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Matukirwo ababa kunema mwana

ENGLISH EXPLANATION

A person who wishes to make a complaint against an elder, occasionally reprimands a child in the presence of the elder. The latter may then realise that the remark is actually directed against him. The proverb recommends the wisdom of being rather indirect in criticising elders who easily take offence.

Tenda muchero wadya zvinotenza mwoyo

ENGLISH EXPLANATION

We should only believe in someone’s plans when they have materialized. The proverbs counsel against childish credulity ‘Do not count your chickens before they are hatched

Ateyera mariva murutsva haachatyi mhapa kusviba ENGLISH EXPLANATION

Once you have given yourself to an arduous task, you must not be deterred by any inconvenience. The proverbs praise courage and perseverance shown by a person engaged in some difficult work. They may also be used as a plain statement of fact in everyday circumstances. For instance, a mechanic must necessarily put up with grease and dirt. Also generally, a man must take the consequences of his actions.

N’ai kwadzo ndedzomucheche dzomukuru dzinoreva kudya
ENGLISH EXPLANATION

A child will always ask something in a direct way, but an adult often hints or makes an indirect approach to what he wants. A person in debt will go to a neighbour and relate at length his problems in self-pity. This implies that he wants to borrow to square his debt (chikwerete).

Mupanje wekunze unodzivirira iri mukati. ENGLISH EXPLANATION

Don’t reveal family quarrels or secrets to outsiders. Otherwise people might take advantage of it to the detriment of your family. The proverb can also refer to a guardian, chief or parent whose duty it is to protect his people against intruders.

Kurova mbira kurova bako. ENGLISH EXPLANATION

Know the ladders leading to advancement and prosperity. This proverb is used, for instance, when a child wants something it greatly desires from its father; the surest approach is through the mother.

Kureva ndokunei kutarisa kurevawo. ENGLISH EXPLANATION

A glance of the eye may be more eloquent than an utterance of the mouth. For example, in the presence of guests, the mother prefers to chide a child by giving him a sharp look of disapproval. Guests would feel ill at ease if she were to scold the child in words.