy. If we don't find support from within our own family we can always create supportive networks that replace our family of origin if necessary.



Your body is a temple of knowledge.

Our bodies have memory too not just our minds. This storehouse of knowledge may have both positive and negative associations. An example of a postitiv association could be a touch we once enjoyed. Or it may be linked to a memory of a dangerous situation that can then provide a prewarning system to help keep us safe.



He who forgives ends the quarrel.

Above all things practice forgiveness. When we truly forgive we lighten our load enormously.




He who forgives ends the quarrel. African Proverb






The best way to eat an elephant in your path is to cut him up into little pieces.

The metaphor of eating an elephant is not a nice one to my way of thinking but there is a truth to be found in this proverb. It is widely recognised in the business management field that breaking down a job into smaller tasks is the best way to get a job done. In this way you also get some progress early on which is a huge step (psychologically) in overall task completion.

Final Thoughts

If you enjoyed this list of African proverbs and meanings / African Proverbs about life please feel free to share these on social media. This list is a starting point so check back often for updates. You might want to consider bookmarking this page so you can easily refert to as I add more proverbs and sayings from Africa to this post.

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