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🤝 Haitian proverbs about friendship

Many hands, the load is not heavy — the most quoted proverb in Haiti, and effectively a national motto. But the same tradition warns that fine teeth do not mean friend, and that a dog with a bone has none.

Men anpil, chay pa lou

Many hands, the load is not heavy

Haitian proverb

solidarity, work

one source
Se rat kay k ap manje kay

It is the household rat that eats the house

Haitian proverb

betrayal, trust

one source
Bèl dan pa di zanmi

Fine teeth do not say friend

Haitian proverb

friendship, deceit

one source
Malere pa gen zanmi

The poor person has no friends

Haitian proverb

poverty, friendship

unverified
Zanmi pre pi bon pase fanmi lwen

A near friend is better than distant family

Haitian proverb

friendship, family

unverified
Vwazinaj se fanmi

Neighbours are family

Haitian proverb

community, family

verified
Si bèf te konn fòs yo, majoral pa ta lanse yo

If the oxen knew their own strength, the driver would not drive them

Haitian proverb

power, class, solidarity

one source
Se lè ou nan bezwen ou konn ki moun ki zanmi ou

It is when you are in need that you know who your friends are

Haitian proverb

friendship, hardship

one source
Mèt do pa grate do

The back's owner cannot scratch the back

Haitian proverb

dependence, community

verified
Pa janm mete chat veye bè

Never set a cat to guard the butter

Haitian proverb

trust, prudence

one source
Chen ou fè byen, lè li anraje se ou li mòde

The dog you treated well bites you when it turns rabid

Haitian proverb

betrayal, kindness

one source