Haitian proverbs

This is a collection of Haitian Creole proverbs and idioms, sorted alphabetically. Some proverbs are literary; that is, from a written source. Most originated orally among folk spiritualists, families, street vendors, other commoners and all walks of life, that has been since transcribed. __NOTOC__ B Bay piti pa chich. Translation: To give little is not [being] cheap. Smith 2001 When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti Cornell University Press 74 Toupre pa lakay. English equivalent: A miss by an inch is a miss by a mile. Toussaint 2005 Haiti, a Different Image AuthorHouse 23 D Dèyè mòn, gen mòn. English translation: Beyond mountains, more mountains L Lafimen pa janm leve san dife. English equivalent: Where there's smoke, there's fire. Meaning: A rumour contains some truth. Silva, Spear 2004 A quoi rêve Haïti? Éditions L'Harmattan 140 M Manman pa janm mode pitit li jouk nan zo. English translation:A mother never bites her child to the bone. Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University Haitian Proverbs Mapou mouri, kabrit manje fey li. English translation: When the mapou (oak-like tree) dies, goats would eat its leaves. Haitian Proverbs: An Integral Part of the Creole Language Kean University Haitian Proverbs Men anpil, chay pa lou. English equivalent: Many hands make light work. Averill 1997 A Day for the Hunter, a Day for the Prey: Popular Music and Power in Haiti University of Chicago Press Men anpil, chay pa lou. English equivalent: Many hands make light work. Smith 2001 When the Hands Are Many: Community Organization and Social Change in Rural Haiti Cornell University Press 170 Merite pa mande. English equivalent: First deserve, then desire. Heurtelou, Vilsaint 2004 Guide to Learning Haitian Creole Educa Vision 189 P Piti piti zwazo fè nich li. English translation: Little by little the bird builds its nest. Through Haiti's Eyes Z Zafè kabrit pa zafè mouton. Translation: The goat's business is not the sheep's business. English equivalent: All girdles do not hang on one handle. Maximin 2008 Dynamiques interculturelles dans l'aire caribéenne Karthala 213 Meaning: Focus on how you do your own work instead of interfering with other's work. en Español: El negocio de las ovejas no es el negocio de la cabra. en français: L'affaire de la chèvre n'est pas l'affaire du mouton. See also Haiti Category:Proverbs by language proverbs