Methali za Kiswahili

Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Swahili proverbs

🌟 Proverb of the Day

Zimwi likijualo, halikuli likakwisha
A demon that knows you will not eat you completely
An adversary who has some respect or familiarity with you may not destroy you utterly

Meaning: The path of a liar is short

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

Meaning: A regularly used path needs no signpost

Context: A familiar or habitual action requires no explanation

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 cow is not burdened by its own hump

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

Meaning: Constant rubbing of a rope will cut a stone

Context: Persistence and continuous effort overcome great obstacles

Meaning: Where there are many people, there is God

Context: The voice of the people is the voice of God

Meaning: Where there are many people, there is much (to be said)

Context: A crowd generates many ideas and opinions

Meaning: Where there are elders, nothing goes wrong

Context: The guidance of experience prevents mistakes

Meaning: Where there is finery, there is the snare

Context: Temptation and danger often lie where there is beauty or wealth

Meaning: Where there's a will, there's a way

Context: Determination finds a solution

Meaning: Where there are plenty of trees, there are no builders

Context: An abundance of resources can sometimes lead to inaction

Meaning: Where you have an enemy, you will not lack a friend

Context: For every adversary, there is a supporter

Meaning: Where there are experts, there is no lack of learners

Context: Skill attracts those who wish to learn

Meaning: Where there are many chickens, millet is not scattered

Context: Do not share a secret where there are many people

Meaning: A good place you don't visit is a good place; if you visit too often, it's no longer good

Context: Familiarity breeds contempt; outstay your welcome and you will wear out your welcome

Meaning: Scabies are given to the one who has no fingernails

Context: Misfortune befalls those least equipped to deal with it

Meaning: You do not know the faults of a house you have not slept in

Context: You cannot truly understand someone's difficulties unless you are in their situation

Meaning: Your own bad place is better than your friend's good place

Context: There's no place like home

Meaning: A mud hut cannot withstand heavy blows

Context: A weak foundation or system cannot endure serious challenges

Meaning: Your own small place is not like your friend's large place

Context: A poor thing but mine own