Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger.

What it means

Pressure from other people is training, whether they mean it or not. Every needling and every obstacle teaches the target how to hold firm. Take the friction and turn it into strength.

The source

"Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger." This Yoruba proverb is recorded in Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 54. Translated by Ellis, 1894.

"He who annoys another only teaches him to strengthen himself."

Ellis, 1894, Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 54. Text read at archive.org.

Who said it

Proverbs of the world (Every age). Sayings from the Latin, Greek, Norse, Japanese, Chinese and more, each traced to an old source in its own language.

Questions

What does "Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger." mean?

Pressure from other people is training, whether they mean it or not. Every needling and every obstacle teaches the target how to hold firm. Take the friction and turn it into strength.

Who said "Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger."?

Yoruba proverb. Source: Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 54.

What is the original wording?

He who annoys another only teaches him to strengthen himself (Ellis, 1894). Translated by Ellis, 1894.

Is "Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Annoy a man and you only teach him to grow stronger." (Yoruba proverb, Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 54, trans. Ellis, 1894). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/annoy-a-man-and-you-only-teach-him