Browse 570 Kalanga proverbs by their first letter. Read the wording and the explanations supplied in the collection.
Browse the collection
Compiled and edited by Ndzimu-unami Emmanuel Moyo. The original collection includes English renderings for some proverbs and Kalanga explanations for others. Source numbers are retained for reference.
52 proverbs under B. Showing 21–40.
Proverb #34
Bhadza gulu lo piwa nlimi, kuli lipa simbe inoyezela nalo
Literal English rendering
The big hoe / plough should be given to a farmer if given to a lazy person, he sleeps with it
English meaning
Major responsibilities should be given to a competent person and not to somebody who lacks ability
The smoke from the meat being roasted does not irritate the eyes of the person who is roasting
English meaning
An inconvenience is tolerable if it is expected that at the end there will be something to gain. A boy will endure (bare) all painful Inconveniences by a girl as long as he hopes that his proposal will eventually be accepted
Somebody with an inclination towards violence often meets death related to violence. (Those who live by the sword will die by the sword / as a man live, so shall he die)
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