From the rich store of Maori whakatauki, or proverbs, which tersely embody so much of the wit and philosophy of the race, some further examples of such sayings are selected as typical of the expressions that crystallise experience and shrewd knowledge of human nature.

This figure of speech was applied to a forceful character in action:

“E ko te matakahi maire.” (“He separates his foes as a wedge of the hardwood maire splits the log.“)

The Maori well appreciated the use of irony. These are three examples of such sayings:

“E noho, tena te au o Rangitaiki, hei kawe i a koe.” (“Rest you there, do not exert yourself, the swift current of the Rangitaiki will carry you along.” Said to a lazy person, a non-paddler in a canoe.)

“I taia to moko ki te aha?” (“To what purpose was your face so finely tooed?” Why are you so adorned when you are really a nobody?)

“E haere ana koe ki Hurakia?” (“Are you going to the mountain of Hurakia?” Meaning, “So you can afford to waste food in this way, can you? Perhaps you are going to the bird-abounding forests of Hurakia mountain, where food is so plentiful.“)

In praise of fine or beautiful work, such as intricate wood-carving:

“Ano me he whare pungawerewere.” (“Behold, it is like a spider's web.“)

Worldly wisdom; go where the good pickings are:

“Haere i muri i te tuara o Te Whapuku, kia kai ai koe i te kai whakairo o te rangi.” (“When you travel, follow closely after the great chief Te Whapuku, then shall you taste all the greatest delicacies under the sun.”)

In reference to slanderous gossip that impairs reputations:

“He pata ua ki runga; he ngutu tangata ki raro.” (“Pattering raindrops from above; the talk that comes from man's lips below.” Dropping water wears away a stone, so slanders destroy a good name.)