Throwback!

Hello people, so my roomie and I recently tried to recite this old Yoruba poem we were taught in primary school which is so full of wisdom. Can you still remember or relate with it?

Ise ni ogun `se
Mura si ise ore mi
Ise ni afi ndeni giga
Bi ako ba reni fehinti
Bi ole la a ri
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele
A tera mose eni

Iya re le lowo lowo
Baba re si le leshin le kan
Bi o ba gboju le won
O te tan ni mo so fun o

Ohun ti a ko ba jiya fun
Se kii le tojo
Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun
Ni npe lowo eni

Apa lara, igunpa ni iye kan
Ti Aiye ba nfe o loni,
Ti o ba l’owo l’owo,
Aiye a ma fe o l’ola;
Tabi ki o wa ni ipo atata,
Aiye a ye o si terinterin;
Sugbon jeki o di eniti nrago,
Ki ori bi aiye ti nyimu si o.
Ti o ba ri awon opo eniyan,
Ti nfi eko se erin rin
Dakun mase fi ara we won.

Iya nbo fomo ti ko gbon
Ekun mbe fomo ti o nsa kiri
Ma fowuro sere ore mi
Mura si ise ojo nlo.

English translation:

Work is the antidote to poverty,
Apply yourself to work, my friend,
By working one attains greatness;
If one has no one to rely on,
That’s like being a loafer;
If one has no one to depend on,
One must apply himself to his occupation.

Your mother may have much wealth,
And your father own more than one horse,
If you pin your hopes on them,
Disappointed you will be, I tell you!

You see – what one has not personally suffered for,
Does not last long at all;
But that which we have worked earnestly for,
Lasts very long in one’s hands-
Your arm is a relative, your elbow is your sibling.

The world applauds you today,
If you have much wealth,
The world will love you tomorrow.
Or say you’re in a position of influence,
The world with honour you with smiles,
But become poor and needy,
And see how the world mocks you.

When you see a multitude,
Make mockery of learning,
Please do not emulate them.

Anguish awaits the senseless child,
Tears await the child running here and there,
Play not with the morning, my friend,
Apply yourself to work – the day is going by.

Full dose of inspiration for the day! 😀

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