Home › Afrikaans proverbs › Caution & Warning
These Afrikaans (Afrikaans) proverbs speak to warnings, prudence and the cost of ignoring good advice. Here are 13 of them, each with its literal translation and a clear explanation of its meaning, drawn from documented Afrikaans usage.
Stille waters, diepe grond; onder draai die duiwel rond.
Literally: “Still waters, deep ground; underneath the devil turns around.”
Meaning: Quiet, calm people may hide deep or dangerous intentions; beware the unassuming.
Hoë bome vang veel wind.
Literally: “Tall trees catch much wind.”
Meaning: Prominent or important people attract more criticism and adversity.
Een swaeltjie maak nie 'n somer nie.
Literally: “One little swallow does not make a summer.”
Meaning: A single instance or sign is not enough to draw a general conclusion.
Gou ryp, gou vrot.
Literally: “Quickly ripe, quickly rotten.”
Meaning: What develops or succeeds too fast often does not last; precocious things decay quickly.
Wie sy neus skend, skend sy aangesig.
Literally: “He who damages his nose, damages his face.”
Meaning: Harming something connected to you ultimately harms yourself; do not spite yourself.
Vroeg ryp, vroeg rot.
Literally: “Early ripe, early rotten.”
Meaning: What ripens or succeeds too early also decays early; precocious development tends not to last (correct Afrikaans spelling: 'Vroeg ryp, vroeg vrot').
Hy wat die laaste lag, lag die lekkerste.
Literally: “He who laughs last, laughs the nicest.”
Meaning: The one who is ultimately victorious enjoys it most; do not gloat too soon.
Honde wat blaf, byt nie.
Literally: “Dogs that bark do not bite.”
Meaning: Those who make the loudest threats are often the least dangerous.
Twee honde baklei om 'n been, 'n derde loop daarmee heen.
Literally: “Two dogs fight over a bone, a third runs off with it.”
Meaning: While two parties quarrel over something, a third makes off with the prize.
Wie wind saai, sal storm maai.
Literally: “He who sows wind shall reap storm.”
Meaning: Those who cause trouble or strife will suffer worse consequences.
Versigtigheid is die moeder van die wysheid.
Literally: “Caution is the mother of wisdom.”
Meaning: Being careful and prudent is the foundation of wise behaviour.
Iemand wat met vuur speel, sal hom brand.
Literally: “Someone who plays with fire will burn himself.”
Meaning: To engage in risky or dangerous conduct invites harm — 'playing with fire' gets you burned. The established form is the idiom 'met vuur speel' (to court danger).
Daar is geen rook sonder vuur nie.
Literally: “There is no smoke without fire.”
Meaning: Rumours usually have some basis in truth.