Ukurasa (Page): wa Kwanza (1) wa Pili(2) wa Tatu(3) wa Nne(4)
For full listing of proverbs, visit the listing

Methali: MSTAHIMILIVU HULA MBIVU
Meaning: A patient man will eat ripe fruits.
Application: Patience pays/patience will be rewarded.

Methali: MTAKA CHA MVUNGUNI SHARTI AINAME
Meaning: He who requires what is under the bed must stoop for it.
Application: Hard work pays and nothing comes for free in life/you have to do whatever is necessary in order to achieve a goal).

Methali: MTAKA YOTE HUKOSA YOTE
Meaning: He who desires all, misses all.
Application: Grasp all, lose all. Do not try to achieve too many goals at once.

Methali: MTOTO AKILILIA WEMBE MPE
Meaning: When a child cries for a razor, give it to him/her
Application: A burnt child dreads fire. Children learn from experience/or what they live.

Methali: MTUMAI CHA NDUGU HUFA YUNGALI MASIKINI
Meaning: One who looks to his brother for his maintenance will die a destitute.
Application: Financial security/prosperity in life is earned and not inherited.

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Methali: MWENYE KELELE HANA MANENO
Meaning: A noisy person is harmless.
Application: Much cry little wolf; or His bark is worse than his bite.

Methali: MWENYE NGUVU MPISHE
Meaning: Let a strong man pass.
Application: Brain is better than a brawl. Give way to a strong person. You cannot fight those who are stronger than you.

Methali: NGOJA! NGOJA! HUUMIZA MATUMBO
Meaning: Wait a minute! Wait a minute! harms the stomach.
Application: Time and tide waits for no man. Procrastination can ruin job performance.

Methali: NJIA YA MWONGO NI FUPI
Meaning: The way of a liar is short (i.e. he soon comes to grief).
Application: Short cuts are dangerous in life. Honesty is important in life.

Methali: SIKU ZA MWIZI NI AROBAINI
Meaning: A thief’s days are forty.
Application: You cannot fool everyone. You cannot play tricks forever, sooner or later you will be caught.