*AKOSORI YORUBA FUN GBOGBO OMO KAARO OOJIIRE*
ENGLISH TRANSLATION
*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 used to elevate 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* the arm is a relative
*ÌGÙNPÁ NÌYEKAN* 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.

Let’s pass it on to our children.
Original work by *J F Odunjo*