IZAGA: ZULU PROVERBS

Ingane engakhali ifela embelekweni

“A child who does not cry dies in the cradle”

Speak up if you want to be heard or helped.

Uncukubili

“Two-faced”

A deceitful or hypocritical person.

Ukhala izinyembezi zengwenya

“Crying crocodile tears”

Showing false sorrow or insincere grief.

Isikhuni sibuya nomkhwezeli

“The firebrand returns with the fire-stoker”

You reap what you sow; your actions have consequences.

Akukho qili lazikhotha emhlane

“No cunning person has licked their own back”

You won't get away with tricking people forever.

Inja iyawaqeda amanzi ngolimi

“A dog finishes the water with its tongue”

Patience and persistence eventually lead to success.

Ixoxo lixoxela elinye

“A frog tells a story to another frog”

Gossip spreads quickly from person to person.

Ugeza izandla

“To wash one's hands”

To clear oneself of blame or responsibility.

Ukukhomba ngophakathi

“To point with the middle finger”

To show disrespect or contempt.

Amaqili awathengani

“Cunning people do not buy from each other”

Tricksters cannot easily deceive one another.

Isisu somhambi asingakanani

“A traveler's stomach is not that big”

A guest requires only modest hospitality.

Ungaqali ingoma ungayazi

“Do not start a song you do not know”

Don't start something you can't finish.

Umuntu ngumuntu ngabantu

“A person is a person through other people”

Your humanity is recognized and developed through community.

Izandla ziyagezana

“Hands wash each other”

Mutual assistance and cooperation benefit everyone.

Inkunzi isematholeni

“The bull is among the calves”

The future leaders lie within the youth.

Indlela ibuzwa kwabaphambili

“The way is asked from those who have walked before”

Seek advice from elders or those with experience.

Inyoni yakha isidleke ngoboya benye

“A bird builds its nest with another bird's feathers”

We succeed with the help and resources of others.

Isigila sendwangu sishaya umniniso

“A baboon's stick strikes its owner”

Harmful intentions often backfire on the instigator.

Ubukhosi ngamazolo

“Chiefship is like dew”

Power and status are temporary and fleeting.

Ukhuni luzala umlotha

“A log gives birth to ashes”

A strong or successful parent may have an unexceptional child.

Uthando lungaphezu kwakho konke

“Love is above all else”

Love conquers all boundaries.

Insimbi igotshwa ngokufakwa emlilweni

“Iron is forged by putting it in the fire”

Adversity and hardship build strong character.

Akukho mango ongenaliba

“No hillside without a grave”

Death is an unavoidable part of life everywhere.

Kuhlwile phambili kusile emuva

“It is dark ahead, it is light behind”

Things may look bleak now, but better days have been and will come again.

Ilanga likhipha inhlazi emanzini

“The sun brings the fish out of the water”

Truth will eventually come to light.

Ithemba alibulali

“Hope does not kill”

It is always good to stay hopeful.

Kusa kusa

“It dawns and it dawns”

Every day brings a new opportunity.

Libunjwa liseva

“Clay is molded while it is wet”

Teach or correct someone while they are still young or willing to learn.

Ukuhamba kukufunda

“To travel is to learn”

Experience is the best teacher.

Ulaka alwakhi muzi

“Anger does not build a home”

Rage destroys rather than creates.

Isalakutshelwa sibona ngomopho

“One who refuses to be told learns through bleeding”

Stubbornness leads to painful consequences.

Iqaqa alizizwa ukunuka

“A polecat does not smell its own stink”

People rarely recognize their own faults.

Umenziwa akakhohlwa, kukhohlwa umenzi

“The victim does not forget, the perpetrator forgets”

Pain caused is remembered longer by the one hurt.