Methali za Kiswahili

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Swahili proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Lisilokuwapo moyoni halipo machoni
That which is not in one's heart is not in one's eye-sight
We notice what we care about

Meaning: "Wait! Wait!" harms the stomach

Context: Procrastination causes problems or missed opportunities

Meaning: A cow is not burdened by its own hump

Context: One is not troubled by their own inherent characteristics or possessions

Meaning: When a bull breaks its leg, it returns to its yard

Context: In times of trouble, one returns to a place of safety or familiarity

Meaning: A regularly used path needs no signpost

Context: A familiar or habitual action requires no explanation

Meaning: The path of a liar is short

Context: A liar's deceit is quickly uncovered, leading to their downfall

Meaning: I anointed you with kohl, and you anoint me with pepper in return

Context: I did you a kindness, and you repay me with harm

Meaning: I ate honey in my childhood, and the sweetness is still in my tooth

Context: Pleasant childhood memories linger for a long time

Meaning: Help me during the rainy season, and I will help you during the dry season

Context: One good turn deserves another

Meaning: A good intention is like a doctor; a bad intention ruins

Context: Good will leads to good outcomes, and bad will leads to destruction

Meaning: Stretch the hide while it is still wet

Context: Strike while the iron is hot

Meaning: A drum that is sounded loudly will soon split

Context: Anything pushed to its limits will break quickly

Meaning: A drum that is beaten loudly does not last long

Context: Excessive noise or showiness is not sustainable

Meaning: One rotten coconut spoils the whole heap

Context: A bad individual can corrupt a whole group

Meaning: For one who is accustomed to taking, giving is a battle

Context: A selfish person finds it very hard to be generous

Meaning: He who is used to strangling cannot slaughter

Context: Some people prefer or are conditioned to doing things the hard way

Meaning: The process of eating is not taught to a child

Context: Some things are learned naturally, not through teaching

Meaning: With too many captains, the ship goes astray

Context: Too many cooks spoil the broth

Meaning: Let us see first, then we can speak; hearing is not seeing

Context: Seeing is believing

Meaning: A brother is like a cooking pot, a neighbor is like the lid

Context: Both family and neighbors are essential and complementary

Meaning: When brothers quarrel, take a hoe and go dig; when they reconcile, take a basket and go harvest

Context: Do not interfere in a family dispute; remain neutral and focus on your own work