whakatauki

Maori for proverb, aphorism

See for example E kore te patiki

@whakatauki 1

He manga wai koia kia kore e whitikia

It is a big river indeed that cannot be crossed

(if difficulties are made light of, they will disappear)

@whakatauki 10

Pikipiki motumotu, ka hokia he whanaunga.

He is constantly returning whenever the fire is lit to make his claim as a relative.

Used of a troublesome relative who frequently comes to share the food, but is not prepared to help in the work of cultivating it. (begging)

@whakatauki 11

Ko Tane horo

It is Tane the speedy.

(The birds are the children of Tane, and the proverb makes reference to their power of flight.)

@whakatauki 12

He kahawai ki te wai, he wahine ki uta

A fish in the water, a woman on land

(Kahawai are particular about their bait; as a woman is particular about choosing a husband!)

@whakatauki 13

He pai rangi tahi

The beauty of a single day

(Good looks are ephemeral) (warning against shallowness of character)

@whakatauki 14

Aroha mai, aroha atu

Love received demands love returned (love reciprocated)

@whakatauki 15

E moe i tangata ringa raupa

Marry a man with blistered hands

(He must be a hard worker)

@whakatauki 16

He pakuru a waka e taea te raupine mai

A broken canoe cannot be repaired

(An elderly body cannot be restored to youth and beauty)

@whakatauki 17

Ka to he ra, ka rere he ra

A sun sets, a day is born

Ka mate he tete, ka tupu he tete

As one frond dies, another takes its place

(No-one is indispensable)

@whakatauki 18

He manako te koura i kore ai

Wishing for the crayfish will not bring it

(Actions speek louder than words)

@whakatauki 19

Ko te kai rapu, ko ia te kite

He who seeks will find

@whakatauki 2

He toa piki rakau he kai na te pakiaka

A brave man who climbs trees is food for their roots

@whakatauki 20

Mate a moa

Dead like a Moa

(dead as the Dodo)

@whakatauki 21

He ora te whakapiri, he mate te whakatakariri

There is strength in unity, defeat in anger

@whakatauki 22

Tungia te ururua kia tupu whakaritorito te tupu o te harakeke

Set fire to the overgrown bush and the new flax shoots will spring up

@whakatauki 3

He hono tangata e kore e motu; ka pa he taura waka e motu

A human bond cannot be severed; unlike a canoe rope, it cannot be severed

(cf. blood is thicker than water)

@whakatauki 4

Tama tu, tama ora, tama moe, tama mate

He who stands, lives, he who sleeps, dies

@whakatauki 5

No te mea ra ia, he rakau tawhito, e mau ana te taitea I waho ra, e tu te kohiwi

In a very old tree you may be certain that the sapwood is on the outside, while the heartwood is in the middle

@whakatauki 6

He rei nga niho, he paraoa nga kauae

A whale's tooth in a whale's jaw

(a metaphor for people being suitably qualified for particular enterprises)

@whakatauki 7

He wahine ke te kainga, he kaka ki te ngahere

A woman in the house is like a kaka in the forest

@whakatauki 8

Ka ruha te kupenga, ka pae kei te akau

When a net is worn out, it is thrown away on the shore

@whakatauki 9

He manu kai kakano e mau, tena he manu kai rakau e kore e mau

A bird which eats berries can be caught, but not a bird that eats wood

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