750. Njuki ndiri mboora igiri Literal translation: The bee has not got two stings. Contextual note: The proverb is told to greedy people, who when given something are not satisfied and want more. English equivalent: Much wants more. 751. Njuguma ya njamba ithukagirio ugeni-ini Literal translation: A strong mans club is tested by foreigners. Contextual note: The proverb means that it is foreigners who actually test the strength of a man, for they dare measure themselves with him. Whilst the people who live with him, judging his strength as a thing beyond any doubt, are afraid of testing it. English equivalent: The proof of a pudding is in the eating. 752. Njuku irugite ruui ruiyuru Literal translation: Slander is worse than a river in flood. English equivalent: The most dangerous of wild beasts is a slanderer, of tame ones a flatterer 753. Njuku ni migathi ya itonga Literal translation: Calumnies are (as plentiful as) rich peoples beads. 754. Nyamu nguru ndihatagwo maai Literal translation: An old ox is not refused water. English equivalent: Old age is honourable. 755. Nyama njuru iroragwo na kanua Literal translation: Bad meat is tasted with the mouth. English equivalent: The proof of the pudding is in the eating. 756. Nyamacucu, kanua ni koinagirwo ithigi Literal translation: Woman, remember that the mouth is sometimes covered with a branch. English equivalent: A woman cannot keep a secret. 757. Nyanja imwe nditiragia itega One gourd (of beer) does not stop the gift. Contextual note: The Kikuyu used to send their relations and friends presents of native beer in gourds. The proverb means that the breaking of one gourd in transit does not prevent the delivery of the others. 758. Nyanja nguhi nditegaga Literal translation: A short gourd (of beer) is not give as a present. English equivalent: A slight gift small thanks. 759. Nyeki ya nja ndirikaga Literal translation: The grass of the courtyard is not eaten. Contextual note: The proverb means that oxen do not eat the grass growing near their pen, for they know it has been fertilized by their droppings. But the oxen which come from another pen and have no reason for loathing such good pasture feed on it with delight. The proverb is applied to the girls who ordinarily are not loved by young men of their village, to whom the girls of other places look handsomer. English equivalent: Never a prophet was valued in his own country.
Posted on: Tue, 09 Sep 2014 17:35:21 +0000
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