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    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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
A Negro dead is a breadfruit more staying in the breadfruit tree.
The death of a person always benefits to another.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
A single sheep gives scabies to a whole herd.
Only one item can rot a whole group.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
A cut ear still has its duct.
The appearance of a person can be misleading.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
After the party, we scratches his head.
The financial difficulties arise after the party: we must know saving before big spending.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Sure, not maybe!
There is a difference between what is safe and what is not certain.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Nothing strength is good.
Things obtained by use of force can not be profitable.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The ox of top drinks clear water.
First come, first served basis.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The ox of the depth doesn't knows the misfortune of the ox of hill.
To each his problems, regardless of appearances.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The fat beef does not know the pain of the skinny beef
In different situations, we do not face the same problems making it difficult to understand the other.



                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Beauty does not know cook a canary.
This is not because we chose a beautiful woman or a handsome man you will be happy.