• 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.



The tied dog must be beaten!

Woe to the vanquished; each to his own cross.

This Creole proverb means that we often give the blow to someone who is already defeated, that we abuse someone who is already in a state of weakness.

Dogs do not cats.
Like father, like son

The dog doesn't want bananas, but he does not want the chickens eat them.
Said of a person who does not want something but refuses someone else has it.

The teeth and tongue are angry.
Even people close, may have differences of opinion.

The teeth mocked the body, the eyes have cried misery.
A person who mock of others must wait a day to receive the ridicule of others.

Two money do not fight.
Abundance of goods does no harm.

Il arrive parfois que nous trouvons la conque à la poubelle.
When we are in bad situation, something good can come out.

Two male crabs can not live in the same hole.
Two strong characters can not coexist in the same environment.

Hustlers do not sin.
People making use of ruse can not be considered faulty.

"Tomorrow" is a fool.
You have to know to enjoy the moment, tomorrow is uncertain.