Ekpeye Tones and Orthography
July 21, 2024
Ekpeye proverbs are more than just wise sayings; they are the living embodiment of the values, wisdom, and cultural heritage of the Ekpeye people. These proverbs, passed down through generations, offer profound insights into life, community, and morality. By exploring the meanings and context of Ekpeye proverbs, we can learn more about the rich pattern of thought and tradition that shapes the worldview of the Ekpeye people, while also preserving and revitalizing a language that carries the collective identity of its speakers. This blog is a compilation of proverbs curated by High Chief Tony Vincent Ijeres, these proverbs share timeless expressions of the Ekpeye people, revealing the lessons they impart and their relevance in today’s world.
*The comments under “Meaning” correspond to the interpretations of the High Chief. Tony Vincent Ijere.
Proverbs
1 Eka emedho ugbolo, ẹlẹ bhalanịa ibeawha.
For a lazy man, tilling the soil is like breaking stones.
Meaning:
a) A lazy man is a lazy man;
b) To the weak and feeble, every challenge is insurmountable.
2 Ụnu chikpopkole okwụta, iwene ọtụgbolẹ igwu.
The Hen that breaks the kernel shames the stone.
Meaning:
a) A man must rise to his challenges;
b) A man should not allow his negative behavior to bring shame to the family.
3 Elulu kadhele akadhe li ekpo ogwologwu, nwedhẹ ẹtọo.
The taste and meaning are lost when too many proverbs are used in a speech.
Meaning:
a) It is better to go straight to the point than to use vocabularies that block understanding;
b) Always remain open to friends and relatives on issues of common interest.
4 Mini degbole ize, iwene ọtugbolẹ ụgbanụ.
If the rain beats the teeth, the lips are to blame.
Meaning:
a) Everyone should be responsible to play his or her role perfectly well as failure may bring shame;
b) Everyone must be responsible to his or her duties
5 Ẹta yaa lị okpokoloo.
Skillful wrestling is never determined by size or structure of the wrestlers.
Meaning:
a) Skill is more remarkable than strength;
b) Size does not determine value.
6 Ikelechi, bhu ya nwuluma ma, bhụ ụgbụ gwụlụoọ.
As much as I’m alive, stealing cannot be abolished, says the rat.
Meaning:
a) Every problem has a root cause, and until the root cause of a problem is tackled, the problem remains unresolved;
b) A problem shared is a problem solved;
c) An issue cannot be resolved on the surface
7 Bhidhi gwalị li ụkpụ, gwalịnị Ẹwha
What remains in the farm remains for the Bush Fowl
Meaning:
a) Always keep remnants for lower creatures;
b) No man is an Island; c) Live and let live.
8 Nye nyọma ishi obaa mini, akwalẹ ẹlẹ melechi.
The one who poopoos without a single drop of urine has denied the earth of soup for a deserved meal.
Meaning:
a) Certain meals go well with other ingredients;
b) In life, it takes two to tango;
c) The law of duality requires that everything go in twos.
9 Esadhịẹ asisa nye nyali, unyaa tutu imumahu̥nẹe ọmụbi ụnwọọ.
Don’t call anybody a short man until you have your last child.
Meaning:
a) Do to others as you would want others to do to you;
b) Judge not that you will not be judged.
10 Alibo ulolu buọne ekee, a ukpakpujine akpakpu lị ukpudhu li ụdhọ enyi.
As short as the Tortoise, he bends down to avoid hitting his head on the door frame while entering the Elephant’s house.
Meaning:
a) Do not claim what you are not;
b) Everyone is limited in what he can and cannot do.
11 Ichakpa ezeobo ezegbo, bu okpe ụlagbala.
The endless road leads to the spirit world.
Meaning:
a) Every beginning has an ending;
b) Life is always full of changes;
c) Limitation is the passion of earth life.
12 Ẹwa ulu tọ ẹto lị ịyọọ.
The slave’s name does not sound good when used in whistling.
Meaning:
a) Quality belongs to the wealthy;
b) A common man does not deserve praise.
13 Nyenwuluọnwulu majịẹ kpụ emi yalẹ maa.
The dead does not know he has a running nose.
Meaning: ignorance is death.
14 Nye gbagbo akita li abali bhu ya nyeshi bhụ ụ bụ Akilikaubhede, ukom u gbagbojene lì èyè ù̥ nyèshì bhụ ụ buụ èlà?
The man who shot a Dog in the night, saying he thought it was a fox, what did he think was the cat he shot at midday?
Meaning:
a) Lame excuses and hostile maneuvers fashioned to muffle the truth do not often work out. As Prof. Longfellow puts it, the axe of God grinds slowly but surely;
b) Nothing under the sun is hidden;
c) Actions must be weighed carefully so that one does not regret his past deed.
15 Ebulu bhu ukoma ibe ya mele ya ịyẹ, bhụ ya kwama ikwaa.
The ram says he will not cry if his fellow man decides to slit his throat with his dignity as a man.
Meaning: a) It is necessary to maintain one’s honor and dignity even in troubles, and trials and to know fully that what must be must be; b) If the signs of the end are already told, one should deal with the situation calmly rather than displaying unnecessary emotional outbursts.
16 Agwa bụ ẹzọ.
Manners maketh a man.
Meaning: Proper manners and decorum are golden keys that open even a sealed door.
17 Ọnọ yọo bhiyo li melechi.
The goat may be ugly, but not the meat.
Meaning: You can’t tell a good thing by mere looks alone.
18 Ezhi sabetehutọ ụkpalị ẹbhuọkpa ọ bụle egede ọno.
The pig could make good meat if he divorces his die-hard relationship with the gutter.
Meaning: a) Physical hygiene is a prime factor in healthy living; b) Self-discipline is a social responsibility that must be upheld no matter the environment one may find himself; c) Conversely, looks they say are deceiving, and as such an ugly physical appearance of a man may not correspond with his inner qualities and values.
19 Aya ụ dhebhẹ ụnụ, u whebhe ọdẹlẹ ayaa.
No one mistakenly prices a vulture in a market where chicken is in abundance
Meaning:
a) Human cultures must be respected for their universality in maintaining the choice of originality and discipline in human behaviors, especially in the face of the abundance of all kinds of edible creatures;
b) It is necessary not to deviate from societal norms;
c) Choose wisely always and go for what you want, pressures notwithstanding;
d) One must be careful to avoid being cheated or swindled, for the difference between a fake and an original may be very thin.
20 Melechi to eto egbụ ya ụ zhikoshi uzhi egbekaụdhọ, bhụ iyuma zhị lị udhọ.
A delicious soup invites neighbors with its aroma.
Meaning: a) A good presentation speaks for itself as a clear manifestation of deliberate and articulate effort; b) Good produce does not need much advertisement; c) Outstanding performance is a legacy for the future.
21 Uga bu umeye bụhuto, unwọuga bụ uwuma.
Fornication is a sin, but its fruit is a blessing.
Meaning: a) Judge not as we do not know what nature strives to manifest. By our natural human perception, something would appear to be unlawful, yet it is made possible by nature’s wheel of progress; b) What you cannot change, accept
22 I nyele ụnukanị enye li ugbanu ụ zhie ka bhụ ọnwụkpolẹ ema inaa.
If you look at the lips of an elderly man, you may not believe he once sucked his mother’s breast.
Meaning: Life generally progresses in stages and indeed every one consciously and unconsciously upgrades through the rungs to the summit, and as such there is no exception. Our fathers of today were the babies of yesterday fed with breast milk.
23 Ụnukani gbọo iwee.
An elder does not throw up breast milk.
Meaning: a) An adult is not expected to behave like a child; b) By the implication of age and social status, an adult is expected to lead the way in any field of human endeavor he finds himself. He is expected to think, speak and act along his level of understanding else the child may teach him his role which is derogatory.
24 Ishi zhi li ọnụdho ike ya zhi li ichakpa.
The feces could be detained in the dungeon (pit) yet the power is felt on the road.
Meaning: a) The evil that we think is buried today often defies distance and comes knocking on our doors tomorrow; b) The impact of our negative actions can be felt a distance away from where it is committed; c) One’s actions can affect a whole range of people.
25 Ukenyi u kenyibhẹ uzu tadhuewe.
Glory paid to a corpse comes too late.
Meaning: a) A man should be rewarded or images while alive as praises showered on a course have no value; b) A good deed should be commended openly.
26 Ogidhigha nyeụlụ ubotu ekele, ụ majịedhene iye dọ ụkaa.
The soldier ant is always in a mob action most of the time not knowing what he is fighting for.
Meaning: a) Avoid being led by the spur of the moment; b) It is foolish to be an accomplice to a crime because other people are doing it. One should be careful, one should carefully think things out before embarking on any course of action.
27 Ògbógó lí ògbòyì bù̥bhè̥ ńwāná.
Laziness and poverty are siblings.
Meaning: a man who does not engage himself in any meaningful activity is bound to be tied to and live out of some other people’s generosity.
28 Uzhiẹbhẹ Eke enwe kpụ ụ palẹ olu.
No one teaches old Monkeys how to climb a tree.
Meaning: a) It is difficult to succeed in swindling or bamboozling an experienced person no matter how proficient the swindler may be; b) Age is wisdom; c) The foolish but aged old man you intend to teach great ideas will surprisingly be the one to teach you.
29 Izaza majikpo bhelebhele ukponyi ụdhọ.
The broom knows all the corners of the house.
Meaning: a) A job is best done by the one who knows the job environment one should therefore not attempt the unfamiliar; b) Experience is an indispensable qualification in every job situation.
30 Iza kani umeledhe ya bu ya yalẹ uwho, bhu akwabhe ikwa bhu ya nwulu ọ nwulu bhu ya ze adhị ụ yawẹ iyẹ mẹlẹchị.
If my leaves wither do not cry that I am dead I have only traveled to return with fresher leaves for fresher soup says Iza to her children.
Meaning: a) There can be no great riches without great sacrifice; b) The downfall of a man is not the end of his life; c) No pain no gain.
31 Ebho bule a ubhobho ọkpọusali da madu ịbọ.
The size of the bed does not determine a successful marriage. They can even make do with an animal skin as a sleeping mat.
Meaning: real love wells up from within, not from flimsy, outward superficial gestures. Love must not be pretentious.
32 Chi gbelishi uche bụ lị ọwẹlẹ nyewe.
The parrot spends all day discussing others while his family suffers.
Meaning: a) People abandon serious issues about themselves and spend their precious time discussing others; b) Similarly, people often misdirect their energies from things of great value for cotton candy.
33 Enwu gbule nwunụ, utushibhẹ bu ojiuwhọ.
The death that killed the chick must be related to the hawk.
Meaning: a) Most times, people attribute their misfortunes to their regular or perceived enemies; b) Many people are so superstitious that they attach every misfortune that visits them to the failure or harmful actions of others.
34 Obi li ụdo onọ nakatabhe L’aagbada
The porcupine does not share beds with other animals.
Meaning: a) One’s nature of being matters, and someone’s natural characteristics can make him incompatible with others; b) Everyone cannot be allied by beating physical structure or behavior
35 Eke ọlulụ bụ ẹnwụ.
Needless worry leads to endless worry.
Meaning: there is no hurry in life. It is, therefore, more reasonable to make haste slowly, for a needless worry will undoubtedly lead to an endless worry. It is also necessary to note that the grave is the ultimate part of the endless worry.
36 Ọwọmuwo zhị li ẹdeneka.
The accident does not ring a bell.
Meaning: do not undermine the vagaries of our social environment. The daily need, therefore, arises for deliberate and sustained plans on what we are doing, where we are going, and the means with which we dispense our daily socio-economic exercises. Even though certain things are always beyond human ability, one must be ready to provide for any eventually within our limit.
37 Ogwo o onwinyeneten weji bụ ọkpụlụgwe.
A snake seen by one man is always exaggerated as Python.
Meaning: a) News from a single source must not be swallowed hook, line, and sinker. Similarly, the testimony of one person is bound to be exaggerated; b) opinions and experiences from different sources must be sourced for and used in making decisions.
38 Okwulukwo bhụ ga ya, ga ụdho ya, mini e dehụ ede ma.
The tortoise carries his house on him in case it may rain.
Meaning: a) It is necessary always to be prepared for any occasion by planning ahead of it; b) In the same vein, one should jealously guard against any eventuality by inventing a customized apparatus suitable for his environment.
39 Eekpele ede, a owholowhata shikoshi uya.
With one thread, the spider connects a whole Bush.
Meaning: a) One single action can affect changes in the entire human race; b) A good opportunity that is optimally used can result in much gain; c) God has a special gift for everyone according to his nature for his entire livelihood; d) The activities of one person can serve to unite a diverse group of people.
40 Ọgwọ tagbo Akịta tadhị enu.
The snake that kills the dog must be a hero.
Meaning: a) An illness or problem situation that can overpower and defeat a strong man must be dire; b) It takes much more strength and skill to dethrone a known champion.
41 Mini degbo ọkwụlụkwo bụ eke mini.
Only the most significant rain ever may beat the tortoise to death.
Meaning: 1. An illness or problem situation that can overpower and defeat a strong man must be very serious. 2. It takes much more strength and skill to dethrone a known champion.
42 Ọkwụkwụ ulu gbelie chi.
The death of a slave does not attract a complete funeral rite.
Meaning: a) An event seen as ordinary or inconsequential may not attract much attention; b) A man places so much disparity on race, color, and gender such eternal truth as “all men are one in the same brotherhood under the father of God” is still a mystery. To man, material possessions and earthly positions cost more than anything else.
43 Mini deshi nwụkpa whuyaa mini.
The rain that beats an orphan washes him.
Meaning: a) Seemingly difficult situations occur naturally as a divine intervention to assist the one in need; b) Every experience is meant for the lessons of life. A wise, discerning person can learn even from difficult experiences.
44 Ẹkpụdhọ peyaa ọzuụ.
The toad does not jump backward.
Meaning: nature and order says that every being on the face of the earth be created differently, providing our world with the much talked about unity in diversity. Some, by their nature are gifted with an excellent opportunity to explore the vast universe. In each case, some limitations are necessarily imposed by the supreme intelligence for their lofty advantage, which may conversely act as a control measure or safety net.
45 Ẹsẹma saa bhịịbọ lị eekele
There is only one moon in the firmament.
46 Ekeushi budale, ụnyagbagbọegwe yala u budakatabhe.
A parasite goes down with the tree it leans on.
Meaning: a) As widely observed by Pythagoras, “trust not the examples of others, think for yourself, consider deliberate, stand and choose freely. Like Truth, error has its admirers too”. Do not lean or depend on others so you can live and grow independently. Remember that one who depends on another falls with him whenever life fails him.
47 Ebho bu a ubhobho, gbaa lị ọzụzụ ụdhụgwoọ.
The magnitude of a wedding ceremony does not determine the success of the marriage.
Meaning: a) It is not the cost of a material that determines its value, the love attached to it, and how enduring it will be. Just as a lavish society wedding does not automatically translate into a happy and enduring marriage; b) More effort should be put into how to maintain a relationship than in how to celebrate it.
48 Okwulukwọ bhu ya majikpom bhu awhuluiye unuwebhe udho o gbu bụ aya li eluwa, mu ya yawetuọ ụdho ya lị oluigwe.
The tortoise said he knew that the cost of building materials would be expensive on earth. Hence he descended from heaven with a ready house on him.
Meaning: one must plan before embarking on any venture or project. In breaking new grounds, phenomenal changes may occur due to fear of the unknown. However, carefully studying and analyzing every plan fortify one’s future.
49 Unwo temale ọnọleka li nyina, ọnọleka telilẹ, agbaesọˈo.
A child who tickles the sleeping lion must not run when the lion wakes up.
Meaning: a) one must contend with the consequences of his rash actions; b) It is pretty unreasonable to ignite a fire one cannot put out. Taking a life-threatening risk that one cannot handle is the craziest thing to do.
50 Agbo gonu unuma-unuma a ụ dhakpe ugwu.
Softly and tenderly the snail threads through the thorns.
Meaning: soft words are stronger than brute force. Instead simple and careful approaches to issues have a magical effect.
51 Enwe wheshiuka lị uzugbani ebeleunu.
A monkey does not address the meeting of the birds.
Meaning: a) Intermeddling in what does not concern one is unreasonable; b) A man should not talk about what he does not understand.
52 Ikpi bu iyi, a Ebulu wha iyi.
The ram does not pay for adulterous offenses committed by the He-goat.
Meaning: one should not be held accountable for a crime he is innocent of. The truth must be told that Nemesis does not take bribes.
53 Iyẹ enyi dhi, ụsali nyoọ.
The deer does not excrete what the elephant ate.
Meaning: the impact of one’s habit or action cannot be cleared or laundered by another.
54 Ụkpaji nyize lowhuto li okwuta nyize ọ gwule egba ụlọshịụdhọ.
The guest knows he has overcome his welcome when palm kernel is offered for lunch.
Meaning: a) A guest must not overstay his welcome. One should be conscious of knowing when his presence is no longer appreciated; b) It is proper to read in between the lines as specific complaints cannot be expressed in spoken words.
55 Ẹdhẹ dhuọ lị ukwoma ọdhụ.
Even a lazy man does not forget to clean up after excreting.
Meaning: a) A person must be responsible for his basic needs. Laziness and ineptitude notwithstanding; b) Every society has its norms, and as such, everybody must act by the society’s social norms.
56 Ununwe aka muọ unwo a uzu unwo talema u nyeshi bhu ishi ụ ta ya.
The inexperienced pregnant woman in labor thinks she’s about to excrete when the child comes.
Meaning: The strangeness of a situation one has no experience with is great. This is why there is a need for counseling for first-timers in any activity.
57 Iye umashii, sawẹ a, akechi petẹẹ ẹgbụlụyii.
Wash the mouse with whatever you like, the odor remains.
Meaning: a) What is ordered by nature will remain as it is; b) What one cannot change, accept; c) Not every evil thing can be straightened.
58 Unwo u kojibhe li ewa, majiee kpu ịchakpa kanilẹ utoọ.
A child carried on the shoulder does not realize the distance of the journey.
Meaning: a) Peculiar human problems can hardly touch someone who is born into a wealthy family; b) Same as a man placed at a pedestal by benevolence hardly knows what people at the lower ladders of life daily pass through or experience; c) One whose needs are provided by others cannot appreciate the negative experiences of the other side of life.
59 Ụkpẹlẹkidhi wokee nye nwe a.
Cough does not hide its patients.
Meaning: a) Someone who cannot keep quiet when necessary always reveals confidential matters; b) A talkative cannot be entrusted with classified information; c) Reservations may restrict one beset by certain unpleasant natural situations.
60 Idho bu onyo ya bu adhi ụwejibhe ukpuluekpema maduegede.
The tongue is the mirror o the heart.
Meaning: a) The mouth speaks for the heart; b) A person’s motives could be deciphered through his utterances. One should therefore be prudent with his utterances in his dealings with others.
61 Ọgwo li ekpụdhọ kpadhẹ nwujee.
The snake and the frog can never be friends.
Meaning: a) It is necessary to choose one’s associates wisely; b) One who associates with a known enemy must know the risks involved and be prepared to face them.
62 Olo dhile ịyẹ enyi dhi, a ụwọ gbaamali a.
The antelope risks a bursting stomach if he attempts to eat what the elephant eats.
Meaning: a) A person must be conscious of his limitations to enjoy himself; b) It is unreasonable to set personal goals that are either too risky or unattainable.
63 Nyize e teshie abidhii, tọ u kpudhukpo lị udhugbulu u nyeshi bụ ulu obodo.
The stranger who refuses to make inquiries often mistakes a shrine for a family hall.
Meaning: a) A first-timer in any course of life requires counseling or induction into the new level; b) Every successor needs to learn from his predecessor’s experience.
64 Iye yulu ishi nyumajiye bu echiche ya lị u ugbaadhịtụ lị ishi nyewe.
Heads replete of knowledge must have had other heads depleted.
Meaning: a man is himself and others because no one knows it all.
65 Bhidhi agbadhọ lị ibea, minaa.
For a plant to do well, it must climb another plant.
Meaning: loyalty and service are class for greatness.
66 Ụdụkpa ụnụ tụgbo nwụnụu.
The beak of the chicken cannot harm her chicks.
Meaning: it is necessary to realize that intentions matter and determine when it is war or playtime.
67 Mini dẹẹ kpu ˈyililẹẹ.
It doesn’t always rain as the dark clouds portend.
Meaning: pessimism kills while optimism upbuilds. For every dark cloud there is a silver lining.
68 Ọwayị bụ ẹkpọ.
Men are measured by money.
Meaning: the world judges people based on the size of their pockets or wealth to boast and flaunt one’s wealth before people of minor, but pride repels.
69 Nye mu ugbede zọbhẹ ọzọ lọdhiẹ ẹgwụmaa.
A man who has many beautiful daughters accepts gifts from young men.
Meaning: a man naturally blessed and surrounded by great men and women of influence meets his needs at every juncture.
70 Nye mụ tu ununwe kpa li ele umaji kpụ ụnalebhe lị abalị.
The man who marries a cripple knows the best way to sleep with her.
Meaning: he who embarks on a known difficult journey knows how best to overcome its intricacies.
71 Unwo loo li adhi ubheniabhe bhidhi eyee.
Children choose not to be born where three Square meals are provided.
Meaning: a) The rich are hardly blessed with children; b) No man has it all.
72 Ikelechi enwee uzupoo ka ishi lị udhuu.
A rat without an escape route in the hole will not live long.
Meaning: in a harsh economic situation, developing multiple channels of income increases ones chances of survival.
73 Nye eli zhina majie eta nye ibi li agbada gbahbẹ lị abalị.
A healthy man does not know how a hernea patient wrestles with his bed every night.
Meaning: a persistent problem makes one act disorderly.
74 Uka ununwe shikekpole ite, a ukpushia ọkọlọkaụkani.
The old woman had cooked a delicious meal but covered it with a rag.
Meaning: Do not crown your good deeds with negative conduct.
75 Iyẹ ụnụ bhe, Ikelechi dhiẹ.
What is kept for the mouth the rat does not taste.
Meaning: that valuable treasures must be jealously safeguarded.
76 Agelezhi bhu ya dhega ubotu bhu aya bheke ubotu li abga, mini eˈdehuede sele maa.
The goat chews some and remains some in the mouth to save for the rainy day.
Meaning: it is always reasonable not to eat all of ones eggs at once but to consolidate for the future in the event of failure.
77 Iye tashi ugboji nyeze bụ bhuda.
The king must be careful of snuff waste, else the immaculate regalia be tainted with embarrassing stains.
Meaning: a great work could be ruined by one’s carelessness. Similarly, careless acts puts one’s reputation and opportunities at risk.
78 Nwana kọshie nyeze.
Every success has brothers.
Meaning: when a man goes down the hill, many people would like to push him. Similarly, people like to identify with success.
79 Ukpele bhu ụda li olu bu agwa ya.
The lizard says that, falling from the high iroko tree is his way of life, not an accident.
Meaning: every being in existence is specially created with its peculiar characters and way of life;. However, some may seem dangerous to the sight of others, the one concerned is usually too familiar and used to such a situation to fear it.
80 Ugo wee, dhuma oluigwe, ubugbo aaba neten.
If the eagle soars so high into the skies, it is not with a single feather.
Meaning: no man is an island, so one’s solo effort can hardly result in much gain.
81 Ukani ukpulechi kpalala, ọ dhọli lee.
An old firewood is easy to rekindle.
Meaning: a) Old relationships die hard, especially the intimate heterosexual ones; b) It is easier to fit into an old profession than a new one.
82 Ẹdhe bụ uke Ukani ukpulechi kpalala, ọ dhọli lee.
Forgetfullness is a disease.
Meaning: strike while the iron is still hot for delays could be dangerous.
83 Unwọ dheoboma eele neten ukani bheteni a bhe muu gowe odu onuzoho bu l ele nyina li ugbudhiho ọdụm la.
The child who sold the only land bequitted to him by his ancestors to buy a horn must tell the world whose land he will stand upon to blow the horn.
Meaning: Carelessly using a valuable treasure is foolish and even treacherous.
84 Ẹkpẹleni gbu ọnoo̤.
No one kills a game with a look.
Meaning: desires merely wished or wanted cannot be accomplished.
85 Ụ kwatebhẹ ikelechi isaa.
The rat cannot be appointed to watch over the meat.
Meaning: it is unreasonable to entrust valuable materials or position to a man of questionable character, or else he covets them for personal use.
86 I nyesọlẹ agbo, a ụgbọnyọ ẹchị.
If you overlook the snail you are roasting (because it is small), it will quench the fire.
Meaning: specific harmless actions taken for granted could become dangerous and regrettable.
87 Emi meni bhuda, bhuda meni emi.
As the snuff is busy inflicting pains on the nose, the running nose is drowning the snuff.
Meaning: Actions and reactions are equal and opposite. One must therefore avoid evil plans against another as evil begets evil.
88 Ina unu bhụ ya kpudhushinike li ụdho, bụo kpọm bhu ụwọ ya oyulu lẹẹ, bhụ ya nwemaa eka uko li akwuu li a nye nwudho chitemale akwuu, bhụ ya nyetudhihọmaanẹ adhi li abali.
The hen says she goes to bed early not because her stomach is full but because she has no hand to knock on the door and has no eyes for night business.
Meaning: there is time for everything under the sun.
89 Unu kwakakpobhe lị ịkwa buo unu bukakpobhe li ekee.
The bird with the most incredible sound may not be the biggest in the forest.
Meaning: Those with nothing tangible to offer make the greatest brag, so don’t be fooled.
90 Eke ushi dabiele ichakpa a unyoma pe abhẹ olu.
If a big tree falls across the road, even the women may cross it.
Meaning: an otherwise honorable man should not condescend to doing what is dishonorable.
91 U buo bhelebhele egbọ mini u bubhẹ ọwọtọwoọ.
Not every downpour is accompanied by Storm and thunder.
Meaning: Some great events happen silently without drawing public attention.
92 Okidhika bụọ nyize woliowolii.
The harmattan is not a secret guest; everyone knows when he comes to town.
Meaning: a) Greatness bestowed to a man by nature cannot be hidden; b) Talents are easily recognized and appreciated even by those far away
93 Li usagedhe bhigo neten a ebekanwugboma ya li mẹnyẹ bhịgọ chịhọlẹ ẹchị e mehọ kpala.
If the fly gets drunk while tapping, what will he do when the palm wine is in total supply?
Meaning: if a little fortune greets a man of little means and goes crazy, what will happen when he gets rich?
94 Ekeneke ụ ka ugbakpoo.
Skill is greater than strength.
Meaning: experience gained over time counts in everything
95 Akita ke enye mu dhakpo ite ọga, ya neten, ọnyọdhiitọ akpa ụbala.
The greedy dog that leaks an entire tin of oil will not but wee red oil.
Meaning: inordinate greed could be a heavy burden
96 Udu bụ iye tadhuewe ịyẹdoni nyeụmajiye wudhigalaa, nyishijine gonuọlaa.
Advice is a waste commodity. The wise does not need it, and the fool does not take it.
Meaning: direct your noble energy into a worthwhile venture, not a waste channel simply because you want to be reckoned as a good Samaritan.
97 Uwhulu kanikani nyenwika jale a ujikpudaa.
The okra plant may be tall but bows to the farmer on demand.
Meaning: obedience and acceptance are the principal laws of all existence, especially to one’s parents, the authorities, and conditions that cannot be changed.
98 Ugbeneka bụtakpobhẹ ẹzhiị.
All fingers are not equal.
Meaning: for obvious natural reasons, all creatures are not made equal however, this inequality does not mean that one creature is more important than the others. Each by its peculiar nature is important as the others.
99 Maduegede nwoweyaa akita odika mụụ nedhedhoabhe ukpoukpaa.
Man does not turn himself into a dog because he is looking for a bone to chew.
Meaning: Psychophancy is shameful and even dangerous behavior.
100 Maduegede nama ụnu mu teho eyi “good morning sir” lị ẹkidhi ụkpa ya bụ ẹdhu.
Man does not salute the cow “good morning, sir” simply because he wants meat.
Meaning: It is unreasonable to demean oneself to secure a perceived juicy opportunity. We must learn not to compromise our standards just for material benefits.
101 Ukom bhụ kaikai buọ uyaa.
The cat’s quiet look and slow walk does not make him Feeble.
Meaning: It is foolish to take someone for granted because he does not look strong; there could be very potent hidden in an Innocent look.
