Ethiopia Proverbs

Ethiopia Proverbs carry wisdom from an ancient highland civilization, heir to Axum and a long Christian tradition. They prize endurance, honor, hospitality, and sharp wit, echoing coffee ceremonies and communal life.

Eat when the food is ready; speak when the time is right. (Ethiopian Proverb)
The eye of the leopard is on the goat, and the eye of the goat is on the leaf. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
He who knows much, does not speak much. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
Only the man who is not hungry says the coconut has a hard shell. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
No better witnesses than your own eyes. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The cow knows the cowherd but not the owner. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The slimming of an elephant and the losses of a rich man are not noticeable. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The heart of a fool is in his mouth and the mouth of the wise man is in his heart. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The fool speaks, the wise man listens. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
O, sheep if I do not eat you, you will eat me, said the hyena. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
There is no cure for him who hides an illness. (Ethiopian Proverb)
You may well have two legs but you still can't climb two trees at the same time. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
Whether it rains or stops raining, the lentils have two eyes. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
A fool looks for dung where the cow never browsed. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
A bird hanging between two branches will get bitten on both wings. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The coward sweats in water. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The best of mankind is a farmer the best food is fruit. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
When a fool is cursed, he thinks he is being praised. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
A fool will pair an ox with an elephant. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
If you are going to go where corn grows, take a cutting tool with you. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
Sitting is being crippled. (Ethiopian Proverb)
Who cannot yet walk, cannot climb a ladder. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
Better an egg this year than a chicken next year. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
A hyena intrudes through a gap a dog opened. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb
The nile has no resting place it wanderes around carrying a log. View proverb
Ethiopian Proverb