IWA
The philosophical concept of Ìwà rere (Good Character) cannot be fully understood without the basic knowledge of Ìwà and what other way can this be explained other than through a beautifully crafted Yorùbá poem…
Tọ́jú ìwà rẹ ọ̀rẹ́ mi
Ọlá a máa ṣí lọ nílé ẹni
Ẹwà a sì máa ṣí lára ènìyàn
Ṣùgbọ́n ìwà ní í bá ‘ni dé sàárè
Èéfín nìwà, rírú ní í rú
Ènìyàn gb’ókèèrè níyì
Ṣùgbọ́n súnmọ́ ni, l’a fi ń mọ̀’ṣe ẹni
Ìwà kò ní í foníwà sílẹ̀
Ìwà ọmọ l’ó ń sọmọ lórúkọ
Ọmọ dára ó ku ìwà
Ara dára ó ku aṣọ
Ẹsẹ̀ dára ó ku bàtà
B’énìyàn dára tí kò níwà
Ó padanù ohun ribiribi
Ìwà rere l’ẹ̀ṣọ́ ènìyàn
Ṣùúrù baba ìwà, ìwà baba àwúre
The English Translation goes thus . . .
CHARACTER
Preserve your character my friend
Honour can depart from a house without notice
Beauty can be lost from a once beautiful body
But our character will follow us to our grave
Character is like smoke.
It will ultimately rise to the surface
Someone far away may be considered to be honourable
But closeness exposes a person’s true character
Character, no doubt, stays with the owner forever
A child’s character is what gives the child a befitting name
No matter how good a child is, character remains important
No matter how good one’s body looks, clothes are still needed
No matter how good the feet are, shoes are still needed
If a person looks good but lacks character
The person is certainly missing what is precious
Good character is like a personal bodyguard
Patience is the father of character, and character is the father of blessings.
Please, reflect on your character. Think of those attributes you have that people, particularly those close to you, are complaining about. In your own interest, please change and begin to exhibit values that will attract general commendations for your own good today and tomorrow. Don’t be conceited!
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