Please read and learn
YORUBA
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ
Work is the antidote for poverty.
MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE, ÒRÉÈ MI
Work hard, my friend.
ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA
work is used to elevate one in respect and importance (Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work).
BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ
if we do not have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent.
BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ
if we do not have anyone to trust (we can depend on).
À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI
we simply work harder.
ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
your mother may be wealthy.
BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN
your father may have a ranch full of horses.
BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON
if you depend on their riches alone.
O TÉ TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O
you may end up in disgrace, I tell you.
OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN
whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.
KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ
usually does not last.
OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN
whatever gain one works hard to earn.
NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI
is the one that lasts in one's hands (while in ones possession).
APÁ LARÁ
the arm is a relative
ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN
the elbow is a sibling.
BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ
you may be loved by all today.
BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
it is when you have money.
NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA
that they will love you tomorrow.
TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ
or when you are in a high position.
AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN
all will honor you with cheers and smiles.
JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ
wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by.
KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O
and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by.
ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ
education also elevates one in position.
MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA
work hard to acquire good education.
BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN
and if you see a lot of people.
TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN
making education a laughing stock.
DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON
please do not emulate or keep their company.
ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN
suffering is lying in wait for an unserious kid.
EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI
sorrow is in the reserve for a truant kid.
MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉÈ MI
do not play with your early years, my friend.
MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO
work harder; time and tide wait for no one.
Let’s pass it on to our children.
Original work by J F Odunjo
