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