Geral Blanchard, LPC, is a psychotherapist who is university trained in psychology and anthropology. Formerly of Wyoming and currently residing in Iowa, Geral travels the world in search of ancient secrets that can augment the art and science of healing. From Western neuroscience to Amazonian shamanism, he has developed an understanding of how to combine old and new healing strategies to optimize recovery, whether from psychological or physical maladies.
Ancient African Proverbs
Geral T. Blanchard • June 26, 2022
Ancient African Proverbs
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Proverbs are the palm oil with which words are eaten.
- Nigeria
A man who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the man doing it.
- Swaziland
The poorest person is not the one without money but the one without vision.
- Ghana
Old men sit in the shade because they planted a tree many years before.
- Uganda
Youths talk first and the listen; the elders listen and then talk.
- Lesotho
A Pygmy’s shadow is greater with a setting sun. (Our ancestor’s merits are often only recognized after their passing.)
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
Gather knowledge from the minds of turtles. (Like the Elders, they have seen it all).
- Tunisia
A man who prides himself on his ancestry is like a potato plant, the best part is underground.
- Swaziland
Bequest two things to your children – the first one is roots; the other one is wings.
- Sudan
A tree is strong because of its roots.
- Zambia
Good sailors are made by turbulent seas.
- Zululand
Do not set sail using someone else’s star.
- Nigeria
If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there. If you are on a road to nowhere, find another road.
- Uganda
The key that unlocks is also the key that locks.
- Algeria
Make money but don’t let money make you.
- Tanzania
A man’s wealth may be superior to him.
- Gabon
If you are going to bathe, get thoroughly wet. (If you decide to do something, go all the way.)
- Malawi
If you row another person across the river, you get yourself there.
- Tanzania
Water always finds a way out. (There is a solution for every problem.)
- Cameroon
The same boiling water that softens potatoes also hardens eggs.
- Mali
No matter how hot your anger is, it cannot cook yams. (Too much anger can limit your ability to move ahead in life.)
One lie can destroy a thousand truths.
- Ghana
When the head is too big, it cannot dodge blows.
- Mauritius and Zambia
One head does not contain all the wisdom.
- Ghana
Many words do not fill a basket.
- Benin
If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.
- Malawi
A monkey does not see his own behind; he sees his neighbors.
- Zimbabwe
When a monkey climbs a tree, its bottom becomes more exposed the higher it goes.
- Malawi
A monkey that lives amongst dogs learns how to bark.
- Nigeria
Do not blame your god for having created the tiger, but thank your god for not having given it wings.
- Ethiopia
The one-eyed man does not thank God until he sees a blind man.
- Ghana
When you climb the mountain and reach the top, do not forget the branches and shrubs that helped your footing.
- South Africa
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.
- Ghana
Never tell the man who is carrying you that he stinks.
- Sierra Leone
People are man’s medicine.
- Senegal
A single bracelet does not jingle.
- Democratic Republic of the Congo
If you fear something, you give it power over you.
- Chad
He who looks for honey must have the courage to face the bees.
- Seychelles
Suicide kills those who love you.
- Kenya
Love, like the rain, does not choose the grass on which it falls.
- South Africa
Do not be so in love that you cannot tell when the rain is coming.
- Madagascar
A letter from the heart is read on the face.
- Kenya
If there is cause to hate someone, the cause to love has just begun.
- Senegal and Gambia
A real fortune teller says: “If it is not a boy, it is a girl.
- Madagascar
A wise man who knows his proverbs reconciles difficulties.
- Ghana
Africa’s long history has given rise to much wisdom. For more proverbs, check out Life is God’s Best Gift: Wisdom from the Ancestors on Finding Peace and Joy in Today’s World by Sam Chege (Kenyan).
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Other Topics
Basics of MDMA
Rituals and Ceremony
Brain and MDMA
Trauma
Heart
Energy Movement
Quantum Physics
Native Cosmologies
Nature
Spirituality/Enlightenment
Kogi Tribe
Books written by Geral T. Blanchard
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