We recently asked people in the BuzzFeed Community to tell us the best advice or life mottos their Latina moms have given them throughout the years, and we could all learn a thing or two from them. Here's what they had to say.
1. "From my Mexican mother who raised an Afro Latina and an Afro Latino. She would say, 'Regardless of what runs in your blood, I knew the world had already decided who you are based on your skin color and already put you in one stereotypical box. Don’t ever let them. You’re more than just one thing, and you’re much more than your surface. Be proud to be Black. Be proud to be Mexican. And don’t let anyone decide who you are. Don’t let anyone make you pick a part of you over the other. Because they’re not you. They have no say.'"
—Anyssa Palma-Jasso, Facebook
2. "Growing up in a very spiritual/superstitious household, she would often say, 'Don't be afraid of the dead. The living are much more frightening.'"
—Marcos D. Voss, Facebook
3. "She said that it doesn’t matter if I have stretch marks or acne because tortillas have spots all over but they are still amazing. Very inspiring. 😂"
—Anonymous
4. "To never ever let yourself become dependent on a man, or anyone else for that matter — and subsequently to work hard to be able to afford your own things and take care of them."
"God knows growing up my mom did what she had to do and endured abuse in so many different forms to ensure my siblings and I had a roof over our heads and food to eat, so I know she means it from the bottom of her heart, and I admire her so much. Her work ethic is like no other, and I have that mindset instilled in me to never take crap from anyone if I know I’ve earned my fair share."
5. "'It’s better to be pissed off than pissed on.' She’d say this very frequently, and I wish I'd listened decades ago."
6. "Mija, you're the tequila, not the lime. Value yourself because it's no one else's job to do so."
—Magdalena Rodriguez, Facebook
7. "‘Love is constant work, and "like" is a daily choice.' She always says it. You don’t have to always like yourself and/or your partner, but you should always put in the work to make your relationships (with yourself and others) the best they can be."
8. "'Donde comen siete, comen ocho.'" [This means], 'If seven people can eat, there's enough for eight.'"
"She raised six of us on her own. To this day, my mom who is 77 and has retired to the Dominican Republic still practices this. She cooks, and I love to see when I visit how she keeps plates full of food on the counter for people to come by and know she has a meal for them. I just hope and pray my soul is half as pure."
—Anisabel Brito, Facebook
9. "She taught me a lot, but one of the lessons that really stuck out for me was, 'Always have dignity. Even if you have nothing else, have dignity.'"
—Hilton L. Alvarenga Jr., Facebook
10. “El diablo sabe más por viejo que por diablo.”
This means, "The devil knows more from old age than from being the devil." This is equal to saying, "With age comes wisdom and experience."
11. "Always have money in savings. Regardless of the amount. Keep something."
12. "God gave you a mouth to talk, so if someone wrongs you, you better say something and stand up for yourself."
"Then she added, 'You better not stay quiet because you are afraid — because I'll give you something to fear about...if I [find] out you stood there and said nothing.'"
—Norma Garcia, Facebook
13. "My mother grew up without parents after her mother passed away when she was 11 and her father left. She was looked after by her older siblings, but pretty much raised herself. Despite her upbringing, she grew into an extremely self-sufficient and self-made individual. Being my mother's only daughter, she raised me to be fiercely independent."
"She taught me how to take care of myself physically, mentally, emotionally, and financially, without pushing people away. From her, I learned how to appreciate those who appreciate me without having to depend on their existence to survive. I am capable of being independent in all aspects of my life because of my mother. I am more appreciative of the relationships in my life and more aware of the joy they bring to my life rather than what they bring to the table."
—Anonymous
14. "Not my mom, but my best friend’s mom. 'It’s better to spread love and risk being judged than to be [quiet and accepted].'"
—Anonymous
15. "'Mija, you're strong. You’re a survivor. You’re your mother’s daughter!' [If] I hear her say this in my mind, then I know I can face anything."
—Nancy Hills, Facebook
16. "Hate is the worst thing you can hold on to, because it hurts you the most."
—Anonymous
17. "'Puerco enlodado nunca quiere estar solo' — the American equivalent [is], 'Misery loves company.'"
"If you are spending time with people who are up to no good, eventually you will be too. Just stay away from people who can’t make good decisions unless you want to be like them too."
—Anonymous
18. "'Lo que es para ti, nadie te lo puede quitar' — 'What’s meant for you, no one can take away.' I’m pretty sure this was about me not getting a job I applied to and her way of letting me know that’s not what life had in store for me."
"It’s just a comforting thing to hear when you don’t get something you really wanted in life."
—Anonymous
19. "My Mexican mom used to tell me to not judge people. 'You point one finger, you’ll get three pointed right back at you.'"
—Nubia Chavez, Facebook
20. "The best advice my mom ever gave me was back in elementary school when she told me, 'If you work hard now in school, you won’t have to work harder later in life.' And after a lifetime of school and completing four years of university, that advice has stuck with me."
—Anonymous
21. And finally, "Don’t be a pendeja."
—Marilyn Rodriguez, Facebook
Note: Submissions have been edited for length and clarity.