Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Nimaan qooq dilin, maroodi ma dilo
He who doesn't kill lust, can't kill an elephant
Conquer inner weakness before outer challenges — self-control first

Meaning: Stories don't heal wounds

Context: Entertainment can't fix real pain — solutions need action

Meaning: Words don't help where food is needed

Context: Practical help outweighs talk — action beats sympathy

Meaning: The place where a camel is slaughtered lacks neither talk nor meat

Context: Big events bring both wealth and gossip

Meaning: You can't retreat from where your head has reached

Context: Once committed, you must continue — no turning back after action

Meaning: Without unity, isolation follows

Context: Division weakens — strength lies in togetherness

Meaning: You're dried where you got wet

Context: Problems must be solved where they began — face your issues

Meaning: A long neck doesn't surpass the head

Context: However high you rise, authority remains above — pride has limits

Meaning: The one who wanders side paths finally returns to the main road

Context: Life detours lead back to truth — everyone finds the right path eventually

Meaning: Whoever enters a toilet has a purpose

Context: Every action has intent — nothing happens without a reason

Meaning: Each man bends his biceps differently

Context: Everyone has their own strength — individuality defines ability

Meaning: Between you and your ambition lies a mirror

Context: Self-reflection comes before achievement — know yourself first

Meaning: A cat at home has a lion's claws

Context: One is strongest in their own place — confidence grows in comfort

Meaning: Darkness, hide me under the nearest tree

Context: In times of fear, even small shelter suffices — survival first

Meaning: If your house is dark, do you light others'?

Context: Help yourself before helping others — charity begins at home

Meaning: I've never seen a liar with a true witness

Context: Falsehood never stands with truth — honesty requires proof

Meaning: Death has no ears, even if angels cry out

Context: Fate doesn't listen — destiny is unchangeable

Meaning: A boil under the skin isn't touched; if touched, pus flows

Context: Some problems worsen when meddled with — let time heal

Meaning: Once you've entered, there's no returning from wandering places

Context: Some paths change you permanently — caution before action

Meaning: Unripe fruit is swallowed whole

Context: Rushed results bring pain — patience perfects all things

Meaning: The heated knife cuts backward

Context: Anger harms its owner — control your temper