Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Libaax intay bulbushu ku taal, bahal ma cuno
A lion with a sore in its mouth doesn't eat prey
Even the strong are weakened by pain — everyone has limits

Meaning: Don't shoot an arrow that might return to you

Context: Don't start what may harm you — avoid self-destructive actions

Meaning: Camel bones break against each other

Context: Conflict often arises among equals — internal fights hurt most

Meaning: A broken bone never becomes the same again

Context: Some damage leaves a mark forever — healing doesn't erase history

Meaning: Money gives birth to money, and figs to seeds

Context: Wealth grows wealth — success breeds more success

Meaning: Two sick people don't comfort each other

Context: The weak can't strengthen one another — seek balance before helping others

Meaning: Those who unite in injustice fight over justice

Context: Wrong alliances crumble — evil never keeps peace

Meaning: Two immature ones who shared food won't share in maturity

Context: Relationships built on childishness rarely last

Meaning: The scripture that was refused its home, God preserved through the sky

Context: Divine truth survives rejection — truth can't be silenced

Meaning: For one who urinates often, much bedding is spread

Context: People adapt to someone's habits or flaws — tolerance creates ease

Meaning: The one with a bad shoe isn't the worst off, but the one without shoes is

Context: Having little is better than having nothing — appreciate what you have

Meaning: Joking and urination both involve pressure

Context: Even light things have consequences — restraint matters in all things

Meaning: Bad cooking spoils even good ingredients

Context: Poor execution ruins potential — skill matters as much as resources

Meaning: The one without kidneys is killed by his own urine

Context: Weakness destroys from within — lacking strength invites downfall

Meaning: Pride causes a fall

Context: Arrogance leads to failure — humility saves

Meaning: Pride drives you out of the shade but gives you no shelter

Context: Arrogance isolates — it takes away comfort but offers no benefit

Meaning: Proud one, throw away my shoe; boaster, break my finger

Context: Mocking those who boast — pride invites ridicule

Meaning: Two naked people can't carry each other

Context: The helpless can't help the helpless — support needs strength

Meaning: The heart isn't a flame that can be folded at will

Context: Emotions aren't easily controlled — feelings have depth

Meaning: You can't have baldness and hair, begging and pride together

Context: Opposites don't coexist — choose one path

Meaning: Lying down and standing up are both allowed

Context: Everyone has freedom — fairness means letting others choose