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About the Author

A Legacy Resource, Recognized Worldwide

For 19 years, The African Gourmet has preserved Africa's stories is currently selected for expert consideration by the Library of Congress Web Archives, the world's premier guardian of cultural heritage.

Trusted by: WikipediaEmory University African StudiesUniversity of KansasUniversity of KwaZulu-NatalMDPI Scholarly Journals.
Explore our archived collections → DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17329200

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How to Think Like a Wise Person African Proverbs

Wise African Proverbs


Intelligence has its advantages but you can be intelligent without being wise. Wisdom goes beyond intelligence and those who think of themselves as intelligent and put down others for not being book smart are certainly not wise.


Wise men in Afataranga Benin Africa
Wise men in Afataranga Benin Africa

How to Think Like a Wise Person African Proverbs

The wise man never takes a step too long for his leg.

The opinion of the intelligent is better than the certainty of the fool.

Follow the saint no further than his doorstep.

You become wise when you begin to run out of money.

Optimism leads to riches and pessimism leads to poverty.

A man dies, but his word lives forever.

Your lips are your enemy.

If you want to eat honey, follow the bees.

If generously shared, a flea can be bitten twice.

You will die poor if you rely on relatives.

One should either become a pillar or lean against one.

A wise man plans for tomorrow, a fool plans only for today.

The patient person eats ripe fruit.

Learn politeness from the impolite.

How to Think Like a Wise Person African Proverbs​.

Recipes Explain Politics

The Deeper Recipe

  • Ingredients: Colonial trade patterns + Urbanization + Economic inequality
  • Preparation: Political disconnect from daily survival needs
  • Serving: 40+ deaths, regime destabilization, and a warning about ignoring cultural fundamentals

Africa Worldwide: Top Reads

African Gourmet FAQ

Archive Inquiries

Why "The African Gourmet" if you're an archive?

The name reflects our origin in 2006 as a culinary anthropology project. Over 18 years, we've evolved into a comprehensive digital archive preserving Africa's cultural narratives. "Gourmet" now signifies our curated approach to cultural preservation—each entry carefully selected and contextualized.

What distinguishes this archive from other cultural resources?

We maintain 18 years of continuous cultural documentation—a living timeline of African expression. Unlike static repositories, our archive connects historical traditions with contemporary developments, showing cultural evolution in real time.

How is content selected for the archive?

Our curation follows archival principles: significance, context, and enduring value. We preserve both foundational cultural elements and timely analyses, ensuring future generations understand Africa's complex cultural landscape.

What geographic scope does the archive cover?

The archive spans all 54 African nations, with particular attention to preserving underrepresented cultural narratives. Our mission is comprehensive cultural preservation across the entire continent.

Can researchers access the full archive?

Yes. As a digital archive, we're committed to accessibility. Our 18-year collection is fully searchable and organized for both public education and academic research.

How does this archive ensure cultural preservation?

Through consistent documentation since 2006, we've created an irreplaceable cultural record. Each entry is contextualized within broader African cultural frameworks, preserving not just content but meaning.