"Things Fall Apart" Proverbs

"Proverbs are the palm-oil with which words are eaten" (Chapter 1).

"If a child washes his hands he could eat with kings" (Chapter 1).

"When the moon is shining the cripple becomes hungry for walk"(Chapter 2).

"A man who pays respect to the great paves the way for his own greatness" (Chapter 3).

"Let the kite perch and let the eagle perch too. If one says no to other, let his wing break" (Chapter 3).

"An old woman is always uneasy when dry bones are mentioned in a proverb" (Chapter 3).

"Eneke the bird says that since men have learned to shoot without missing, he has learned to fly without perching" (Chapter 3).

"A proud heart can survive a general failure because such a failure does not prick its pride" (Chapter 3).

"Looking at a king's mouth, one would think he never sucked at his mother's breast" (Chapter 4).

"Those whose palm-kernels were cracked for them by a benevolent spirit should not forget to be humble" (Chapter 4).

"When mother-cow is chewing grass its young ones watch its mouth" (Chapter 8).

"A baby on its mother's back does not know the way is long" (Chapter 11).

"If one finger brought oil it soiled the others" (Chapter 13).

"Mother is supreme" (Chapter 14).

"There is nothing to fear from someone who shouts" (Chapter 15).

"Living fire begets cold, impotent ash" (Chapter 17).

"A child can not pay for its mother's milk" (Chapter 19).

"Men have learned to shoot without missing their mark and I have learned to fly without perching on a twig" (Chapter 24).

"Whenever you see a toad jumping in broad daylight, know that something is after its life" (Chapter 24).