Martinican Proverbs

Martinican Proverbs distill Creole wit from a French-Caribbean island. Echoes of plantation life and the 1902 Mount Pelée eruption shape sayings about pride, survival, and community.

A dog doesn't like bananas, but he can't bear to think that chickens eat them. (Martinican Proverb)
The blow is taken on the nose but it's the eyes that cry. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
When a ship is broken, the accident does not prevent others from sailing. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Not everybody who wears spurs is a jockey. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
If you are born fat you will not die thin. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
If an ox doesn't know the size of his arse he won't eat an apricot stone. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Breasts are never too heavy for the chest. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
You jump up, but you come down all the same. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Where there is a bone, there are dogs. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
The sheep drinks but it's the goat that gets drunk. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
When you bump into someone, begging your pardon doesn't put it right. (Martinican Proverb)
Chickens can't speak well of their own soup. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Thieves don't like to see their comrades carrying the bags. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Chickens don't praise their own soup. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
Child's pig, father's pork. View proverb
Martinican Proverb
The good dog never gets a good bone. View proverb
Martinican Proverb