• 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.



Bad luck is an old negro.
Misfortunes never come singly.

The party is over, all the violins are stored in the bag
There is a time for everything.

The dust was nice talking, the wind carried.
The strongest is always right.

Children speak the truth.

Children tell the truth more easily than adults.

Life is not a bowl of toloman.
Life is not rosy.

Misfortune continues to plague on the back of the Negro.
If you are poor, bad luck befalls you.

L'argent fait danser les chiens
L'argent peut tout faire.

Money does not buy happiness, but happiness make money.
Money is not a source of happiness, but happiness is a source of wealth.

Money is not avocado
The money can be kept indefinitely.

Money is the devil.
Money drives to crime.