Ajitengaye na wenzake hutafuta matakwa yake mwenyewe; Hushindana na kila shauri jema.
An unfriendly man pursues selfishness, And defies all sound judgment.
Mpumbavu hapendezwi na ufahamu; Ila moyo wake udhihirike tu.
A fool has no delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own opinion.
Ajapo asiye haki, huja dharau pia; Na pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When wickedness comes, contempt also comes, And with shame comes disgrace.
Maneno ya kinywa cha mtu ni kama maji ya vilindi; Kijito kibubujikacho; chemchemi ya hekima.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters. The fountain of wisdom is like a flowing brook.
Kukubali uso wake asiye haki si vizuri; Wala kumpotosha mwenye haki hukumuni.
To be partial to the faces of the wicked is not good, Nor to deprive the innocent of justice.
Midomo ya mpumbavu huingia katika fitina, Na kinywa chake huita mapigo.
A fool's lips come into strife, And his mouth invites beatings.
Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake, Na midomo yake ni mtego wa nafsi yake.
A fool's mouth is his destruction, And his lips are a snare to his soul.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama vitoweo; Nayo hushukia pande za ndani za tumbo.
The words of a gossip are like dainty morsels: They go down into a person's innermost parts.
Yeye naye aliye mvivu katika kazi yake, Ni ndugu yake aliye mharabu.
One who is slack in his work Is brother to him who is a master of destruction.
Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara; Mwenye haki huikimbilia, akawa salama.
The name of Yahweh is a strong tower: The righteous run to him, and are safe.
Mali ya mtu tajiri ni mji wake wa nguvu; Ni kama ukuta mrefu katika mawazo yake.
The rich man's wealth is his strong city, Like an unscalable wall in his own imagination.
Kabla ya uharibifu moyo wa mwanadamu hujivuna; Na kabla ya heshima hutangulia unyenyekevu.
Before destruction the heart of man is proud, But before honor is humility.
Yeye ajibuye kabla hajasikia, Ni upumbavu na aibu kwake.
He who gives answer before he hears, That is folly and shame to him.
Roho ya mtu itastahimili udhaifu wake; Bali roho iliyovunjika nani awezaye kuistahimili?
A man's spirit will sustain him in sickness, But a crushed spirit, who can bear?
Moyo wa mwenye busara hupata maarifa; Na sikio la mwenye hekima hutafuta maarifa.
The heart of the discerning gets knowledge. The ear of the wise seeks knowledge.
Zawadi ya mtu humpatia nafasi; Humleta mbele ya watu wakuu.
A man's gift makes room for him, And brings him before great men.
Ajiteteaye kwanza huonekana kuwa ana haki; Lakini jirani yake huja na kumchunguza.
He who pleads his cause first seems right; Until another comes and questions him.
Kura hukomesha mashindano; Hukata maneno ya wakuu.
The lot settles disputes, And keeps strong ones apart.
Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuliko mji wa nguvu; Na mashindano ni kama mapingo ya ngome.
A brother offended is more difficult than a fortified city; And disputes are like the bars of a castle.
Tumbo la mtu litajazwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Atashiba mazao ya midomo yake.
A man's stomach is filled with the fruit of his mouth. With the harvest of his lips he is satisfied.
Mauti na uzima huwa katika uwezo wa ulimi; Na wao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; Those who love it will eat its fruit.
Apataye mke apata kitu chema; Naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
Whoever finds a wife finds a good thing, And obtains favor of Yahweh.
Maskini hutumia maombi; Bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor plead for mercy, But the rich answer harshly.
Ajifanyiaye rafiki wengi ni kwa uangamivu wake mwenyewe; Lakini yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kuliko ndugu.
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.