The 70 best Aztec Proverbs (and what they mean)
The Aztec or Nahuatl culture as it is also known, is considered as one of the oldest and richest in the ancient American world, where happiness, life and good customs were held in high esteem as important aspects to be inherited by its inhabitants.
In this article, we bring the best phrases and proverbs of this ancient culture about various aspects of life that will make you analyze the philosophy of the ancestors.
- We recommend you read: "The 10 most popular myths of Mexico (and their meaning)"
Best Aztec Proverbs and Quotes
Short and metaphorical proverbs that show us the world from the Aztec perspective.
1. Ti nou ’dxiña, ti nou’ guídi ’. (A soft hand, and a steady hand.)
Here a metaphor is made about acting delicately when necessary.
2. One does not arrive at dawn but by the path of night
It may seem like the old version of 'there is light at the end of the tunnel'.
3. Hrunadiága ’ne hrusiá’nda’, hrúuya ’ne hriétenaladxe’, hrune ’ne hriziide’ (I listen and forget, see and remember, do and learn.)
This proverb reflects the key to Aztec wisdom: living without complications but always keeping in mind what happened only if they themselves can verify it.
4. How should my heart act? Do we come to live in vain, to sprout on the earth?
We can observe a clear existential crisis, a reflection on the ancient search for meaning in life.
5. How to live next to the people? Does he act thoughtlessly, does he live, he who sustains and elevates men?
Is God a benevolent being? Is it our duty to act well? We can say that the Aztecs were not bad at all in the art of philosophizing and questioning.
6. Ni mo yolpachojtok (My heart is crushed)
A plea to sadness, there is nothing that is capable of crushing our hearts as sadness itself does.
7. Within the sky you forge your design. You will decree it: are you fed up and here you hide your fame and your glory on earth? What do you decree?
Even in our culture we wonder about the mandates of the gods of each religion.
8. Proverbs are the lamps of words.
Proverbs are able to give light through the logic of their words.
9. I have come to be sad, I grieve. You are no longer here, no longer, in the region where it somehow exists. You left us without provision on earth. Because of this, I wear myself out.
For the Aztecs, death was something very sacred.
10. Ni mitz yolmajtok (My heart feels you)
A written reflection of that love that crosses distances, both love of a couple and of friends or family.
11. Ome tlamantli nictlazohtla ome tlamantli noyollo, in xochimeh ihuan tehuatzin, in xochimeh cemilhuitica ihuan tehuatzin momoztla. (Two things, I love two things in my heart, the flowers and you, the flowers one day and you every day)
A clear example of the feeling of love experienced by the Aztec culture, a natural and simple love, in natural and simple times.
12. The world is yours, but you have to earn it.
It is known that the Aztec civilization managed to form an impressive empire, megalithic constructions and socio-economic systems as complex as those of ancient Greece.
13. Look at everyone with joy, do not despise anyone; when necessary express your displeasure. (Florentine Codex)
A clear example of the application of humility. The funny thing is to see how a value like this has remained intact through the centuries.
14. Take care of the things of the land: do something, chop wood, till the land. Nopales plant, maguey plant.
Although it seems a threat, it is rather a proverb of respect towards the earth, where it is reflected that we must take care of it and not destroy it.
15. Like a painting we will fade away. Like a flower we have to dry on the ground, like feathers of the quetzal, the zacuán, the tile, we will perish.
More than a reflection on death, we see here a reflection on how ephemeral we are in this world.
16. Live in peace among the people; respect and revere all, do not offend them with anything, do not take anything against them. (Florentine Codex)
It is logical to think that for the Aztecs who lived in constant wars, peace is such a precious good as to be conserved at any cost once they have obtained it.
17. Nisa hri dxi 'biraru' mani dushu 'dxaa ndani'. (Stagnant water, harmful germs contains.)
Our life, like water, can stagnate, and also like water, once life stagnates it begins to spoil. Therefore, it is important to always move forward.
18. You will have to eat, you will have to dress. With that you will stand, you will be true, with that you will walk. With that you will be talked about, you will be praised. With that you will make yourself known.
Through this proverb we are told that we will only be recognized when we live our life in our own way.
19. Livelihood deserves all of our care.
In this case, it refers to what provides sustenance, in Aztec times it was agriculture and hunting.
20. Will they come once more, will they live again? Only once do we perish, only once here on earth.
We read a clear regret to those souls who left and cannot return in any way.
21. Plant in the fields the magueycito, the nopalito, the little tree; they will give rest to the little ones. Well, you strong young man, don't you feel like fruit? And how will there be if you don't plant your cornfield?
For the next generations to enjoy nature, it is our duty as a current generation to take care of it and make it flourish.
22. Be vigilant, awake, don't sleep too much.
We must always be attentive to everything, as well as take advantage of the time we have.
23. At last my heart understands: I hear a song, I contemplate a flower: May they not wither! (Nezahualcóyotl)
At some point in our lives we have all had internal struggles, capable of consuming us in body, soul and mind.
24. You stay alert, take a good look at your enemy, don't let anyone make fun of you.
Again we can appreciate the importance for the Aztecs to remain in a constant state of alert. Something vital considering the dangers of his world.
25. What of this life is borrowed, that in an instant we have to leave it as others have left it. (Nezahualcóyotl)
In the Aztec culture, it is considered that what we possess in life is a loan from the gods and the earth. And at the time of death, we repay that earthly loan.
26. Do not give yourself to the villain, the tramp, the perverted youngster having fun.
Since ancient times, bad company has existed, leading us astray if we allow it.
27. The revered man is a defender and sustainer, like the cypress tree in which people take refuge.
For a man to be worshiped, he must earn it.
28. Become young in your time, do not end prematurely.
Youth is something biological but at the same time subjective. We must not rush our growth, nor enter forced maturity.
29. Is there anyone who does not wish for happiness?
It can be taken as a reflection at the moment when they criticize our actions when they are in search of happiness.
30. Even if you live with your wife, your own flesh, go with her as her food, do not eat in a hurry, that is, do not live with lust, do not serve yourself excessively.
Even with our partners, we must keep in mind that the relationship is not based only on sex, but on love and companionship.
31. Without violence it remains and thrives in the midst of his books and paintings, there is the city of Tenochtitlan.
Is violence necessary to stand out and endure?
32. Be humble, accept your condition, but don't wear rags either.
Humility does not mean having a sloppy image. It is an attitude and not a social condition.
33. The heretic is not the one who burns at the stake, but the one who lights it.
Throughout history and even today, we have seen how many innocents have been punished and condemned for things they did not commit.
34. Be calm in your words, do not raise your voice or lower it too much.
Communication is, was and always will be essential for the population, as well as the way in which we communicate.
35. From where eagles perch, from where jaguars perch, the Sun is invoked.
For the Aztecs, the Sun was a God, and in the high places one is able to see much more.
36. Dont eat too much; dinner and breakfast are necessary, and if you strain, if you sweat, if you work, you must have lunch.
An interesting way to say that we should only consume what is necessary and not fall into gluttony.
37. If you want to be rich, have no wishes.
Ambition is a very strong impulse, but in an uncontrolled way it ends up leading to ruin.
38. Six ways to recognize the fool: he gets angry for no reason, he talks meaninglessly and without profit, he changes without progress, ask for no reason, put all his trust in a stranger, and mistake his enemies for their friends.
For the Aztecs, intelligence was very important.
39. Do not stop being calm, let them say what they say about you.
Calm brings us clarity and allows us to handle a wide variety of options.
40. Live in peace, spend life in calm! (Nezahualcóyotl)
For the Aztecs, peace is the primary goal of life.
41. Listen: no proud, no vain, no shameless or dissolute has ruled; no useless, no hasty, no impetuous, no runaway, no inept has ruled has been on the mat, in the chair.
In order for the Aztec civilization to go as far as it did, I need good rulers suitable for the position.
42. Ora güilu ’diidxa saaniru guinabadiidxu’ oraque… gucaadia’gu. (To dialogue, ask first, then... listen.)
It is better to ask before jumping to conclusions that can lead to blunders.
43. Live modestly no matter what you become.
This was very clear to the Aztecs. It is better to always be modest.
44. Let your heart be straightened: here no one will live forever. (Nezahualcóyotl)
A proverb that deals with the importance of putting our emotions in order.
45. When you are called, do not be called twice, do not shout twice; at the first get up and answer.
Responsibility and punctuality are something that define us as people and professionals.
46. An aspiration: to make something beautiful that did not exist, exist for me.
We all have the ability to create beautiful things.
47. Behind the fence, it remains within the fence.
We will remain the same no matter where we come from or where we are going.
48. Even though you were born to your mother and your father, she is more your mother even the one who instructs, the one who educates, the one who opens the eyes and ears.
The Aztecs also considered that parents are not those who beget, but who raise.
49. Extend your compassion, I am by your side, you are God. Maybe you want to kill me? Is it true that we rejoice, that we live on earth?
Compassion has been the greatest strength of humans since ancient times.
50. Do not pay attention to people at all, and above all, you know, be very obedient, very respectful, do your best.
We only have to worry about what we do.
51. Everything that is true (that has a root), they say is not true (that has no root).
Truths (even the obvious ones) are often hidden. That is why it is better to inquire on our own at all times.
52. You will first travel all the roads of this world before finding yourself.
It is normal for us to have existential crises about who we are and our place in the world. Therefore, a great recommendation is to take all possible experiences to discover it.
53. To free your children from these vices and calamities, make them give themselves up to virtue and jobs from childhood.
That is why we must educate our children in a good way from a young age, transmit values and responsibilities.
54. Here is the short word, the duty of us old men, old women, take it wherever you go, do not throw it around, unfortunate you if you laugh at it.
Our elders have lived so long that they have acquired an equal or greater amount of knowledge. His words, many times, are guides in the form of proverbs.
55. May God grant me the serenity to accept the things that I cannot change; Courage to change what I can and wisdom to see the difference.
We always need serenity to understand what happens to us and thus face it.