Achekaye kovu hajaona jeraha. Translation: One who laughs at a scar hasn't seen a wound. Meaning: Don't insult what someone does if you don't fully understand the root of their actions. Adhabu ya kaburi aijua maiti. Translation: The torment of the grave is known only by the dead. Meaning: Only the one in trouble knows the full measure of his situation. Adui aangukapo mnyanyue. Translation: When your enemy falls down, pick him up. Meaning: By our shared humanity we are compelled to help those in trouble, be they friend or enemy. Adui ya mtu ni mtu. Translation: The enemy of a person is a person. Meaning: Most of our problems are caused by other people. Such is the nature of society. Afya ni bora kuliko mali. Translation: Health is better than wealth. Meaning: All the possessions in the world can not compare to the blessing of a healthy body. Ajabu ya shingo kukataa kulala kitandani. Translation: It is astonishing for the neck to refuse to lie down on the bed. Meaning: Something odd is happening when someone who normally loves something denies any interest in it. Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake. Translation: Intelligence is like hair, everyone has their own type. Meaning: The types of intelligence amongst the minds of humanity are as varied as the types of hair. Aliyekutweka ndiye atakayekutua. Translation: One who lifts the load onto your head is indeed the one who will lift it off. Meaning: One who plants the tree will water it or God created you and will look after you. Anayekueleza ya wengine atawaeleza mengine ya kwako. Translation: One who tells you about someone else's business will tell someone else about your's. Meaning: A gossip isn't a good friend. Aninyimaye mbazi kanipunguzia mashuzi. Translation: He who denies me beans rids me of farts. Meaning: One who refuses your request for help prevents you from accumulating debt. Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu. Translation: He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world. Meaning: If you don't heed the lessons your parents teach you, you will suffer the lessons under the cruel tutelage of life. Asiyejua kufa na atazame kaburi. Translation: One who does not know death should look at a grave. Meaning: We should learn from the mistakes of others. Asiyekunywa kwenye chemchemi hunywa kwenye mto. Translation: He who doesn't drink from the spring will drink from the river. Meaning: If you can't get what you want you'll take whatever you can get. Asiyekuwepo machoni na moyoni hayupo. Translation: One who is not in your eyes is not in your heart. Meaning: You forget about the people you don't see on a regular basis. The opposite of "Absence makes the heart grow fonder." Asiyeona aibu zake asione za mwenziwe. Translation: He who doesn't see his own failings should not see those of his fellow man. Meaning: Don't criticize someone else's faults when you have them too. See: Matthew 7:5. Atekaye maji mtoni asitukane mamba. Translation: One who draws water at the river shouldn't curse the crocodile. Meaning: Don't insult the people whose help you will need later (or at least the people that you want to not destroy you). Avumaye baharini papa kumbe wengine wapo. Translation: The most famous creature in the ocean is the shark, but it is not the only fierce creature there. Meaning: Don't blame one evil person for your troubles, there are lots of bad people in the world. Or, don't be afraid of doing something just because someone else might do it better. Badiliko kwa mjukuu uanze na babu. Translation: Change in the grandchild begins with the grandfather. Meaning: Change happens slowly. If you desire to truly make a change you must start early. Bahati ikipiga hodi ni lazima ufungue mlango mwenyewe. Translation: When good fortune knocks you have to open the door yourself. Meaning: When you're given an opportunity you must take it without fear or hesitation. Bahari haivukwi kwa kuogolea. Translation: The ocean can't be crossed by swimming. Meaning: Some things just can't be done by relying only on your own efforts. Bahari iliko ndiko mito iendako. Translation: Rivers flow to the sea that is there. Meaning: Wealth flows to the wealthy. Banda likikushinda jenga kibanda. Translation: If you can't build a hut, build a lean-to. [Note: kibanda is the diminutive form of banda and both have multiple meanings.] Meaning: If you can't solve the big problems at least work on the little ones. Bata mtaga mayai usimchinje kwa tamaa ya wengi. Translation: Don't slaughter a duck that's hatching eggs if you want more ducks. Meaning: Don't destroy the good things that you have if you want more in the future. Bila silaha usiingie vitani. Translation: Don't go to war without weapons. Meaning: Don't begin a project without the proper tools. Chaka la simba halilali nguruwe. Translation: A pig doesn't sleep in the lion's thicket. Meaning: The weak don't hang around in a powerful person's territory. Cha mlevi huliwa na mgema. Translation: The money of the drunkard is eaten by the palm wine tapper. Meaning: Whenever a drunk gets a little money it is soon in the hands of the wine seller. An exhortation to be thrifty and not run after short-lived pleasures. Chombo hakiendi ikiwa kila mtu anapiga makasia yake. Translation: The vessel doesn't go if everyone rows in their own way. Meaning: In order to get anything done a group of people must work together. Chovya chovya humaliza buyu ya asali. Translation: Taste by taste empties the honey jar. Meaning: A small drain on a limited resource will finish it eventually. Chui naye ana mke. Translation: Even a leopard has a wife. Meaning: Everyone, even the worst person, has someone who loves and respects them. Chui hakumbatiwi. Translation: A leopard can't be hugged. Meaning: An enemy is an enemy. You shouldn't welcome them or treat them as friends. Chura huweza kumwua tembo. Translation: A frog can kill an elephant [by climbing up into its trunk]. Meaning: Small things are capable of doing great harm. Don't disregard them out of hand. Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu. Translation: Clouds are a sign of rain. Meaning: You can predict your success by watching for the right signs. Daraja livuke ulifikiapo. Translation: Cross the bridge when you reach it. Meaning: Don't worry about problems that haven't come up yet. Daraja ukilibomoa ujue kuogolea. Translation: If you destroy the bridge you'd better know how to swim. Meaning: If you intend to destroy something that is useful to you (a relationship, quit your job, etc.) you'd best be prepared to get along without it. Dawa kubwa ya hasira ni kuchelea. Translation: The greatest medicine for sadness is patience. Meaning: Being patient and thinking before you act is the best way to prevent sadness. Elimu maisha si vitabu. Translation: Education is life not books. Meaning: You can't learn everything you need to know from books. Some things you learn from living. Epuka wakusifuo siku zote. Translation: Avoid those who constantly praise you. Meaning: Sycophancy isn't true praise but rather a sign that someone wants something from you. Farasi hamuwawezi, tembo mtawalishani? Translation: If you can't feed a horse, how are you going to feed an elephant? Meaning: If you can't succeed at something simple, why would you try to do something more complicated? Fimbo ya mbali haiuwi nyoka. Translation: A distant stick won't kill a snake. Meaning: If you get into trouble don't rely on people who aren't present to help you; solve the problem on your own. Ganda la muwa la jana chungu kaona kivuno. Translation: In the discarded husk of yesterday's sugar cane the ant sees a harvest. Meaning: What is worthless to one is of great value to another. Gome la udi si la mnuka uvundo. Translation: The bark of a fragrant incense tree isn't like that of one that stinks. Meaning: If you surround yourself with bad people you will become like them. Haba na haba hujaza kibaba. Translation: Little by little fills the measure. Meaning: Slow and steady wins the race. Hakuna masika yasiyokuwa na mbu. Translation: There isn't a rainy season without mosquitos. Meaning: With anything good comes something that is bad. Haraka, haraka haina baraka. Translation: Hurry, hurry has no blessing. Meaning: Haste makes waste. Hatua ndefu hufupisha mwendo. Translation: A long stride shortens the journey. Meaning: One step at a time will get you to the end of a large task. Heri kufa macho kuliko kufa moyo. Translation: Better to go blind than to lose heart. Meaning: It is better to go blind than to lose your will to do anything. Heri kujikwaa kidole kuliko kujikwaa ulimi. Translation: Better to stumble over your toe than to stumble over your tongue. Meaning: It is better to stub your toe than to speak carelessly. Heri nitakula na nini kuliko nitakula nini. Translation: Better "what will I eat with" than "what will I eat". Meaning: It is better to have food and no fork than no food at all. Be grateful for the little you have. Heri ya mrama kuliko kuzama. Translation: Better to be tossed about than to sink. Meaning: It is better to suffer through small problems than to die completely. Ila ya kikwapa kunuka pasipo kidonda. Translation: The flaw of the armpit is that it stinks even though it is not a wound. Meaning: If the armpit stunk because it was a bad wound then it could be healed but its stink is an intrinsic fault. We can't help our small character flaws as they are an innate part of us. Iliyopita si ndwele, ganga ijayo. Translation: That which has passed isn't a sickness, heal that which shall come. Meaning: Don't spend your time worrying about what has already happened; pay attention to what is happening now. Imara ya jembe kaingoje shamba. Translation: The power of the hoe stays on the farm. Meaning: Don't believe the hype about something until you've actually seen it working in its element. Ipunguzwayo ni iliyojaa. Translation: That which is reduced is that which is full. Meaning: Those who have much are the ones who are targets. Isipokuwasha hujairamba. Translation: If it doesn't burn you, you haven't tasted it (hot pepper). Meaning: Don't listen to someone who objects to something they have no experience of. Jambo usilolijua ni kama usiku wa giza. Translation: A matter about which you know nothing is like a dark night. Meaning: You will not be able to easily comprehend things about which you know nothing. Jicho halina pazia. Translation: The eye doesn't have a curtain. Meaning: You can't draw a curtain across peoples' eyes. If you are doing something wrong and someone sees you it's not their fault but yours. Jogoo hulia "uta wangu u kule". Translation: The rooster crows "my bow is just over there" (to the chicken hawk). Meaning: Words without the actions to back them up are worthless. Jogoo wa shamba haiwiki mjini. Translation: The cock from the country doesn't crow in the city. Meaning: When someone who is familiar with one environment move to a different one they are no longer able to do things effectively. Kazi mbaya siyo mchezo mzuri. Translation: Bad work isn't good play. Meaning: Any work, even of the lowest kind, is more valuable than the best kind of playing. Kelele za chura hazimkatazi ng'ombe kunywa maji. Translation: The noise of a frog doesn't stop the cow from drinking water. Meaning: A person who wants help will ignore all the distractions and insults coming from the one they need the help from. Kelele za mwenye nyumba hazimkatazi mgeni kulala. Translation: The noise of the landlord doesn't prevent the tenant from sleeping. Meaning: A person who wants help will ignore all the distractions and insults coming from the one they need the help from. Kibuzi na kibuzi hununua jahazi. Translation: Small goat by small goat buys a ship. Meaning: By working for a small gain (e.g. selling a small goat) you only get a little way to your goal but eventually you will make it. Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa. Translation: One finger cannot kill a louse Meaning: Teamwork is important. Kilio huanza mfiwa ndipo wa mbali wakaingia. Translation: The bereaved begins the wailing so that those from afar can come and join in. Meaning: If you want others to help you you must begin by helping yourself. Kinyozi hajinyoi na akijinyoa hujikata. Translation: The barber doesn't cut his own hair and if he does he cuts himself. Meaning: No one is completely self sufficient; we all rely on each other. Kivuli cha fimbo hakimfichi mtu jua. Translation: The shade of a stick doesn't hide a person from the sun. Meaning: Someone with limited abilities (weak, poor, etc.) can't be depended on to protect others. Konzi ya maji haifumbatiki. Translation: A palm full of water can't be grasped. Meaning: Do not waste time trying to do that which is impossible. Kosa moja haliachi mke. Translation: One mistake isn't reason enough to leave your wife. Meaning: A single mistake should be met with forgiveness, not condemnation. Kucha Mungu si kilemba cheupe. Translation: Reverence for God isn't a white turban. Meaning: Worship should not be boastful. Kufa kikondoo ndiko kufa kiungwana. Translation: To die like a sheep is indeed a civilized death. Meaning: When goats are slaughtered they bleat and thrash around but when sheep are slaughtered they die stoically and without fuss. For a man to die like a sheep shows good breeding. Kufa kwa mdomo mata hutawanyika. Translation: The death of the mouth scatters spit. Meaning: When the head of a family or clan leaves or dies the clan scatters from lack of leadership to hold them together. Kumwashia taa kipofu ni kuharibu mafuta. Translation: Lighting a lantern for a blind person is a waste of kerosene. Meaning: Don't waste your time advising someone who doesn't have the wisdom to listen to your advice. Kuni ya juu uchaga hucheka iliyo motoni. Translation: Wood that is on top of the woodpile laughs at the wood in the fire. Meaning: Don't laugh at those in trouble because you never know when trouble will come your way. Kupata si kwa werevu na kukosa si ujinga. Translation: Bounty doesn't come from cleverness nor lack from stupidity. Meaning: God is the provider and everything comes from him, not from the efforts of man. Kusikia si kuona. Translation: Hearing isn't seeing. Meaning: Seeing is believing. Kutaataa siyo dawa ya kufa. Translation: Running about madly won't prevent death. Meaning: Acting busy and concerned won't fix a hopeless situation. La kuvunda halina ubani. Translation: The stench of something rotting can't be hidden with incense. Meaning: When something or someone is truly bad there is nothing that can hide that fact. Lililo moyoni ulimi huiba. Translation: The tongue steals what is in the heart. Meaning: A person can't help but to speak what they feel. Leo kwako, kesho kwa mwenzio. Translation: Today is yours, tomorrow is your friend's. Meaning: What ever you get today, blessing or curse, don't boast or complain too much because if you do, tomorrow you'll just have to listen to your friend doing the same. Maiti haulizwi sanda. Translation: A corpse isn't asked about the choice of shroud. Meaning: A person in trouble doesn't get to choose the kind of help they are offered. Maji ukiyavulia nguo huna budi kuyaoga. Translation: If you strip off your clothes by the water you have no choice but to bathe. Meaning: If you have been heading towards a goal, have prepared and finally arrived at the end, don't stop now. Finish what you have begun. Maji ya kifuu bahari ya chungu. Translation: The water in a coconut is an ocean to an ant. Meaning: What appears minor to you might seem enormous to someone else. Mapenzi ni kikohozi, hayawezi kufichika. Translation: Love is like a cough, it can't be hidden. Meaning: No matter how hard you try to hide it, your affection for another will be apparent to everyone. Mchezea mavi hayaachi kumnuka. Translation: One who plays with shit will stink like it. Meaning: If you stir up trouble you can't help getting involved in and damaged by it. Mchonga mwiko hukimbiza mkono wake. Translation: One who carves a spoon saves his hand (from a burn). Meaning: A man works towards his own profit. Mchuma juani hula kivulini. Translation: One who harvests in the sun eats in the shade. Meaning: Hard work now will pay off later. Meno ya mbwa hayaumani. Translation: A dog's teeth don't bite each other. Meaning: People of one tribe might quarrel but they will always come back together. Mfa maji haishi kutapatapa. Translation: One who is drowning doesn't stop struggling. Meaning: One who has a big problem won't rest until it is solved. Mficha uchi hazai. Translation: One who hides their nakedness can't give birth. Meaning: We should let our friends know our troubles so they can help us, even if that involves revealing something shameful. Mgema akisifiwa, tembo hulitia maji. Translation: If you praise the palm wine tapper he will water down the palm wine. Meaning: For some people, if you praise them they will begin to brag and boast, thus removing the cause of the praise. Mgomba haushindwi na mkunguwe. Translation: A banana tree isn't broken by it's stalk of bananas. Meaning: No one is given a burden that is too big for them to carry. Mjinga mpe kilemba utamwona mwendowe. Translation: Flatter a fool and you'll see how he goes. Meaning: A fool will seek to use flattery to deride his fellows while a wise man will accept it humbly. Mkono mmoja haulei mwana. Translation: One hand can't raise a child. Meaning: Two parents are necessary in order to raise a child well. Mkono mtupu haulambwi. Translation: The empty hand isn't licked. Meaning: You don't get help without providing something in return. Mkono usioweza kuukata, ubusu. Translation: Kiss the hand you can not cut. Meaning: Don't struggle against an opponent you can't hope to beat. Better to join with them and combine your abilities towards a common goal. Mla mbuzi hulipa ng'ombe. Translation: One who eats a goat will repay a cow. Meaning: If someone does a small favor for you, you will repay it with a larger favor. Mnywa maji kwa mkono mmoja, kiu yake i pale pale. Translation: One who drinks water with one hand remains thirsty. Meaning: If you focus your entire attention on the task at hand you will be more likely to complete it successfully, i.e. don't multi-task! Moto hauzai moto, huzaa jivu. Translation: Fire doesn't beget fire, it begets ashes. Meaning: Parents don't raise children exactly like themselves. Mpanda ngazi hushuka. Translation: One who climbs up a ladder climbs back down. Meaning: Whoever is on top will surely come down. Mpiga ngumi ukuta huumiza mkonowe. Translation: One who boxes with a wall hurts his hand. Meaning: One who goes looking for trouble shouldn't expect sympathy when he finds it. Mpofu hasahau mkongojo wake. Translation: A blind person doesn't forget his cane. Meaning: The truly important can't be forgotten / aren't forgotten. Msema kweli hukimbiwa na rafiki zake. Translation: One who always tells the truth is avoided by his friends. Meaning: Too much honesty can be bad. Mtafunwa na nyoka akiona unyasi hushtuka. Translation: One who has been bitten by a snake startles at a reed. Meaning: Someone who has been harmed once is forever cautious. Mtembezi hula miguu yake. Translation: An idle wanderer consumes his legs. Meaning: One who wanders aimlessly just tires out his legs without gaining any profit. Mtegemea nundu haachi kunona. Translation: One who lives on rich food gets fat. Meaning: He will prosper who has as his benefactors the rich and the wise. Mtego bila chambo hanasi. Translation: A trap without bait won't catch anything. Meaning: Don't expect to succeed at a task unless you have the expertise needed, Don't expect success without outlay. Mtoto akililia wembe, mpe. Translation: If a child cries for a razor blade, give it to him. Meaning: If someone doesn't know the dangerousness of something, let him go ahead and be hurt by it if he wants so he will understand. Mtumi wa kunga haambiwi maana. Translation: The one sent with the secret message isn't told its meaning. Meaning: If you send someone on an important errand, don't tell them what its importance is. Mvumilivu hula mbivu. Translation: The patient person eats the ripe fruit. Meaning: Patience will get you to your goal. Mvuvi ndiye ajuaye pweza alipo. Translation: The fisherman knows where the octopuses are. Meaning: Octopuses are hard to find so only those used to hunting them know where they are. If you are trying to do something difficult or find something or someone ask a specialist or someone with with wisdom specific to that thing. Mwenda pole hajikwai. Translation: One who goes slowly/carefully doesn't stumble. Meaning: Rushing through a task results in a shoddy product. Mwenye haja ndiye aendaye chooni. Translation: The one with the need is indeed the one who goes to the bathroom. Meaning: If you want to reap the reward you must put in the work yourself. Nadhari njia ya peponi. Translation: Good judgment is the road to paradise. Meaning: Wisdom in judgment is the secret of happiness. Nazi haishindani na jiwe. Translation: A ripe coconut can't compete with a stone. Meaning: A coconut is hard but not compared with the hardness of a stone. Don't compete out of your league. Ndege mjanja hunaswa kwa tundu bovu. Translation: A clever bird gets caught by a worthless trap. Meaning: A clever person can be tripped up by an idiot. It is possible to be "too smart" and forget or overlook what is blatantly obvious to everyone else. Ndoto haihadithiwi. Translation: A dream can't be told. Meaning: If you go around telling everyone of the great things you plan to do you will just be beset by naysayers and detractors. Ng'ombe wa maskini hazai mapacha. Translation: A poor man's cow doesn't give birth to twins. Meaning: Wealth begets wealth. The poor are doomed to remain poor. Nguo ya kuazima haisitiri matako. Translation: Borrowed clothes don't cover your rear. Meaning: Borrowed goods can be demanded back by the lender at any time. Get your own damn things. Njia ya mwongo fupi. Translation: The path of a liar is short. Meaning: The deceptions of a liar are uncovered quickly. Nyumba kubwa husitiri mambo makubwa. Translation: A large house hides large matters. Meaning: Where there are lots of people in one place there will be lots of things going on, both good and bad. Ogopa ni ngao pia. Translation: Fear is also a shield. Meaning: It is sometimes suitable to show fear as when blind bravado will serve no purpose but to get you killed (i.e. don't attack a lion barehanded when you run across one while you are unarmed!). Ombaomba huleta unyonge. Translation: Repeated begging leads to poverty/misery. Meaning: Living by begging off of others will lead to an inability to support yourself. Ondoa dari uezeke paa. Translation: Remove the ceiling and thatch the roof. Meaning: Do what is important first and leave the minor parts until later. Paka akiwa hakimu panya hawezi kushinda kesi. Translation: If a cat is the judge the rat can't win its case. Meaning: One can't expect the help of an enemy; Don't expect an enemy to be / be able to be impartial. Paka hashibi kwa wali, matilabaye ni panya. Translation: A cat isn't satisfied by rice, its desire is rat. Meaning: A person is only satisfied by their heart's desire. Penye nia, pana njia. Translation: Where there is a goal there is a path. Meaning: If you don't despair you will attain your goal. Radhi ni bora kuliko mali. Translation: A blessing is better than property. Meaning: Any one can obtain things but a blessing, as from your parents, must be earned and thus is priceless. Radhi ya wazee ni fimbo. Translation: The blessing of parents is a stick. Meaning: A firm hand raises a good child. Sahau ni dawa ya waja. Translation: Forgetting is humankind's medicine. Meaning: The ability to forget the worst of times allows the heart to heal. Shida haina hodi. Translation: Trouble doesn't knock. Meaning: You never know when trouble is going to show up. Shimo la ulimi mkono halifukiki. Translation: The hand can't cover the tongue's hole. Meaning: Actions can't change the damage done by words. Shoka la mgeni haliwezi kuimaliza kazi yako. Translation: A borrowed axe can't finish your work. Meaning: You can't expect to reach your goal by depending on others' possessions. Sikio halilali na njaa. Translation: The ear doesn't go to sleep hungry. Meaning: You can't go a day around people without hearing words, be they good or bad. Siku njema huonekana asubuhi. Translation: A good day is apparent in the morning. Meaning: It is clear from early on whether something or someone will turn out good or bad. For example, the character of a man can be seen in his manner as a child. Siku ya kufa nyani miti yote huteleza. Translation: The day a monkey is destined to die all trees become slippery. Meaning: You can't escape your fate. Siku utakayokwenda uchi ndiyo siku utakayokutana na mkweo. Translation: The day you decide to leave your house naked is the day you run into your in-laws. Meaning: One who is not in the habit of breaking the rules will be discovered the one time they do something wrong. Simba mwenda pole ndiye mla nyama Translation: The lion who goes slowly/cautiously eats meat. Meaning: One who goes about his business carefully reaches his goal. Sitaacha kula mkate kwa kuogopa kiungulia. Translation: I won't stop eating bread for fear of indigestion. Meaning: It makes no sense to stop a beneficial action on the basis of rumor and hearsay. Sitapiki nyongo harudi haramba. Translation: I don't vomit bile and then return to lick it up. Meaning: You shouldn't return to problems or people you have washed your hands of. Tabia ni ngozi ya mwili. Translation: Habit is the body's skin. Meaning: It is as impossible for a person to change their habits as it is for them to change their skin. Tamaa mbele, mauti nyuma. Translation: Desire first, death afterwards. Meaning: No one considers their own mortality when concentrating on achieving a particular goal. Tawi kavu kuanguka si ajabu. Translation: It is not surprising for a dry branch to fall. Meaning: The downfall of the weak or corrupt should not be a point of astonishment. Tunda jema halikawii mtini. Translation: A good fruit doesn't ripen on the tree. Meaning: A good person will be rewarded early. i.e. A girl with a good disposition will be married young. Ujana ni moshi. Translation: Adolescence is smoke. Meaning: Youth is transient, disappearing like smoke. Once dissipated it can never be brought back. Ukimwiga tembo kunya utapasuka mkundu. Translation: If you imitate an elephant defecating you'll burst your anus. Meaning: If you run with the big boys you're going to get hurt. Uking'wafua mnofu ukumbuke kuguguna mfupa. Translation: When you are snapping at boneless meat, remember gnawing on a bone. Meaning: One who has seen good fortune should not forget hard times. Ukistahi mke ndugu huzai naye. Translation: If you respect your wife like a friend you won't have children with her. Meaning: If you fear and respect a person from whom you need help, your fear will prevent you from receiving their help. Ukitaka salama ya dunia zuia ulimi wako. Translation: If you want world peace then hold your tongue. Meaning: If you want the world to be a peaceful place then stop talking trash about other people. Usiache mbachao kwa msala upitao. Translation: Don't give up your old prayer rug. Meaning: Don't toss away old things or friends for new shiny ones. Usimwamshe aliyelala, ukimwamsha utalala wewe. Translation: Don't wake he who is sleeping, if you wake him, you will sleep yourself. Meaning: Don't trust a fool with your private matters, if you do, you will be the fool! Usione simba kapigwa na mvua. Translation: You shouldn't look at a lion as it is being rained on. Meaning: Don't ridicule the powerful when their situation takes a turn for the worse. Usipoziba ufa, utajenga ukuta. Translation: If you don't fill a crack, you will build a wall. Meaning: If you ignore a small problem now it will only turn into a bigger problem later. Vita havina macho. Translation: War has no eyes. Meaning: Anything can happen in war; it doesn't discriminate between those who started it and those who just get caught up in it. Wapiganapo tembo wawili ziumiazo nyasi. Translation: When two elephants fight it's the grass that gets hurt. Meaning: When the rich and powerful contend with each other it is the weak and powerless who pay the price. Watetea ndizi mgomba si wao. Translation: They argue over the bananas but the banana plant belongs to someone else. Meaning: Don't waste your time arguing over matters that don't pertain to you. Yote yang'aayo si dhahabu. Translation: Everything that shines isn't gold. Meaning: External beauty doesn't mean that a thing has value. Zana za vita ni silaha. Translation: The tools of war are weapons. Meaning: You can't succeed at a task without the proper tools. Ziba mwanya usipite panya. Translation: Fill up the crack so the rat can't pass. Meaning: Fix small problems when they arise so they don't turn into large ones. Zunguo la mtukutu ni ufito. Translation: The exorcism for a mischievous child is a cane. Meaning: The cure for mischievous children is to beat them. Base is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply. See: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ Source: http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Swahili_proverbs#K