Some Ondo Philosophical Proverbs for Practical Living

Abstract

Although proverbs play significant and varied roles among people of
different cultures, their function as bearers of philosophical insights is
particularly unique and amazing. Within the context of Ondo culture,
proverbs reflect the people’s attempt not only at abstract thinking but also
their depth of wisdom and the astuteness of their thoughts. In an attempt to
explore and document how Ondo philosophical proverbs rouse the unseeing
eye and alert the unheeding ear to the marvels of everyday realities, this
paper conceptualizes philosophy and African philosophy, bringing to the fore
how in Ondo society man abstracts on events, make generalizations,
understands the behaviour of their gods, reflects the ethics of society and
philosophizes concerning life and death, using proverbs as a primary
strategy. In each of the examples cited, an attempt is made to couch the
proverb in its original form. This is followed by its translation, theme,
function and finally its application to daily living.