Some Haitian Proverbs

Mwen ba w sal w ap mande salon.
I give you a room and now you want my living room.

Dan pouri gen fòs sou bannann mi.
Rotten teeth are strong on ripe bananas.

Fè koupe fè.
Iron cuts iron.

Bouch manje tout manje, men li pa pale tout pawòl.
The mouth may eat any food but should not speak on any subject. (Discretion is important.)

Yon sèl dwèt pa manje kalalou.
You cannot eat okra with one finger.
(We must all cooperate.)

Chay soti sout tèt, tonbe sou zèpòl.
The load goes from the head to the shoulder.
(Problems go from bad to worse.)

Gras a diri, ti wòch goute grès.
Thanks to the rice, the pebble tastes of grease.
(Good things rub off.)

Bon kòk chante nan tout poulaye.
A good cock sings to all his chickens.
(A good person is sought after by everyone.)

Byen pre pa lakay.
Being close by doesn't mean you're home.
(Being close to wealth doesn't make you rich.)

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