If you want everything you see, you will eventually lose all.

More Jamaican Proverbs

• Life isn’t fair.
• What tastes sweet in the mouth burns the belly.
• Old fire sticks are easily re-kindled.
• Do not underestimate the value of the elderly.
• If you spread your bed hard, you must lie on a hard bed.
• The more you look, the less you will see.
• Willful waste brings woeful want.
• The peacock hides his foot when he hears about his tail.
• When you find yourself in trouble, a child’s shirt fits you.
• Do not wait until the drum beats before you grind your axe.
• What is yours will always be yours.
• Make use of the first opportunities that comes your way.
• It is no use pretending to be something you are not as the true you will always show.
• Bowl goes, calabash comes.
• A patient man rides a donkey.
• If you want everything you see, you will eventually lose all.
• The hog/pig eats whatever its mind gives it for [or wants].
• That which appears too good, can hurt you.
• You will never know someone just from casual acquaintances. Take time to know someone.
• Parents always think that their children are destined for greatness.
• It’s easy to rekindle an old romance.
• Don’t go looking for trouble.
• The chicken, unaware of the danger posed by the hovering hawk, makes merry.
• Sitting down too much wears out one’s trousers.
• Nothing lasts forever.
• Allow one jackass (donkey) to bray at a time.
• A he-goat never wants to scratch his back till he see a stone wall.