African Proverbs 5.0

Its again time for some African proverbs, and this time we have a closer look at the ones talking about Peace and Leadership. The Bible and the message of the Gospel in the New Testament talks allot about these two. But in a very different way than what was understood in the old testament ways.

The Old Testament focuses on another hot topic not understood today, war and going to war in the name of God (So NiNi na NiNi). The modern faith and belief in the Gospel should be just like going to war, only this war is not fought with weapons or by hurting your fellow man, but by you giving your life for him or her. Not by taking it. So then, when Cain asked So NiNi Himself, Am I my brothers keeper, after he was asked where his brother was (Cain had killed his brother Abel). What should the answer be then? It should be yes. Always yes. Yes you and I are our brothers keeper. We should seek to keep and protect our brothers and sisters in faith, with prayer and actions to back up that our faith is indeed and active one.

So from all of Africa, what do you make of these?

Peace is costly but it is worth the expense.

- Kenyan proverb

War has no eyes.

- Swahili saying

When a king has good councillors, his reign is peaceful.

- Ashanti proverb

Peace does not make a good ruler.

- Botswana proverb

A fight between grasshoppers is a joy to the crow.

- Lesotho proverb

There can be no peace without understanding.

- Senegalese proverb

Milk and honey have different colours, but they share the same house peacefully.

- African proverb

If you can’t resolve your problems in peace, you can’t solve war.

- Somalian proverb

When there is peace in the country, the chief does not carry a shield.

- Ugandan proverb

When two elephants fight, it is the grass that gets trampled.

- Swahili saying

Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.

- West African proverb

He who thinks he is leading and has no one following him is only taking a walk.

- Malawian proverb

An army of sheep led by a lion can defeat an army of lions led by a sheep.

- Ghanaian proverb

He who is destined for power does not have to fight for it.

- Ugandan proverb

Do not forget what is to be a sailor because of being a captain yourself.

- Tanzanian proverb

Without a leader, black ants are confused.

- Ugandan proverb

He who refuses to obey cannot command.

- Kenyan proverb

He who fears the sun will not become chief.

- Ugandan proverb

A large chair does not make a king.

- Sudanese proverb

Because he lost his reputation, he lost a kingdom.

- Ethiopian proverb

Where a woman rules, streams run uphill.

- Ethiopian proverb

A leader who does not take advice is not a leader.

- Kenyan proverb

If the cockroach wants to rule over the chicken, then it must hire the fox as a body-guard.

- Sierra Leone proverb

Uxolo lube nani