Ọgbọ́n ló layé,
This Yoruba poem underscores the paramount importance of wisdom and knowledge over material possessions and physical strength. It begins by asserting that wisdom is the guiding force of the world and is essential for navigating life. The poem draws a vivid comparison between those without wisdom to mere wood used for fire, emphasizing their lack of value. It critiques those who falsely claim that strength surpasses wisdom, highlighting that true ownership of the world comes from wisdom and knowledge. The poem warns that without wisdom, even the strongest and wealthiest are ultimately empty. It concludes by affirming that wisdom is the ultimate conqueror, and those who possess it truly own everything in life.
| Word | In Yoruba | In English | Pron. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ọgbọ́n | intelligence | Wisdom | Ogbon |
| ló | have | have | lo |
| layé | ní ayé | in the world | laye |
| Ìmọ̀ | understanding | Knowledge | Imo |
| nílé | home | foundation | nile |
| ayé | earth | world | aye |
| pẹ̀lú | with | too | pelu |
| darí | lead | guide | dari |
| ohun | thing | things | ohun |
| gbogbo | every | all | gbogbo |
| Ẹni | person | Someone | Eni |
| tó | that | you | to |
| wà | exist | is | wa |
| tí | nor | nor | ti |
| kò | doesn't | not | ko |
| lórí | on top | on | lori |
| Irú | type | like | Iru |
| wọn | they | they | won |
| dàbí | similar | are like | dabi |
| àpólà | part | piece | apola |
| igi | tree | wood | igi |
| táa | that we | used | taa |
| fi | use | is used | fi |
| ń | is | is | n |
| dáná | cook | fire | dana |
| Àwọn | they | Those | Awon |
| yoòbá | say | claim | yooba |
| ju | more | than | ju |
| agbára | power | strength | agbara |
| lọ | go | is | lo |
| ó | it | is | o |
| purọ́ | false | lying | puro |
| àti | and | and | ati |
| ṣèké | lie | deceit | seke |
| Torí | because | Because | Tori |
| bóò | if | if | boo |
| Kò | no | No | Ko |
| sí | have | have | si |
| ṣe | do | do | se |
| fẹ́ | want | want | fe |
| gbélé | stay | live | gbele |
| ṣebí | assume | think | sebi |
| òun | its | its | oun |
| lòun | are | are | loun |
| gbọ́n | smart | wise | gbon |
| jù | more | most | ju |
| Bẹ́ẹ̀ | but | Yet | Bee |
| kòròfo | void | empty | kororo |
| òfo | nothing | empty | ofo |
| nirú | such | such | niru |
| jẹ́ | are | are | je |
| Bí | if | If | Bi |
| bá | enjoys | enjoys | ba |
| lágbára | powerful | strength | lagbara |
| tóo | and | and | too |
| lówó | money | wealth | lowo |
| lọ́wọ́ | hand | in hand | lowo |
| Lálàì | without | Without | Lalai |
| ni | is | is | ni |
| rẹ̀ | it | it | re |
| fọgbọ́n | wisdom | wisdom | f'ogbon |
| Àṣìlò | waste | misuse | Asilo |
| òpin | finish | end | opin |
| yóò | will | will | yoo |
| kó | gather | gathered | ko |
| jọ | together | together | jo |
| Àmọ́ | but | But | Amo |
| bí | if | if | bi |
| ò | not | not | o |
| òkìkí | fame | fame | okiki |
| Ṣùgbọ́n | but | Yet | Sugbon |
| lọ́gbọ́n | wisdom | wisdom | logbon |
| Bó | if | Eventually | Bo |
| pẹ́ | long | long | pe |
| bóyá | maybe | maybe | boya |
| Akólòlò | wisdom | wisdom | Akololo |
| rẹ | your | your | re |
| pe | call | call | pe |
| baba | father | father | baba |
| Báyé | as the world | As the world | Baye |
| j'áyé | life | life | jaye |
| jogún | inherit | inherit | jogun |
| borí | overcome | conquers | bori |
| kùnà | fail | fails | kuna |
| làákàyè | wisdom | understanding | laakaye |
| Ta | that | Which | Ta |
| Oun | owns | Owns | Oun |
| pátá | all | completely | pata |
| ní | has | has | ni |
The poet of this Yoruba poem is unknown. Yoruba poetry is a rich tradition that often emphasizes wisdom and moral teachings.