When a meagre plantain wants to die, it shoots.

More Jamaican Proverbs

• The alligator lays eggs, but he is not a fowl.
• I came here to drink milk, not to count cows.
• Don’t get involved in things that don’t concern you.
• If you can’t get turkey, you must satisfy with John Crow.
• A woman has a mouth like a fowl.
• Practice what you preach.
• Finger never says “look here,” he says “look yonder”.
• You should not cast off a member of your family who gets into trouble.
• There is trouble in the business, and Anancy takes it home.
• Have-nots covet what the Haves take for granted.
• You tend to stick to people of the same nature.
• When the poor man gets up, he becomes trouble to the world.
• The Parson always christens his own child first.
• The rooster was killed by his own mouth.
• Get out of any situation in which you feel threatened or pressured into doing anything against your will.
• Danger lurks nearby when there is too much merriment and excitement.
• There is a fire blowing at the tail of the mouse, but he believes he is feeling the effects of a cooling breeze.
• If you spit in the sky, it falls into your eye.
• Young John crows are white when hatched, but do not remain white.
• Do not rush into a marriage, or any intimate relationship, but wait until the time is right.
• People tend to point out the faults in others than their own.
• Every day’s fishing day, but not every day’s a day to catch fish.
• It is not for the want of fat that the nightingale’s legs stand so.
• The Hungry belly and the full belly do not walk the same road.
• There’s someone out there for everyone.
• John crow never thinks of making his house until it rains.
• A penny-halfpenny (1 1/2d) buys trouble, one hundred pounds ( £100 ) cannot pay for it.