Samoan Proverbs

Samoan proverbs grow from fa‘a Samoa—village life led by matai—and the sea routes of Polynesian voyagers. They prize respect, kinship, patience, and humble strength, teaching how to keep harmony in the aiga.

You shake in vain the branch that bears no fruit. (Samoan Proverb)
A decision made at night may be changed in the morning. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
First friends, then broken heads. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
From the direction of the wind. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Gather the breadfruit from the farthest branches first. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Let each do his share of the work. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Only the snake looks at its slayer. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Persevere like a bird in the wind. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Sin is carried in the mouth. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
The grasshopper flies about, but the kingfisher watches him. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
The knee feels the tapping. (Samoan Proverb)
The person who has burned their fingers often asks for tongs. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Let the crab take counsel with its leg. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
The fault was committed in the bush, but it is now talked about on the highway. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
The person with burned fingers asks for tongs. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
May it end with threats and not come to blows. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Like a fish, one should look for a hole in the net. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Blessed is the moon; it goes but it comes back again. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Sit and wait for the good chestnuts. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Stones decay; words last. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
Your highness's blow cannot be parried. (Samoan Proverb)
The careless fish will be eaten by the shark. View proverb
Samoan Proverb
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