50 inspirational proverbs, sayings and quotes for creatives of color

Creativity is a powerful force that connects us to our heritage, our communities, and our futures. For creatives of color, the journey often involves navigating unique challenges while drawing strength from rich cultural traditions and the wisdom of those who came before us.

This collection brings together 50 proverbs, sayings, and quotes from diverse cultures and voices of color around the world. From African wisdom traditions to Asian philosophy, from Latin American sayings to Indigenous teachings, and from Middle Eastern insights to contemporary Black voices—each offers guidance, encouragement, and affirmation for your creative path.

These words remind us that our creative work is not done in isolation. It is rooted in ancestral wisdom, strengthened by community, and essential for future generations. Whether you're facing creative blocks, seeking inspiration, or needing affirmation to keep going, let these voices speak to your spirit and fuel your creative fire.

May these words inspire you to create boldly, speak truthfully, and build the world you envision through your art.

African Proverbs & Sayings

"If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together." — African Proverb Creativity flourishes in community and collaboration.

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." — African Proverb Challenges refine your creative abilities and resilience.

"However long the night, the dawn will break." — African Proverb Persevere through creative blocks; inspiration will return.

"The one who plants trees, knowing that they will never sit in their shade, has at least started to understand the meaning of life." — African Proverb Create for future generations and lasting impact.

"Wisdom is like a baobab tree; no one individual can embrace it." — Akan Proverb Draw creative wisdom from diverse sources and experiences.

"When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." — African Proverb Overcome self-doubt to realize your creative potential.

"A bird that flies off the Earth and lands on an anthill is still on the ground." — Igbo Proverb Stay grounded and humble in your creative journey.

"He who learns, teaches." — Ethiopian Proverb Share your creative knowledge with others.

"Where you will sit when you are old shows where you stood in youth." — Yoruba Proverb The creative work you do today shapes your legacy.

"A single bracelet does not jingle." — Congolese Proverb Collaboration creates harmony and fuller expression.

Asian Proverbs & Sayings

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." — Japanese Proverb Rejection and failure are stepping stones to creative success.

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." — Lao Tzu Start creating now, even if the vision seems distant.

"The bamboo that bends is stronger than the oak that resists." — Japanese Proverb Flexibility and adaptation strengthen your creative practice.

"When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and others build windmills." — Chinese Proverb Use change as creative fuel rather than obstacle.

"A single flower does not bring spring." — Korean Proverb Your work contributes to a larger cultural movement.

"Vision without action is a daydream. Action without vision is a nightmare." — Japanese Proverb Balance creative vision with consistent execution.

"The nail that sticks out gets hammered down." — Japanese Proverb (Reframed) Stand out boldly with your unique creative voice, despite pressure to conform.

"A gem cannot be polished without friction, nor a person perfected without trials." — Chinese Proverb Embrace challenges as part of creative refinement.

"When eating fruit, remember who planted the tree." — Vietnamese Proverb Honor the creatives and ancestors who paved your path.

"Even a journey of a thousand li begins beneath one's feet." — Chinese Proverb Every creative masterpiece starts with simple beginnings.

Latin American & Caribbean Wisdom

"Dime con quién andas y te diré quién eres." (Tell me who you walk with, and I'll tell you who you are.) — Spanish Proverb Surround yourself with creatives who inspire and uplift you.

"No hay mal que por bien no venga." (There is no bad from which good does not come.) — Spanish Proverb Every creative setback contains seeds of opportunity.

"El que no llora, no mama." (Those who don't cry, don't eat.) — Puerto Rican Saying Advocate for your creative work and make your voice heard.

"Unity is strength, division is weakness." — Haitian Proverb Collective creative power transforms communities.

"Camarón que se duerme se lo lleva la corriente." (The shrimp that falls asleep is carried away by the current.) — Latin American Proverb Stay alert and proactive in pursuing creative opportunities.

"En boca cerrada no entran moscas." (Flies don't enter a closed mouth.) — Spanish Proverb Choose your creative battles wisely and speak with purpose.

"Del dicho al hecho hay mucho trecho." (From saying to doing is a long stretch.) — Spanish Proverb Bridge the gap between creative ideas and actual work.

"Agua que no has de beber, déjala correr." (Water you won't drink, let it flow.) — Spanish Proverb Release projects and ideas that no longer serve your creative vision.

Indigenous Wisdom

"We do not inherit the earth from our ancestors; we borrow it from our children." — Native American Proverb Create with responsibility to future generations.

"Listen to the wind, it talks. Listen to the silence, it speaks. Listen to your heart, it knows." — Native American Proverb Trust your creative intuition and inner voice.

"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears." — Native American Proverb Pain and struggle can deepen your creative expression.

"Tell me and I'll forget. Show me, and I may not remember. Involve me, and I'll understand." — Native American Proverb Create immersive, engaging experiences that transform audiences.

"We will be known forever by the tracks we leave." — Dakota Proverb Your creative legacy is defined by the impact you make.

"Those who tell the stories rule the world." — Hopi Proverb Reclaim and tell your own stories with power.

"The longest road out is the shortest road home." — Native American Proverb Sometimes creative detours lead you back to your authentic voice.

Middle Eastern & North African Wisdom

"He who has health has hope, and he who has hope has everything." — Arabian Proverb Nurture yourself to sustain your creative practice.

"The ink of the scholar is more sacred than the blood of the martyr." — Islamic Saying Your creative work and knowledge are powerful contributions.

"A book is a garden carried in the pocket." — Arab Proverb Art and creativity are portable treasures we carry within.

"He who knows not, and knows not that he knows not, is a fool; shun him." — Persian Proverb Cultivate self-awareness in your creative practice.

"At the narrow passage, there is no brother and no friend." — Arab Proverb Sometimes you must walk your creative path alone.

"The best answer will come from the person who is not angry." — Persian Proverb Create from a place of clarity rather than reactivity.

Contemporary Voices of Color

"Your silence will not protect you." — Audre Lorde Use your creative voice to speak truth and create change.

"There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you." — Maya Angelou Share your stories; they matter to the world.

"The most common way people give up their power is by thinking they don't have any." — Alice Walker: Recognize and claim your creative power.

"You can't use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have." — Maya Angelou Create abundantly without fear of depletion.

"I am no longer accepting the things I cannot change. I am changing the things I cannot accept." — Angela Davis Let your creativity be an agent of transformation.

"If you are silent about your pain, they'll kill you and say you enjoyed it." — Zora Neale Hurston Express difficult truths through your art.

"We write because we believe the human spirit cannot be tamed and should not be trained." — Nikki Giovanni Create freely without conforming to others' expectations.

"The function of art is to do more than tell it like it is—it's to imagine what is possible." — bell hooks Use creativity to envision and build new realities.

"I tell my stories not because they are unique, but because they are not. It is likely that other people have experienced what I have experienced." — Jamaica Kincaid Your personal creative expression connects to universal human experience.

"When we speak we are afraid our words will not be heard or welcomed. But when we are silent, we are still afraid. So it is better to speak." — Audre Lorde Choose creative courage over fear.

"There is always something left to love." — Gabriel García Márquez Find inspiration even in difficult circumstances.

"I write for those women who do not speak, for those who do not have a voice because they were so terrified." — Audre Lorde Create on behalf of those whose voices have been silenced.

Have questions or comments about this collection? We'd love to hear from you. Email us at bamuata@creativeseverywhere.org

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About BaMuata Jordan Langley

BaMuata Jordan Langley is an author, educator, activist, and creativity artist who loves exploring how embodied wisdom can transform our lives. As CEO of Creatives Everywhere Global, he's passionate about empowering people and communities through creativity, wisdom, and meaningful action.

His book, Embodied Wisdom Seekers: Inspirational Proverbs, Quotes and Axioms for Creatives of Color, is all about tapping into deeper truths through ancestral and contemporary wisdom. It's packed with proverbs, quotes, axioms, and sayings that help build inner strength, all centered around the Four Pillars of Wisdom Gathering. Through this approach, BaMuata shares practical ways to grow your awareness, stay present, and build resilience.

Available in January 2026