• 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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Not knowing is bad.
It is important to learn, to acquire knowledge.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 Do not rely on other people's eyes to sleep.
We must rely on ourselves.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
"Sorry" does not heal bumps.
Some mistakes are irreparable.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Who is the father of the children, only the mother knows.
There is no greater secret than paternity.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Word in the mouth is not charge.
Verbal commitment is not commitment. A word has no true value, only acts count.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The more you are exposed, the more dogs hanging you around.
Misfortunes never come singly.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
What is the closest of the church, it is the bell tower.
Seeks generally to refer to places or people close.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Later, sadder.
The wheel turns: if one is doing well today, tomorrow everything can be different.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
More was deep pockets, the more women like you.
Venality is natural to the ladies.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The hen does not sing before the rooster.
This is not the woman who makes the law at home.