Logo - a tree with books

Igi Òwe

An image of a tree library
Built by GeniusHawlah

All Rights Reserved.

Hero Background

Adage of the Day

Adages

Àgbẹ̀ tí kòkó ẹ̀ẹ́ yè, layé ló mọ̀ọ́ ṣe.

• Only the farmer with a thriving cocoa farm is considered successful by the world.

• Results matter more than intentions or effort alone.

• Even if one works tirelessly, the world only notices when there is apparent success - Only the...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Even if one works tirelessly, the world only notices when there is apparent success - Only the farmer with a thriving cocoa farm is considered successful by the world.
 

posted by Admin

Agbọ́n sẹ́ oyin sẹ́, ojú olóko rèé, gòdògbò godogbo.

• Both the wasp and the bee are in denial, yet the farmer's face remains heavily swollen.

• Everyone denies responsibility, yet someone clearly caused the problem.

• After a messy office mistake, everyone blamed one other - Both the wasp and the bee are in denial,...
EXAMPLE USAGE: After a messy office mistake, everyone blamed one other - Both the wasp and the bee are in denial, yet the farmer's face remains heavily swollen.
 

posted by Admin

Ẹni ejò bá ti bùjẹ rí, bó bá rí ekòló, yóò họ.

• Whoever had once been bitten by a snake, would flee at the sight of an earthworm.

• Anyone who had seen a taste of trouble, would flee at the earliest sense of it.

• After being duped once by a fake investment scheme, even a harmless promo message will make someone...
EXAMPLE USAGE: After being duped once by a fake investment scheme, even a harmless promo message will make someone jump - Whoever had once been bitten by a snake, would flee at the sight of an earthworm.
 

posted by Admin

Mo gbọ́n tán, mo mọ̀ tán, lagbọ́n ò ṣe lóró bí oyin.

• Wasps' claim to be the wisest & best is why they have less potent venom than bees.

• Claiming to know it all is how one loses the opportunity to learn more and improve.

• That friend who always says “I already know this thing” never actually grows - Wasps' claim to be...
EXAMPLE USAGE: That friend who always says “I already know this thing” never actually grows - Wasps' claim to be the wisest & best is why they have less potent venom than bees.
 

posted by Admin

Jẹ́ kí nfi ìdí hẹ́ẹ, làlejò fi ńti onílé sóde.

• Let me just hang in here is how a guest takes over the house.

• When you give an inch, you stand a chance to lose a mile.

• Bola rejected her friend who wanted to come and squat with her for a while because she's had the...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Bola rejected her friend who wanted to come and squat with her for a while because she's had the experience of helping someone for such and they refused to leave when it was time - Let me just hang in here is how a guest takes over the house.
 

posted by Admin

Àrẹ̀mọ má jobì, má ròde ẹmu, kó lè dé ipò bàbá rẹ̀ ni.

• Cautioning a heir not to eat kola nut or drink palm wine (considered unhealthy living) is so he can...
CLOSE TRANSLATION: Cautioning a heir not to eat kola nut or drink palm wine (considered unhealthy living) is so he can succeed his father the king.
 

• Warnings received against reckless living are ultimately for one's good.

• Think of how parents beg their children to avoid bad friends or wild habits, it is not because they...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Think of how parents beg their children to avoid bad friends or wild habits, it is not because they want to control them, but so the child doesn’t ruin their own future before it even starts. Cautioning a heir not to eat kola nut or drink palm wine is so he can succeed his father the king.
 

posted by Admin

Ohun ọwọ́ mi ò tó màá fi gọ̀ǹgọ̀ fàá, àbùkù nií mú kanni.

• 'Whatever my height cannot reach, I will pull it down with a pike pole,' mostly lands one in mess.

• Going to an unhealthy length to grab what is clearly out of reach often leads to embarrassment.

• I can't believe Babatunde went to rob a mall so he could provide for his family - 'Whatever my...
EXAMPLE USAGE: I can't believe Babatunde went to rob a mall so he could provide for his family - 'Whatever my height cannot reach, I will pull it down with a pike pole,' mostly lands one in mess.
 

posted by Admin

Igbá oró kìí fọ́; ìkà ńbọ̀ wá padà fi jẹun.

• The plate of wickedness never wholly breaks; the wicked will yet use it to eat.

• Those who mistreat others eventually face the same treatment; life has a way of returning served...
EQUIVALENT TRANSLATION: Those who mistreat others eventually face the same treatment; life has a way of returning served portions.
 

• When a colleague kept sabotaging everyone to look good, management eventually turned the same...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When a colleague kept sabotaging everyone to look good, management eventually turned the same scrutiny on him, and that was when he learned that the plate of wickedness never wholly breaks.
 

posted by Admin

Báà fi ọ̀pá bọ ìlù, a kò ní mọ̀ pé ìlù lóhùn tó dùn.

• Had we not beaten the drum with drumsticks, we wouldn't know it has a sweet tone.

• Sometimes being pushed out of comfort zone is how we unlock real happiness.

• Fumbi thought she was being maltreated when her father forced her to learn a skill she said she...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Fumbi thought she was being maltreated when her father forced her to learn a skill she said she could never understand, now she is one of the best in that field - had we not beaten the drum with drumsticks, we wouldn't know it has a sweet tone.
 

posted by Admin

À pa àímú délé ni kò jẹ́ ká mọ̀ pé ológbò ńs'ọdẹ.

• Its penchant for not bringing home its kills, is why the cat is not known for hunting.

• If you never show results, people won’t rate your efforts.

• A person who keeps claiming they're working on big things but never delivers will never be seen as...
EXAMPLE USAGE: A person who keeps claiming they're working on big things but never delivers will never be seen as productive - its penchant for not bringing home its games is why the cat is not known for hunting.
 

posted by Admin

Bí èèyàn ò bá tọ̀ sí ojú kan, kìí hó.

• If one does not urinate on a single spot, the urine won't foam.

• Focus and consistency are necessary to produce results.

• If a trader jumps between too many markets at once, nothing sells well - if one does not urinate on...
EXAMPLE USAGE: If a trader jumps between too many markets at once, nothing sells well - if one does not urinate on a single spot, the urine won't foam.
 

posted by Admin

Akéyinjẹ ò mọ̀ pé ìdí ńro adìyẹ.

• The one who ceaselessly eats eggs often lacks the awareness that the bird's anus hurts.

• Those who are not affected by the process of accumulating wealth tend to lavish it.

• When her father finds out how she spends her upkeep money, he said, the one who ceaselessly eats...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When her father finds out how she spends her upkeep money, he said, the one who ceaselessly eats eggs often lacks the awareness that the bird's anus hurts.
 

posted by Admin

À ti gbé ìyàwó kò tóó pọ́n, owó ọbẹ̀ ló ṣòro.

• To get married is not an issue, but to consistently cover feeding money is the tough nut.

• Some things are easy to begin but hard to maintain.

• When Tunde rushed into marriage without planning for steady income, reality set in quickly - to get...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When Tunde rushed into marriage without planning for steady income, reality set in quickly - to get married is not an issue, but to consistently cover feeding money is the tough nut.
 

posted by Admin

Ìwà rere lẹ̀ṣọ́ ènìyàn.

• Good character is man's adornment.

• A person's true beauty is their conduct and character.

• When Bisi chose to stay honest even when nobody was watching, people respected her more - good...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When Bisi chose to stay honest even when nobody was watching, people respected her more - good character is man's adornment.
 

posted by Admin

Wúrà tó máa dán, á la iná kọjá.

• A piece of gold that desires to shine must pass through fire/heat.

• Growth often requires discomfort and sacrifice.

• If Tunde truly wants to become a top engineer, he must endure the tough nights of learning - a...
EXAMPLE USAGE: If Tunde truly wants to become a top engineer, he must endure the tough nights of learning - a piece of gold that desires to shine must pass through fire/heat.
 

posted by Admin

Ọwọ́ epo lọmọ aráyé ńbá nií lá, wọn kìí bá ni lá ọwọ́ ẹ̀jẹ̀.

• Humans are only willing to lick your oily fingers, not bloody fingers.

• People enjoy and associate with your success but disappear when things get tough.

• When Kunle was landing big contracts, everyone celebrated with him; when the business collapsed,...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When Kunle was landing big contracts, everyone celebrated with him; when the business collapsed, calls stopped - humans are only willing to lick your oily fingers, not bloody fingers.
 

posted by Admin

Ojú tó máa báni kalẹ́, kò ní ti àárọ̀ ṣe ipin.

• The eyes that would serve one until old age, won't be rheumy while one is young.

• What is dependable in the long run often shows signs of reliability from the start.

• From the way their love journey kickstarted, you would know that the eyes that would serve one...
EXAMPLE USAGE: From the way their love journey kickstarted, you would know that the eyes that would serve one until old age, won't be rheumy while one is young.
 

posted by Admin

Ẹni ọ̀rẹ́ dà kó má ṣe bínú; ẹni abínibí ńdani

• Those betrayed by friends shouldn't be offended; even kins do betray one another.

• Betrayal can come from anyone; one should not be too shocked when it happens.

• He was deeply hurt because his dirtiest secret was revealed by his best friend; he's forgotten that...
EXAMPLE USAGE: He was deeply hurt because his dirtiest secret was revealed by his best friend; he's forgotten that those betrayed by friends shouldn't be offended; even kins do betray one another.
 

posted by Admin

Àgùtàn tó fẹ́ máa dún bi ìkokò, á múra sílẹ̀ fún ọfà ọlọ́dẹ.

• A sheep that wants to be howling like wolves should be prepared for the hunter's arrow.

• Every choice comes with consequence.

• If you want to walk with them, be ready to share in their struggles - a sheep that wants to be...
EXAMPLE USAGE: If you want to walk with them, be ready to share in their struggles - a sheep that wants to be howling like wolves should be prepared for the hunter's arrow.
 

posted by Admin

Ẹni òjò pa, tí àrá kò pa kó má a dúpẹ́.

• Anyone who got beaten by rain, yet wasn't struck by lightning should be thankful.

• Be ever grateful; things could have been worse.

• When Debola got robbed on his way from work, his mother said he should be grateful he wasn't killed...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When Debola got robbed on his way from work, his mother said he should be grateful he wasn't killed - anyone who got beaten by rain, yet wasn't struck by lightning should be thankful.
 

posted by Admin

Àìmọ iṣẹ́ kọ̀ ló ṣe orogùn tó fi ki orí bọ omi gbígbóná.

• Not knowing how to say 'No' is how the wooden stirrer gets dipped into hot water.

• It is not everything that one accedes to.

• Some people overload themselves with commitments because they can't refuse requests – not knowing...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Some people overload themselves with commitments because they can't refuse requests – not knowing how to say 'No' is how the wooden stirrer gets dipped into hot water.
 

posted by Admin

Tí èyàn bá pẹ́́ láyé á jẹ ẹran tó ju erin lọ.

• If one lives long enough, one would eat such a quantity of meat larger in size than an elephant.

• With time and longevity, what can be achieved becomes monumental.

• Some people rush success, but with patience and consistency, life opens unexpected doors – if one...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Some people rush success, but with patience and consistency, life opens unexpected doors – if one lives long enough, one would eat such a quantity of meat larger in size than an elephant.
 

posted by Admin

Ológùńná kan kì í rìn létí odò.

• Anyone who has just one live coal ought not to be walking by the river bank.

• If what you have is fragile or limited, you shouldn’t expose it to unnecessary risks.

• If your only source of income is a small business, don’t gamble it on a risky venture – anyone who...
EXAMPLE USAGE: If your only source of income is a small business, don’t gamble it on a risky venture – anyone who has just one live coal ought not to be walking by the river bank.
 

posted by Admin

Èyàn kì í dára kó má kù síbì kan.

• No one can be so good and not have a flaw.

• Everyone has shortcomings; perfection isn’t found in anyone.

• Before you get too disappointed in a friend for making a mistake, remember that no one can be so...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Before you get too disappointed in a friend for making a mistake, remember that no one can be so good and not have a flaw – everyone has their own blind spot.
 

posted by Admin

Arúgbó ńdágbèsè, ó ní mélòó lòun yóò dúró san ńbẹ̀?

• An aged person intentionally incurs debt, and boasts how much of it they really would need to repay...
CLOSE TRANSLATION: An aged person intentionally incurs debt, and boasts how much of it they really would need to repay themself.
 

• Don't create problems you won’t be around to solve, especially if others will suffer the...
EQUIVALENT TRANSLATION: Don't create problems you won’t be around to solve, especially if others will suffer the consequences.
 

• Some leaders make reckless decisions because they won’t be the ones dealing with the outcome – an...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Some leaders make reckless decisions because they won’t be the ones dealing with the outcome – an aged person intentionally incurs debt, and boasts how much of it they really would need to repay themself.
 

posted by Admin

Olójú kan kìí mọ'yì Ọlọ́run à fi tí nǹkan bá gbọ̀n si.

• A person with only one good eye is seldom thankful to God until a speck enters the eye.

• People often fail to appreciate what they have until something threatens it.

• Some folks complain about their small salary until the job itself is at risk – a person with only...
EXAMPLE USAGE: Some folks complain about their small salary until the job itself is at risk – a person with only one good eye is seldom thankful to God until a speck enters the eye.
 

posted by Admin

Ẹni tó mú iṣẹ́ jẹ, kò lè mú ìṣẹ́ jẹ.

• Whoever gets away with indolence, cannot get away with poverty.

• You can dodge work, but you can’t dodge the consequences that come with avoiding it.

• When someone keeps skipping shifts and still expects money to flow in, remind them - whoever gets...
EXAMPLE USAGE: When someone keeps skipping shifts and still expects money to flow in, remind them - whoever gets away with indolence, cannot get away with poverty.
 

posted by Admin

A kì í fura sí ẹni tí a ńbá rìn; ẹni tí a bá ńfura sí, a kì í bá irú wọn rìn.

• You can't be suspicious of those you associate with, neither can you relate with those you are...
CLOSE TRANSLATION: You can't be suspicious of those you associate with, neither can you relate with those you are suspicious of.
 

• Trust and association must go together; if someone triggers your suspicion, they don't deserve your...
EQUIVALENT TRANSLATION: Trust and association must go together; if someone triggers your suspicion, they don't deserve your closeness.
 

• If you already feel this guy isn't straightforward with money matters, don't force friendship - you...
EXAMPLE USAGE: If you already feel this guy isn't straightforward with money matters, don't force friendship - you can't be suspicious of those you associate with, neither can you relate with those you are suspicious of.
 

posted by Admin

Hùnrùnhunrun ni yóò pọ̀, ẹlẹ́dẹ̀ wa á dé Ọ̀yọ́.

• Its grunting may be endless, but our pig would get to Oyo town, eventually.

• There may be a lot of struggles and pain, our aim will still be achieved.

• This business might be stalking now, it'll be among the most successful in the world - its grunting...
EXAMPLE USAGE: This business might be stalking now, it'll be among the most successful in the world - its grunting may be endless, but our pig would get to Oyo town eventually.
 

posted by Admin

Ọ̀nà tí èèyàn tọ̀ tó ṣubú, bí èèyàn ní sùúrù, èyàn lè tọ̀ọ́ là.

• A path that one treads and falls, with patience one may well tread it to success.

• Failure on a familiar path doesn't mean the journey is doomed; patience can turn setbacks into...
EQUIVALENT TRANSLATION: Failure on a familiar path doesn't mean the journey is doomed; patience can turn setbacks into breakthroughs.
 

• You might have tried USA visa three times already, but that doesn't mean you can't still make it -...
EXAMPLE USAGE: You might have tried USA visa three times already, but that doesn't mean you can't still make it - a path that one treads and falls, with patience one may well tread it to success.
 

posted by Admin

Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.

Ibi tí à ńlọ là ńwò, a kì í wo ibi tí a ti ṣubú.

• We ought to focus on where we are going, not where we had fallen.

• Progress requires keeping your eyes on the future instead of dwelling on past mistakes.

• After failing his first coding interview, he stopped replaying the mistake in his head...
Example Usage: After failing his first coding interview, he stopped replaying the mistake in his head and focused on preparing better for the next one - we ought to focus on where we are going, not where we had fallen.
 

• We ought to focus on where we are going, not where we had fallen.

• Progress requires keeping your eyes on the future instead of dwelling on past mistakes.

• After failing his first coding interview, he stopped replaying the mistake in his head and focused...
Example Usage: After failing his first coding interview, he stopped replaying the mistake in his head and focused on preparing better for the next one - we ought to focus on where we are going, not where we had fallen.