Indonesian Proverbs

Sayings of Indonesian origin

  • With willingness, there is a possibility.
  • A man finds what he takes to be small; it will only be big again when he loses it.
  • A person slips, and a ladder falls on him.
  • Moth will eat the finest linen.
  • An empty drum gives loud sound.
  • Be sick then have fun.
  • Before you let your voice be heard, first lick your lips.
  • Better one bird in the hand than 10 birds on the tree.
  • Beware, the enemy lies under your blanket.
  • Calm water does not mean there are no crocodiles.
  • Cannot dance but blame the floor as uneven.
  • Death is the bride of life.
  • Different fields have different insect, different ponds have different fish.
  • Different men have different opinions; some prefer apples, some onions.
  • Diligence is the beginning of brilliance.
  • Don't stay on the dew until the sun reaches its highest.
  • Expecting something bigger and we let go what we already have.
  • Freedom or death.
  • Goodness shouts. Evil whispers.
  • Head can be heated but heart must stay cool.
  • If an eel is with fish, he shows his tail; if he is with snakes, he shows his head.
  • If you give your liver, they ask for your heart.
  • If you go into a goat stable, bleat; if you go into a water buffalo stable, bellow.
  • It can be because of regular training.
  • Never think that still water doesn't have crocodiles.
  • No matter how good a squirrel can jump, it will fall eventually.
  • Nothing is difficult when you get used to it.
  • Once a person cheats in an exam, forever people will distrust him.
  • Once the rice is pudding, it's too late to reclaim the rice.
  • One stroke at the paddle, two and three islands have passed.
  • People seek out big shots as flies seek out the elephant's tail.
  • Playing with water, wet. Playing with fire, burned.
  • Rippling water shows lack of depth.
  • Still water runs deep.
  • The firm tree does not fear the storm.
  • The laughter of someone pining for his beloved is like that of someone who is always crying.
  • The sea becomes the shore, the shore becomes the sea.
  • The shadow should be the same length as the body.

The Republic of Indonesia

Indonesian flag with map of Indonesia


Indonesia is a sovereign state in Southeast Asia and Oceania. Indonesia is an archipelago comprising 13,466 islands. It encompasses 33 provinces and 1 Special Administrative Region with over 238 million people, making it the world's fourth most populous country. Indonesia's republic form of government comprises an elected legislature and president. The nation's capital city is Jakarta. The country shares land borders with Papua New Guinea, East Timor, and Malaysia. Other neighboring countries include Singapore, the Philippines, Australia, Palau, and the Indian territory of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Indonesia is a founding member of ASEAN and a member of the G-20 major economies. The Indonesian economy is the world's 16th largest by nominal GDP.~  (Source)

Indonesian is the official language of Indonesia. It is a standardized register of Malay, an Austronesian language which has been used as a lingua franca in the Indonesian archipelago for centuries. Most Indonesians also speak one of more than 700 indigenous languages.



"Indonesia Raya" is the national anthem of the Republic of Indonesia.

Lyrics

Indonesia, my homeland
The land where I shed my blood
Right there, I stand
To be a guide of my motherland

Indonesia, my nationality
My nation and my homeland
Let us exclaim
"Indonesia unites!"

Long live my land, long live my state
My nation, my people, entirely
Let us build its soul, let us build its body
For the Great Indonesia

Great Indonesia, independent & sovereign!
My land, my country which I love
Great Indonesia, independent & sovereign!
Long live Great Indonesia!

Great Indonesia, independent & sovereign!
My land, my country which I love
Great Indonesia, independent & sovereign!
Long live Great Indonesia!

Indonesia, a noble land
Our wealthy land
Right there, I stand
Forever and ever

Indonesia, a hereditary land
A heritage of ours
Let us pray
"To Indonesians' happiness!"

Fertile may its soil, flourish may its soul
Its nation, its people, entirely
Aware may its heart, aware may its mind
For Great Indonesia

Indonesia, a sacred land
Our victorious land
Right there, I stand
To guard the pure motherland

Indonesia, a radiant land
A land which I adore
Let us pledge
"Indonesia is eternal!"

Safe may its people, safe may its children
Its islands, its seas, entirely
The state progresses, its scouts advance
For Great Indonesia

There are not many who would announce their faults with a gong.

There is smoke there is fire.

They are flies that are born of a wasp.

Whatever broken will grow back, whatever lost will be replaced.

When you begin to understand the situation, you know you must have been ill-informed.

Who sows the wind will reap the storm.

With only a drop of alcohol, a pot of milk is damaged