• Two men hugging

    Martinique Creole proverbs

Born in the first half of the 17th century, the Creole language is a vibrant mosaic. The Amerindian heritage was supplemented by the dialects of French colonists, West Africans, and later Coolies from India and China. Contrary to popular belief, Creole proverbs are not words from the past, or “pawol an tan lontan” (words from the past) as they say in Martinique. Proverbs are immortal, eternal, and indispensable. As they say in Martinique: “Pa konnet mové” (It is bad not to know). Click on the title to read the moral.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
When the rooster isn't in the pitt, he sees all the kicks he'd give.
Whoever is not in the battle on the field always has all the solutions.



Note that the pitt is a cockfighting arena.



                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 The advisers are not the payers.
People who give advice are not those that will have to face the consequences of their words.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
When acoma fell, everyone says it's rotten wood.
When a person falls from his pedestal, people dare to criticize it.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
When you win a horse dealing in anquites, you lose in dealing in anquites.
That you acquire in dubious circumstances, you lose in these conditions.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
When the hen drinks water, she does not forget to thank God.
Do not forget to thank God for all that He gives us.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
You're just ugly, you're not bad.
Refers to a person who proclaims himself more rebellious than it really is.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The interest does not die pockets.
Abundance of goods does no harm.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The rod has no shoulders.
Male sexuality is irrepressible.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Skinned navel, belly hurts.
The harm done to someone is also felt by his own.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Macaques never finds his children ugly.
Love is blind.