21 Yoruba Proverbs About Patience

Yoruba culture places great importance on patience, which is referred to as Suuru in the Yoruba language. So, Yoruba idiomatic expressions about patience are used to convey the importance of waiting for the right time to those who hear them. Proverbs, despite their different translations and meaning, are “commonly used” to either encourage or warn people.

Following are the common Yoruba proverbs about patience and their meaning;

Yoruba Proverbs About Patience

1. Proverb: Ààrò kì í gbóná títí kó máà tutu.

It doesn’t matter how hot the oven is; it will eventually cool down. There will always be a beginning and an end; change is a constant; nothing lasts forever; keep your faith in your dreams alive

2. Proverb: Adániwáyè ò gbàgbé ẹnìkan; àìmàsìkò ló ńdààmú ẹ̀dá.

We’re worried because we don’t realize how much we don’t know about God’s timing. Don’t give up; don’t let go of your dreams.

3. Proverb: Àìfarabalẹ̀ ojú ni kì í fi rí imú bọ̀rọ̀; bí ojú bá fara balẹ̀, á rí imú.

Eyes are able to see noses if they are calm; however, the eye is always in a hurry. The ability to remain calm and patient in the face of adversity is essential.

4. Proverb: A kì í fi ọjọ́ kan, bọ́ ọmọ tó rù.

You can’t fatten a skinny kid up in a single day. Remember that good things come to those who wait; don’t rush things along.

5. Proverb: Apẹ́kótójẹun kò ní jẹ̀’bàjẹ́.

Those who stay for a long time to eat are less likely to have a bad meal. Be patient and hopeful, even if things take a long time; delay is not denial; the end result could be fantastic.

This is a common Yoruba proverbs about patience.

6. Proverb: A tọrọ ohun gbogbo lọ́wọ́ ọlọ́run kì í kánjú.

Impatience has no place in the life of the God-seeker. There must be some patience on the part of the person who inquires.

7. Proverb: Bí a kò bá dẹ́kun ìgbìyànjú, bó pẹ́ bó yá akitiyan á dópin lọ́jọ́ kan.

Our hustling will come to an end if we don’t change our ways. If we don’t give up, we’ll win this battle.

8. Proverb: Bí a bá pẹ́ ní ààtàn a máa rí abuké eṣinṣin.

This humpy housefly will be ours if we stay long enough at the refuse dump. Do not give up hope: with enough time and perseverance, almost anything is possible. Even problems that seem insurmountable may simply require more time.

9. Proverb: Bí agbada ò bá gbóná, àgbàdo ò leè ta.

Before any corporation can pop, the frying pan must be warmed to the proper temperature. Good things in life don’t always come easily, so have some patience.

10. Proverb: Bí èyàn bá dúró sínú oòrùn títí, bó pẹ́ bó yá, ibòji, á báa níbẹ̀.

The shade will eventually appear if one remains in the sun for an extended period of time (the sun will set). It doesn’t matter how bad the situation is, nothing lasts forever.

11. Proverb: Bí ìgbà ba kọ́’ni lẹ́sẹ̀ téèyan ṣubú, tí ìgbà míràn bá dé, èèyà á dìde.

It’s possible for a person to rise and fall depending on the time of year he or she is experiencing. Remain hopeful and patient, as nothing lasts forever.

12. Proverb: Bó pẹ́ bó yá, akọ̀pẹ yóò wálẹ̀.

It doesn’t matter how long it takes the palm wine tapper to return. Things may take a while, but they’ll never last forever, so be patient.

13. Proverb: Ẹni bá rọra pa èèrà, à rí ìfun inú rẹ̀.

An ant’s intestines can be seen by patiently disjointing it. Some difficult tasks can only be completed by those who have the patience to wait their turn.

14. Proverb: Ẹní bá fi iṣu tí kò jinná gún’yán, o di dandan kó jẹ iyán tó lẹ́mọ

It is impossible to avoid eating lumps when one prepares pounded sweet potatoes with half-done sweet potatoes. Don’t push things before they’ve had a chance to mature; patience is a virtue.

15. Proverb: Ìhòhò dodo làgbàdo ńwọ ilẹ̀; tó bá jáde tán, ló ńdi onígba aṣọ.

Unclad, the maize seed bursts forth from the ground with multiple coverings. With hope, you have yet to see your best.

16. Proverb: Ìjì layé; tó bá fì síwájú, á tún fì sẹ́hìn ni.

Life is like a storm; if you go forward, you’ll go backwards, and vice versa. As one season ends and another begins, remember that nothing lasts forever. Never lose hope.

17. Proverb: Òkun kì í hó ruru, kí á wà á ruru.

In a stormy sea, do not paddle erratically. You must be patient when it comes to dealing with difficult situations.

18. Proverb: Ọlọ́run tó dá ẹnu, ti dá ohun tí kálukú máa fi sí i.

Things we will put in our mouths are equally well-provided for by God, who made the mouth. Be hopeful and patient.

19. Proverb: Ọlọ́run tó ńse ọbẹ̀, kò kúrò ní ìdí ààrò.

Soup-cooking God hasn’t gone out of the kitchen yet! Keep a positive attitude and don’t give up. Nothing is out of God’s reach.

20. Proverb: Ọ̀nà tí èèyàn tọ̀ tó ṣubú, bí èèyàn bá ní sùúrù, èyàn lè tọ̀ọ́ là.

Even if you try a path and fail, you can still try it again and succeed if you are persistent. To succeed, one must have both patience and perseverance.

21. Proverb: Onísúùrù ló lè Fún Wàra Kìnìún.

A lion can only be milked by a patient. It is possible for anyone with perseverance to achieve the seemingly inconceivable.

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Conclusion

In many Yoruba proverbs, people are advised to be patient and kind in order to have a happy and prosperous life. On the surface, they appear to be incomprehensible. Consequently, their meaning and translation are always conveyed (connotation).

So, there you have the 21 Yoruba proverbs about patience.