Jamaican Proverbs

Jamaican Proverbs capture island wit born from plantation history and Maroon resistance. In patois rhythms they praise hustle, community, and laughter in hard times.

When you go to a donkey's house, don't talk about ears. (Jamaican Proverb)
Those who can't dance blame it on the music. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Going to bed without dinner is better than waking up in debt. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
You can't take the milk back from the coffee. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Keep both eyes open before you are married and afterwards close only one. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Eat with the devil but give him a long spoon. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
The spider and the fly can't make a deal. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Pay the doctor, praise the lord. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Make a friend when you don't need one. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Beautiful woman, beautiful trouble. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Barking saves biting. (Jamaican Proverb)
Every dog knows his dinnertime. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
The soldiers' blood, the general's reputation. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
You can't have two faces under one hat. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
The hungry fowl wakes early. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
A lawyer looks at you with one eye, but he looks at your pocket with two. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Prayer only from the mouth is no prayer. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Today can't catch tomorrow. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Not everything you hear is good for conversation. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
The umbrella was made for rainy days, the white man uses it for the sun. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
A little axe can cut down a big tree. (Jamaican Proverb)
Bushes have ears, walls have eyes. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Words in mouth, no load upon head. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
When you buy beef, you buy bones; when you buy land, you buy rocks. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
Meat that the cat brings in never gets to your plate. View proverb
Jamaican Proverb
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