Our rich cultural heritage, the Yoruba tradition has this excellent poem to inspire you.
Enjoy its sweetness!!!
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Ise L’ogun Ise by J.F. Odunjo.
Ise l’ogun ise – Work is the antidote for poverty
Mura s’ise ore mi – Work hard and work smart, my friend
Ise la fi n’deni giga – Work/Labour is the major tool for elevation
Bi a ko ba reni feyin ti – If we do not have anyone to lean on
Bi ole la’nri – We appear lazy
Bi a ko ba reni gbekele – If we do not have anyone to support us
A tera mo’se eni – We simply work harder
Iya re le lowo lowo – Your mother might be rich
Baba re le lesin lekan – Your father may have a stable full of horses
Bi o ba gbo’ju lewon – If you rely on them
O te tan ni mo so fun o – You are close to shame and disgrace, I tell you
Ohun ti a ko ba ji’ya fun – Whatever one does not work hard to earn
Se kii le pe lowo – Usually does not last
Ohun ti a ba fara sise fun – Whatever gain one seriously labours for
Nii pe lowo eni – Usually lasts with one
Apa lara – Your arm is your kin
Egunpa n’iyekan – The elbow is a sibling
B’aye ba n’fe o loni – If the world loves you today
Bi o ba lowo lowo – If you have money
Aye a ma fe o lola – The world will still love you tomorrow
Tabi ki o wa ni’po atata – Or if you are in a prestigious position
Aye a ma ye o si terinterin – The world will celebrate you with ‘fake’ laughter
Je k’o de’ni tin rago – Wait till you become poor
Aye a ma yinmu si o – The world will grimace at you
Eko si’nso ni d’oga – Education also elevates one to higher positions
Mura ki o ko dara dara – Ensure that you acquire it well
Bi o si r’opo eniyan – And if you see a lot of people Ti won f’eko s’erin rinrin – Making mockery of education with laughter
Dakun ma f’ara we won – Please do not emulate or keep their company
Iya n’bo fun’omo ti ko gbon – Suffering beckons for the foolish child
Ekun n’be fun’omo to nsa kiri – Tears are due for the truant child
Ma f’owuro sere ore mi – Do not toy with your morning my friend
Mura si’se ojo’nlo – Work hard; time waits for no one.
Work hard and work smart.