Tagalog Sayings Contributed by Jose Rizal
In May 1889, while living in London, Jose Rizal contributed these examples of Tagalog sayings (mga kasabihan) to the Trübner’s Record, a journal devoted to the literature of the East. See a picture of Rizal in London.
Tagalog Sayings with English Translations
Malakas ang bulong sa sigaw. Low words are stronger than loud words.
Ang laki sa layaw karaniwa’y hubad. A spoiled child is generally naked (i.e. poor).
Hampas ng magulang ay nakataba. Parents’ punishment makes one fat.
Ibang harī ibang ugaīl. New king, new fashion.
Nagpuputol ang kapus, ang labis ay nagdurugtong. What is short cuts off a piece from itself, what is long adds another on (the poor gets poorer, the rich richer).
Ang nagsasabing tapus ay siyang kinakapus. He who finishes his words finds himself wanting.
Nangangako habang napapako. Man promises while in need.
Ang naglalakad ng marahan, matinik may mababaw. He who walks slowly, though he may put his foot on a thorn, will not be hurt very much. (Tagals mostly go barefooted.)
Ang maniwala sa sabi ’y walang bait na sarili. He who believes in tales has no own mind.
Ang may isinuksok sa dingding ay may titingalain. He who has put something between the wall may afterwards look on (the saving man may afterwards be cheerful).
Walang mahirap gisingin na paris nang nagtutulogtulugan. The most difficult to rouse from sleep is the man who pretends to be asleep.
Labis sa salita, kapus sa gawa. Too many words, too little work.
Hipong tulog ay nadadalá ng ánod. The sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current.
Tagalog Sayings with English Translations
Malakas ang bulong sa sigaw. Low words are stronger than loud words.
Ang laki sa layaw karaniwa’y hubad. A spoiled child is generally naked (i.e. poor).
Hampas ng magulang ay nakataba. Parents’ punishment makes one fat.
Ibang harī ibang ugaīl. New king, new fashion.
Nagpuputol ang kapus, ang labis ay nagdurugtong. What is short cuts off a piece from itself, what is long adds another on (the poor gets poorer, the rich richer).
Ang nagsasabing tapus ay siyang kinakapus. He who finishes his words finds himself wanting.
Nangangako habang napapako. Man promises while in need.
Ang naglalakad ng marahan, matinik may mababaw. He who walks slowly, though he may put his foot on a thorn, will not be hurt very much. (Tagals mostly go barefooted.)
Ang maniwala sa sabi ’y walang bait na sarili. He who believes in tales has no own mind.
Ang may isinuksok sa dingding ay may titingalain. He who has put something between the wall may afterwards look on (the saving man may afterwards be cheerful).
Walang mahirap gisingin na paris nang nagtutulogtulugan. The most difficult to rouse from sleep is the man who pretends to be asleep.
Labis sa salita, kapus sa gawa. Too many words, too little work.
Hipong tulog ay nadadalá ng ánod. The sleeping shrimp is carried away by the current.
Sa bibig nahuhuli ang isda. The fish is caught through the mouth.