Jamaican proverbs

Each one word for word, then what it actually means — which is usually not the same thing. The proverbs are folk material; the translations and the commentary are mine.

Kingston

Howdy an tanky no bruk no square.Greetings and thanks cost you nothing — always give them freely.
One-one coco full baskit.Success comes little by little; be patient and keep adding.
Empty barrel mek di mos' noise.The loudest talkers usually know the least.

St. Andrew

New broom sweep clean, but ole broom know every corna.New people and things impress, but experience knows the hidden spots.
Di higher monkey climb, di more im expose.The more you rise or show off, the more your flaws are on display.
Learn fi dance a yaad before yu go abroad.Master things at home before you perform in the wider world.

St. Thomas

Who cyaan hear mus feel.Those who won't listen to warning learn the hard way.
Small axe fall big tree.The small and determined can bring down the mighty.
Time longer dan rope.Be patient — time outlasts everything and settles every score.

Portland

Wha sweet nanny goat a go run im belly.What pleases you now can hurt you later — mind the second helping of jerk!
One-one coco full baskit.Success comes gradually; be patient and keep adding little by little.
Trouble no set like rain.Misfortune gives no warning — unlike Portland rain, you won't see it coming.

St. Mary

Every mickle mek a muckle.Small savings and small efforts count — market wisdom for money and life.
Time longer dan rope.Be patient; given enough time, everything gets settled — the St. Mary pace of life.
Chicken merry, hawk deh near.In your happiest moments, stay watchful — danger comes without warning.

St. Ann

Small axe fall big tree.The small can defeat the mighty — a proverb Bob Marley carried to the world.
Cock mout kill cock.Your own careless talk can destroy you — mind what you report and repeat.
Wha fi yu cyaan be un-fi-yu.What's destined for you can't be taken away — keep working toward your future.

Trelawny

One-one coco full baskit.Success comes gradually; be patient and consistent — the training mindset of every Trelawny farmer and sprinter.
Wha no kill, fatten.Hardship that you survive makes you stronger.
Di higher monkey climb, di more im expose.The more you rise or show off, the more your flaws are on display — a caution about fame.

St. James

Small axe fall big tree.The small can defeat the mighty — the spirit of Sam Sharpe's stand, made famous worldwide through Bob Marley.
Every mickle mek a muckle.Thrift matters; small savings and small sales build wealth — every higgla's creed.
Howdy an tanky no bruk no square.Greetings and thanks cost you nothing — and in the market, manners earn you the braata.

Hanover

Tek kin-teet kibba heart bun.People laugh to hide pain — the heart of tek bad tings mek laugh.
Quiet riva run deep.Still, quiet people often have the deepest feelings and strength — like quiet little Hanover itself.
Empty barrel mek di mos' noise.The loudest talkers usually know the least.

Westmoreland

One-one coco full baskit.Success comes gradually; be patient and keep at it.
Every mickle mek a muckle.Small savings and small efforts count — thrift pays off.
Wha sweet nanny goat a go run im belly.What pleases you now can hurt you later.

St. Elizabeth

Wata more dan flour.Times are hard; resources are stretched too thin.
Yu neva miss di wata til di well run dry.You don't value what you have until it's gone.
Belly full, potato hab kin.The satisfied become choosy and ungrateful — full people find fault with food.

Manchester

Empty barrel mek di mos' noise.The loudest talkers usually know the least.
Manners kyai yu tru di worl widout a penny.Respect and courtesy open doors that money cannot.
Di higher monkey climb, di more im expose.The more you rise or show off, the more your flaws are on display.

Clarendon

One-one coco full baskit.Success comes little by little; be patient and steady.
Wha sweet nanny goat a go run im belly.What pleases you now can hurt you later.
Every mickle mek a muckle.Small savings and small efforts count.

St. Catherine

Learn fi dance a yaad before yu go abroad.Master things among your own people before you show off elsewhere — the motto of this whole journey.
Wha fi yu cyaan be un-fi-yu.What's meant for you can't be taken from you.
New broom sweep clean, but ole broom know every corna.New things impress, but experience knows the hidden spots — like the old capital and the new.

Farin

Wi likkle but wi talawaSmall island, mighty people — Jamaica's reach across the world is far bigger than its map. Carry that strength with you a farin.
No kya how bird fly, im haffi come dung fi wataHowever far you roam abroad, you must return to your source — home, family, roots. The diaspora always circles back to yaad.