Methali za Kiswahili
Discover the wisdom of East Africa through traditional Swahili proverbs
🌟 Proverb of the Day
Meaning: He who is not in sight, is not in the heart
Context: Out of sight, out of mind
Meaning: He who is absent loses his share
Context: Presence is necessary to claim one's due
Meaning: Even he who has not many troubles has a few
Context: Everyone has some problems
Meaning: He who does not listen to his elder's advice comes to grief
Context: Disregarding wise counsel leads to trouble
Meaning: He who does not listen to an elder's advice gets his leg broken
Context: Ignoring advice results in harm
Meaning: He who does not ask questions has nothing to learn
Context: Curiosity leads to knowledge
Meaning: He who wanders around a lot by day, he knows
Context: Experience brings wisdom
Meaning: The one who allocates the tasks is not the son of the Livali
Context: Authority is not always inherited
Meaning: A sick person is cared for
Context: The ill receive attention
Meaning: He who is naked squats low
Context: Shame leads to humility
Meaning: The one that is famous in the sea is the shark; but then, there are many others
Context: Do not overlook others in the presence of a prominent figure
Meaning: Peace cannot be secured save at the point of the sword
Context: Sometimes strength is necessary to maintain peace
Meaning: The patient one eats ripe fruit
Context: Patience pays off in the end
Meaning: Haste has no blessing
Context: Rushing things often leads to problems
Meaning: He who is not taught by his mother will be taught by the world
Context: Parents should teach their children well
Meaning: A guest for two days, on the third day give him a hoe
Context: Don't let guests overstay their welcome
Meaning: One farmer cannot survive alone
Context: Cooperation is essential for success
Meaning: Slowly slowly is the way to go
Context: Take your time to do things properly
Meaning: A hungry person has no manners
Context: Desperation can make people act inappropriately
Meaning: He who chooses a hoe is not a farmer
Context: A real farmer uses whatever tool is available