Jamaican Proverbs

Proverb: Hard ears pickney must feel. Or, Hard ears pickney dead a sun hot.

Translation: Children who do not hear will be punished.

Explanation: When a person is not willing to listen to and follow sound advice, there's usually a consequence that they must pay.

Proverb: Want it want it can't get it, and get it get it no want it.

Translation: Those who want something are usually not able to get it, while the ones who do have it, usually do not want it.

Explanation: People don't always appreciate what they have. Instead they waste time lusting after something that someone else has.

Proverb: Chicken merry, hawk deh near

Translation: When the chicken is happy, there's usually a hovering hawk nearby.

Explanation: Danger can usually be found where you least expect it. Therefore, when we are most light-hearted, that's when we need to be most temperate .