Methali library
Swahili proverbs, woven.
Forty-two classic sayings from the Swahili coast, each with a literal translation, a meaning, and a kanga of its own. Meaning pending native-speaker review
Haraka haraka haina baraka
Hurry, hurry has no blessing.
Pole pole ndio mwendo
Slowly, slowly is the way to travel.
Haba na haba hujaza kibaba
Little by little fills the measure.
Bandu bandu huisha gogo
Chip by chip finishes the log.
Mvumilivu hula mbivu
The patient one eats the ripe fruit.
Subira huvuta heri
Patience draws good fortune.
Penye nia pana njia
Where there is intent, there is a path.
Umoja ni nguvu, utengano ni udhaifu
Unity is strength, division is weakness.
Kidole kimoja hakivunji chawa
One finger cannot crush a louse.
Mkono mmoja haulei mwana
One hand cannot raise a child.
Mtoto umleavyo ndivyo akuavyo
As you raise a child, so the child grows.
Udongo uwahi ungali maji
Shape the clay while it is still wet.
Asiyefunzwa na mamaye hufunzwa na ulimwengu
Whoever is not taught by their mother is taught by the world.
Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone
Guest, come, so the host may prosper.
Mti mkuu ukigwa, wana wa ndege huyumba
When the great tree falls, the young birds are unsettled.
Hakuna marefu yasiyo na ncha
There is nothing long that has no end.
Kila ndege huruka na mbawa zake
Every bird flies with its own wings.
Ukiona vyaelea, vimeundwa
If you see things floating, someone built them.
Mpanda ngazi hushuka
Whoever climbs the ladder also comes down.
Mwenda pole hajikwai
The one who walks gently does not stumble.
Kupotea njia ndiko kujua njia
Losing the way is how you learn the way.
Kuishi kwingi ni kuona mengi
To live long is to see much.
Siku njema huonekana asubuhi
A good day shows itself in the morning.
Dalili ya mvua ni mawingu
The sign of rain is clouds.
Mapenzi ni kikohozi, hayafichiki
Love is a cough; it cannot be hidden.
Mpende akupendaye
Love the one who loves you.
Usiache mbachao kwa msala upitao
Do not abandon your old mat for a passing prayer rug.
Akufaaye kwa dhiki ndiye rafiki
The one who helps you in hardship is your friend.
Kila chombo kwa wimbile
Every vessel with its own wave.
Kila mlango na ufunguo wake
Every door has its own key.
Usipoziba ufa utajenga ukuta
If you don't fill the crack, you will build a wall.
Maji yakimwagika hayazoleki
Spilt water cannot be gathered up.
Heri kujikwaa kidole kuliko kujikwaa ulimi
Better to stumble with the toe than with the tongue.
Akili ni nywele, kila mtu ana zake
Wisdom is like hair; everyone has their own.
Fimbo ya mbali haiui nyoka
A distant stick does not kill the snake.
Mwenye macho haambiwi tazama
One who has eyes need not be told to look.
Mchagua jembe si mkulima
The one who is choosy about the hoe is no farmer.
Mtaka cha mvunguni sharti ainame
Whoever wants what is under the bed must bend down.
Chovya chovya humaliza buyu la asali
Dip after dip empties the gourd of honey.
Kamba hukatikia pabovu
A rope snaps at its weakest point.
Kizuri chajiuza, kibaya chajitembeza
A good thing sells itself; a bad one has to be hawked.
Jifya moja haliinjiki chungu
One hearthstone cannot hold up the cooking pot.