55 Examples of Filipino Proverbs
Learning 55 proverbs in Tagalog and Filipino
Salawikain: Famous Sayings From the Philippines
Filipino proverbs, or salawikain, echo the values of the Philippines. Long before people could read and write, elders passed down these pearls of wisdom through the oral tradition. The salawikain impart core values and lessons of our culture and hold true to this day. What follows are my 55 favorite Filipino proverbs with translations into English.
"A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound." —Filipino proverb
The Salawikain in English
1. A broom is sturdy because its strands are tightly bound.
Matibay ang walis, palibhasa'y magkabigkis.
People gain strength by standing together.
2. While the blanket is short, learn how to bend.
Hangga't makitid ang kumot, matutong mamaluktot.
If your blanket is too short to cover you with your legs straight, bend them so you fit. In other words, learn to adapt to your environment and be satisfied with what you have. If you have less in life, learn to be frugal until you can spare money for a bit of luxury.
3. It is hard to wake up someone who is pretending to be asleep.
Mahirap gisingin ang nagtutulog-tulugan.
A valuable lesson in dealing with the willfully ignorant. You can tell people the truth all you want, but if they refuse to see it, you can't see it for them.
4. If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor.
Pag may tiyaga, may nilaga.
Hard work and perseverance are needed to reach your goals. If you keep grinding, one day you will enjoy success.
5. New king, new character.
Bagong hari, bagong ugali.
Every leader has a unique style of leadership.
"If you plant, you harvest." —Filipino proverb
6. If you plant, you harvest.
Kung may tinanim, may aanihin.
Your future will be the result of your actions today. Plan ahead.
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7. Weeds are difficult to kill.
Mahirap mamatay ang masamang damo.
Weeds have deep roots and prolific seeds, but are unwanted. Similarly, bad habits, ineffective coping mechanisms, and toxic people tend to persistently linger and are challenging to eliminate.
8. Don't trust strangers.
Huwag kang magtiwala sa di mo kilala.
This is self-explanatory—you can never be sure that people you don't know truly have your well-being in mind. Be vigilant, be wary.
9. Nothing destroys iron but its own corrosion.
Walang naninira sa bakal kundi sariling kalawang.
Iron is known for its strength, but it can corrode if not maintained properly. Similarly, even a strong person can be undone by his or her own actions or habits.
10. Even though the procession is long, it will still end up in church.
Pagkahaba-haba man daw ng prusisyon, sa simbahan din ang tuloy.
Some things are inevitable. This proverb specifically refers to a couple that seems destined to marry, even if it takes a long time.
"There is no need to cry over spilt milk." —Filipino proverb
11. There is no need to cry over spilt milk.
Magsisi ka man at huli wala nang mangyayari.
English speakers are familiar with this one. There is no point in wasting emotion over something minor that has already happened and can't be changed.
12. Opportunity only knocks once: Grab it or you'll lose it.
Ang pagkakataon sa buhay ay madalang dumating. Kapag narito na, ating samantalahin.
This is another proverb that means exactly what it says. Don't live with regret because you think an opportunity will come again.
13. What comes from bubbles will disappear in bubbles.
Ang kita sa bula,sa bula rin mawawala.
Things that are fleeting or insubstantial will vanish just as quickly as they appeared, like bubbles.
14. The early comer is better than the hard worker.
Daig ng maagap and masipag.
English speakers know this as "the early bird catches the worm." This is kin to "opportunity only knocks once" in emphasizing the importance of being proactive and seizing your opportunities before others do.
15. A rolling stone gathers no moss.
Batong pagulong-gulong, di kakapitan ng lumot.
A person who does not settle in one place cannot gather possessions, wealth, status, or commitments.
"If someone throws stones at you, throw back bread." —Filipino proverb
16. If someone throws stones at you, throw back bread.
Kung pukulin ka ng bato, tinapay ang iganti mo.
Instead of looking for revenge, show love and forgiveness.
17. Don't count chicks until the eggs are hatched.
Huwag magbilang ng sisiw hanggang di pa napipisa ang itlog.
Eggs are extremely delicate, and not all of them go on to become chickens. Don't act on the assumption that you have something before you actually do.
18. If a stone thrown upward hits you, don't take offense.
Batu-bato sa langit, tamaan huwag magagalit.
Unlike the "throw back bread" salawikain, this saying uses stones to discuss the nature of power. Not only leaders, but the wealthy have to be mature enough to handle criticism from those without (or with limited) power.
19. A thief hates a fellow thief.
Ang magnanakaw ay galit sa kapwa magnanakaw.
Thieves are often partners in crime. However, because the nature of a thief is to be untrustworthy and true partnerships are based on trust, the love that would be poured into a partnership or friendship gets undone by distrust and curdles into hate. There's a reason the English version of this salawikain states, "There is no honor among thieves."
20. Whatever you do, think about it seven times.
Anuman ang gagawin, pitong beses iiipin.
Like "Think before you leap," this proverb speaks to mindful decision-making Often, if you give yourself some time, you can save yourself from making foolhardy choices.
"A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination." —Filipino proverb
21. A person who does not remember where he came from will never reach his destination.
Ang hindi lumingon sa pinanggalingan, hindi makakarating sa paroroonan.
It's important to look back at your roots and show gratitude to those who came before you. It is because of them that you are where you are today.
22. Health is wealth.
Ang kalusugan ay kayamanan.
Health is one of the most valuable possessions. Treasure and protect it. The proverb dates back over 2,000 years to the Roman poet Virgil, who stated, "the greatest wealth is health." Of course, in a capitalist society, "health is wealth" has a class dimension as people with wealth have the money to afford better health care.
23. Life is like a wheel: Sometimes you're up, and sometimes you're down.
Ang buhay ay parang gulong, minsang nasa ibabaw, minsang nasa ilalim.
You will have good times and bad times. Don't overreact to your current situation.
24. He who does not love his mother tongue is worse than a rotten fish.
Ang hindi marunong magmahal sa sariling wika, ay mahigit pa sa mabaho at malansang isda.
Honor your origins and the language of your ancestors.
"Poverty is not a hindrance to success." —Filipino proverb
25. Poverty is not a hindrance to success.
Ang karukhaan ay hindi hadlang sa pagtatagumpay.
This saying is often partnered with "If you persevere, you will reap the fruits of your labor" in that a poor person who works hard can create for themselves the opportunity to move out of poverty.
26. Imitate the rice stalk: The more grains it bears, the lower it bows.
Ang palay ay parisan, habang nagkakalaman ay lalong nagpugpugay.