Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Caro walaal waa la bariyaa
Anger between brothers cools with time
Family bonds overcome anger — patience restores peace

Meaning: He who doesn't fear God won't fear man

Context: Faith instills morality — the godless respect no authority

Meaning: Only a fool recognizes another fool

Context: We see in others what exists in ourselves — judgment mirrors self

Meaning: The soul was created by God, and no man can change it

Context: Fate is divine — accept human limits

Meaning: Without a soul, there's no life

Context: Life's essence is spirit — material things are empty without it

Meaning: A heart without life feels no one else's pain

Context: Empathy comes from being alive to others' struggles

Meaning: A soul unprotected is a soul abandoned

Context: Carelessness with self leads to ruin — guard your well-being

Meaning: Prosperity doesn't suit one who forgets God

Context: Spiritual grounding sustains fortune — arrogance loses grace

Meaning: Benefit without mercy lacks blessing

Context: Compassion sanctifies success — kindness gives prosperity meaning

Meaning: A fool carries another fool with him

Context: Stupidity attracts company — similar minds gather

Meaning: A fool doesn't know his enemy

Context: Ignorance blinds judgment — awareness ensures safety

Meaning: The fool builds where he'll later destroy

Context: Inconsistency causes failure — avoid self-contradiction

Meaning: The fool laughs, but no one laughs with him

Context: Folly entertains only itself — wisdom earns respect

Meaning: A fool cuts a short tree for shade

Context: Short-sighted people ruin their own shelter — think long-term

Meaning: You can chase away a fool but not bad luck

Context: Fate can't be escaped — destiny must be faced

Meaning: A fool and a madman shouldn't be left in charge

Context: Responsibility needs reason — wisdom guards against ruin

Meaning: The enemy lives far, but hatred lives within

Context: Internal hatred harms more than external foes

Meaning: You can't teach one older than you

Context: Age resists correction — humility opens learning

Meaning: Your enemy knows your faults, your friend your secrets

Context: Both closeness and hatred expose you — guard your privacy

Meaning: The man who consults no one is like a man loading a ram

Context: Independent thinking without wisdom leads to folly

Meaning: The one who warned you didn't kill you

Context: Advice saves — heed warnings before it's too late