Quechua people use a lot of sayings and expressions in daily life which offer advice and even sometimes have hidden meanings.
Check out these proverbs and quotes below to gain some insight into Quechua beliefs and ways of thinking.
Below I’ve listed famous Quechua quotes, inspiring Quechua sayings and common Quechua proverbs.
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Famous Quechua Proverbs & Quechua Sayings
Below I’ve listed the most famous Quechua proverbs as well as some common Quechua sayings. These are used often in day to day life.
- Qilapa aruyninqa ishkaymi – The labor of one who is lazy is double.
- Shimillam riman, makiqam arun – Only the mouth talks, the hand works.
- Yachaqqa yachaq tukuntsu, mana yachaqmi yachaq tukun – The wise man does not presume that he knows, the ignorant one is the one who presumes they know.
- Hatun kayqam ichikpitam qallan – Greatness begins from the little things.
- Wamra karnin yashqakunata wiyar yachakurqaa. Yashqa karnin wamrakunata wiyar yachakuu – When I was young, I listened to my elders. Once I was an elder, I learnt to listen to the children.
- Ama anchata rimaychu, mana upa kayta munspaqa – It is better to be thought a fool, then to open your mouth, and remove all doubt.
- Wakinkunata shiqiyqam hinchi kay. Kikikita shiqiymi aypa kay – To win over others you have to be strong. To win over yourself you have to be great.
- Yachaq runaqam llaanu runa – The wise man is a careful man.
- Yachaqqa laqlatsu, mana yachaqmi laqla – The one who knows, does not talk much, the one who does not know, talks a lot.
- Kushishqa karqa, wakinkunatapis kushitsinki – If you are happy then you also need to share your happiness with others.
- Maychawtan kushikuy patsa? Pimay ashin. Pipis tarintsu – Where is the land of happiness? Everyone looks for it. No one can find it.
- Tukuy suwan, llapanmi suwa nin – A thief thinks that everyone else is also a thief.
- Allinta uyariyta yachaspaqa, allintataqmi yachanki – If you listen and pay attention, you will learn well.
- Khuyakuyqa yachaypaqmi, mana yachaspaqa usuchiwaqmi – If you don’t know how to love, you will lose your love.
- Llaqtakunaq atipayninwan, teqrimuyuta kuyuchisunchis – When the villages work together, we will turn this world around.
Beautiful Quechua Quotes Translated Into English
Below I’ve listed a range of famous and inspirational Quechua quotes that have been translated into English.
- My greatest wealth is that I do not aspire to any wealth, except that of having a heart full of love.
- We must look for God in our hearts and not in the temples.
- Life is eternal, when lived fully.
This Quechua saying means that the only way to enjoy life is to live without regret.
- Life is a gift, it is circulating around us waiting for us to discover it.
- And when you learn to love, everything will be possible.
- Happiness is healthy.
- There is no point in performing the rain dance, when we do not appreciate the value of water.
This Quechua saying means that you shouldn’t do things that you don’t believe in.
- Life is a garden inviting you to bloom.
- All I need is for the sun to come out every day, for it to rain from time to time and for the plants to keep blooming, then me and the birds will keep singing.
- Why not transform obstacles into impulses to move forward?
- Are you crawling? Don’t do that, we are designed to fly.
- How is it possible to forget that life is a precious gift?
- Only the wise recognize their mistakes, only the wise understand that learning is a journey that never ends.
- He who does not want to lose his blindfold for fear of light, deserves the dark.
This Quechua proverb means that you have to face your problems to succeed.
- You will be wise when you can enjoy everything that happens to you, absolutely everything.
This Quechua quote teaches us that we can learn from both good and bad experiences.
- If you think too much, your incessant thoughts will form chains on your heart.
- It’s funny: sometimes you worry a lot about something that turns out to be nothing.
- The wind whispers to the heart of the humble.
- Sharing selflessly is how we will sow our path of flowers.
- You will be ready when you stop thinking you are ready.
- If, forgetting the result, you enjoy your actions, you will never feel defeated.
This Quechua proverb is similar to the English version ‘the important thing is the journey, not the destination’.
- He who envies others and is envied himself, has doubled torment.
- When you live in the moment, you will see not only what is visible.
- Know how to give and know how to receive.
- The feet are to support you on the ground, that is enough, do not look for other supports.
- The noble and courageous man is known for the patience he shows in adversity.
- Intuition is the protective spirit.
- Impatience is a toxin that ends up infecting the soul.
Best Quechua Idioms & Quechua Expressions
Below I’ve listed the most well-known Quechua idioms and expressions. Many of these have hidden meanings.
- Qaritukoq
This old Quechua idiom literally means ‘pretending to be a man’ however it is used to say that someone is pretending to be strong and powerful when they are not.
- Suwasqa wasi hina simiyoq
This Quechua idiom literally means ‘your mouth is as empty as a house that was just robbed’. This saying is used to tell someone they don’t have any teeth.
- Champ’a uma
This Quechua expression literally means ‘head weed’ however it is actually used to tell someone they have messy hair (as if they have weeds growing out of their head).
- Ruiro siki
This Quechua saying literally means ‘round rear end’ but it is used to talk about someone who can’t sit still or can’t stop moving.
- Muyoq siki
This idiom literally means ‘a rear end which goes around in a circle’. It is used to describe someone who likes to dance a lot.
Thanks for reading this post on the best Quechua quotes about life, famous Quechua sayings and fascinating Quechua proverbs.
These Quechua quotes & sayings give an interesting insight into the Quechua beliefs and language.
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