The chicken, unaware of the danger posed by the hovering hawk, makes merry.

More Jamaican Proverbs

• The mug is not broken, therefore the coffee is not thrown away (or wasted).
• Make the best of a bad situation, and be content with what you have.
• You cannot sit on the back of the cow and curse the skin of the cow.
• A stone at the bottom of the river never feels the heat of the sun,
• Long run, short catch.
• No matter how drunk the cockroach becomes, he never makes the mistake of walking past the yard of the fowl.
• Today for me, tomorrow for you.
• The driver flogs his own wife first.
• You never see smoke without fire.
• When the ashes are cold, even a dog can sleep there.
• Do not take pleasure in the misfortunes of others as the same could happen to you.
• The person is too slight.
• Not everything that comes from above is a blessing.
• I’m free to say what I want.
• Be discreet in what you communicate to others.
• Mischief comes by the pound and goes by the ounce.
• Do not be misled by others’ excitement; use the facts to judge something for yourself.
• Make good manners a regular part of your life.
• The new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows all the corners.
• Sheltered persons don’t know true hardship or troubles.
• When someone behaves in an overly enthusiastic manner.
• Before allowing good food to spoil, allow the belly to burst.
• What went wrong in the morning cannot be remedied in the evening.
• Take what you can get until you can get what you want.
• A good friend is better than money in the pocket.
• When a meagre plantain wants to die, it shoots.
• If you do not smash an ant, it is impossible for you to find its guts.