Maahmaah Soomaali

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Somali proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Saddex baa rag u liita: ma toshe, ma tashade, iyo ma tashiishe
Three things weaken a man: he who doesn't think, doesn't plan, and doesn't seek advice
Wisdom comes from thought, planning, and consultation — neglecting them leads to ruin

Meaning: Your eyes are your peers, but your ears are older than you

Context: Seeing gives facts, but listening gives wisdom — elders teach more

Meaning: Your eye is your teacher

Context: Experience teaches best — observation brings knowledge

Meaning: A door isn't closed by words but by a bar

Context: Action secures what speech cannot — deeds over words

Meaning: Where running exists, falling does too

Context: Risk accompanies effort — progress comes with failure

Meaning: When one endures the dry season, the body doesn't need endurance

Context: If you survive the hardest time, smaller challenges are easy

Meaning: While a car is being sought, the poor woman's son becomes a soldier

Context: The poor act while the rich plan — necessity drives quick decisions

Meaning: Think before you act

Context: Wisdom comes from foresight — reflection prevents regret

Meaning: Live hands never tire, and as people, we never give up on you

Context: Human compassion endures — loyalty doesn't fade easily

Meaning: Loving eyes can't look straight at each other

Context: Deep affection brings shyness — love humbles the heart

Meaning: A daughter whose mother grinds grain learns to sift it

Context: Children learn by imitation — parents' habits shape their offspring

Meaning: When a woman enters, the cow doesn't rise

Context: Certain presences calm the scene — gentleness disarms tension

Meaning: A fool makes no smoke but keeps flapping her sleeves

Context: The foolish make noise without effect — empty effort achieves nothing

Meaning: What joins the hard-uddered camel and harsh words?

Context: Both are tough to handle — some things require gentleness

Meaning: The camels' song has order

Context: Everything has rhythm — order creates harmony

Meaning: The diamond isn't a ram

Context: Things of different nature can't be compared — value by kind

Meaning: You can reach neither the wind nor the western shadow

Context: Some goals are impossible — accept limits

Meaning: Work clears the path

Context: Action brings clarity — doing reveals the way

Meaning: Is the cow chasing the calf, or is she pushing it away?

Context: Actions may look the same but mean differently — judge intent carefully

Meaning: Foam isn't food

Context: Appearances deceive — substance matters

Meaning: A cow that rejects its hide looks through its holes

Context: You can't reject your nature — self-denial is futile