Ilu Igbo · ProverbsIgbo proverbs and their meanings
Read what each proverb means and when to use it.
A few proverbs to start with
- Obitechara ukpakala ka ọhụ n’eji isi ya agọrọ ala ọfọ.Greed for a shared resource can bring ruin.
- Ọha nwe eze; eze nwe ọha.Leadership and community owe something to each other.
- Onye nwere ara anaghị aṅụ akpụ.Use the resources already within reach.
- Ọgụ egbe adịghị mma n’ụlọ.Violence within a community harms those closest to it.
- Agaghị m anọ na mmiri ka ncha baa m n’anya.Use what you have to avoid a preventable problem.
- Anaghị asọ mgbagbu hapụ ịga ọgụ.People may face danger for a cause they consider necessary.
Browse by theme
- Ịdị n'otuImi bewe, anya ebewe.What hurts one part of a community affects others.See all living together proverbs
Living together
How people share space and look after one another. - AmamiheMberede ka e ji ama dike.Character shows itself when an unexpected challenge arrives.See all wisdom proverbs
Wisdom
What experience and close attention can teach. - MgbalịOnye kwe, chi ya ekwe.Commitment begins with the person who wants to act.See all effort proverbs
Effort
Choices, work, and what follows from them. - NdụEchi dị ime.No one knows what tomorrow will bring.See all life proverbs
Life
Uncertainty, change, and what people value.
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