Culture
Proverbs
CC BY-SA 4.0
Yoruba proverb: Bí a bá ń lá ọmọ lóge, a kì í fi ọwọ́ ọ̀tún nà án
Yoruba proverb on balanced parenting — discipline must be tempered with love.
Country:Nigeria; Benin; Togo
Language:Yoruba; English
Published:2025-12-01
Audience:Language learners, cultural studies
Yoruba: "Bí a bá ń lá ọmọ lóge, a kì í fi ọwọ́ ọ̀tún nà án."
English: "If we are shaping a child beautifully, we do not beat them with the right hand."
Meaning: Discipline should be balanced with love and gentleness. Raising a child well requires care, not just punishment. The proverb is widely cited in Yoruba parenting and educational philosophy.
Keywords
Yoruba
proverb
parenting
discipline
education
West Africa
Source & licence
Source: Wikipedia
Licence: CC BY-SA 4.0
No Wikiquote page exists for Yoruba proverbs; proverb is oral tradition documented in academic literature on Yoruba. Wikipedia language article cited for general reference. Attribution required under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Disclaimer: This content is provided for general information. Health, legal, financial and government-service items should be verified with a qualified professional or the official authority before action. AfricanGPT does not represent itself as a substitute for licensed advice.
More in Culture
Naɣ'so ŋun ka zuli (Dagbani Proverb)
This Dagbani proverb teaches that even when you feel hopeless, faith in God will help you overcome problems. It encourages perseverance and trust.
Dabiɛm kani kabo n zibiyuŋ (Dagbani Proverb)
A Dagbani proverb implying that fear often arises from ignorance rather than real danger.
Those who are absent are always wrong (Ghanaian Proverb)
This proverb suggests that absent people can’t defend themselves and are easily blamed.
