Afadhali mego kavu pamoja na utulivu, Kuliko nyumba yenye karamu nyingi pamoja na magomvi.
Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.
Mtumwa atendaye kwa busara atamtawala mwana atendaye mambo ya aibu; Tena atapata sehemu ya urithi kati ya ndugu.
A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who causes shame, And shall have a part in the inheritance among the brothers.
Kalibuni kwa fedha, na tanuru kwa dhahabu; Bali Bwana huijaribu mioyo.
The refining pot is for silver, and the furnace for gold, But Yahweh tests the hearts.
Mtenda mabaya husikiliza midomo ya uovu; Na mwongo hutega sikio lake kusikiliza ulimi wa madhara.
An evil-doer heeds wicked lips. A liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
Amdhihakiye maskini humsuta Muumba wake; Naye aufurahiaye msiba hatakosa adhabu.
Whoever mocks the poor reproaches his Maker. He who is glad at calamity shall not be unpunished.
Wana wa wana ndio taji ya wazee, Na utukufu wa watoto ni baba zao.
Children's children are the crown of old men; The glory of children are their parents.
Maneno mazuri hayapendezi kinywani mwa mpumbavu; Siuze midomo ya uongo kinywani mwa mkuu.
Arrogant speech isn't fitting for a fool, Much less do lying lips fit a prince.
Kipawa ni kama kito cha thamani machoni pake yeye aliye nacho; Kila kigeukapo hufanikiwa.
A bribe is a precious stone in the eyes of him who gives it; Wherever he turns, he prospers.
Afunikaye kosa hutafuta kupendwa; Bali yeye akashifuye neno hutenga rafiki.
He who covers an offense promotes love; But he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
Lawama hupenya moyoni mwa mwenye ufahamu, Kuliko mapigo mia moyoni mwa mpumbavu.
A rebuke enters deeper into one who has understanding Than a hundred lashes into a fool.
Mtu mwovu hataki neno ila kuasi tu; Kwa hiyo mjumbe mkali atatumwa kwake.
An evil man seeks only rebellion; Therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
Afadhali mtu akutwe na dubu aliyenyang'anywa watoto wake, Kuliko na mpumbavu katika upumbavu wake.
Let a bear robbed of her cubs meet a man, Rather than a fool in his folly.
Yeye arudishaye mabaya badala ya mema, Mabaya hayataondoka nyumbani mwake.
Whoever rewards evil for good, Evil shall not depart from his house.
Mwanzo wa ugomvi ni kama kutoboa penye maji; Basi acheni ugomvi kabla haujafurika.
The beginning of strife is like breaching a dam, Therefore stop contention before quarreling breaks out.
Yeye asemaye kwamba asiye haki ana haki; naye asemaye kwamba mwenye haki hana haki; Hao wote wawili ni chukizo kwa Bwana.
He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the righteous, Both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
Nini maana yake, mpumbavu kuwa na fedha mkononi mwake ya kununulia hekima, Ikiwa hana moyo wa ufahamu?
Why is there money in the hand of a fool to buy wisdom, Seeing he has no understanding?
Rafiki hupenda sikuzote; Na ndugu amezaliwa kwa siku ya taabu.
A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
Aliyepungukiwa na akili hupana mkono na mtu; Na kuwa mdhamini mbele ya mwenzake.
A man void of understanding strikes hands, And becomes collateral in the presence of his neighbor.
Apendaye ugomvi hupenda dhambi; Auinuaye sana mlango wake hutafuta uharibifu.
He who loves disobedience loves strife. One who builds a high gate seeks destruction.
Mtu mwenye moyo wa ukaidi hatapata mema; Na mwenye ulimi wa upotofu huanguka katika misiba.
One who has a perverse heart doesn't find prosperity, And one who has a deceitful tongue falls into trouble.
Azaaye mpumbavu ni kwa huzuni yake mwenyewe; Wala baba wa mpumbavu hana furaha.
He who becomes the father of a fool grieves. The father of a fool has no joy.
Moyo uliochangamka ni dawa nzuri; Bali roho iliyopondeka huikausha mifupa.
A cheerful heart makes good medicine, But a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
Asiye haki hutoa rushwa kifuani, Ili kuzipotosha njia za hukumu.
A wicked man receives a bribe in secret, To pervert the ways of justice.
Hekima huwa machoni pake mwenye ufahamu; Bali macho ya mpumbavu huwa katika ncha za dunia.
Wisdom is before the face of one who has understanding, But the eyes of a fool wander to the ends of the earth.
Mwana mpumbavu ni huzuni kwa babaye, Na uchungu kwa mamaye aliyemzaa.
A foolish son brings grief to his father, And bitterness to her who bore him.
Tena kumwadhibu mwenye haki si vizuri; Wala si kwema kuwapiga wakuu kwa unyofu wao.
Also to punish the righteous is not good, Nor to flog officials for their integrity.
Azuiaye maneno yake ni mwenye maarifa; Na mwenye roho ya utulivu ana busara.
He who spares his words has knowledge. He who is even tempered is a man of understanding.
Hata mpumbavu akinyamaza, huhesabiwa hekima; Akifumba midomo yake, huhesabiwa ufahamu.
Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is counted wise. When he shuts his lips, he is thought to be discerning.