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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.





                                        
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
If you have not slept in a chicken coop, you can not know if the hens snore.
You have to speak only of what we know.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The sun sets, misfortune never sets.
Contrary to the rhythm of the days that end after dark, evil has no time limit.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 The mouse is small, its excrement are large
Trust appearances is a mistake.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Tafia (the old name for rum) always tells the truth.
When under the influence of alcohol, one always tells the truth.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Time has run its course, time has left its time.
A lot of time has elapsed.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
 The breasts are not too heavy on the stomach.
Every problem has a solution, nothing is insurmountable.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Small seeds make large trees.
The accumulation of little things make big things. Equivalent of "Sé grèn diri ka fè sak diri."

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The young pig asked his mother why her mouth was long, but his has become much longer.
You should not mock the seniors, you do not know what is happen tomorrow.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The little cock does what he can, the big rooster does what he wants.
The reason of the strongest is always the best.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Chicks followed ducklings, they drowned.
We must not act according to the acts or advice of others, but according to his own morality.