WORK!

Antidote for malady to get rich quick and indolence.

Please read and learn
YORUBA
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
ISÉ NI ÒÒGÙN ÌSÉ
Work is the antidote for poverty.
MÚRA SÍ ISÉ RE, ÒRÉÈ MI
Work hard, my friend.
ISÉ NI A FI Í DI ENI GIGA
work is used to elevate one in respect and importance
(Aspiring to higher height is fully dependent on hard work).
BÍ A KÒ BÁ RÉNI FÈYÌN TÌ, BÍ ÒLE LÀ Á RÍ
if we do not have anyone to lean on, we appear indolent.
BÍ A KO RÉNI GBÉKÈLÉ
if we do not have anyone to trust (we can depend on).
À A TERA MÓ ISÉ ENI
we simply work harder.
ÌYÁ RE LÈ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
your mother may be wealthy.
BÀBÁ SÌ LÈ LÉSIN LÉÈKÀN
your father may have a ranch full of horses.
BÍ O BÁ GBÓJÚ LÉ WON
if you depend on their riches alone.
O TÉ TÁN NI MO SO FÚN O
you may end up in disgrace, I tell you.
OHUN TÍ A KÒ BA JÌYÀ FÚN
whatever gain one does not work hard to earn.
KÌ Í LÈ TÓJÓ
usually does not last.
OHUN TÍ A BÁ FARA SISÉ FÚN
whatever gain one works hard to earn.
NÍ Í PÉ LÓWÓ ENI
is the one that lasts in one’s hands (while in ones
possession).
APÁ LARÁ
the arm is a relative
ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN
the elbow is a sibling.
BÍ AYÉ N FÉ O LÓNÌÍ
you may be loved by all today.
BÍ O BÁ LÓWÓ LÓWÓ
it is when you have money.
NI WON Á MÁA FÉ O LÓLA
that they will love you tomorrow.
TÀBÍ TÍ O BÁ WÀ NÍ IPÒ ÀTÀTÀ
or when you are in a high position.
AYÉ Á YÉ O SÍ TÈRÍN-TÈRÍN
all will honor you with cheers and smiles.
JÉ KÍ O DI ENI N RÁÁGÓ
wait till you become poor or are struggling to get by.
KÍ O RÍ BÁYÉ TI Í SÍMÚ SÍ O
and you will see how all grimace at you as they pass you by.
ÈKÓ SÌ TÚN N SONI Í DÒGÁ
education also elevates one in position.
MÚRA KÍ O KÓ O DÁRADÁRA
work hard to acquire good education.
BÍ O SÌ RÍ ÒPÒ ÈNÌYÀN
and if you see a lot of people.
TÍ WÓN N FI ÈKÓ SE ÈRÍN RÍN
making education a laughing stock.
DÁKUN MÁ SE FARA WÉ WON
please do not emulate or keep their company.
ÌYÀ N BÒ FÓMO TÍ KÒ GBÓN
suffering is lying in wait for an unserious kid.
EKÚN N BE FÓMO TÓ N SÁ KIRI
sorrow is in the reserve for a truant kid.
MÁ FÒWÚRÒ SERÉ, ÒRÉÈ MI
do not play with your early years, my friend.
MÚRA SÍSÉ, OJÓ N LO
work harder; time and tide wait for no one.
Let’s pass it on to our children.
Original work by J F Odunjo