Achte, peye; prete, remèt. Men sa ki fè yon nonm

Our proverb for today is “Achte, peye; prete, remèt. Men sa ki fè yon nonm” which literally translated to "Buy, pay; lend, give back. That’s what makes a man". We say this proverb to remind people that honesty is a payback check. It also emphasizes the importance of integrity in financial transactions and interpersonal relationships.

People of good character will always try to fulfill their obligations even in difficult period of time.

This proverb is use as a piece of advice in Haitian’s community, whether a parent said it to a child to enforce their character, or a friend to another to remind them why honesty and integrity matter for the good of our community in their relationships.

Rat kay k ap manje pay kay

Rat kay k ap manje pay kay: “The house’s rats are eating the house’s thatch.”

In Haiti and other countries of the Caribbean, thatch used to be a popular material for people, especially farmers, to use to roof their homes. It absorbs the heat of the sun less than other materials, and it’s cheaper too because it grows in the field of the farmer. Nowadays, we do not find many houses with thatch roofs - even in the countryside.

As much as rural dwellers like a thatch roof, rats also find it a good place to live and hide. Sometimes, they use thatch as food, too.

The owner of the house will notice that when some areas of the roof have holes or begin to leak. They might even hear the sound the rats will make while destroying the roof.

Haitian people use this proverb when they see people of an organization or other group are the ones that are destroying it by their actions and behavior. They say this proverb to state that people are sometimes the ones that are harming their own people. We understand that some people do not even like themselves. They are willing to destroy what belongs to them. Then other people tend to step back and stay away from those matters.

We sometimes are sad about what’s happening to some associations, familie, but we do not know that they or some of them are the ones that are trying to destroy their own. When we know, we say: “Never mind! Rat kay k ap manje pay kay.”

Se lè ‘pa bon’ pa la pou w wè kisa ‘pa bon’ te itil.

Se lè ‘pa bon’ pa la pou w wè kisa ‘pa bon’ te itil.

Literal translation for this proverb would be “when ‘not good’ is not available, you see its value”.

In Haitian Creole, we use the word "bon" meaning "good" as a generic word. We use it to define everything that fits, that is useful, normal, alright, perfect… and its contrary ‘pa bon’ meaning "not good" to express the opposite of everything that is positive, normal, needed etc.

In society, abundance, habit and the availability of people and things makes us think they are ‘pa bon’ neglecting/ ignoring their values. But when they are not available anymore, we tend to notice the area where they had fit is empty. Because someone is always available, we tend to treat him/her badly or neglect him/her. Also when we always have something available we tend not to value it or even feel embarrassed with it. But when we do not have them any more, we feel how important they were and how blessed we were having them.

Haitian people say this proverb when they are in need of someone or something that was neglected in their lives. Either they got rid of it/him/her or they were mean or cruel with him/her/it. They also use this proverb as a warning to people that are taking for granted what they have at their disposal. When they do not have it/him/her anymore, they will feel its/his/her value. For example, mistreating somebody that are kind and/or available to them, or misusing/wasting something they have.

Let’s value what we have and celebrate who we have in our lives because they are blessings from God. Let's not wait until their absence make us realize their value.

Mande chemen pa di pèdi pou sa

Our proverb for today is “Mande chemen pa di pèdi pou sa” which literally translated to “Asking for our way doesn’t mean we are lost.”

 
This proverb is said to remind us there is no shame for asking for more information about what we don’t know. It will always be wise to ask for advice. A little bit of help can really make a difference.

Next time, if you feel like losing your mind, don’t stand away from people who may be happy to be a great help to you. Good advice can really helps.

Bwa pi wo di li wè lwen, grenn pwomennen di li wè pi lwen

Our proverb for the day is “bwa pi wo di li wè lwen, grenn pwomennen di li wè pi lwen” which literally translated means, “The tallest tree says that it sees far, but the seed that travels says that it sees even further”.

According to this proverb, it is always good to look for opportunities instead of staying in our comfort zone. That way while we are learning new things, we will be able to make more impact in other people’s lives by what we learned in our journey.

That proverb also teaches us to be proactive, reminding us that we may have talent but if we want to keep on track, we will need to keep practicing to broader our view and our knowledge to get the best results.

Premye so pa so

Our proverb for today is “Premye so pa so” which literally translated to “The first fall is not a fall”.”

In Haiti, we say this proverb to encourage others when they are learning a new activity and they fail at the first try. We want them to challenge themselves until they succeed so they can realize that quitting isn’t an option.

When a child is learning how to ride a bike, it is not always easy to ride at the first try. Whenever they fall down, they are scared to try again. Others who are already good at riding a bike say to them “Premye so pa so” to let them know that they were from this step too, until they mastered it, in order to encourage and make them believe that they can do it too, to emphasize that we don’t want them to abandon what they can learn.

Any time you visit Haiti, and you hear someone says that proverb, you will have an idea what is it about.

Taye zeb anba pye.

Literal translation for this expression would be “cut grass under the feet”

We have two seasons in Haiti - drought and rainy seasons. On the first one, it’s very hot and the soil is hot under people’s feet, too. In some areas, people tend to walk around their houses and work on the farms in their bare feet. It’s a great help to find some grass to put their feet on when they are outside with no shoes. Imagine someone trying to cut off this grass from under their resting feet!

Haitian people say this expression when someone is trying, by any means, to make others lose an opportunity. It could be their job, their position, or privilege. Mostly it is about taking it from them.

It is important to teach people not to do so because others do not have to lose their opportunity/position/place/privilege. Let's support each other so that others can have a chance, as well.

Kay koule twonpe soley, li pa ka twonpe lapli

Literal translation for this proverb is “The roof of a leaking house can deceive the sun but not the rain.”

The roofs of Haitian houses are generally made out of metal sheets and concrete. But in rural areas, we find thatched roof houses, too. It’s a question of choice for those who have the means and are in search of commodity and security and for others that do not have the means to choose, they just take what they find.

When you look at the roof of a house, being inside, you might not be able to see any holes. Even if you do see holes, they do not give any problem under the sun. But when it’s raining, it’s another thing entirely. Water will filter through any hole, even tiny ones, to wet the ceiling, the wall, and anything in the house.

Haitian people say this proverb when a problem is revealed by time or an expert. They also say that when somebody/something was difficult to discover but shows all its imperfection once in action or in the middle of a test. It’s a warning for people who like/want to fool others with their false manner/competence/attitude. Because once someone who really knows about the subject will come, or in time, they will be discovered.

Tèt kale

“Tèt kale” is when the person does not have hair on their head. It can also be used when someone is doing something boldly, with confidence. That particular character, in this case. is acting “tèt kale”.

But if you change the position of these two words, you will have “kale tèt” which can be the fact of cutting all the hair on somebody’s head, but also someone being an abuser, someone who is using astuteness to take what someone else has. This is mostly used when an individual fakes to love somebody to take advantage of him/her in a relationship.

There is no problem to be “tèt kale,” but it’s wrong to be a “kale tèt”.

Pran tèt ou

“Pran tèt ou” is a Haitian Creole expression whose literal translation could be “take your head”. It is mostly used when Haitian people are about to make a great decision which involves many aspects and will drive great consequences or changes in his/her personal lives or in many others’ lives. Mostly when it is irreversible.

People say this to advise the decision maker to take time to ponder and consider the good and the bad to make the best decision in a situation. What comes with the twin expression that goes with it: “pa fè tèt cho”, “don’t make you head hot” meaning do not be in a rush in deciding, answering, and talking.

So anytime you have to make a decision, “pran tèt ou, pa fè tèt cho”.