• 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 goat has rejected a pill, he believed, he is a doctor.
Be a doctor can not be improvised.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The goat has bitten a rock, the sheep's tooth broke.
Good pay for the bad.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The dog's poop is good for those who loves it.
There's something for everyone.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The calculation is done before the payroll.
Before buying something trivial, we must think about what we will eat tomorrow.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The vagina is silent, the belly is talkative.
Hidden acts have visible consequences.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The pig does not defecate where he sleeps.
Everyone protects her privacy.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
Having friends does not mean end up in the meshes of a net.
Friendship does not prevent self-interest.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The kicks of the mare does not hurt the foal.
What comes from a loved one is completely devoid of malice and doesn't offense.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The kicks of the mare does not hurt the horse.
A woman can not reach her husband.

                  

      

    

                                    
    

      

        
      

      

        

                      
The fearful lives long.
In life, you have to exercise restraint, as cowards who will not take any risk and live long.