Ndebele proverbs

Proverbs of the Ndebele language of Zimbabwe. Proverbs from all Ndebele speaking parts of the world.

Sourced

• Amajodo awela abangelambiza.
  • Translation: Fortune favours the foolish.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 150.

• Kwabo kagwala akulasililo.
  • Translation: Discretion is better than valour.
  • Meaning: Being prudent is better than to merely be courageous
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 151.

• Ikhotha eyikhothayo.
  • Translation: It [the cow] licks the one which licks it.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, Ndebele proverbs and other sayings, Mambo Press, Gweru (1977), p. 29.

• Inhlanhla kayiphindwa kabili.
  • Translation: Fortune never comes twice.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 152.

• Inotho ngamazolo.
  • Translation: Wealth is short-lived.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 153.

• Inyembezi zendoda zehlela esifubeni.
  • Translation: Men try to hide their sorrow.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 154.

• Iqhawe lifela ebuqhaweni balo.
  • Translation: The way a man dies is determined by his occupation.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 152.

• Sithi singalamba sidle utshani.
  • Translation: Necessity knows no law.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 153.

• Umthombo kawugqitshelwa.
  • Translation: Do not abuse the hospitality of others.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 151.

• Umuntu abozinuka amakhwapha.
  • Translation: Each man must recognize his faults.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 154.

• Undawyi ufa lensiba zakhe.
  • Translation: Virtue is not lost with age.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 150.