Jamaica Patois Wisdom – Path

by Jefferson David Tant

The Jamaican Patois dialect is colorful, unique, and humorous. It is my desire to share some of the philosophy shown in this mix of colorful phrases that are witty as well as thought-provoking. I hope the readers both profit and enjoy. In my quarter-century plus of teaching there, I have come to appreciate some things about their culture.

Patois: Ya no look where ya walk, fall inna ditch
English: If you don’t watch where you are walking, you may end up in the ditch
Meaning: We must always be aware of the path of life we are on, lest we end up in the wrong place.

The words of a familiar children’s song include the following: “Be careful little eyes what you see, be careful little hands what you do, and be careful little feet where you go,…for the Father up above is looking down in love…’ Consider some thoughts from the phrase “Be careful little feet where you go.”

We are all on life’s journey, whether short or long. And we must be sure we follow the right map. My family has at times taken trips across our nation. These trips have covered thousands of miles, and we have always had a map to direct our way. Along the way, there were countless roads that would take us off the main highway and end up leading us to who knows where. We could have easily gotten lost by taking one of those other trails. But we knew enough to follow the roads portrayed on the map.

Similarly, we have a map to guide us on life’s journey. It is called the Bible, and it clearly shows the way to its final destination, heaven, and has been given to us by our mapmaker — God. “He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For His name's sake” (Psalms 23:3). "I walk in the way of righteousness, In the midst of the paths of justice” (Proverbs 8:20).

But here is another mapmaker, Satan, and he knows how to appeal to us, even as he did ages ago. “When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate…” (Genesis 3:6).

Dear Readers, it is vitally important that we keep our eyes on the right path. We don’t need to go to places where we know sin will be practiced, or hang out with friends who entice us to do things that are not in keeping with God’s plan for us. It’s better to have fewer friends than to be popular among those who would entice us to do sinful things. God has warned us: “Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals'" (I Corinthians 15:33). That’s a very true statement, and needs to be heeded. Some young people may think they can enjoy the world while young, and turn to God later. But the young die, too. And we know not the day nor the hour when the Lord will return, and it will be too late then to change our ways. "Be on the alert then, for you do not know the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

“Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, Do not stray into her paths” (Proverbs 7:25). Jeremiah told of Israel’s fall: "For My people have forgotten Me, They burn incense to worthless gods And they have stumbled from their ways, From the ancient paths, To walk in bypaths, Not on a highway” (Jeremiah 18:15). How much better to … “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6).

Solomon told of a man whose feet led him down the wrong path, and the consequences that followed: "'For my husband is not at home, He has gone on a long journey. He has taken a bag of money with him, At the full moon he will come home.' With her many persuasions she entices him; with her flattering lips she seduces him. Suddenly he follows her as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as one in fetters to the discipline of a fool, until an arrow pierces through his liver; As a bird hastens to the snare, so he does not know that it will cost him his life. Now therefore, my sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words of my mouth. Do not let your heart turn aside to her ways, do not stray into her paths. For many are the victims she has cast down, and numerous are all her slain. Her house is the way to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:19-27). Dear Reader, don’t be a victim!