Proverbs & World Wisdom: African Proverbs Quotes

Welcome to a curated collection of African proverbs that capture communal values, practical wisdom, and the poetry of everyday life. From the savanna to the city, these sayings distill experience into memorable lines. Browse themes such as community, perseverance, leadership, patience, and learning. Use them for reflection, writing prompts, talks, or daily motivation. Each proverb invites you to pause, consider its context, and carry its insight into modern decisions.

Similar topics:Chinese Proverbs Japanese Proverbs Latin Phrases Native American Sayings Norse & Viking Sayings

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his language, that goes to his heart"

Nelson Mandela, Statesman

Nelson Mandela

"Never wound a snake; kill it"

Harriet Tubman, Activist

"It would be good for us Africans to accept ourselves as we are and recapture some of the positive aspects of our culture"

Wangari Maathai, Activist

Wangari Maathai

"A zebra does not change its spots"

Al Gore, Vice President

Al Gore

"The hand that dips into the bottom of the pot will eat the biggest snail"

Wole Soyinka, Dramatist

"The darkest thing about Africa has always been our ignorance of it"

George Kimble, Historian

"When a pile of cups is tottering on the edge of the table and you warn that they will crash to the ground, in South Africa you are blamed when that happens"

Desmond Tutu, Leader

Desmond Tutu

"The North African mule talks always of his mother's brother, the horse, but never of his father, the donkey, in favor of others supposedly more reputable"

Clifford Geertz, Scientist

Clifford Geertz

"A man who makes trouble for others is also making trouble for himself"

Chinua Achebe, Writer

"There is always something new out of Africa"

Pliny the Elder, Author

"So this is why I'm always say happy that somebody mentions Rwanda, because behind Rwanda, we have Africa"

Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Public Servant

"Anytime you see a turtle up on top of a fence post, you know he had some help"

Alex Haley, Novelist

"My thinking is that if we're going to take from a culture, let's take from a culture that has exemplified success for thousands of years"

Busta Rhymes, Musician

"In black Africa, one does not strike, one does not express, one walks right"

Yannick Noah, Athlete

Yannick Noah

"Each tribe has its characteristics, it is true"

John H. Speke, Explorer