Proverbs

Wisdom on Charity and GivingỌ̀gbọ́n Ìní Oore

Sacred words and Yoruba proverbs on giving.

Ọ̀rọ̀ Àtijọ́ - Ancient Words

Ìní Olówó Ibùkún - Sacred Words on Giving

Aláàánú

The compassionate one

To feed the hungry with mercy - the heart of ALAANU.

Oore

Act of kindness

Good done without expecting praise - the ancestor’s measure of wealth.

Ẹ̀bùn

Sacred gift

What is given with clean hands returns as blessing to the giver.

Ìrànwọ́

Lifting others up

To help so none may fall - food shared is life preserved.

Olùfúnni

The giver

Whose table is never empty for the stranger - honour among our people.

Ẹbí òní

Hunger today

The guest who must eat now - hospitality is not delayed.

Òwe Yorùbá - Proverbs

Words of the elders on generosity, passed mouth to ear through generations.

“Bi eniyan bá ṣe oore, a ó rí oore.”

If a person does good, they will receive good in return.

“Eni tí ó ń fi oore fúnni, Ọlọ́run yóò fi oore fún un.”

Whoever gives kindness to others, God will give kindness to them.

“Oúnjẹ tí a fi fún aláìní, a fi ń gba ìbùkún.”

Food given to the needy is how we receive blessing.

“Bí ajá bá jẹun, àwọn ajá yòókù yóò jẹun.”

If one dog eats, the rest will eat - share, and all are satisfied.

“Ẹni tí ó ń ṣe aláàánú, ó máa rí àánú.”

Whoever shows compassion will receive compassion.

“Tí a bá ń ṣe oore, a kì í ṣe ọ̀fìn.”

When doing good, we do not count the cost - generosity has no ledger.