hourglass_top Proverbs

Fon proverbs about patience

Patience (kòwà) is the cardinal virtue in Fon wisdom. Here are 10 proverbs reminding us that you must know how to wait and persevere, and that haste kills.

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1
Waiting

Time that ripens

Kɛ́ kɛ́ tlolo má ɖè vǐ
Haste does not produce a child
MeaningEvery great project has its time
Atìn ɖaxó wá kpɛ́vé kpɛ́véThe great tree comes little by little
KòwàPatience
TloloHaste / rush
2
Perseverance

Steady work

Avi má sín gbɛ̀ ǎTears do not bring back the dead
Sɛ́n yi sɛ́nCut and cut again (keep going)
Mɛ̀ má fɔ́n yi tɛ́n ǎWhoever doesn’t get up doesn’t arrive
Kpɔ́n nukún má kúThe patient eye does not die
Mɛ̀ má fɔ́n yi tɛ́n ǎ
Without repeated effort, no arrival

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3
Wisdom

Think before acting

Kpɔ́n é, kpɔ́n é, ka wǎLook, look, then come
Ali ɖaxó nɔ́ ɖíì sínThe great road begins to take shape
Kpɛ́vé wá ɖaxóSmall becomes big
Fɛ́n kpɛ́véLet it flow a little
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Fon wisdom

« Kɛ́ kɛ́ tlolo má ɖè vǐ ” is the go-to proverb about patience in Benin. Quoted in customary courts, in politics, in the family — it calms everyone in a hurry.

Patience = the path

10 proverbs to remind us that patience is not weakness but practical wisdom. In Benin, people say thatit is the mother of all virtues.

Danxomɛ
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