Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever.

What it means

Some signs are never coming, so stop waiting for them. Holding out for a perfect signal is just a slow way of doing nothing. Make the call and get off the beach.

The source

"Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever." This Yoruba proverb is recorded in Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 235. Translated by Ellis, 1894.

"He who waits to see a crab wink will tarry long upon the shore."

Ellis, 1894, Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 235. 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 "Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever." mean?

Some signs are never coming, so stop waiting for them. Holding out for a perfect signal is just a slow way of doing nothing. Make the call and get off the beach.

Who said "Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever."?

Yoruba proverb. Source: Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 235.

What is the original wording?

He who waits to see a crab wink will tarry long upon the shore (Ellis, 1894). Translated by Ellis, 1894.

Is "Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever." on a shirt?

Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 6 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.

"Wait for a crab to wink and you'll be on the shore forever." (Yoruba proverb, Ellis, The Yoruba-Speaking Peoples (1894), ch. XIII, no. 235, trans. Ellis, 1894). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/wait-for-a-crab-to-wink-and-youll