Kikuyu proverbs

From Wikiquote

Proverbs of the Kikuyu people

• Gukira kuri ngatho
  • Translation: To keep one's tongue is worthy of praise
  • English equivalent: Silence is golden.

• Mwenda uthaka ndacayaga.
  • Translation: One who would beauty does not flinch.

1,000 KIKUYU PROVERBS

If you are having problems viewing the letters with tildes, you may want to view the Plain text Kikuyu proverbs. See the Gikuyu language article for information on pronunciation.

[edit] Thimo ngiri ĩmwe cia gĩkũyũ

A - B - C - E - G - H - Ĩ - I- K - M - N - O - R - T- Ũ - W - Y - Reference

[edit] A

1. Agĩkũyũ moĩ kũhitha ndĩa, matiũĩ kũhitha ũhoro

• • Literal translation: The Kikuyu know how to conceal their quiver, but do not know how to conceal their secrets.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu, though very clever in concealing their arms, cannot keep secrets from the members of their tribe.

2. Ageni erĩ matirĩ ũtugĩre

• • Literal translation: Two guests (at the same time) have no welcome.

3. Ageni erĩ na karirũĩ kao.

• • Literal translation: Two guests love a different song.
  • Contextual note: When you receive two visitors at the same time, you cannot treat them in the same manner because they have different tastes.
  • English equivalent: Every man has his hobby horse.

4. Aikaragia mbia ta njũũ ngigĩ

• • Literal translation: He is a man that looks after money as ‘njũũ’ looks after locusts.
  • Contextual note: ‘Njũũ’ is a bird which accompanies migrating locusts to feed on them.
  • English equivalent: Much wants more.

5. Aka erĩ nĩ nyũngũ igĩrĩ cia ũrogi

• • Literal translation: Two wives are two pots full of poison.
  • Contextual note: The more women you have in your house, the more troubles you must expect.
  • English equivalent: Women’s jars breed men’s wars.

6. Aka matirĩ cia ndiiro no cia nyiniko

• • Literal translation: Women have no upright words, but only crooked ones.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu use the proverb to say that women keep no secrets and seldom tell the truth.
  • English equivalent: Women conceal all that they know not.

7. Aka na ng’ombe itirĩ ndũgũ

• • Literal translation: Wives and oxen have no friends.
  • Contextual note: There are things which are not to be given to friends.
  • English equivalent: A woman is to be from her house three times: when she is christened, married, and buried.

8. Andũ maiganaine magĩthiĩ na magĩceera

• • Literal translation: Men are equal when they are going and walking.
  • Contextual note: One can notice a difference between man and man when they, ‘exempli gratia’ are commanding or working, but not on the road where they look quite the same.

9.Andũ matarĩ ndundu mahũragwo na njũgũma ĩmwe

• • Literal translation: People who have not secret agreement are beaten by a single club.
  • Contextual note: A group of men not bound by a secret will be easily beaten by a single man.
  • English equivalent: Lack of union spells weakness.

10. Andũ matiũĩ ngamini

• • Literal translation: Men do not know liberality.
  • Contextual note: One does not give without hope of return.

11. Andũ matiũĩ ngũ, moĩ ithendũ

• • Literal translation: Me do not know hard firewood, but only lops.
  • Contextual note: People put aside hard tasks and devote themselves only to easy ones.

12. Andũ me muoyo matiagaga wĩra

• • Literal translation: Live men do not lack work.
  • English equivalent: Life would be too smooth if it had no rubs in it.

13. Angĩmĩtuĩria na ũmĩrĩte ndangĩmĩona rikiĩ

• • Literal translation: He who seeks his goat with the man who ate it, is certain not to find it.
  • Contextual note: Do not look for stolen goods in the robber’s house.

14. Arũme marĩ rwamba

• • Literal translation: Men have got quills.
  • Contextual note: Do not annoy others because they will respond by hurting.
  • English equivalent: Do evil and look for like.

[edit] B

15. Bata ndũbatabataga

• • Literal translation: Necessities never end.
  • English equivalent: He that will have no trouble in this world must not be born in it.

[edit] C

16. Cia athuri inyuagĩra thutha

• • Literal translation: The elders drink afterwards (i.e after the others).
  • Contextual note: Elderly people are not in such a hurry as young ones.

17. Ciakorire wacũ mũgũnda

• • Literal translation: The food found Wacũ in the field.
  • Contextual note: The proverb originates in the legend of Wacũ, the most despised amongst the wives of a rich man who never gave her any presents. One day, when a banquet was being held at home, she went to work in the field, since she knew there would be nothing for her at home. In the middle of the banquet a raven swooped down in the courtyard where the meat was being roasted, snatched a big piece and brought it to Wacũ. The Kikuyu use the proverb to say that God takes care of His poor.

18. Cia kĩonje itigayagwo gĩtanakua

• • Literal translation: The property of a helpless man must not be divided before his death.
  • Contextual note: The reason is that he is unable to get anything more than he already possesses.

19. Cia mũciĩ irĩ gacũgũma gacio gatathukagio nĩ mũthuri ũngĩ tiga mweneguo

• • Literal translation: Home affairs have their staff, which cannot be brandished by anyone but the head of the house.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means either that private matters must not be spoken of to strangers or that in each house there must be only one in authority.

20. Cia mũciĩ itiumaga ndĩra

• • Literal translation: Home affairs must not go into the open.
  • English equivalent: Do not wash dirty linen in public.

21. Cia mũciĩ ti como

• • Literal translation: Home affairs cannot be told in public.
  • English equivalent: Do not wash dirty linen in public.

22. Ciana cia ndigwa itirĩ maithori

• • Literal translation: The widow’s sons have not tears.
  • Contextual note: It means that they have been accustomed to suffer very early.

23. Ciathanaga ikĩgũa, itiathanaga ikĩũmbũka

• • Literal translation: Birds agree when flying down, but do not agree when flying up.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that it is easy for a swarm of birds to alight together, while it is difficult to get up together since after eating their fill they will fly up separately. Morally the proverb means that men easily agree when deciding on an enterprise, but will probably quarrel as soon as they have obtained what they want.

24. Cia thũgũrĩ itiyũraga ikũmbĩ

• • Literal translation: Bought things do not fill the granary.
  • Contextual note: Do not hope to become rich without cultivating your fields.

25. Ciatura ngũyũ irĩaga ng’umo

• • Literal translation: When there is shortage of figs, birds eat the fruits of the ‘mũgumo’.
  • Contextual note: The tree called ‘mũgumo’ by the natives bears little fruits that are not eaten by birds when there is plenty of other food.
  • English equivalent: If thou hast not a capon, feed on an onion.

26. Cia ũthoni ciambaga nguhĩ

• • Literal translation: The buying of a wife begins from a little thing.
  • English equivalent: Great events have small beginnings.

27. Ciĩgwatagĩrĩra mareru

• • Literal translation: Goats fall that take hold of lichens.
  • Contextual note: Lichens are not strong enough to prevent a goat from falling. The proverb means that unsatisfactory excuses are insufficient defence.

28. Cionje ikũmi irũgĩtwo nĩ ũmwe ũrĩ na hinya

• • Literal translation: Ten helpless people were surpassed by a single strong person.
  • Contextual note: One strong person is better than ten helpless ones.
  • English equivalent: One grain of pepper is worth a cartload of hail.

29. Cira mũnene nĩ ũkĩa

• • Literal translation: A long lawsuit breeds poverty.
  • English equivalent: Fools and obstinate men make lawyers rich.

30. Cira mũnene nĩ wa ũthoni ũgĩkua

• • Literal translation: The breaking of a betrothal is no small matter.
  • Contextual note: Marrying a girls means giving a large number of goats or cattle to her family. Starting from the day of the betrothal the price is paid gradually. Evidently it is no simple matter if the would-be husband breaks his contract and demands the return of the marriage price.

31. Cira wa kĩrimũ ũtindaga kĩharo

• • Literal translation: The lawsuit of a fool keeps the court (sitting) all day.
  • English equivalent: The lawsuit of a fool never comes to an end.

32. Cira wa mũciĩ ndumagĩrio kĩharo

• • Literal translation: Home affairs are not to be carried on in the public squuare.
  • English equivalent: Do not wash dirty linen in public.

33. Cira wothe wambagĩrĩrio na nda

• • Literal translation: Every case begins from the stomach.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu have an ox or a goat killed, roasted and distributed to judges at the beginning of every case. Familiarly they use the proverb to say that one of the most important jobs of life is to provide something to eat.
  • English equivalent: An empty belly hears nobody.

34. Ciunagwo rũkomo, kimenyi akamenya ikiunwo.

• • Literal translation: We speak by proverbs: he who is intelligent will understand.
  • English equivalent: Intelligenti pauca.

[edit] E

35. Ehera thakĩrio

• • Literal translation: Clear out of the ‘thakĩrio’.
  • Contextual note: ‘Thakĩrio’ is the place the Kikuyu hut where the wife stays when distributing the food to the family.
  • English equivalent: Mind your own business.

[edit] G

36. Gakĩĩbatha nĩ koĩ nĩ karĩthoitha

• • Literal translation: He who spends his time adorning himself knows he is going to a dance.
  • English equivalent: There is a reason for everything.

37. Gakĩĩhotora nĩko koĩ ũrĩa karĩina

• • Literal translation: He who adorns himself knows to what sort of dance he is going.
  • English equivalent: There is a reason for everything.

38. Gakunywo kagĩra thooko

• • Literal translation: The fool takes many people with him.
  • Contextual note: It is said of people who, when invited to a feast, instead of going alone, take others with them.
  • English equivalent: A fool cannot bear his own company.

39. Garũrĩra mbeũ ti ya kĩnya kĩmwe

• • Literal translation: Change seeds taking them from different calabashes.
  • English equivalent: It is good to introduce new blood.

40. Gatami karĩ mondo yene gatingĩkũratĩra nguo

• • Literal translation: The piece of cloth that is in another’s bag does not patch your garment.

41. Gathutha konagia mũndũ njĩra

• • Literal translation: A little, contemptible path is sometimes the one that leads you to the highway.
  • English equivalent: Little strokes fell great oaks.

42. Gatitũ ka mũimwo nĩ irĩ noko karĩ mĩtĩ

• • Literal translation: The forest of an unpleasant (ill-liked) person is the one that has trees.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that evil-doers often do prosper.

43. Gatitũ ka ngoro gatiunagwo

• • Literal translation: The grove of the hear is not laid open.

44. Gatinyinyiraga gatarĩ gakunye

• • Literal translation: Nobody cries that has not been pinched.
  • English equivalent: No smoke without fire.

45. Gatuma kainagia mũrigwa

• • Literal translation: Darkness caused to dance even him who cannot.
  • English equivalent: All cats are the same in colour at night.

46. Gatundu koragithirie Watatua

• • Literal translation: A secret agreement enabled people to kill Watatua.
  • Contextual note: Watatua was a powerful Chief, invincible in open combat, who was killed at night by a few men.
  • English equivalent: Secret union means strength.

47. Gĩathĩ gĩtharagio nĩ gaka kamwe

• • Literal translation: A market can be spoiled by one woman.
  • English equivalent: One cloud is enough to eclipse the sun.

48. Gĩathĩ kĩrĩ mũrugĩrwo

• • Literal translation: Every feast has its guest of honor.

49. Gĩathĩ kĩrĩagwo nĩ kĩngĩ

• • Literal translation: One appointment is eaten by another.
  • English equivalent: Today kills yesterday.

50. Gĩathĩ kĩũmũ no kĩa mũrokero

• • Literal translation: That of circumcision is a hard appointment.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu circumcision is a civil and religious rite by which the adolescent is admitted into the public life of the tribe and becomes a man in the full possession of his rights. The ceremony is physically painful, but the candidate is expected to face the operation without wincing.
  • English equivalent: There are not gains without pains.

51. Gĩeterero ti kiĩnaino

• • Literal translation: To wait is not to tremble.
  • English equivalent: Men’s actions are not to be judged at first sight.

52. Gĩcegũ kĩa andũ aingĩ ti kĩega

• • Literal translation: The ‘gĩcegũ’ of many men is not good.
  • Contextual note: ‘Gĩcegũ’ is that part of the Kikuyu hut where they enclose the ram in order to fatten it.
  • English equivalent: Too many cooks spoil the broth.

53. Gĩcigo kĩa mũgũnda gĩtinyihaga

• • Literal translation: A piece of land is not a little thing.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that however small the field you possess, it has its importance if you work it.
  • English equivalent: A little house well filled, a little land well tilled, a little wife well willed are great riches.

54. Gĩikaro kĩmwe kĩrĩ ngee kana ndaa

• • Literal translation: By staying always in the same place one gets lice.
  • English equivalent: The world is a great book, of which they that never stir from home read only one page.

55. Gĩkũrũ kĩega no kĩratina

• • Literal translation: The only thing good, though old, is the ‘mũratina’.
  • Contextual note: ‘Mũratina’ is the fruit of the hot-dog tree (Kigelia Etiopica) used by the natives to cause fermentation of sugar-cane beer. It is believed that the older the fruit, the greater it is fermenting power. The proverb means that there are only few things that improve with age.

56. Gĩkuũ gĩtiraragĩrio

• • Literal translation: You cannot (do not) make an appointment with death.

57. Gĩthaka gĩtigunaga muni, kĩgunaga mũki

• • Literal translation: The land enriches not people who clear it, but people who come (when it is already cleared).
  • English equivalent: One beats the bush, and another catches the bird.

58. Gĩthaka kĩa mũici nĩ gũkaana

• • Literal translation: Lying is the thief’s stronghold.

59. Gĩthũmba gĩtirĩ mũrimũ wa ngoro

• • Literal translation: Beggars have no worries.
  • English equivalent: Poverty needs no granary.

60. Gĩthũri kĩrĩ mwatũ wa ngotoko

• • Literal translation: The chest contains a beehive full of pride.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that proud people have always in store lots of reasons justifying their wickedness.

61. Gĩtiganĩrĩro kĩrũgĩtwo nĩ kĩrũgamanio

• • Literal translation: Talking something over is better than leaving it pending.
  • English equivalent: Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.

62. Gĩtiiro kĩa mũka wene gĩtĩkagio athiĩ

• • Literal translation: The song of a stranger-woman is answered after she has gone.
  • Contextual note: The proverb is metaphorically used to mean that foreigners, especially women, are not to be trusted too much.
  • English equivalent: Eat a peck of salt with a man before you trust him.

63. Gĩtindo kĩa mũciĩ nĩ kĩũru

• • Literal translation: It is bad to stay at home.
  • English equivalent: He that stays in the valley shall never get over the hill.

64. Gĩtoĩ kĩmenyaga kĩerwo

• • Literal translation: He who does not know, knows after being told.
  • English equivalent: A man forewarned is forearmed.

65. Gĩtoĩ kĩraragia kĩũĩ njĩra

• • Literal translation: He who does not know the road delays also one that knows it.
  • English equivalent: Who goes with a fool becomes a fool.

66. Gĩtonga kĩgiragio iganjo gĩkarĩma

• • Literal translation: The rich man cannot be prevented from cultivating the ‘iganjo’ he wants.
  • Contextual note: ‘Iganjo’ is the place upon which a hut had been built. Since the flocks live in the owner’s hut, the floor of the hut becomes fertilized. The proverb refers to the fact that if a rich man has left a piece of his land to a poor man on which to build his hut, very often he wants it back as soon as the soil under the hut has been enriched by the dropping of the animals.
  • English equivalent: Mights is right.

67. Gĩtonga kĩrĩaga mũnyuko

• • Literal translation: Rich people sometimes eat bad food.
  • English equivalent: All is not gold that glitters.

68. Gũceera nĩ kũhĩga

• • Literal translation: Traveling is learning.
  • English equivalent: The world is a great book, of which they that never stir read only one page.

69. Gũcekeha ti gũicũhio

• • Literal translation: To be slim does not mean having been pared.
  • English equivalent: Do not scorn little things.

70. Gũciara kunaga irigũ ngingo

• • Literal translation: The woman who gives birth to a child is like the banana tree that breaks under the weight of its fruit.
  • English equivalent: Maternity means pain to the mother.

71. Gũciara ũru ti kwenda kwa mwene

• • Literal translation: It is not the mother’s will to have a bad offspring.

72. Gũcukagwo ũtagũteo

• • Literal translation: People slander somebody even if they do not despise him.

73. Gũkĩara na gũtonga ititiganaga

• • Literal translation: Riches and poverty do not leave each other.

74. Gũkira kũrĩ ngatho

• • Literal translation: To keep one’s tongue is worthy of praise.
  • English equivalent: Silence is golden.

75. Gũkira nĩ gũthũrana

• • Literal translation: Not to talk is to hate.
  • English equivalent: One keeps silence with people one does not like.

76. Gũkirĩrĩria kwagĩra kĩeha

• • Literal translation: Indulgence breeds regret.

77. Gũkũra nĩ kũũru: ngathiĩ ũrĩrĩ ngĩcayaga

• • Literal translation: It is bad to get old, for one goes to bed grumbling.
  • English equivalent: Old sacks want much patching.

78. Gũkuhĩrĩria mbaara tikuo kũrũa

• • Literal translation: The fact that you have gone near the battle-field does not mean that you fought.

79. Gũkungagwo ũtukũ ti mũthenya

• • Literal translation: Thieves conceal themselves in the night not in the day.
  • English equivalent: The night is a cloak for sinners.

80. Guota mwaki nĩ gũcera

• • Literal translation: To get the warmth of fire one must stir the embers.
  • English equivalent: No gains without pains.

81. Guoya ũtũũragia ũkĩa mũciĩ

• • Literal translation: The fear (of toil) keeps your house poor.
  • English equivalent: Idleness is the key of beggary.

82. Gũteithagio wĩteithĩtie

• • Literal translation: If you help yourself you will be helped.
  • English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.

83. Gũtema na kanua ti gĩtema na rũhiũ

• • Literal translation: Cutting by the tongue is different from cutting by the knife.
  • Contextual note: Slander is not mortal stabbing.
  • English equivalent: Hard words break no bones.

84. Gũthama nĩkuo kũhika kwa arũme

• • Literal translation: A man changing his abode is like a woman marrying.
  • Contextual note: As a woman, on marrying, adopts the customs of the family she enters, so a man going to live in a strange country, must accept its customs.
  • English equivalent: When in Rome do as Rome does.

85. Gũthekererwo nĩ andũ ti kũrĩrĩrwo nĩ hiti

• • Literal translation: To be laughed at by men is not to be wept by hyenas.
  • English equivalent: Better to be laughed at than to die.

86. Gũthekererwo ti kũrĩrĩrwo

• • Literal translation: To be laughed at is not to be pitied.
  • Contextual note: One starting any enterprise ought not to fear what others say of him.
  • English equivalent: Do well and dread no shame.

87. Gũthekio ti kwendwo

• • Literal translation: If anybody makes you laugh, it is not always because he loves you.
  • English equivalent: Eat a peck of salt with a man before you trust him.

88. Gũthĩgagio mbura gũtongĩtwo matũgũta

• • Literal translation: Some hope for rain even though they have not prepared their fields.
  • Contextual note: He who hopes for favours should have prepared himself to profit by them.

89. Gũthiĩ gũtigiragia mũndũ acoke

• • Literal translation: To go does not prevent a man from returning.
  • English equivalent: Never give up.

90. Gũthiĩ kuonagia mũndũ njĩra

• • Literal translation: Travelling teaches men their way.

91. Gũthiĩ nĩ kuona

• • Literal translation: Travelling is seeing.
  • English equivalent: Travel broadens the mind.

92. Gũthimba ti kuura

• • Literal translation: Having rain clouds is not the same as having rain.
  • English equivalent: Don’t cry herrings till they are in the net.

93. Gũthinga kũrũgĩte gũtonga

• • Literal translation: Virtue is better than riches.
  • English equivalent: Virtue is the only true nobility.

94. Gũthinga nĩkuo kĩhooto

• • Literal translation: Virtue is power.
  • English equivalent: Virtue makes men on the earth famous, in their graves illustrious, in the heaven immortal.

95. Gũthura ng’ombe nĩ gũthura kamũkwa kayo

• • Literal translation: To despise the ox means to despise also a strip of hide from it.
  • Contextual note: One cannot scorn great things without scorning little ones related to them.

96. Gũthukagĩrio wanatega itega

• • Literal translation: One favours him from whom one has in the past received a gift.
  • English equivalent: One good turn deserves another.

97. Gũthuragwo mũndũ ũrĩendwo

• • Literal translation: A man is (sometimes) scorned who will be loved (later on).
  • English equivalent: Judge not of men or things at first sight.

98. Gũtirĩ gĩtatũirie kĩngĩ

• • Literal translation: There is no thing which does not cause another to exist.

99. Gũtirĩ gĩthĩnji ũtathĩnja

• • Literal translation: There is no butcher that does not slaughter.
  • English equivalent: Every man to his trade.

100. Gũtirĩ gũkũra na kũrara kerĩ

• • Literal translation: One ages every night one lives.
  • English equivalent: Time fleeth away without delay.

101. Gũtirĩ ita ithiagwwo na gĩtete kĩa njohi no gĩa ũcũrũ

• • Literal translation: No war has been fought by men carrying a calabash of ‘njohi’ but of ‘ũcũrũ’.
  • Contextual note: ‘Njohi’ is an inebriating drink brewed out of sugar-cane. ‘Ũcũrũ’ is a kind of thin porridge made by boiling millet-flour in water. This gruel is supposed to be highly nourishing and therefore suitable for long journeys or hard fighting; while the sugar-cane beer by inebriating the warriors makes them weak and easy prey to the enemy.
  • English equivalent: Out of temperance comes strength.

102. Gũtirĩ mbura ĩtarĩ na gĩtonga kĩayo

• • Literal translation: There is no rain which does not enrich someone.
  • English equivalent: It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

103. Gũtirĩ mũciĩ ũrĩ kahĩĩ ũtakarugwo mũtwe

• • Literal translation: In every family where there is a son, the head of an ox, goat or ram is cooked to be eaten by him with his friends.
  • Contextual note: They use the proverb to mean that ordinarily a son gives his parent more trouble than a daughter, or that in every family parents do not lack troubles.
  • English equivalent: There is a black sheep in every family.

104. Gũtirĩ mũici na mũcũthĩrĩria

• • Literal translation: There is no difference between the thief and the looker-on.

105. Gũtirĩ mũki ũrehage ũrugarĩ

• • Literal translation: Nobody entering a hut pays for the heart he will enjoy in it.
  • Contextual note: Only the owner of the hut had the drudgery of carrying home the firewood; the visitor does not know the cost of the fire he is enjoying. Metaphorically the proverb is used to say that he who enters a house cannot realise the troubles of the occupants.
  • English equivalent: None knows the weight of another’s burden.

106. Gũtirĩ mũndũ ũĩ harĩa egũthiĩ no harĩa ekuuma

• • Literal translation: Nobody knows where he goes, but only whence he comes.
  • English equivalent: No one can see into the future.

107. Gũtirĩ mũndũ wendaga gũtũngana na nyoni njũru

• • Literal translation: Nobody wants to meet an ill-omened bird.
  • Contextual note: To the Kikuyu many birds foreshadow calamity. The cry of the owl forebodes mishap. If the owl cries, perched on the top of a hut, the oldest man in that village will die very soon. If someone, about to make a journey, hears the cry of any bird of ill- omen, he must not start on any account.
  • English equivalent: Nobody seeks his own ruin.

108. Gũtirĩ mũndũ ũtangĩtuĩka wa ndigwa

• • Literal translation: There is no man that cannot become an orphan.
  • English equivalent: No flying from fate.

109. Gũtirĩ mũndũ wonaga wega wake, no kuonwo wonagwo

• • Literal translation: Nobody can see his own goodness: it can be seen only by others.

110. Gũtirĩ mũrĩo ũtainagia rũthĩa

• • Literal translation: There is no pleasure (however little it may be) that does not cause one’s cheeks to tremble.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu consider the cheek trembling an expression of joy.
  • English equivalent: A little pleasure is nertheless a pleasure.

111. Gũtirĩ mũthenya ũkĩaga ta ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: No day dawns like another.
  • English equivalent: Every day brings a new light.

112. Gũtirĩ mũtumia wenjagĩrwo mbuĩ kwa nyina

• • Literal translation: No married woman will have her white hair shaved at her mother's.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu girls go around with bald heads which they get periodically shaved by their relations. So the woman, who by being married has left her house and relations, will never be shaved at her mother's.
  • English equivalent: Once sold, ever sold.

113. Gũtirĩ mwana ũngĩtema agĩtemera ithe

• • Literal translation: The son does not cut his finger in cutting meat for his father.
  • English equivalent: Sons are stingier than their parents.

114. Gũtirĩ ngware ĩtarĩ mũhurĩrie wayo

• • Literal translation: There is no partridge which does not know its own way of scratching.
  • English equivalent: As many methods as men.

115. Gũtirĩ ngware nyinyi mahurĩrio-inĩ

• • Literal translation: No partridge is small when it claws the soil.
  • English equivalent: Every one can do great good or evil according to his possibilities.

116. Gũtirĩ njamba ĩrumaga imera igĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: No prepotent man will insult other people for two consecutive seasons.
  • Contextual note: Prepotence comes quickly to an end.

117. Gũtirĩ nyama na ngirinyũ

• • Literal translation: Meat has no choice morsel.
  • Contextual note: When distributing the meat or anything else one must not favour any one person.

118. Gũtirĩ nyoni njega mwere-inĩ

• • Literal translation: There is no nice bird in the millet.
  • Contextual note: Millet is one of the staple crops of the Kikuyu. They protect it from birds by building pulpit-like huts in which boys or women stand to frighten them whilst the harvest is ripening.
  • English equivalent: Even sugar itself may spoil a good dish.

119. Gũtirĩ ũciaragwo arĩ mũgĩ

• • Literal translation: Nobody is born wise.

120. Gũtirĩ ũcokaga harĩa arũmĩirwo kaara

• • Literal translation: Nobody returns where he got his finger bitten.
  • English equivalent: Once bitten twice shy.

121. Gũtirĩ ũikagia itimũ atarĩ na harĩa akũratha

• • Literal translation: Nobody throws a lance if he has no target.
  • English equivalent: There is a reason for everything.

122. Gũtirĩ ũkinyaga mũkinyĩre wa ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: Nobody walks with another man’s gait.
  • English equivalent: Every man in his way.

123. Gũtirĩ ũndũ ũtarĩ kĩhumo

• • Literal translation: There is nothing without a cause.
  • English equivalent: All things have a beginning.

124. Gũtirĩ ũrĩragio nĩ ũkĩa wene

• • Literal translation: Nobody grumbles at being rich, all at being poor.

125. Gũtirĩ ũrĩragio nĩ ũtonga no ũkĩa

• • Literal translation: Nobody cares about other people’s poverty.

126. Gũtirĩ ũrirũ ũtonwo

• • Literal translation: There is no mischance you are guaranteed against.
  • English equivalent: There is many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.

127. Gũtirĩ ũru ũtũũraga, no wega ũtũũraga

• • Literal translation: No evil, but only the good will last.
  • English equivalent: Good deeds remain, all things else perish.

128. Gũtirĩ ũta ũtarĩ nyama

• • Literal translation: There is no bow without its meat.
  • English equivalent: God helps those who help themselves.

129. Gũtirĩ rĩtwa rĩtakũria mwana

• • Literal translation: There is no name which cannot distinguish a child.
  • English equivalent: Every bird is known by its feathers.

130. Gũtirĩ thingira ũciraga ta ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: There is no location which discusses its affairs in the same way as the other does.
  • English equivalent: Every man in his way.

131. Gũtirĩ ũthũire tiga akĩaga

• • Literal translation: A man is poor not because he scorns possessions, but because he possesses nothing.
  • English equivalent: Sour grapes, as the fox said when he could not reach them.

132. Gũtirĩ wa nda na wa mũgongo

• • Literal translation: There is not the son of the front and the son of the back.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu mothers carry a baby on the back if they have only one. If they have two, one is carried in front and the other one on the back. Of course the one carried near the breasts can suck oftener than the other. That is why they say this is the favourite one.
  • English equivalent: Parents should have no Benjamin.

133. Gũtirĩ wĩriraga agĩkuua, eriraga akĩiga thĩ

• • Literal translation: Nobody grumbles while carrying a load, but when he has laid it down.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that nobody hates to be rich but all hate to become poor; or that nobody refuses to command, though all are sorry when they have to give up the command.

134. Gũtirĩ wĩriraga agĩthiĩ, no agĩcoka

• • Literal translation: Everybody regrets not what he leaves but what he does not find (when he comes back).

135. Gũtirĩ wĩtaga ithe wa ũngĩ baba

• • Literal translation: Nobody calls another’s father ‘dad’.

136. Gũtirika gũteaga njamba noru

• • Literal translation: To forget a strong man who could help you is the same as to scorn him.

137. Gũtirika nĩ gũte

• • Literal translation: To forget is the same as to throw away.

138. Gũtungata gũtingĩgiria mũndũ agatungatwo

• • Literal translation: The man that serves is not prevented from being served in turn.
  • English equivalent: Every dog has its day, and every man his hour.

139. Gwakĩa kwarama, gwatuka gwakundeera

• • Literal translation: The day is for working, the night is for resting.
  • English equivalent: There is a time to wink as well as to see.

140. Gwethera gĩtahi mũka

• • Literal translation: To seek a woman to the belly.
  • Contextual note: The expression is used when they look for something to eat. To go foraging.

141. Gwĩ thigari mũgambo

• • Literal translation: Some soldiers are only soldiers when talking.
  • English equivalent: A good friend is a treasure.

142. Gwĩka wega kũmathaga ũngĩ

• • Literal translation: A good action reaps another.
  • English equivalent: One good turn deserves another.

[edit] H

143. Handũ ha njũgũma na ha mũgwĩ hatiganaine

• • Literal translation: The place to use the club and the above arrow are not the same.
  • English equivalent: Everything has its place.

144. Harĩ mũthuri hatiitangagwo maaĩ

• • Literal translation: In the presence of elderly people one must not pour water.
  • Contextual note: Nobody is allowed to be foul-mouthed especially when elderly people are present.
  • English equivalent: Old age is honourable.

145. Haro nĩ ya mũka ũrĩ ĩhĩĩ

• • Literal translation: Quarrelling is peculiar to the woman who has got male children.
  • Contextual note: They use the proverb to mean that since sons are more mischievous than daughters, and mothers are more proud of their sons than of their daughters, women are inclined to quarrel to defend or to exalt their sons.
  • English equivalent: No mother is so wicked but desires to have good children.

146. Haro nĩ ya mũka ũrĩ thirĩ

• • Literal translation: Quarrelling is peculiar to the woman who has debts.
  • Contextual note: A woman in debt is quarrelsome.

147. Hĩta itanakĩra

• • Literal translation: Resist the beginnings.
  • English equivalent: Small faults indulged are little thieves that let in great.

148. Hinga ndĩkinyaga iraka

• • Literal translation: A wily person does not walk on dry leaves (for they would betray his presence).

149. Hinya ndũigana ũrũme

• • Literal translation: Strength does not correspond with courage.

150. Hinya ndũrĩ indo

• • Literal translation: Strength has nothing.
  • Contextual note: Strong people are not necessarily rich people.

151. Hiti ciathiĩ mbwe ciegangara

• • Literal translation: When hyenas go away jackals rejoice.
  • English equivalent: Little dogs begin to eat when big ones have eaten enough.

152. Hiti ĩtaga ĩrĩa ĩngĩ ya mũtĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: The hyena calls another hyena worse than itself.
  • English equivalent: The pot calling the kettle black.

153. Hiti yugaga arũme nĩ ogĩ, monaga gĩcinga ngwatĩro

• • Literal translation: Hyena says that men are wise because they know how to hold a firebrand.
  • Contextual note: A story told by the Kikuyu says that one night a hyena entered a hut to eat the goats. The owner wakened by the noise, took hold of a firebrand to scare it out. The beast tried top do the same, but not knowing how to handle firebrands it scorched its paws.
  • English equivalent: There is a right and a wrong way of doing everything.

154. Hiti ndĩrĩaga mwana, na mũĩ ũrĩa ĩrĩ ngoroku

• • Literal translation: The hyena does not eat its baby, and you know how insatiable it is.
  • English equivalent: No mother is so wicked but loves her children.

155. Hũngũ ireraga harĩa mbũri ĩrathĩnjĩrwo

• • Literal translation: Vultures arrive at the place where the goat is slaughtered.
  • English equivalent: Where the carcase is, the ravens will gather.

156. Hũngũ ĩgĩthiĩ igũrũ ndĩatigire thĩ kũrĩ kwega

• • Literal translation: The vulture perches on the trees because it does not feel sure on the ground.

157. Hũni nene ĩgĩraga hũhita

• • Literal translation: To eat much leaves you with a swollen belly.
  • English equivalent: Enough is as good as a feast.

158. Hururu ĩthekaga rwaro

• • Literal translation: The abyss laughs at the plain.
  • English equivalent: Every man thinks his own geese swans.

[edit] Ĩ

159. Ĩciaraga ũru mwene oine

• • Literal translation: The cow has a bad delivery though her owner is present.
  • English equivalent: Misfortunes may come in spite of watchfulness.

160. Ĩganagwo yaarĩ iria yakua

• • Literal translation: The good milking cow is praised after her death.
  • English equivalent: A friend is never known till needed.

161. Ĩgĩtunywo mwana ĩikagĩrio mũngũ

• • Literal translation: The cow is given a present when her calf is carried away.
  • English equivalent: When one thing distresses you, another consoles you.

162. Ĩgũkua ĩhuragia kĩara

• • Literal translation: The ox that claws the ‘kĩara’ will die.
  • Contextual note: ‘Kĩara’ is the dunghill you will find in every Kikuyu village. In order to understand the proverb it much be borne in mind that the Kikuyu regard it as a sacred place which the witch-doctors dedicates with the sacrifice of a goat to secure that the evil spirits may not return into the hut from which he expelled them. They are supposed to stay in the ‘kĩara’ just as the rubbish does.
  • English equivalent: Touch pitch and you’ll be defiled.

163. Ĩkũrũma ndĩoragia mũgũgũta

• • Literal translation: The ox that feeds itself does not spoil its skin.

164. Ĩkũrũra yarahũraga ĩmamiĩ

• • Literal translation: The animal rambling in the stable makes the sleeping ones rise too.
  • English equivalent: Ill examples are like contagious diseases.

165. Ĩkũrũrio ti noru

• • Literal translation: The ram that is shown around is not fat.
  • Contextual note: A really fat ram will easily find a buyer and does not need to be carried around and shown in the markets.
  • English equivalent: Good ware makes a quick market.

166. Ĩreragĩra rũkũ-inĩ na ĩkaya kũigana

• • Literal translation: The cimex lives in the firewood and still it reaches its full growth.
  • English equivalent: Where there is a will there is a way.

167. Ĩrĩ gĩciarĩra riũa-inĩ yongithagĩria o ho

• • Literal translation: The cow that drops her calf in the sun feeds it there too.
  • English equivalent: One likes the place where one does well.

168. Ĩrĩ gũkũra ĩrĩagwo iguku nĩ aka

• • Literal translation: The hump of the ox that has grown old must be eaten by women.
  • Contextual note: The hump is a choice morsel for young men when the ox is young. But if it is old women must eat it.
  • English equivalent: Rubbish is women’s portion.

169. Ĩrĩ gũkũra ndĩrĩ mwĩroreri

• • Literal translation: The ox which has grown old has no admirer.
  • English equivalent: Nobody looks after elderly people.

170. Ĩrĩ gũtũ ĩhũgagia mwene

• • Literal translation: The flea troubles him who has got it in his ear.

171. Ĩrĩ kũhĩnja ndĩrĩ munĩri ngũ

• • Literal translation: Nobody gathers firewood to roast a thin goat.
  • English equivalent: Poor people have no friends.

172. Ĩrĩ kũhũma ndĩrĩ mũtĩ ĩtangĩgwatĩrĩra

• • Literal translation: There is no tree which a panting animal would not cling to.
  • English equivalent: A drowning man will catch at a straw.

173. Ĩrĩ kũra ndĩrĩ mũhĩti

• • Literal translation: The ox that ran away cannot be caught.
  • English equivalent: Resist the beginnings.

174. Ĩrĩ kũruga nĩ ĩgũita, ĩgũitĩrĩra nĩ nguũ

• • Literal translation: The cooking pot on the fire leaks, when pouring water it is broken.
  • English equivalent: Misfortunes come by forties.

175. Ĩrĩ mũrungu ĩgiritagia ĩrĩ kahĩa

• • Literal translation: The ox which has no horns, relies for help on the one that has them.
  • Contextual note: He who feels weak relies on the friend he knows is strong.

176. Ĩrĩ mũthece kinya tene ndĩoyagĩra ĩngĩ

• • Literal translation: The bird who has always possessed a beak, does not pick up for another.
  • English equivalent: Content is more than a kingdom.

177. Ĩrĩ nyite nĩ mũtego ndĩthũire gwĩteithũra

• • Literal translation: The animal caught in the trap does not refuse to set itself free.
  • English equivalent: No man likes his fetters, though of gold.

178. Ĩrĩ tha nĩ ĩrĩ iria

• • Literal translation: It is he who got milk that is merciful.
  • Contextual note: ‘Milk’ here has the sense of money; possessions. The proverb means that the rich should help needy people, since the poor cannot do it.

179. Ĩrĩ thoni ĩnyuaga munju

• • Literal translation: The timid ox drinks muddy water.
  • Contextual note: He goes to the river only when others have come away leaving the water dirty.
  • English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.

180. Ĩrũgamaga nĩ ĩkurumaga

• • Literal translation: He who goes around with his body upright, later on will go crawling.
  • English equivalent: Young today, old tomorrow.

181. Ĩtakuura ĩgwatagia rũhuho

• • Literal translation: To blame the wind for the rain that does not fall.
  • Contextual note: It refers to boasting people who try to make silly excuses for themselves.

182. Ĩtarĩ thahu ĩgunagwo nĩ makoro ma njĩra

• • Literal translation: The man who has no impurity will be helped even by the peels he sees on the road.
  • Contextual note: There are many ways by which a Kikuyu can contract impurity and he fears the baneful effects which will follow it. That is why a man able to avoid all legal unclanness is said to be so lucky.
  • English equivalent: God helps honest people.

183. Ĩthĩnjagĩrwo mũrwaru ĩgakora warwarire tene

• • Literal translation: The goat slaughtered for a man who is sick now, finds another who ws sick long before.
  • English equivalent: God cures and the doctor takes the fee.

184. Ĩthimbaga na ndũire

• • Literal translation: The sky is heavy with rain, but does not come.
  • Contextual note: It refers to people who are always promising great thing which they never do.
  • English equivalent: Great boast, small roast.

185. Ĩtunyagwo mbũĩ nĩ gũciara

• • Literal translation: A plant loses its blossom as soon as it bears fruit.
  • Contextual note: Woman’s beauty is spoilt by maternity.

[edit] I

186. Igai rĩa mũtũndũ rĩtigiragia kĩrĩti kiunwo

• • Literal translation: A branch of ‘mũtũndũ’ does not hinder the division of a field.
  • Contextual note: ‘Mũtũndũ’ is a small tree growing in the bush. It is not used by the natives, except as firewood.

187. Igego rĩthekagia itimũ

• • Literal translation: The tooth laughs with the lance.
  • Contextual note: It means that oftern a person plays with his enemy.
  • English equivalent: The cat plays with the mouse.

188. Igwa njĩthĩ itirĩ njohi

• • Literal translation: Young sugar-cane gives no beer.
  • English equivalent: There is no putting old heads on young shoulders.

189. Ihenya inene riunaga gĩkwa ihatha

• • Literal translation: Great haste breaks the yam tuber (instead of taking it out whole).
  • English equivalent: Haste trips up its own heels.

190. Ihĩĩ na igwa ikũragĩra ũthũ-inĩ

• • Literal translation: Boys and sugar-cane grow up as enemies (because boys are all the time eating sugar-cane).

191. Ihiga rĩega rĩtiringanaga na thĩo njega

• • Literal translation: A good millstone does not meet a good miller.

192. Ikinya na thĩ itiaganaga

• • Literal translation: The foot and the earth cannot help meeting.

193. Ikinya rĩa mũkũrũ rĩkinyaga mũruna

• • Literal translation: Old people’s walking teaches young ones to walk.
  • English equivalent: That comes of a cat will catch mice.

194. Ikũũra inya na inyanya

• • Literal translation: One can lose four and eight.
  • English equivalent: All covet all lose.

195. Indo ciene irĩ mũtino

• • Literal translation: Stolen things bring in misfortune.
  • English equivalent: Ill gotten goods seldom prosper.

196. Indo nĩ kũrĩmithanio

• • Literal translation: Riches are found in cultivating together.
  • English equivalent: Many hands make light work.

197. Irĩaga na mbugi kũrĩ na ũgwati

• • Literal translation: The goats pasture with bells hanging from their necks in order not to stray.

198. Irĩ gũthua ndongoria itikinyagĩra nyeki

• • Literal translation: If the first goat goes lame, those that follow will not reach the pasture.
  • English equivalent: Ill examples are like contagious diseases.

199. Irĩ gwĩthamba iticokaga gwota mwaki

• • Literal translation: Candidates for circumcision after washing do not return to warm themselves at their father’s (but go straightaway to the place of the ceremony to show their courage).
  • English equivalent: In things that must be it is good to be resolute.

200. Iri kanua itirĩ nda

• • Literal translation: The food that is in the mouth is not yet in the belly.
  • English equivalent: Do not cry herrings till they are in the net.

201. Irĩ kũhĩa itioragĩrwo

• • Literal translation: When the food is cooked there is no need to wait before eating it.

202. Irĩ ũkabi itirĩ Gĩkũyũ

• • Literal translation: What is in Masai is not in Kikuyu.
  • English equivalent: There is many a slip ‘twixt the cup and the lip.

203. Irima rĩrekagia rĩemba

• • Literal translation: The pit allows the grass to fall in.
  • Contextual note: The proverb alludes to the pits the Kikuyu used to dig for trapping wild animals. These pits were covered with sticks over which, as well as over borders, they put a layer of grass. Since this grass often fell in the pit through the spaces between the sticks, so they say that often one falls into the pit dug by himself.
  • English equivalent: Hoist with his own petard.

204. Irimũ ikenagĩra ũndũ mũru

• • Literal translation: Fools rejoice for a bad thing.
  • English equivalent: A fool will laugh when he is drowning.

205. Irio hĩu itiumaga mbũri

• • Literal translation: Cooked food is not sold for goats (but is given to friends visitors and pilgrims).
  • English equivalent: God helps the poor for the rich can help themselves.

206. Ita cia maitho ititĩraga

• • Literal translation: The war of the eyes never comes to an end.
  • English equivalent: The eye is never satisfied with seeing.

207. Ita itarĩ ndundu ititahaga

• • Literal translation: The war that has no unity will make no prey.

208. Ithaga rĩene rĩnogagia ngingo

• • Literal translation: Other’s ornaments tire one’s neck.
  • English equivalent: Do not wear borrowed plumes.

209. Ithare rĩagũka gũcokaga mũgumo

• • Literal translation: When ‘ithare’ is uprooted ‘mũgumo’ grows in its place.
  • Contextual note: ‘Ithare’ is a kind of a cane growing on the riverbanks. The Kikuyu say it is of no use. ‘Mũgumo’ is a kind of a fig tree (Ficus Hochstetteri), which does not grow except leaning on another tree or twisting around it like a creeper. This is why they think that the ‘mũgumo’ is worse than the ‘ithare’.

210. Ithe wa thaka ndarĩ matũ

• • Literal translation: A fair daughter’s father has no ears.
  • Contextual note: The father who wants to marry his daughter to the best among the young men who crowd his hut to woo her, turns a deaf ear on their foul words.
  • English equivalent: Few men will be better than their interest bids them.

211. Itherũ rĩtiringaga ini

• • Literal translation: A joke must not hit the belly.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that there must be a limit also in joking.
  • English equivalent: The jest is tolerable, but to do harm by jest is insufferable.

212. Itherũ rĩtirutagĩrwo mũguĩ

• • Literal translation: For a jest one should not take the arrow out of the quiver.

213. Itherũ riumaga mbaara

• • Literal translation: From a jest comes a strife.
  • English equivalent: Jests, like sweetmeats, have often sour sauce.

214. Itherũ rĩũragaga ndebe

• • Literal translation: A joke can break the earring.
  • English equivalent: An ill-timed jest has ruined many.

215. Itherũ ti mũguĩ

• • Literal translation: A trick is not an arrow.
  • English equivalent: Good jests bite like lambs not like dogs.

216. Itonga igĩrĩ itirĩ nyoni

• • Literal translation: Two rich persons do not wish each other a bird of ill omen.
  • English equivalent: Dog will not eat dog.

217. Itonga irugaga na ngĩo

• • Literal translation: Rich people cook their food in a potsherd.
  • English equivalent: The tailor’s wife is worst clad.

218. Itũũra rĩrĩ kanoro rĩtituhagia kahiũ

• • Literal translation: The village, which has got a whetstone, does not blunt the knife.
  • Contextual note: The sense of the proverb is that if in a village there is a good whetstone it does not mean that the villagers should purposely blunt their tools in order to whet them. The time will come when the whetstone will have to be used.
  • English equivalent: Every thing is good in its season.

219. Ithĩnjĩro rĩtiagaga thakame

• • Literal translation: A slaughterhouse is not without a little blood.
  • English equivalent: Touch pitch, and you’ll be defiled.

[edit] K

220. Kaana ka ngarĩ gakunyaga ta nyina

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

221. Kaana karere nĩ ũcũwe gatingĩrũngĩka

• • Literal translation: The baby nursed by its grandmother can never be corrected.
  • English equivalent: Too much breaks the bag.

222. Kaara kamwe gatingĩyũragĩra ndaa

• • Literal translation: One finger does not kill a louse.
  • English equivalent: Union is strength.

223. Kagwacĩ ka mwana wene noko kahoragia mwaki

• • Literal translation: It is always the potato of another family’s boy that extinguishes the fire.
  • Contextual note: The proverb alludes to the custom of roasting potatoes in the embers of a dying fire.
  • English equivalent: Nobody calls himself rogue.

224. Kahiga gakũrũ gatiagararagwo nĩ maaĩ

• • Literal translation: The stream does not pass over an old stone (through respect to its age).
  • English equivalent: Old age is honourable.

225. Kahĩĩ ka mwathi kamenyaga kũgereka

• • Literal translation: The hunter’s son knows how to hunt.
  • English equivalent: Like father, like son.

226. Kahĩĩ kogĩ ta ithe kabaritaga ta mĩgwĩ

• • Literal translation: A son as cunning as his father knows the arrows like father.
  • English equivalent: Like carpenter like chips.

227. Kahiũ getainwo na rwenji

• • Literal translation: A knife and a shaving-knife are alike.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that if you do not have something you need, you will have something you can instead.
  • English equivalent: Necessity is the mother of invention.

228. Kahiũ karathime karĩaga nyama cia kĩnandũ

• • Literal translation: The blessed knife (son) eats of the meat of the ‘kĩnandũ’.
  • Contextual note: ‘Kĩnandũ’ is a small calabash used to keep oil, fat and the best morsels of meat. They say that the father share the contents of the ‘kĩnandũ’ with the most beloved son.

229. Kahũniĩ gatiũĩ mwĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: He who is full does not understand what is told (about others’ troubles).
  • English equivalent: Another’s burden does not worry us.

230. Kahũniĩ gatũhaga ũrĩrĩ wa nyina

• • Literal translation: The fed baby plays on its mother’s bed.

231. Kaihũ korũri gatigaga kwao gũgĩthĩnjwo

• • Literal translation: The rambling pole-cat leaves its house when there is banquet.
  • Contextual note: The son that leaves his father’s house for liberty’s sake will not share his father’s inheritance.

232. Kamamĩrĩria gateire mũgũnda mũrĩme

• • Literal translation: A little idleness lost a tilled field.
  • English equivalent: A little leak can sink a great ship.

233. Kamau mwerũ nĩ airaga

• • Literal translation: Kamau who is white becomes black.
  • Contextual note: ‘Kamau’ is typical name. The proverb means there is nothing constant in this world.

234. Kamũhũthia kaharũrũkagia mwatũ

• • Literal translation: A little idleness causes the ruin of the beehive.
  • Contextual note: The Kikuyu hang beehives on the branches of the forest trees, and it is their custom to visit them often to make sure that they are all right. For it might happen that if out of idleness one did not see them regularly, one would ultimately find the branch broken, the beehive fallen and the contents spoilt.

235. Kamũingĩ koyaga ndĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: Many people together lift up the ‘ndĩrĩ’.
  • Contextual note: ‘Ndĩrĩ’ is a heavy wooden mortar in which the Kikuyu women, when brewing beer, crush the sugar-cane.
  • English equivalent: Many hands make light work.

236. Kanĩra njara ĩrĩa ũkomeire

• • Literal translation: Take an oath only for the hand youslept on.
  • English equivalent: Swear only to that which you know to be true.

237. Kanoro karĩ itũũra gatituhagia

• • Literal translation: The whetstone in a village does no blunt the knife.
  • English equivalent: Every potter praises his own pots.

238. Kanua karĩa karĩire mbeũ noko koragia ‘ngahanda kĩ?’

• • Literal translation: The mouth who ate the seeds asks, ‘Now what shall I plant?’
  • English equivalent: He sups ill who eats up all at dinner.

239. Kanua kene gatinyuaga muma

• • Literal translation: Another’s mouth cannot take the oath for you.
  • English equivalent: Every bird must hatch its own egg.

240. Kanua nĩ ikahũ

• • Literal translation: The mouth is a chink.
  • English equivalent: From the mouth come many futilities.

241. Kanua kendagia kĩongo

• • Literal translation: The mouth sells the head.
  • English equivalent: The tongue talks at the head’s cost.

242. Kanua werĩire

• • Literal translation: You spoke (against yourself) with your own mouth.
  • Contextual note: Its means that one can sometimes condemn oneself in defending oneself.

243. Kanya gatune mwamũkanĩro

• • Literal translation: A small red snuff-box is a welcome.
  • Contextual note: The proverb refers to the Kikuyu custom of giving a pinch of snuff to their friends when they meet.

244. Kanyoni kabariti keminagĩra njoya

• • Literal translation: The little bird that flaps its wings too much will spoil them.
  • English equivalent: One must crawl before one can walk.

245. Kanywanjui kerathaga kero gako

• • Literal translation: ‘Kanywanjui’ scratches its thigh.
  • Contextual note: ‘Kanywanjui’is a species of a tiny blue bird with a long bill, which sucks nectar from flowers. The proverb means that such birds, although very small, can do everything for their own needs, and do not require others’ help to have their legs scratched.
  • English equivalent: Every man something can.

246. Karaguthwo nĩko koĩ kwĩgita

• • Literal translation: He who is stricken knows how to defend himself.
  • English equivalent: Scalded cats fear even cold water.

247. Karanga hako gatiũmagia

• • Literal translation: It is not the owner, trampling his own field, that spoils it (but the others).
  • Contextual note: The proverb has arisen from the fact that many people if they have a bad harvest, say that it is the fault of other people who walked across their plantations.
  • English equivalent: Nobody calls himself a rogue.

248. Karara gekinya

• • Literal translation: A person will change his mind on something if left to sleep over it.
  • English equivalent: Never leave till tomorrow what you can do today.

249. Karatha gatũkagia karatha

• • Literal translation: Prophet copies a prophet.
  • English equivalent: Like tree like fruit.

250. Karatũ gatagwo na kũgũrũ kwa mwene

• • Literal translation: The shoe is made for the foot that will wear it.
  • English equivalent: If the cap fits wear it.

251. Karegi nyina gatihonaga

• • Literal translation: The baby that refuses its mother's breast, will never be full.
  • English equivalent: Faint heart never won fair lady.

252. Kareraria kagarũragwo na mũtĩ

• • Literal translation: The sleeping is turned by a stick: i.e. turns around to bite if disturbed or touched by a stick.
  • English equivalent: Let the sleeping dogs lie.

253. Karĩki kamwe gatukĩrĩirie ndutura kĩrimũ

• • Literal translation: A stupid turtle-dove is sometimes surprised by night for wanting one more grain of castor-oil plant.
  • English equivalent: Time stays not the fool's leisure.

254. Karĩ mata gatiagaga wa kuga

• • Literal translation: The mouth that has saliva does not lack words.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that the man who has something to say will say it.

255. Karĩ nda gatiĩyumbũraga

• • Literal translation: The word that remains in the belly does not mean anything.
  • English equivalent: Tell the truth and shame the devil.

256. Kĩaga ngũi kĩabaca

• • Literal translation: The song that has no leader, goes wrong.
  • English equivalent: No longer pipe, no longer dance.

257. Kĩama gĩtirũgaga rũũĩ

• • Literal translation: The elders of the council do not jump over the brook.
  • Contextual note: Metaphorically the proverb means that the elders who are to judge a case must not hurry. But it often means that a person like a judge should not do anything undignified.

258. Kĩambi nda nĩkĩo gĩakũra

• • Literal translation: The food eaten first lasts longest in the stomach.
  • English equivalent: First impressions are most lasting.

259. Kĩara kĩihũragio nĩ gũita ihuti

• • Literal translation: The dunghill grows by straws thrown upon it.
  • English equivalent: Every little helps.

260. Kĩega ta kĩ gĩtithiraga

• • Literal translation: A really good thing is ever good.
  • English equivalent: A good tale is none the worse for being twice told.

261. Kĩere kĩa njĩra-inĩ gĩtigwatagwo nĩ muura

• • Literal translation: A grain of millet grown on the road will bear no ears.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means both that a promiscuous woman has little hope of bearing children, and that a thing in common use will not last long.
  • English equivalent: A pot that belongs to many is ill stirred and worse boiled.

262. Kĩero nĩ ũimbo

• • Literal translation: The thigh is a bubble.
  • Contextual note: Thigh means full blooded youth. The proverb is for the young who scorn old people or make wrong use of their strength to sin. It reminds them that youth passes quickly.
  • English equivalent: Young today, old tomorrow.

263. Kĩerũ nĩ kĩiraga

• • Literal translation: What is white becomes black.
  • Contextual note: The proverb originates in the fact that the Africans are almost white when they are born, but become black by growing.
  • English equivalent: There is nothing constant but change.

264. Kĩgĩna gĩtininũkagio irio hande itarĩ ngũrũ

• • Literal translation: The seeds kept are not finished before the ripening of the crops planted in the field.
  • English equivalent: Every thing has its time, and that time must be watched.

265. Kĩhooto gĩtuthaga rũga rũtunge

• • Literal translation: The argument breaks the strained cord of the bow.

266. Kĩhooto kĩgetũraga ũta mũgete

• • English equivalent: The argument relaxes the bent bow.

267. Kĩhooto kĩringaga rũũĩ rũiyũru

• • Literal translation: The reason crosses even a flooding river.

268. Kĩhooto kĩongagĩrĩrwo njũgũma

• • Literal translation: The club is added to one's argument.

269.Kĩhooto nĩ indo

• • Literal translation: Having a good argument (in a discussion) is like having riches.
  • Contextual note: The five proverbs here above mean that he who can support his views or actions with a strong argument, will go through any difficulty and obtain what he wants.

270. Kĩnandũ kĩa mũciĩ gĩtihakagwo mũgeni

• • Literal translation: The fat of the 'kĩnandũ' is not used to anoint a stranger.
  • Contextual note: For the meaning of the word 'kĩnandũ' see No. 228.
  • English equivalent: Charity begins at home.

271. Kĩndũ kĩene gĩtirĩ ndokeirwo nũũ

• • Literal translation: Who prospered with robbed things.
  • English equivalent: Ill gotten goods seldom prosper.

272. Kĩndũ kĩũru no kĩronda, ĩndĩ kĩrĩ rũa rwa mũhuhi

• • Literal translation: A sore is a really bad thing; still it means luck to the doctor.
  • English equivalent: It is an ill wind that blows nobody good.

273. Kĩndũ kĩũru no mũndũ ethũkĩtie we mwene

• • Literal translation: A really bad thing is to hurt oneself willfully.
  • English equivalent: It is stupid to cut of your nose to spite your face.

274. Kĩndũ no mwene mũhoi ahoyage

• • Literal translation: The thing you want must be begged from the owner.
  • Contextual note: This means that it must not be acquired from other people nor taken without permission.
  • English equivalent: It is not a sin to sell dear, but it is to make measure.

275. Kĩndong'o kĩarĩire mai nĩ ũndũ wa kwaga mayũ ma gũkĩra

• • Literal translation: The beetle feeds on excrement for it can't fly high.
  • English equivalent: If thou hast not a capon, feed on an onion.

276. Kĩnya kĩrĩ itina nĩkĩo kĩigaga

• • Literal translation: Any calabash that has got a bottom can stand upright.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that God gives every man what is required by human nature: but it depends on man to exploit such gifts.
  • English equivalent: Every man is the architect of his own fortune.

277. Kĩongo kĩenjithagio nĩ mwene

• • Literal translation: The head is shaved at its owner's desire.
  • English equivalent: Let every peddlar carry his own burden.

278. Kĩonje gĩtihoyaga njohi mĩciĩ ĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: An invalid does not go to two houses to ask for beer (since he cannot move).
  • English equivalent: Old age is honourable.

279. Kĩrĩ kwĩhia ciĩhĩtie ciothe

• • Literal translation: If a child has sinned all have sinned.
  • English equivalent: One does the blame, another bears the shame.

280. Kĩrĩro kĩa mbũri nĩ ndara

• • Literal translation: It is the gridiron that cries (for the slaughtered goat).
  • Contextual note: Everyone rejoices when a goat is killed, for each will have his piece of meat; only the gridiron on which the meat is roasted, weeps, i.e. crackles.

281. Kĩrĩro kĩrĩ itũũra gĩtingĩreka mũndũ akome

• • Literal translation: One person weeping prevents all in a village from sleeping.
  • English equivalent: One barking dog sets all the street a-barking.

282. Kĩrĩti kĩrĩ ngoro gĩtiunanagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: The forest in the heart cannot be cut down by somebody else.
  • Contextual note: Troubles in somebody's heart cannot be removed by somebody else.

283. Kĩrimũ gĩtindagia andũ njĩra

• • Literal translation: The fool makes other people stop on the road.
  • English equivalent: The fool wastes the time of other people.

284. Kĩrimũ kĩhithaga rwembea-inĩ rwa nyũmba kĩũĩ gĩtikuonwo

• • Literal translation: The fool hides himself under the eaves of the hut and thinks nobody will see him.
  • Contextual note: It refers to foolish people who invent silly excuses to conceal their faults.

285. Kĩrimũ gĩa gwĩkĩgia kĩrũgĩte kĩa mũciarĩre

• • Literal translation: He who feigns to be stupid is more stupid than the stupid-born.
  • English equivalent: None is so deaf as those who won't hear.

286. Kĩrimũ kĩongaga nyina arĩ mũkuũ

• • Literal translation: A fool can even suck the mother after she is dead.

287. Kĩrimũ nĩ ta mwatũ

• • Literal translation: A fool is like a beehive.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that he is a fool who does not look after his own interest, like the beehive which allows itsself to be emptied.

288. Kĩringĩri gĩa aka nĩ rwenji rũkĩrega

• • Literal translation: To force a woman to do something she doesn't like is like forcing a blunt shaving knife to shave.

289. Kĩronda kĩa mwene gĩtimũiragia ngoro

• • Literal translation: He who has a sore does not feel sick on account of it.
  • English equivalent: We are blind to our own faults.

290. Kĩruka gĩa kĩmbu gĩtithiragwo nĩ mũng'ũng'ũtũ

• • Literal translation: All the species of the chameleon family shall always have a protruding backbone.
  • English equivalent: That that comes out of a cat will catch mice.

291. Kĩũma gĩtihatagĩrĩrio rũga

• • Literal translation: Do not force a big thread into a bead with a small hole.
  • English equivalent: Grasp all, lose all.

292. Kĩũnũhu gĩtirĩagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: A wasted thing cannot be eaten.
  • English equivalent: Willful waste makes woeful want.

293. Kĩũra kĩaringio rũũĩ kiugaga nĩkĩo kĩeringia

• • Literal translation: The frog that was helped across the river, said she had crossed by itself.
  • English equivalent: Eaten bread is soon forgotten.

294. Kirĩrĩria, thuti ti ruo

• • Literal translation: Be patient, a desire is no pain.
  • Contextual note: This proverb is told to people who long after anything they cannot obtain.

295. Kirihia thuti

• • Literal translation: Desires tie.
  • English equivalent: If desire be endless, your cares will be so too.

296. Kiuga gĩtheri gĩtirutanagĩrwo

• • Literal translation: An empty bowl is not offered.
  • Contextual note: It means that it is better to keep silence than to try to justify oneself by empty excuses.
  • English equivalent: Be silent or speak something worth hearing.

297. Komũ ateire kaigũ wa nyina

• • Literal translation: The dry firewood does not despise the wet one coming from the same tree.
  • English equivalent: Dog will not bite dog.

298. Komũ athĩnirie kaigũ wa nyina

• • Literal translation: Mother's dry firewood laughed at the green one (and it did not think that both of them had but one common lot).
  • English equivalent: Today me, tomorrow thee.

299. Kũganwo nĩ kũra

• • Literal translation: Being praised leads to ruin.
  • English equivalent: Praise without profit puts little in the pot.

300. Kũgera mũgathĩ ti gũtinia

• • Literal translation: To tell the beads is not to cut the thread.
  • English equivalent: Do not judge men or things at first sight.

301. Kũgũrũ kũrĩ mũhu na kũrĩ ime itihanaine

• • Literal translation: A foot dirty of ashes is not a foot wet of dew (because the former holds firmly, while the latter skids).

302. Kũgũrũ nĩ irata thĩ

• • Literal translation: The foot goes all the world over.
  • English equivalent: It is perseverance that prevails.

303. Kũgunagwo mwĩthiomeri ti mũthiomerwo

• • Literal translation: It is he who speaks that profits, not he who is spoken for.

304. Kũgunĩrwo mwana no ta kũgunĩrwo nyina

• • Literal translation: To make the son happy is to make the mother happy.

305. Kũhĩka nĩ kuna

• • Literal translation: Hurrying, is breaking.
  • English equivalent: Haste makes waste.

306. Kũhĩtia nĩ kwa njamba

• • Literal translation: Erring is proper in a courageous person.
  • English equivalent: To err is human.

307. Kũhonoka ti gũtũũra

• • Literal translation: To pass safely through danger (once) is no guarantee (for the next time).
  • English equivalent: One can escape the rocks and perish in the sand.

308. Kũhoya kwa arũme nĩ maitho

• • Literal translation: Males beg with the eyes.
  • Contextual note: It alludes to the Kikuyu custom according to which male guests, when invited to a beer party sit in the courtyard waiting for the host to pass round the drinks.

309. Kũhoya ti kũiya

• • Literal translation: To beg is not to steal.

310. Kũhũũta na kũhũũna ititiganaga

• • Literal translation: Hunger and surfeit do not leave each other.
  • English equivalent: Riches have wings.

311. Kũhũra maaĩ na ndĩrĩ

• • Literal translation: To pound the water in the mortar.
  • English equivalent: To waste time and labour.

312. Kũira ti kũrita

• • Literal translation: To be black is not to be stupid.
  • English equivalent: Little bodies may have great souls.

313. kũma ti kũma ta ihiga, na kuororoa ti kuororoa ta maaĩ

• • Literal translation: To be hard does not mean to be hard as stone, and to be soft does not mean to be soft as water.
  • English equivalent: There is a measure in all things.

314. Kũmtha gũtirĩ hinya ta kũramata

• • Literal translation: To harvest is not so difficult as to keep the harvest.
  • English equivalent: Keep some till more comes.

315. Kũmenya mũno nĩ kũmenyũka

• • Literal translation: Knowing too much is like being ignorant.
  • English equivalent: Too much breaks the bag.

316. Kũmenya werũ nĩ kũũtinda

• • Literal translation: He knows a place who lives in it.
  • English equivalent: Every man knows his own business best.

317. Kũngũ maitũ na hunyũ wake

• • Literal translation: Long live my mother and her ugliness.

318. Kũnyiha ti gũtinio

• • Literal translation: To become small is not the same as being cut.

319. Kũnyitwo ti kuohwo

• • Literal translation: To be caught is not to be imrisoned.
  • English equivalent: There is many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip.

320. Kũrĩ arũme na maiyũria ndua

• • Literal translation: Some are males (useful people) and some can only fill the gourds (useless people).
  • English equivalent: Some good, some bad, as sheep come to the fold.

321. Kũrĩ gũciara ũru ta kĩhia gĩgĩciara na mũtwe

• • Literal translation: There are women who give forth a bad issue, just like the sorghum that bears its fruit on the head (instead of growing it underground like most Kikuyu crops).

322. Kũrĩ gũkahũka gũticokaga ndebe

• • Literal translation: One cannot put the 'ndebe' into a broken ear-lobe.
  • English equivalent: 'Ndebe' is the wooden ring put into the pierced ear-lobe as an ornament. The painful operation of piercing the lobe is done with a wooden bodkin by the parents of the boy or girl in the years preceding the initiation. Pieces of wood are then introduced into the hole and these will successively be replaced by larger ones until a large wooden ring ('ndebe') can be put in as an ornament. The proverb means that these are things once broken cannot be soldered.

323. Kũrĩ gũkua mũrĩo ta kĩgwa

• • Literal translation: There are people who, like sugar cane, are killed for being sweet.
  • English equivalent: He who makes himself a sheep shall be eaten by the wolf.

324. Kũrĩ mwoni na mũrata thĩ

• • Literal translation: There are lucky and unlucky people.
  • English equivalent: The wind of luck is inconstant.

325. Kũrĩ ũkuũ ũtatumwo, ta wa nyũngũ

• • Literal translation: There are things, like the earthen pot, which if ever broken can't be repaired.
  • English equivalent: For some evils there is no remedy.

326. Kũrĩa mbere ti gũkoroka

• • Literal translation: To eat first is not to be a glutton.

327. Kũrĩa mũno nĩ kuoria nda

• • Literal translation: To eat much means to spoil one's belly.
  • English equivalent: Too much breaks the bag.

328. Kũrĩa naĩ gũtigiragia mũndũ akarĩa wega

• • Literal translation: To eat bad food (today) does not prevent a person from having good food (tomorrow).
  • English equivalent: Change of fortune is the lot of life.

329. Kũrĩa thĩ ti kũrĩa tĩri

• • Literal translation: One does not eat the soil, but the fruit thereon.

330. Kũrĩa thirĩ nĩ kũrĩha

• • Literal translation: The way of eating a debt is paying it.
  • English equivalent: He that gets out of debt grows rich.

331. Kũrĩithia ĩmwe ti kwenda kwa mwene

• • Literal translation: To graze only one goat is not the owner's will.
  • English equivalent: Evils come though we do not want them.

332. Kũrĩkanĩra gũtigiragia ndeto ihĩtane

• • Literal translation: To have come to an agreement does not mean that the agreement may not be broken.
  • English equivalent: The cat and the dog may kiss, yet are none the better friends.

333. Kũrĩma nĩ kwĩenda

• • Literal translation: To till the land is to love oneself.
  • English equivalent: Work is well done that is well loved.

334. Kũrita nĩ kũru

• • Literal translation: It is bad to be a fool.

335. Kũrũga ti kwega, amu kĩũra kĩoragire ũthoni na irũga

• • Literal translation: To leap is bad, since the male-frog by leaping broke up the betrothal.
  • Contextual note: The proverb originates in the following fable. One day the male-frog went to his fiancée's home to arrange the marriage with her father. But as soon as the fiancée noticed the indecorous leaping-posture assumed by the male frog during the conversation, she refused to marry him. The Kikuyu tell the proverb to express their esteem for decency and modesty.
  • English equivalent: Loquacity storms the ear, but modesty takes the heart.

336. Kũrua, kũgũrana na kũrĩha thirĩ gũtiĩriragwo

• • Literal translation: Nobody feels sorry for having been circumcissed, for having bought his wife and for having paid hi debts.
  • Contextual note: The proverb means that there are certain things that leave no regrets.

337. Kũrua nĩ kũhĩa

• • Literal translation: Being circumcissed is like being scalded.
  • Contextual note: This means that the pain of the circumcission is a few minutes' pain.

338. Kũrua nĩ kwara itara

• • Literal translation: Being circumcissed is like building the 'itara'.
  • Contextual note: The 'itara' is a trellis of twigs suspended a short distance above the fire-place in the Kikuyu hut to prevent sparks from setting fire to the thatched roof. The same word is often used to mean the whole hut. Thus this proverb means that a young man as soon as circumcissed, must realise that the years of irresponsibility are over and that he must see about building his hut and starting a new home.
  • English equivalent: A married man must turn his staff into a stake.

339. Ku ndĩrĩaga

• • Literal translation: A blow does not always injure.

340. Kuma kwa mbaa gũthiĩ kwa heho

• • Literal translation: To come from rime and go into the bitter cold.
  • English equivalent: To fall out of the frying pan into the fire.

341. Kumagara nĩ kũhĩga

• • Literal translation: To come out of one's house means learning.
  • English equivalent: Travel makes a wise man better.

342. Kwa mũcũni nĩ gwateirwo nĩ mũhĩtũki

• • Literal translation: Mũcũni's place was ruined by the traveller.
  • Contextual note: 'Mũcũni' is the name of a person who refused hospitality to a passer by. Since hospitality is traditionally sacred among the Kikuyu, they say that this traveller cursed Mũcũni's house which went to ruin.

343. Kwa mũnegeni gũkĩũra, kwa mũkiri kworire tene

• • Literal translation: The house of the talkative man perished long after that of the quiet.
  • Contextual note: It is easy for somebody who is friendly to get help from others.

344. Kwa mwendwo gũtirĩ irĩma

• • Literal translation: On the way to one's beloved there are no hills.

345. Kwaria nĩ kwendana

• • Literal translation: Talking is loving one another.
  • English equivalent: Friendship increases by visiting friends.

346. Kwaria ti gũcaya

• • Literal translation: To talk is not to grumble.

347. Kwaria ti gũtua cira

• • Literal translation: To talk is not to decide.

348. Kwĩgeria mũciĩ nĩ kwĩgeria mathĩna

• • Literal translation: To start a family is to start troubles
  • English equivalent: When a man is married his troubles begin.

349. Kwĩgita ti guoya

• • Literal translation: To prepare is not to be afraid.
  • English equivalent: Let him that wants peace prepare for war.

350. Kwĩonera ti kwĩrwo

• • Literal translation: To see for one's self is different from being told.
  • English equivalent: Words are but wind, but seeing is believing.

351. Kuona kĩmera ti kũrĩa

• • Literal translation: To see the crop in the fields is not to eat it.
  • English equivalent: There is many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip.

[edit] 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.