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 what elevates 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, ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN
The arm is a relative, 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.
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Writer unknown.
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Awa omo odudua a da, eje a gbe Asa wa laruge.
