Methali za Kiswahili
Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Swahili proverbs
🌟 Proverb of the Day
Meaning: To aim is not to hit
Context: Intention does not guarantee success
Meaning: It is no trouble to eat a king-fish, the trouble lies in washing it
Context: Enjoyment is easy; preparation is hard
Meaning: Where there is a formal mourning, has died a person
Context: Ceremonies indicate significant events
Meaning: The timid crow withdraws its wings from harm
Context: The cautious avoid danger
Meaning: Climb a thorn tree, but coming down again is a dance
Context: Getting into a difficult situation is easier than getting out
Meaning: To lose the way is to learn the way
Context: Mistakes teach valuable lessons
Meaning: Charity is a matter of the heart and not of the pocket
Context: Generosity is about intent, not wealth
Meaning: Old rust is for the stranger
Context: Guests are offered the best, even if it is old
Meaning: If after pounding I eat no flour, I withhold my pestle
Context: If not rewarded, one withdraws effort
Meaning: Cooling the tongs is not the end of forging
Context: A pause does not mean the end of work
Meaning: With a timid person goes laughter, with a bold person goes wailing
Context: Caution avoids disaster; bravery sometimes leads to it
Meaning: To run is not necessarily to arrive
Context: Speed does not guarantee success
Meaning: Where there are trees, there are no builders
Context: Abundance of one resource may indicate lack of another
Meaning: Nine is near to ten
Context: Almost there is not the same as there
Meaning: To every child his own neck ornament
Context: Everyone has their own preferences
Meaning: Every door has its own key
Context: Different problems require different solutions
Meaning: Every vessel has its own waves
Context: Everyone has their own way of doing things
Meaning: That which eats you up is your clothes
Context: Sometimes our possessions cause us trouble
Meaning: That which is fashionable in town is never prohibited
Context: Popular practices are often accepted
Meaning: One finger cannot kill a louse
Context: Cooperation is needed for certain tasks