Ndebele proverbs

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

Quotes

• Amajodo awela abangelambiza.
  • Translation: Fortune favours the foolishness
  • 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.

• Ubukhosi 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 lotshani.
  • 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.
  • Closest English equivalent: Each man is his own worst enemy.
  • As quoted in Rev. J.N. Pelling, A Practial Ndebele Dictionary, Longman Zimbabwe, Harare (1994), p. 154.

• Udwayi 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.

• Udiwo lufuz' imbiza
  • Translation: Like mother like daughter
  • As quoted in P. Moyo, Izaga lomdabuko wazo.

• • Sobohla Manyosi
• Imbuz' igudl' iguma
  • Translation: The talk that comes indirectly to an individual
  • As quoted in P. Moyo, Izaga lomdabuko wazo.

• • Akuqili lazikhoth' emhlane
  • Zimbila zantabanye
  • Yingwe lenja
  • Okwakuyiziziba sokungamazibuko
  • Zonelwa mvu-yinye
  • Hamba juba bazakucutha phambili
  • Uthango ludla amakhomane
  • Oluzulayo luyadobha
  • Kusinwa kudedelwana
  • Chith' amanzi inkukhu ilahlekile
  • Ikhoth' eyikhothayo

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