Gikuyu Proverbs M

M

352. Maaĩ maraitĩka matirĩ mũhĩtĩre

• • Literal translation: Spilt water has nobody to collect it.
  • English equivalent: It is no use crying over spilt milk.

353. Maaĩ mararu timo mahiũ

• • Literal translation: Lukewarm water is not hot water.

354. Maciara maingĩ nĩ mbĩrĩra nyingĩ

• • Literal translation: Many births mean many burials.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that in the family tree where there are many children one must expect many griefs too; and that people who run many businesses must also expect many reverses.
  • English equivalent: Much coin much care.

355. Mageria nomo mahota

• • Literal translation: Trials mean successes.
  • English equivalent: Where there is a will there is a way.

356. Maguta makũrũ matinaga rwĩmbo

• • Literal translation: Old fat sings no song.
  • Contextual note: This means that he who goes to dance does not anoint himself with rancid fat. The word 'fat' is used for 'beauty, youth'. The proverb means that old folks cannot have admirers as young ones; that old people cannot hope to have more children.
  • English equivalent: Water run by, will not turn a mill.

357. Maguta mambagio ũthiũ

• • Literal translation: The smearing begins on one's face.
  • Contextual note: Actually the Kikuyu who smear themselves very often, always begin the anointing on the face, and laugh at people who begin on any other part of the body.
  • English equivalent: There is a time and a way for all things.

358. Maheni marĩ mũtino

• • Literal translation: Lies are dangerous.
  • English equivalent: Liars have short wings.

359. Maheni ti thirĩ

• • Literal translation: Lies are no debt.

360. Maitho ma andũ matiendaga kĩndũ kĩhĩnju

• • Literal translation: Men's eyes do not like to see anything thin.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to children, oxen and goats.

361. Maitho ma arũme ti ma irang'a

• • Literal translation: Men's eyes are not the eyes of the 'irang'a'.
  • Contextual note: 'Irang'a' is an insect with very tiny eyes. The proverb means that the eyes of this insect see very little, while men's eyes see everything.

362. Maitho ma arũme ti mambo

• • Literal translation: Men's eyes are not like the 'mambo'.
  • Contextual note: 'Mambo' are the holes the Kikuyu make in the hides for fastening them to the ground when they dry them in the sun.

363. Maitho ma ciũra matigiragia ng'ombe inyue

• • Literal translation: The eyes of frogs do not prevent cattle from drinking.
  • English equivalent: Do what thou ought, let come what may.

364. Maitho maronana marĩ nduĩrĩro

• • Literal translation: The eyes which see each other are destined to see each other again.
  • English equivalent: Friendship increases by visiting friends.

365. Maithori ti rũthiomi

• • Literal translation: Tears are no language.
  • English equivalent: Tears, idle tears.

366. Marakara ma arũme matitũũraga ta ma aka

• • Literal translation: Men's anger does not last so long as women's.
  • English equivalent: Women are as prone to revenge injuries as men to forgive them.

367. Marakara ti gĩtei

• • Literal translation: Getting into rage means being proud.

368. Marĩ mbere matirutaga nyota

• • Literal translation: Run-by water does not quench the thirst.
  • English equivalent: Water run by, will not turn a mill.

369. Matarĩ maku mahĩtũkaga ũgĩkũnja itũma

• • Literal translation: The water that is not yours flows away while you are folding the 'itũma'.
  • Contextual note: 'Itũma' is the leaf of a kind of edible arum. Out of these large leaves the Kikuyu used to drink water.

370. Mathanwa marĩ kĩondo kĩmwe matiagaga gũkomorania

• • Literal translation: Many axes in one basket must hit against each other.

371. Matienda mwako mendaga mũrugũrio

• • Literal translation: Some people do not like the building of a hut, though they like the 'Mũrugũrio'.
  • Contextual note: 'Mũrugũrio' is a kind of dedication-ceremony held by the witch-doctor to solemnize the completion of a new hut. On such occassion the owner of the hut distributes beer to his relations and to the people who assisted him in the building.
  • English equivalent: There is scarcity of friendship but not of friends.

372. Matigana nomo moranwo

• • Literal translation: They who leave one another forget one another.
  • English equivalent: Out of sight, out of mind.

373. Matirũka nĩ maingĩ kũrũga magũa

• • Literal translation: Slips outnumber falls.
  • English equivalent: Every slip is not a fall.

374. Matukũ nĩ ngũrĩrĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: Days pass quickly.
  • English equivalent: Time fleeth away without delay.

375. Matukũ nĩ thĩgo

• • Literal translation: The days are a hurry, i.e. go quickly.
  • English equivalent: Time fleeth away without delay.

376. Matukũ ti ma kiumia

• • Literal translation: Not all days are sundays.
  • English equivalent: Christmas comes but once in a year.

377. Matumbĩ ma njamba matitũranaga

• • Literal translation: The eggs of males do not hatch each other.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means both that any man prefers living with a woman rather than another man, and that there ought not to be two people commanding in one home.
  • English equivalent: Two sparrows upon one ear of wheat cannot agree.

378. Maũndũ nĩ ndiganĩro

• • Literal translation: The important things are left in the locker.
  • Contextual note: In other words, they are not told to everybody.
  • English equivalent: Tell not all you know.

379. Mba yakwa ĩrĩhagwo na ĩngĩ

• • Literal translation: My stolen or damaged lamb must be replaced by another.
  • English equivalent: An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.

380. Mbaara ti ũcũrũ

• • Literal translation: War is not porridge.

381. Mbaaraya ya aka ndĩrĩ ng'ondu

• • Literal translation: Women's strife has no sheep.
  • Contextual note: According to the Kikuyu custom the one that wounds another in a quarrel must pay a sheep as a fine. The proverb means that in women's strifes nobody incurs such a fine, for their quarrels are usually words only.
  • English equivalent: Words are for women, actions for men.

382. Mbarĩ ya ngeka makorirwo matarĩ meka

• • Literal translation: They who said 'I shall do' became people who had done nothing.
  • English equivalent: Never leave that till tomorrow which you can today.

383. Mbĩa ĩminaga ndarwa na igutha

• • Literal translation: The mouse finishes the hide by gnawing.
  • English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.

384. Mbere ndĩriragwo ta thutha

• • Literal translation: The future is not so much regretted as the past.

385. Mbere nĩ gĩkeno thutha nĩ maithori

• • Literal translation: Tears follow joy.

386. Mbere no mbere thutha no mũgiano

• • Literal translation: Before is before: afterwards there is nothing but repining.
  • English equivalent: Resist the beginnings.

387. Mbogo nyingĩ itirĩ nyama

• • Literal translation: Many buffaloes are no meat.
  • English equivalent: If you run after two hares, you will catch neither.

388. Mbũĩ nyingĩ ndĩrĩ munge

• • Literal translation: A small flower has no smell.
  • English equivalent: A little barrel can give but little meal.

389. Mbũri ĩgucagio nĩ mũnyũ

• • Literal translation: The goat is attracted by salt.
  • English equivalent: The bait not the hook catches the fish.

390. Mbũri itiugagĩrwo mbu

• • Literal translation: No alarm is shouted for a goat (because it is not a dangerous beast).
  • English equivalent: Do not waste time and money on unworthy things.

391. Mbũri na kaana itirumagwo

• • Literal translation: The goat and the child are not insulted (because they cannot defend themselves).

392. Mbũri ya mai ndĩremaga

• • Literal translation: One can always find the goat to pay the penalty for having defecated in another's house.
  • Contextual note: According to Kikuyu customs he who defecates in another's house is liable to be fined a goat. The proverb means that he whoincurred such penalty will contrive to find the means to pay it.
  • English equivalent: Necessity sharpens industry.

393. Mbũri ya rwagatha ndĩkiraga

• • Literal translation: A chattering goat does not keep its tongue.
  • Contextual note: The word 'goat' is here used instead of 'people'.
  • English equivalent: A fool may ask more questions in an hour than a wise man can answer in seven years.

394. Mbũri yene mũitha nĩ gũtũ

• • Literal translation: The best part of another's goat is the ear.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that a stranger coming in when a slaughtered goat is distributed, must not expect to be given a choice morsel, but rather an inferior part like an ear. Metaphorically the proverb means that a prudent person keeps for himself and his family the best parts of anything instead of giving them away to his visitors and friends.

395. Mbũri ndĩa mũhu ndĩngĩrigaria

• • Literal translation: The goat which eats ashes does not hide its habit.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu live under the same roof as their animals. So if any goat forms the habit of leaving its place and coming to lick ashes at the fire, it will soon be discovered. In the same manner the vices of the wicked will soon be known.

396. Mbũri ngũrũ ndĩtihagĩra tũhũ

• • Literal translation: An old goat does not sneeze without cause.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that old folks speak the truth and do not speak without reason.
  • English equivalent: Old dogs bark not for nothing.

397. Mbũri ti marigũ

• • Literal translation: Goats are not bananas (which are given for nothing).
  • English equivalent: There are no pains without pains.

398. Mbũri ya ngĩa yaringĩrĩra no ũguo bata ũringagĩrĩra

• • Literal translation: When the poor man's goat is about to kid, then the need drops also.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that if a man rejoices because his goat is going to kid and so increase property, a sudden need might force him to sell his goat.
  • English equivalent: Count not your chickens before they be hatched.

399. Mbu ya arũme ĩtĩkagio nĩ athamaki

• • Literal translation: Men's alarm-shouts are answered by the elders.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that if the alarm is shouted only by women one can make light of it; but if the alarm is cried by men there exists a real danger. Metaphorically the proverb means that women cannot claim any right of discussing or giving evidence in court.
  • English equivalent: Let women spin and not preach.

400. Mbugi ndĩkĩrĩte mũriha

• • Literal translation: The bell needs its tongue.
  • Contextual note: In this proverb the word 'bell' means 'woman', and 'tongue' means 'man'.
  • English equivalent: Wives must be bad, be they good or bad.

401. Mburungo nyinyi ĩrĩ mũthiomeri ĩrũgĩte nene ĩtarĩ mũthiomeri

• • Literal translation: A trifle well presented becomes more precious than a thing of great value badly presented.
  • English equivalent: It is not the value of a gift that matters but the intentions of the giver.

402. Me haraya matirutaga nyota

• • Literal translation: A distant water does not quench one's thirst.

403. Menya wĩgerere ndũkore.

• • Literal translation: Be not too proud lest you ruin yourself.

401. Mburungo nyinyi ĩrĩ mũthiomeri ĩrũgĩte nene ĩtarĩ mũthiomeri

• • Literal translation: A trifle well presented becomes more precious than a thing of great value badly presented.
  • English equivalent: It is not the value of a gift that matters but the intentions of the giver.

402. Me haraya matirutaga nyota

• • Literal translation: A distant water does not quench one's thirst.

403. Menya wĩgerere ndũkore

• • Literal translation: Be not too proud lest you ruin yourself.

404. Mĩano ndĩtukanagio no kanua

• • Literal translation: The 'mĩano' cannot be confused, but the mouth can.
  • Contextual note: 'Mĩano' are the small gourds used by witch-doctors to contain the divining stones. The proverbs means that the divining stones cannot fail to tell the truth, though it may happen that the witch-doctor does not tell it.
  • English equivalent: God cures and the doctor takes the fee.

405. Mĩgambo nĩ mĩrukĩ ya ngoro

• • Literal translation: The words are the odour of the heart.
  • English equivalent: The tongue ever turns to the aching tooth.

406. Mĩgũgũta ĩrĩ ndĩambagĩrĩrio

• • Literal translation: Two hides are not laid out at the same time.
  • English equivalent: One cannot be in two places at once.

407. Mĩgũĩre ya ngũ na ya mĩgogo ti ĩmwe

• • Literal translation: The fall of branches and that of big trees are not the same.

408. Mĩhehũ yongagĩrĩrwo gũkunga

• • Literal translation: Speaking in a whisper is followed by hiding (in order to steal).
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that people who whisper are probably arranging something evil.
  • English equivalent: Beware of a silent dog and still water.

409. Mĩtheko ĩtarĩ gĩthimi yumaga kanua-inĩ ka irimũ

• • Literal translation: Laugh without measure comes out of fools' mouths.
  • English equivalent: The laughter of fools.

410. Mondo ti thegi

• • Literal translation: One's pocket is not a repository (in which all people can put their hands).
  • Contextual note: Pocket means in this case home affairs.
  • English equivalent: Scald not your lips in another man's pottage.

411. Mondo yene ndĩikagio njara

• • Literal translation: The hand has not to be put into another's pocket.
  • English equivalent: Scald not your lips in another man's pottage.

412. Mũbatari ndaconokaga

• • Literal translation: He who is in necessity does not feel ashamed (to ask for help).

413. Mũcakwe ũgũithagia njamba

• • Literal translation: A cob of maize can knock down a giant.
  • English equivalent: A small leak will sink a great ship.

414. Mũcangacangi onaga mĩguongo

• • Literal translation: It is he who travels that finds the tusk.
  • English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.

415. Mũcarĩ ũrutagwo ndũgũ-inĩ

• • Literal translation: Yaws is caught through friendship.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that just as the disease is contracted by contact with infected people, so bad habits are acquired by consorting with bad people.
  • English equivalent: Who keeps company with a wolf will learn how to howl.

416. Mũcaria ũngĩ ndamwagaga

• • Literal translation: He who looks for another must find him.
  • English equivalent: He who will seek may find.

417. Mũceera na mũkũndũ akũndũkaga taguo

• • Literal translation: He who walks with a mangy man becomes mangy.
  • English equivalent: He who keeps company with a wolf will learn to howl.

418. Mũciari arĩ tha

• • Literal translation: Parents are merciful.

419. Mũciari ndairagio ngoro nĩ kĩmira kĩa mwana wake

• • Literal translation: Parents do not feel sick when wiping the mucus from their child's nose.

420. Mũciari ndathikũragia igwa itina

• • Literal translation: Parents do not take away the earth that covers the root of the sugar cane.
  • Contextual note: As a good farmer does not uncover the roots of the sugar cane lest it may dry, so good parents have a limit also in punishing their children.

421. Mũciari nĩ etĩagĩra

• • Literal translation: Parents are proud of their chidren.

422. Mũciĩ ndwathagwo nĩ ũtawakire

• • Literal translation: The house is not ruled by him that did not build it.
  • English equivalent: Mind your own business.

423. Mũciĩ nĩ kũrarwo ũraragwo, ndũtindagwo.

• • Literal translation: The house is for sleeping in by night, not for staying in by day.
  • English equivalent: There is a time for all things.

424. Mũciĩ ũrĩ mbũri ndwagaga kĩhuno

• • Literal translation: The house which has goats does not lack miscarriages.
  • English equivalent: Who has land, has war.

425. Mũcingũ mũnene unaga hiti kũgũrũ

• • Literal translation: The strong smell (of roasting meat) causes the hyena to break its leg.
  • English equivalent: Hasty climbers have sudden falls.

426. Mũcirĩri kĩrimũ ndaigaga mũthĩgi thĩ

• • Literal translation: He who advises a fool does not lay down his 'muthigi'.
  • Contextual note: 'Muthigi' is the staff of the elders.

427. Mũciri ũmwe ndagambaga

• • Literal translation: One man alone in a tribunal can say nothing, i.e. can take no decision.

428. Mũcukani ndarĩ mũciĩ mwega

• • Literal translation: A slanderer has no peaceful home.
  • English equivalent: Slander flings stones at itself.

429. Mũgambo ũrĩ kũgũa thĩ nduoyagwo; woyagwo na ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: A word that has fallen to the ground cannot be picked up: it is picked up by another.
  • English equivalent: Time and words can never be recalled.

430. Mũgambo ũroigwo ndugũkagwo

• • Literal translation: A word given must not be retaken.

431. Mũgariũra igĩrĩ ndagaga ĩmwe ĩcura

• • Literal translation: He who broils two maize cobs (at the same time) burns one of them.
  • English equivalent: He who hunts two hares leaves one and loses the other.

432. Mũgathĩ ũrĩ gũtwĩka ndũcokaga mũigana

• • Literal translation: A broken necklace cannot be made whole again.
  • English equivalent: A broken friendship may be soldered, but will never be sound.

433. Mũgathĩ wa kuona ũteaga wa mwene

• • Literal translation: The necklace found makes you lose your own, too.
  • English equivalent: Ill-gotten things seldom prosper.

434. Mũgeni amĩaga mbĩrĩra

• • Literal translation: The foreigner evacuates in the cemetery (for he does not know the place and its customs).

435. Mũgeni kĩrimũ ndarugagĩrwo njohi

• • Literal translation: One does not give any beer to a foolish visitor.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means both that it is not honourable for the host to give hospitality to a fool, and that it is silly to give beer to a fool since he does not enjoy it.
  • English equivalent: He is not the fool that the fool is, but he that with the fools deals.

436. Mũgeni ndahũhitaga

• • Literal translation: A guest does not eat as much as he wants; i.e. he must not be greedy.

437. Mũgeni nĩ rũũĩ

• • Literal translation: The guest is like a river, i.e. he passes quickly.
  • English equivalent: Fish and guests smell at three days old.

438. Mũgethi ũtukũ agethire kĩrĩ muura

• • Literal translation: He who harvests by night, reaps chaff.
  • English equivalent: There is a time for all things.

439. Mũgĩ nĩ mwĩre

• • Literal translation: He who has been advised is wise.
  • English equivalent: A man forewarned is forearmed.

440. Mũgĩri rwa kũnyitũra agĩrire rwa kũnyitia

• • Literal translation: One can cause the illness which he wanted to cure.
  • English equivalent: The cure may be worse than the disease.

441. Mũgiti ndagaga rũhara

• • Literal translation: He who irritates will be scratched.
  • English equivalent: Let the sleeping dogs lie.

442. Mũgogo ũmwe ndũhingaga iriũko

• • Literal translation: One trunk does not close a river.
  • English equivalent: One flower makes no garland.

443. Mũgoma mũrungu nĩ ũtũraga nyũngũ

• • Literal translation: The she-sheep can break the cooking pot, and still she has no horn.
  • Contextual note: Cooking pot means here an affair of great importance. The meaning of the proverb is that a fool can spoil wise people's affairs.

444. Mũgũnda ũraga na rũtere

• • Literal translation: A field begins to become wilderness from a side; i.e. from a small place.
  • English equivalent: A little neglect may breed a great mischief.

445. Mũgũnda wa mwere ũmenyagwo na ngetho

• • Literal translation: One knows a field of millet from its crop.
  • English equivalent: A tree is known by its fruits.

446. Mũgũnda wene ndũinagwo

• • Literal translation: Another's field is not praised.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to the fact that the Kikuyu when they are drunk imagine themselves very rich, and so become proud of others' riches.

447. Mũgũrĩra hakuhĩ nĩ ta aheo

• • Literal translation: The man who buys something at a place near by is like the man who is given something.
  • English equivalent: That is little esteemed that costs little.

448. Mũguĩ ũtarĩ wa awa nĩ ũkũndembũrĩra thiaka

• • Literal translation: The arrow which is not my father's, pierces my quiver.
  • English equivalent: Ill gotten goods seldom prosper.

449. Mũhaka na ciake itimuragia thakame

• • Literal translation: He who pays another with his own things, does not bleed.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that one spends his money willingly when he needs help.

450. Mũhakana na ciake itimũragĩra

• • Literal translation: He who stands close to his things does not lose them.
  • English equivalent: The master's eyes make the horse fat.

451. Mũhaki ndarĩ hiũ igĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: The messenger of peace has no two knives (presents).
  • English equivalent: Messengers should neither be beheaded nor hanged.

452. Mũhandi tiwe mũrĩi

• • Literal translation: He who plants is not he who eats.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.

453. Mũharwo nĩwe ũthingataga gĩthaka

• • Literal translation: The one with diarrhoea must look for a bush.
  • English equivalent: Let him that is cold blow coal.

454. Mũhehwo nĩ matũ merĩ ndaiguaga

• • Literal translation: He who is spoken to at both ears does not understand.
  • English equivalent: Too much consulting confounds.

455. Mũhenania ndathekaga

• • Literal translation: A liar does not laugh (for if a liar laughs when he tells a lie he is not believed).

456. Mũhenia ago oigaga mũrimũ ũrĩ gũthira

• • Literal translation: He who would deceive the witch-doctors says that his illness is finished.
  • English equivalent: Hide nothing from thy minister, physician and lawyer.

457. Mũhenio arĩ matukũ kũrĩ mũhenania

• • Literal translation: The deceived has many more days than the deceiver.
  • English equivalent: Liars have short wings.

458. Mũhenio ti mũgĩ ta mũhenania

• • Literal translation: The deceived is not so cunning as the deceiver.

459. Mũheo ndagathimaga

• • Literal translation: He who receives must not measure.
  • English equivalent: Do not look a gift horse in the mouth.

460. Mũhĩkana na kũrĩa ahĩkanaga na gũitwo

• • Literal translation: He who takes his food in a hurry, is also choked in a hurry.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.

461. Mũhĩki arĩaga rũbia

• • Literal translation: He who hastens eats money; i.e. wastes his money.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.

462. Mũhĩki atumaga rwerũ

• • Literal translation: He who is in a hurry sews a garment (whereas he could mend the old one).
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.

463. Mũhĩrĩga ti mũhĩrĩgo

• • Literal translation: A clan is not a wall (which can be destroyed).
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu are very keen on keeping distinction between one clan and the other. That is why they say that distinction cannot be cancelled.

464. Mũhoreri ndarĩ ngũĩ

• • Literal translation: He who is quiet has no troubles

465. Mũhotwo ndararaga kĩharo

• • Literal translation: He that has been beaten in a quarrel does not sleep in the court-yard.
  • English equivalent: Scalded cats fear even cold water.

466. Mũhũũnu etaga ũhũtiĩ mũkoroku

• • Literal translation: He who is surfeited calls the hungry one glutton.
  • English equivalent: It is easy preaching to the fasting in a full belly.

467. Mũici athamagia mũrogi

• • Literal translation: The thief makes the poisoner change his residence.
  • Contextual note: The proverb comes from the following story. A witch-doctor intended to poison a thief. But the thief always managed to steal the poison and the witch-doctor had to find a fresh home.

468. Mũici na kĩhĩĩ atigaga kĩeha kĩarua

• • Literal translation: He who robbed in company with a boy will live in fear until the boy is circumcissed.
  • English equivalent: What children hear at home soon flies abroad.

469. Mũici na mũndũ mũka atigaga kĩeha akua

• • Literal translation: He who robbed in company with a woman, will live in fear until she dies (for a woman cannot keep a secret).
  • English equivalent: Woman conceals only what she knows not.

470. Mũici ndathiragwo nĩ marĩ hĩndĩ

• • Literal translation: The thief cannot keep fit, because his stools contain undigested food.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that a thief, who eats his food in a hurry and with the fear of being caught, cannot enjoy good health.
  • English equivalent: Ill-gotten things seldom prosper.

471. Mũici ũrĩ hunyũ arindagĩra ũrĩ maguta

• • Literal translation: An ugly thief is more likely to be caught than one smeared with fat: i.e. carefully dressed.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that a robber who cannot dissemble will soon be discovered, while the thief who can sham, will continue to flourish.

472. Mũici ũtarĩ mũnyite nĩ mũrĩa gake

• • Literal translation: The thief who has not been caught eats of his own.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that stolen goods belong to the thief if he is not caught.

473. Mũici wa mũthenya nĩ oĩo, na wa ũtukũ nĩ oĩo

• • Literal translation: He who robs in the day is known, and he who robs in the night is known, too.
  • English equivalent: What is done by night appears by day.

474. Mũigua ũthekagĩrĩra cong'e

• • Literal translation: The big thorn laughs at the small one.
  • English equivalent: The greatest thieves punish the small ones.

475. Mũihwa ndahoyaga na ndaimagwo

• • Literal translation: A cousin does not ask and is not refused anything (because he is a member of the kindred).

476. Mũihwa ndaimagwo rũnyeni

• • Literal translation: A cousin is not denied a meal.
  • Contextual note: Both proverbs mean:
  • English equivalent: Charity begins at home.

477. Mũikarania na kĩimba ndagaga maithori

• • Literal translation: He who stays near a corpse cannot help weeping.

478. Mũikaranio nĩguo mũbarano

• • Literal translation: To stay together is to kno each other.

479. Mũikari mũtĩ gĩtina nĩwe ũĩ kĩrĩa thambo ĩrĩaga

• • Literal translation: He who stays at the foot of the tree knows what 'thambo' eat.
  • Contextual note: 'Thambo' are the black ants which live and nest on the trees. The proverb means that nobody knows the affairs of a home, society, etc. better than he who lives or has part in it.
  • English equivalent: Every man knows his own business best.

480. Mũikari na hunyũ ndakoragwo onete maguta akarega kwĩhaka

• • Literal translation: He who is ugly, is not so because he refused to smear himself with fat (but rather because he had no fat to smear himself with).
  • English equivalent: We are but what God made us.

481. Mũikia ndoĩ mwehereri

• • Literal translation: He that shoots an arrow does not know whom he will hit.
  • English equivalent: You know not where a stone may light.

482. Mũimwo nĩ irĩ ndatũũraga

• • Literal translation: He on whom fortune has frowned cannot live long.

483. Mũingatwo na kĩhooto ndacokaga

• • Literal translation: The man overwhelmed by another's arguments does not return to discuss matters.
  • English equivalent: Once bitten, twice shy.

484. Mũinũki kwao ndatukagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: He who keeps good hours is not surprised by night.
  • English equivalent: Early to bed, early to rise, make a man healthy, wealthy and wise.

485. Mũka mũcangacangi ndagaga mwana

• • Literal translation: A woman that hangs about does not lack children.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to the married women who, failing to have children of their husbands', go around looking for other men.

486. Mũka mũkũrũ acokagĩrĩrwo na gĩkuũ

• • Literal translation: One returns to the old wife when the young one dies.
  • English equivalent: Half a loaf is better than no bread.

487. Mũka ũrĩ kĩronda ainagĩra gĩtiro ihũgo

• • Literal translation: The woman who has a sore dances on the outskirts.
  • English equivalent: A guilty conscience needs no accuser.

488. Mũka ũrĩ mwana ndoraga

• • Literal translation: The woman who has children does not desert her home.

489. Mũka wa mwathi ahingaga na kũgũrũ etereire kĩgurumũki oke

• • Literal translation: The hunter's wife, awaiting her husband's return, closes the door only with her foot; i.e. she leaves the door unbolted so that her husband may enter more quickly with his prey.

490. Mũikarĩre nĩ ũmwe no mũrarĩre ti ũmwe

• • Literal translation: To stay together is not the same as to have the same type of life.
  • Contextual note: People often agree in words but not in judgement.

491. Mũkagera mahoro ma ndũgĩra

• • Literal translation: You will pass through the ear-holes.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu pierce the lobes and the upper part of their ears to put wooden sticks in the holes as an ornament. They use this proverb referring to people attempting to perform impossibilities.
  • English equivalent: It is easier for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven.

492. Mũkami tiwe mũnyiti njaũ

• • Literal translation: He that milks is not he that holds the calf.
  • English equivalent: Every man to his own job.

493. Mũkarĩ aimaga ũhũniĩ

• • Literal translation: The miser denies food to him who is surfeited.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to stingy people who deny some help to others who would in turn be the most helpful.

494. Mũũkĩri tene ainũkaga tene

• • Literal translation: He who gets up early returns early.
  • English equivalent: The early bird catches the worm.

495. Mũkũrĩra gĩthũnũ ndamenyagwo

• • Literal translation: He who ages in the 'gĩthũnũ' is not known by other people how old he is.
  • Contextual note: 'Gĩthũnũ' is a dormitory where unmarried people sleep. The proverb means that he who has no hut and no wife will age without having children to tell him how old he is.

496. Mũkũrũ, gaya, ũnyonie mũgaĩre

• • Literal translation: Old man, divide, and teach me how to divide.
  • Contextual note: This proverb shows how the Kikuyu respected old people, to whom was left the distribution of meat, beer, etc. at all gatherings.
  • English equivalent: Old age is honourable.

497. Mũkwithia arĩ itigi kwĩ mũthati

• • Literal translation: The woman whose sons have died is richer than a barren woman.

498. Mũmbi arugaga na ngĩo

• • Literal translation: The pot-maker cooks in a potsherd.
  • English equivalent: The tailor's wife is worst clad.

499. Mũmeni mũndũ ũngĩ amwĩtaga kĩongo kĩa njaũ

• • Literal translation: He who despises another man, calls him 'head of calf'.
  • Contextual note: Owing to their esteem for oxen, it is not dishonourable for the Kikuyu to be told he has a head as big as that of an ox. But it is shameful to be called 'head of calf' since the calf is a useless animal.

500. Mũmeni ũngĩ amũrutaga mbakĩ iniũrũ

• • Literal translation: He who despises another steals even the snuff from his nose; i.e. has no respect for him.

501. Mũndũ ageraga maimwo ndageraga maheo

• • Literal translation: Man counts what he is refused, not what he is given.
  • English equivalent: We are more mindful of injuries than benefits.

502. Mũndũ mũgĩ ndarĩ mũhere wa ũhoro

• • Literal translation: A wise man does not need to be told a thing twice.
  • English equivalent: A word is enough to the wise.

503. Mũndũ mũgo nderagũragĩra

• • Literal translation: The witch-doctor cannot do for himself what he does for others.

504. Mũndũ mũgo wa gwĩthokia ndarĩ rũa

• • Literal translation: The witch-doctor who goes to see a patient without being sent for, will not have the hide of the slaughtered goat; i.e. will have no reward.
  • English equivalent: Give no counsel no salt till you are asked for it.

505. Mũndũ mũgo wa itũũra ndagaga

• • Literal translation: The witch-doctor of the place is not needed.
  • English equivalent: Never a prophet was valued in his own country.

506. Mũndũ mũka na igũrũ itimenyagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: Woman and sky cannot be understood.
  • English equivalent: Woman, wind and fortune are ever changing.

507. Mũndũ mũka ndoragagwo

• • Literal translation: A woman must not be killed.
  • Contextual note: The reasons for this proverb are the facts that the woman is too weak to defend herself and that only the woman can produce children.

508. Mũndũ mũka ndatũmagwo thirĩ-inĩ

• • Literal translation: A woman is not sent to collect debts.
  • English equivalent: Let women spin and not preach.

509. Mũndũ mũigwa nĩ mũhootani

• • Literal translation: The obedient man gets through.
  • English equivalent: Do what thou ought and dread no shame.

510. Mũndũ mũrũme nĩ wa karũgĩ

• • Literal translation: Men act promptly.

511. Mũndũ ũrakanyuĩra nĩwe ũĩ karĩ rita

• • Literal translation: He that has drunk once, knows that to drink is a pleasure; i.e. he who has experienced something knows whether it is good or bad.
  • English equivalent: Experience is the father of wisdom.

512. Mũndũ ũrĩ na ũndũ otaga mwaki na riũa

• • Literal translation: The man who warms himself at the fire while the sun is shining, does so for some reason.

513. Mũndũ ũtarĩ mbũri ndendaga nyama

• • Literal translation: People who have no goat do not desire meat.
  • English equivalent: 'Sour grapes,' as the fox said when he could not reach them.

514. Mũndũ ũtathiaga athĩnjaga mwatĩ atoĩ ndũrũme ĩrĩ gĩcegũ

• • Literal translation: He that does not travel slaughters the she goat as he is ignorant of a ram in his fold; i.e. he is stupid.

515. Mũndũ ũtathiaga oĩ no nyina ũrugaga

• • Literal translation: He who does not travel only knows his mother's cooking.
  • Contextual note: Both the proverbs mean that he that does not leave his native place will have a very limited knowledge.
  • English equivalent: The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only one page.

516. Mũndũ wa rurugi ourugagwo akerwo nĩwe wourugana

• • Literal translation: He who is wont to provoke others, is called a provoker even when he is provoked.
  • English equivalent: A liar is not believed when he speaks the truth.

517. Mũndwithia rĩmwe ngagacoka kũnwithia rĩngĩ

• • Literal translation: He who has circumcised me once does not return to do it again.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that he who has erred or has been cheated once, becomes wise and will not be cheated a second time.
  • English equivalent: He who stumbles twice over one stone deserves to break his shins.

518. Mũnua ũmwe nĩ ũgarũragĩrwo

• • Literal translation: One mouth must be changed; i.e. it is not good to talk always with the same person nor about the same things.
  • English equivalent: Change of pasture makes fat calves.

519. Mũnyaka nĩ ũnyakũkagwo

• • Literal translation: Fortune passes.
  • English equivalent: When fortune smiles, take the advantage.

520. Mũnyaka ũrĩ mbere ya kahinga

• • Literal translation: Fortune is beyond the bush; i.e. the obstacle.
  • English equivalent: He that endures overcomes.

521. Mũnyaka ndũrokaga

• • Literal translation: Fortune is not a thing that must surely come.
  • English equivalent: Fortune is not of every day.

522. Mũnyotu athiaga rũũĩ

• • Literal translation: He who is thirsty goes to the river.
  • English equivalent: Let him that is cold blow the coal.

523. Mũra na mũndũ ti mũra na hiti

• • Literal translation: To be robbed by a person is different from being robbed by a hyena.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that if you were robbed by a person, you can hope to be recompensed for the damage; but if a member of your family or a head of your herd has been stoled by a hyena, there is no hope for redress.
  • English equivalent: There are injuries beyond redress.

524. Mũragani ndakayaga, no mũragwo ũkayaga

• • Literal translation: It is not the killer that moans, but the killed.

525. Mũregi akĩrwo ndaregaga akĩhetwo

• • Literal translation: He who refuses (to do something) when asked, does not refuse when forced.

526. Mũregi gwathwo ndangĩhota gwathana

• • Literal translation: He who refuses to obey cannot command.
  • English equivalent: He that knows not how to obey, knows not how to command.

527. Mũremwo nĩ ndũgo oigaga nja ĩrĩ mahiga

• • Literal translation: He who cannot dance says that the yard is stony.
  • English equivalent: A bad workman complains of his tools.

528. Mũrĩ kũrĩa ta athi a thatũ

• • Literal translation: Sometimes one eats bad food like the hunters when they are out hunting in the misty season.
  • Contextual note: This proverb comes from the fact that hunters, who stay in the forest or in the plain for rather a long time must often be content with cold raw food.
  • English equivalent: When bread is wanting, oaten cakes are excellent.

529. Mũrĩa na gatĩ ndoi mũrĩa na kaara nĩ akũhĩa

• • Literal translation: He who eats with a stick does not know that he who eats with the fingers gets scalded.

530. Mũria ngime nĩ ũrĩ mũkimĩri

• • Literal translation: He who eats cooked food has someone who cooks for him.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that he who desires a thing sufficiently either can easily have it, or will make efforts to get it.
  • English equivalent: Nothing is imposssible to a willing mind.

531. Mũrĩa njĩthĩ yake ndarũndagwo

• • Literal translation: He is not condemned who eats even unripe maize of his own fields.
  • English equivalent: Every man is a king in his own house.

532. Mũrĩa wiki akuaga wiki

• • Literal translation: He who eats alone dies alone.

533. Mũrĩmĩrwo nĩ ithe ndoi indo irĩ bata

• • Literal translation: He who has fields tilled by his father, does not know that things are precious.
  • English equivalent: What costs little is little esteemed.

534. Mũrĩmi ndoinagwo guoko

• • Literal translation: One must not break the arm of him who tills the fields.
  • English equivalent: Do not kill the goose that lays the golden eggs.

535. Mũrĩmi ũmwe ndaiyũragia ikũmbĩ

• • Literal translation: One tiller does not fill the granary.
  • English equivalent: Union is strength.

536. Mũrĩmi tiwe mũrĩi

• • Literal translation: He that tills the earth is not he that eats(its fruits).

537. Mũrĩo ndũminaga ng'aragu

• • Literal translation: Sweetness does not satisfy hunger.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that pleasures do not quench the thirst for many more pleasures. But it is also used when we should say:
  • English equivalent: 'Sweet words butter no parsnips.'

538. Mũrĩo ndũnenganagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: Pleasure cannot be communicated.
  • Contextual note: This proverb means that he who has any reason for rejoicing, cannot feel unhappy even if his friends or neighbours are grieved.

539. Mũrĩo ndũtũũraga ta ngatho

• • Literal translation: Pleasures do not last so much as gratitude.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that few virtues are as great as gratitude and that few joys are greater than that of being thanked for a service.
  • English equivalent: Gratitude surpasses all other virtues.

540. Mũrĩo nĩwĩrĩagĩra

• • Literal translation: Sweetness eats up itself
  • Contextual note: and

541. Mũrĩo ũgĩraga kĩeha

• • Literal translation: Sweetness brings sorrow.
  • English equivalent: Pleasure stings even though it pleases.

542. Mũrĩo ũminaga magego

• • Literal translation: Sweetness spoils teeth.

543. Mũrĩo ũrutaga hũngũ mũtĩ igũrũ

• • Literal translation: Sweetness makes the vulture descend from the tree.
  • English equivalent: Beauty draws more than oxen.

544. Mũrĩo wa njohi nĩ ũrĩũkagwo, no wa indo ndũrĩũkagwo

• • Literal translation: The drunkenness of beer passes away, but the drunkenness of wealth lasts forever.
  • English equivalent: Avarice increases with wealth.

545. Mũria rũnene ndarũrĩagĩra

• • Literal translation: He who asks too much will not eat anything.
  • English equivalent: All covet, all lose.

546. Mũriganio ũrĩ tha

• • Literal translation: They who live together must be merciful.
  • English equivalent: Bear and forbear is good philosophy.

547. Mũrimũ ndũrĩ hinya ũgĩtonya mwĩrĩ ta ũkiuma

• • Literal translation: Illness enters the body with less difficulty than it meets on going away.
  • English equivalent: Misfortunes come on wing and depart on foot.

548. Mũrimũ wa mũcoka nĩguo ũragaga mũndũ

• • Literal translation: It is the illness that returns that kills people.
  • English equivalent: Resist the beginnings.

549. Mũrogi tiwe mũrogori

• • Literal translation: The poisoner cannot stop the effect of the poison.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to the superstition by which a person who has been poisoned cannot go to his poisoner to have the effect of poison neutralized by his arts but must go to another person, who is called 'mũrogori'.

550. Mũrori arũga mũrĩmi

• • Literal translation: He who looks at another's field sees many more weeds than does its owner.
  • English equivalent: To be blind to one's own faults.

551. Mũrugĩri arũme ndagaga ngiha

• • Literal translation: He who cooks food for men, does not lack big veins, i.e. bruises.
  • Contextual note: This proverb means that he who works for a master must do his duty to avoid punishment.
  • English equivalent: Men like facts not words.

552. Mũrũngũru wa njamba ũtahaga na ime

• • Literal translation: He who rises early skips in the dew.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that people who get up early finish their work early.
  • English equivalent: The early bird catches the worm.

553. Mũrurĩ ndwakaga

• • Literal translation: The 'mũrurĩ' does not build.
  • Contextual note: 'Mũrurĩ' is a forest tree with beautiful red flowers, but yielding very poor timber.
  • English equivalent: All is not gold that glitters.

554. Mũrwithia arũme aarĩ kĩhĩĩ

• • Literal translation: He who circumcises the boy was a boy, too.

555. Mũrwithia arũme nĩ arwithagio

• • Literal translation: He who circumcises the male was circumcised.
  • English equivalent: The child is father of the man.

556. Mũtego ti ngoro, nĩ wathi warera

• • Literal translation: It is not the trap that counts, but the art of trapping.
  • English equivalent: A good archer is known by his aim, not his arrows.

557. Mũteng'erania na mũteng'erio gũtirĩ ũtanogaga

• • Literal translation: Both he that chases and he that is chased become tired.
  • English equivalent: Everyone has his own troubles.

558. Mũthakwa wa athi ndũthiragwo nĩ gĩcanjara

• • Literal translation: The 'muthakwa-tree' will not discontinue to produce branches of only one shape.
  • English equivalent: Like father like son.

559. Mũthamaki ũterwo ti mũthamaki

• • Literal translation: The wise man who is not taught is not a wise man.

560. Mũthĩnio nĩ kuona arũga mũthĩnio nĩ wagi

• • Literal translation: He who is troubled by having (property) is better off than he who is troubled by poverty.

561. Mũthiĩrwo ũgo-inĩ no ũrĩa arĩrwo

• • Literal translation: He who sends somebody to a witch-doctor on his behalf must believe all he is told.

562. Mũthiganwo nĩ ũrĩ nja ndahonokaga

• • Literal translation: He who is sought by a man already in the courtyard, has no way of escape.
  • Contextual note: To understand this proverb one must bear in mind that the Kikuyu hut has only one entrance and no window.
  • English equivalent: There is no medicine against death.

563. Mũthiĩ wiki akuaga wiki

• • Literal translation: He who travels alone, dies alone.

564. Mũthii ndoimbĩkaga irigũ

• • Literal translation: He who starts (on a long journey) does not put a banana to toast under the ashes (for he is not sure he will come back to eat it).

565. Mũthii onaga magothe

• • Literal translation: He who travels sees many things.
  • English equivalent: The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only one page.

566. Mũthii tene ainũkaga tene

• • Literal translation: He who starts early returns early.

567. Mũthikani ndathikagwo

• • Literal translation: He who buries (the others) is not buried.
  • English equivalent: Do good, but do not expect to receive it.

568. Mũthiũrũri nĩ ethiũrũraga

• • Literal translation: He who turns others around may also turn himself around.
  • Contextual note: According to the Kikuyu superstition to turn a person round is to wish him misfortune.
  • English equivalent: The devil that cometh out of thy mouth flieth to thy bosom.

569. Mũthũgũni itheri akĩra wĩkonotete

• • Literal translation: He who has a bone (to lick) is happier than he who gathers up his limbs for hunger.
  • English equivalent: When bread is wanting, oaten cakes are excellent.

570. Mũthũgũri nĩ akuaga

• • Literal translation: He who goes himself to buy things carries them too.

571. Mũthũngũ ndarĩ nyagĩtũgĩ

• • Literal translation: The European has (among the natives) no trustworthy man.
  • Contextual note: This is a modern proverb of clear meaning.

572. Mũthũnũko ũgĩraga mũkindĩrio

• • Literal translation: Wickedness begets remorse.

573. Mũthũri mũndũ tiwe Ngai

• • Literal translation: He that dislikes a person--is he God?
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that if anyone is hated by men, he is not necessarily hated also by God.
  • English equivalent: God is just.

574. Mũthua ngoro ti mũthua kũgũrũ

• • Literal translation: He that is lame of heart--unlike him that is lame of foot--cannot be recognized.
  • English equivalent: All is not gold that glitters.

575. Mũthuri ũtarĩ kahĩĩ nĩwe wĩriragĩra ngururu

• • Literal translation: The married man who has no son goes himself to scare away the birds from his harvest.

576. Mũtĩ mũmũ ndũciaraga mũigũ

• • Literal translation: A dried up tree does not bear a green one.
  • English equivalent: One cannot get blood out of a stone.

577. Mũtĩ ũgũagĩra mũndũ ũrĩ hakuhi

• • Literal translation: The tree falls on the man who stands by it.

578. Mũtĩ ũtagũtemwo ndũgerekagĩrĩrio ithanwa

• • Literal translation: A tree that is not intended to be felled, is not aimed at with an axe.
  • Contextual note: It is told to people who, devoting themselves to many things at the same time, finish none.
  • English equivalent: Jack of all trades and master of none.

579. Mũtiga mwahũ akoraga igima

• • Literal translation: He who leaves a bunch of bananas finds a whole stalk.
  • English equivalent: Give and spend, and God will send.

580. Mũtigwo iganjo ndagaga gĩa kuoya

• • Literal translation: The man left where there was once a hut, will certainly find something.

581. Mũtiga njerũ akoraga njerũ

• • Literal translation: He who leaves a white goat will meet another of the same colour.
  • English equivalent: Contentment is above wealth.

582. Mũtino ũrutaga mũndũ ũrĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: Danger makes a man rise from bed.
  • English equivalent: Men in danger need no spur.

583. Mũtino ũthatagia ndigĩrĩri

• • Literal translation: Misfortunes frustrates one's plans.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.

584. Mũtirima wa kĩrimũ wĩtirimagia na mũgĩ

• • Literal translation: A fool's walking-stick helps the wise man to stand.
  • Contextual note: This proverb means that wise people know how to get profit from things that a man thinks useless.
  • English equivalent: A wise man gets learning from those who have none themselves.

585. Mũtũũri mũno ndagaga

• • Literal translation: He who lives a long time (in one place) must find what he wants.

586. Mũtumia angĩkũra atarĩ mwana ndangĩona mũtahĩri maaĩ

• • Literal translation: The woman that gets old without bearing a child, will have nobody to draw water for her, i.e. will have nobody to help her.
  • English equivalent: Children are poor men's riches.

587. Mũtumia na kionje nĩ ũndũ ũmwe.

• • Literal translation: A woman and an invalid man are the same thing.
  • English equivalent: Words for women, actions for men.

588. Mũtumia ndatũraga mũtwe na ndaikagia ndahi ndua.

• • Literal translation: A woman does not split the head (of the slaughtered goat) nor dip the cup into the beer (because both are men's jobs).
  • English equivalent: Let women spin and not preach.

589. Mũturi tiwe mũhurutĩri

• • Literal translation: He that hands the hammer is not the same as the man who pulls the belows.
  • English equivalent: You cannot drink and whistle at the same time.

590. Mũtumumu ndonagia ũrĩa ũngĩ njĩra

• • Literal translation: A blind man does not show another the way.
  • English equivalent: Blind does not lead blind.

591. Mũtwari ndarĩ ũhoro

• • Literal translation: He who carries an embassy has no concern in it.
  • English equivalent: Messengers should neither be deheaded nor hanged.

592. Mũtwe ũmwe ndwatũraga ng'ũndũ

• • Literal translation: Only one head does not divide a field.
  • English equivalent: Four eyes see more than two.

593. Mũtwe wa mũndũ ũmwe nĩ ithino

• • Literal translation: One man's head is a solitary place.
  • English equivalent: Counsel is not of one.

594. Mugi ndoĩ ũrĩa akerwo

• • Literal translation: He who speaks does not know what others will reply.

595. Mumagari onaga ũnene

• • Literal translation: He who travels sees great things.
  • English equivalent: The world is a great book, of which they who never stir from home read only one page.

596. Muni kĩrĩti nĩwe ũĩ ũrĩa thĩna ũigana wa mĩgogo na nyamũ

• • Literal translation: It is the forest clearer who knows the troubles caused by trunks and animals.
  • English equivalent: Every man knows his own business best.

597. Mumi na nja oyaga mara kana anyuaga twĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: He that enters a hut either picks up the bowels or drinks twice.
  • Contextual note: To understand the proverb one must remember that the Kikuyu huts receive the only scanty light from the low front door. So people who enter a hut where a banquet is being held may either be unlucky and take hold of a piece of bowel instead of a piece of good meat, or may be lucky and be given a couple of drinks.

598. Mwaga gũkua mwaruta mbaara

• • Literal translation: It is they who have not died in war that start it.

599. Mwagi maguta oigaga hunyũ nĩ ũmwe na maguta

• • Literal translation: He that lacks fat says ugliness is the same as beauty.

600. Mwagi maguta oigaga atĩ kĩng'arũ nĩ ũndũ ũmwe na maguta

• • Literal translation: He who has no fat (to smear himself with) says that ochre is as good.
  • Contextual note: In both these proverbs 'fat' means 'beauty'.
  • English equivalent: 'Sour grapes,' as the fox said, when he could not reach them.

601. Mwaki ndũhoragio na mwaki

• • Literal translation: Fire is not extinguished by fire.
  • English equivalent: Fire is not to be quenched with tow.

602. Mwambi nacio tiwe mũrigia nacio

• • Literal translation: He that begins, is not he that finishes.
  • English equivalent: Judge not of men or things at first sight.

603. mwamũkĩri ndairaga ngoro

• • Literal translation: He who receives does not loathe.
  • English equivalent: A gift horse is not looked in the mouth.

604. Mwana mũkũrũ na ithe nĩ hamwe

• • Literal translation: The eldest son and the father are one thing.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that after the father's death the eldest son rules.

605. Mwana mwega no nda

• • Literal translation: Only the belly is a good (lucky) child (for its owner takes care of it and never lets it empty).
  • English equivalent: The belly is the commanding part of the body.

606. Mwana mwende ndoĩ kũinia thũmbĩ

• • Literal translation: The son most loved (by his parents) does not know how to shake his feather head-dress.
  • Contextual note: The proverb alludes to the initiation rite, on which occasion a special head-dress composed of ostrich feathers is worn by the candidates. It means that often the young man for whom the parents have bought a costly head-dress so that he may look well, does not show any gratitude by wearing it proudly.
  • English equivalent: Things got easily are not appreciated.

607. Mwana ndaheanagwo

• • Literal translation: The child is not given away without a price.
  • Contextual note: The proverb is used especially by a father to the young man wanting to marry his daughter. It must be bourne in mind that the Kikuyu girl is not given to her husband, but she is bought by him.
  • English equivalent: No gains without pains.

608. Mwana ndahũragwo ithe arĩ ho

• • Literal translation: The son is not beaten when the father is near.

609. Mwana ndetagia ithe nyama

• • Literal translation: The son need not ask his father for a piece of meat (for a parent spontaneously gives his children the best food).

610. Mwana ũrĩ kĩo ndagaga mũthambia

• • Literal translation: A child who likes work does not lack one to wash him, i.e. to take care of him.
  • English equivalent: God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb.

611. Mwana ũrĩ mũreri ndatangaga mai

• • Literal translation: The baby that has some one to take care for it does not dirty itself.
  • English equivalent: Young and old age complete each other.

612. Mwana wa ndigwa nĩwe ũĩ kwĩrera

• • Literal translation: An orphan knows how to make shift with it (for he has nobody to help him).

613. Mwana wa ngarĩ akunyaga ta nyina

• • Literal translation: The baby leopard scratches like its mother.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.

614. Mwana wa ngoriai ndekagĩra njingiri kũgũrũ

• • Literal translation: The orphan boy wears no rattles on his feet.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu used to wear rattles on their feet when dancing.

615. Mwana wa rwendo arĩaga nyina na ithe

• • Literal translation: The son of love eats his father and mother.
  • Contextual note: The proverb has the obvious meaning that the son who realizes he is his parent's Benjamin gives them most trouble. But it also means that the child born of illegitimate love will soon become a nuisance to his parents.
  • English equivalent: To nourish a viper in one's bosom.

616. Mwana wa thahu ndatigaga kĩrĩro

• • Literal translation: The son of sin does not cease weeping.
  • English equivalent: Sin and debts are always more than we think them to be.

617. Mwana wĩ na ithe ndanyuaga muma

• • Literal translation: The son whose father is still alive, takes no oath (for his father defends him and if necessary, takes the oath instead of the son).

618. Mwanake nĩ kĩenyũ kĩa Ngai

• • Literal translation: The youth is a part of the Divinity.
  • Contextual note: The proverb originates in the fact that the circumcised Kikuyu youth is greatly respected by women and uncircumcised young men.

619. Mwanake wĩ na indo ndoihanaga

• • Literal translation: The youth who has enough to buy his girl, need not beseech her.
  • English equivalent: Money is the sinew of love as well of war.

620. Mwanĩki ambe eanĩke

• • Literal translation: He who airs something must air himself first.
  • English equivalent: No gains without pains.

621. Mwarĩ mwega ahĩtũkĩra thome wa ngĩa

• • Literal translation: A fair girl does not stop at a poor youth's (for he could not buy her).

622. Mwarĩ mwerũ ndaragũragĩrwo

• • Literal translation: One does not consult the witch-doctor about a white daughter.
  • Contextual note: It is luck for Kikuyu parents to have a daughter with skin whiter than the average. Such a girl will be sold dearer to her husband.

623. Mwaria ciene arigagwo nĩ ciake

• • Literal translation: He who talks about others' affairs does not know his own.

624. Mwatũ ndĩtagĩrwo mwana

• • Literal translation: A boy is not sent to collect the honey (for he does not know how to collect it).
  • English equivalent: Every man does his own business best.

625. Mwatũkĩria kĩ? Aca no thũmbĩ na rũhuho

• • Literal translation: What have you that we have not? Nothing but 'thũmbĩ' and wind.
  • Contextual note: 'Thũmbĩ' is the piece of cloth or leather used to fasten ostrich and other birds' feathers around the head. The proverb means, 'There is no news'.

626. Mwathwo nĩ nda arũgĩte mwatho nĩ ithe

• • Literal translation: Being ruled by one's stomach is better than being ruled by one's father.

627. Mwega nĩ ongagwo

• • Literal translation: Good people are sucked.
  • English equivalent: Cover yourself with honey and the flies will attack you.

628. Mwendi gatungu nĩ mwenjeri

• • Literal translation: He that wants to become rich must till the earth.
  • English equivalent: Sleeping foxes catch no poultry.

629. Mwendi irura nĩ mũcini

• • Literal translation: He who wants papyrus-ashes burns papyrus.
  • Contextual note: Previous to the advent of Europeans, the Kikuyu used papyrus-ashes, which are supposed to be rich in sodium, for cooking purposes.
  • English equivalent: Let him that is cold blow coal.

630. Mwendi mũhĩrĩga ũtuĩkane etagia rũrĩmĩ na mbere ndarũrĩaga

• • Literal translation: He who wants to cause disagreement within the clan asks for the tongue (of the slaughtered goat) which he was not wont to eat before.
  • Contextual note: The tongue of the goat is a choice morsel which belongs by right to the head of the family or clan. The proverb means that he who wants a pretext for quarrelling, asks for somethingwhich he cannot be given.

631. Mwendi ũru nĩ awonaga

• • Literal translation: He who seeks evil finds it.

632. Mwendi ũthaka ndacayaga

• • Literal translation: He who wants beauty does not complain (if it costs him some pain).
  • English equivalent: No gains without pains.

633. Mwendia nĩ agũraga

• • Literal translation: He who sells buys.
  • English equivalent: To buy and to sell are both business.

634. Mwendwo ndarĩ ngarari

• • Literal translation: He who is loved receives no refusal.

635. Mwenjani mĩkuri ndoĩ ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: The barber who shaves badly does not know any other (better) way of shaving.
  • English equivalent: The first degree of folly is to think himself wise, the second is to tell others so, the third is to despise all counsel.

636. Mwere mwega ũmenyagwo na ngetho

• • Literal translation: The good millet is known at harvest time.
  • English equivalent: A tree is known by its fruit.

637. Mwetereri arĩaga ya mũgwato

• • Literal translation: He who waits gets the best food, i.e. the biggest potato, the sweetest maize, etc. and can eat better cooked food.

638. Mwĩcarĩria ndarĩ karo gatuhu

• • Literal translation: He who wants to dig out a potato does not use a blunt pole.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that he who wants to accomplish something, uses just those means that ensure success.

639. Mwĩgerekanio wateire kĩũra matina

• • Literal translation: The frog that compared itself to the ox lost its buttocks.
  • Contextual note: There is a fable, that the frog seeing what big buttocks the ox had, thought it could grow as big by swelling. But it burst and so lost buttocks and life.
  • English equivalent: All covet, all lose.

640. Mwĩgerero wa ngoro ndũkinyaga no wa Ngai ũkinyaga

• • Literal translation: What a man wants does not reach the goal, only what God wants reaches it.
  • English equivalent: Man proposes, God disposes.

641. Mwĩgito ti guoya

• • Literal translation: Self defence is not fear.
  • English equivalent: Weapons bode peace.

642. Mwĩiganio ti wa mweri

• • Literal translation: To obtain what one wants is not a month's job.
  • English equivalent: Time and straw make medlars ripe.

643. Mwĩikaria ndarĩ haro

• • Literal translation: He who lives alone has no quarrel.
  • English equivalent: It takes two to make a quarrel.

644. Mwĩikaria ndarĩ rũruto

• • Literal translation: He who looks after his own business has no trouble.

645. Mwĩnyamaria ndarĩ ikwa nyũmũ

• • Literal translation: He who has no patience will have no hard yams.
  • Contextual note: Yams are fully ripe only when they have grown hard. So he who wants to eat a good yam must be patient and wait till it is hard.
  • English equivalent: Everything is good in its season.

647. Mwĩrĩ ti icoya atĩ nĩ ũgũtembũka

• • Literal translation: One's body is not a banana leaf which should be rent.
  • English equivalent: The proverb is told to people who threaten to abuse or have abused others.

648. Mwĩrĩhĩria nĩwe mũru

• • Literal translation: He who revenges himself is bad.
  • English equivalent: In taking revenge a man is but even with his enemy; but in passing it over he is superior.

649. Mwĩtaari ndarĩ ũthũ

• • Literal translation: He who takes counsel only from himself meets no hatred.

650. Mwĩthĩnia ndathĩnũkaga, no mũthĩnio nĩ athũnũkaga

• • Literal translation: He who is the cause of his own troubles never comes to the end of them; but he who is troubled by others does.

651. Mwoni ũmũthĩ tiwe mwoni rũciũ

• • Literal translation: He who sees today does not see tomorrow.
  • English equivalent: Today thee, tomorrow me.