• 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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
One can stay alongside adults defecate, not next to those who work.
Work deserves absolute respect.



                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Due to the dog, due to the cat.
There is justice for everyone.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The rice laughed, the lentils are quiet.
Let people make fun of you and stay calm.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Laugh on Saturday, cry on Sunday.
The great joys are followed by great sorrows.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
What's done is done.
We can not erase the past, we must accept things as they are.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
This is not good for the goose is not good for the duck.
Do not do to others what you would not want they do to you.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 What is yours can not be carried away by the river.
What is yours will remain, no one can escape his destiny.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
What you throw today with the foot, tomorrow you pick it by hand.
If you do not you striven to return to the norm, then you will be forced to.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
What you lost in the fire, you'll find it in the ash.
What is lost, we retrieve it inevitably because it does not lose anything permanently.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
What we do not see can not hurting our heart
What one does not know, what we do not know, can not hurt us.
Happiness also lives with ignorance.