Mënuñu am dara tey sonnuñu ca.

“There is nothing worth having that is not accompanied by difficulties.”

-Wolof proverb

Ọ̀rọ̀ tó dojú rú di ti ọlọ́rọ̀, ayé á dẹ̀hìn.

“A problem that is too complicated to resolve becomes the sole responsibility of the person concerned, whom the world leaves to his or her devices.”

-Yorùbá proverb

Explanation: People will help one only so far; in the end each person must confront his or her problems alone.

Womedea tu galɔa eƒe dzudzɔ o.

“Having fired the gun, you cannot collect back its smoke.”

-Ewe proverb

Explanation: One’s actions and their consequences cannot be undone.

Akpɔkplɔ be yele xɔxlɔ̃m hã, yele ŋudzo.

“The frog says, “I am on guard even when croaking”.

-Ewe proverb

Explanation: Protect yourself at all times.