Mwana mwenye hekima husikiliza mausia ya babaye; Bali mwenye dharau hasikilizi maonyo.
A wise son listens to his father's instruction, But a scoffer doesn't listen to rebuke.
Mtu atakula mema kwa matunda ya kinywa chake; Bali nafsi ya mtu haini itakula jeuri.
By the fruit of his lips, a man enjoys good things; But the unfaithful crave violence.
Yeye alindaye kinywa chake huilinda nafsi yake; Bali afunuaye midomo yake atapata uharibifu.
He who guards his mouth guards his soul. One who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.
Nafsi ya mtu mvivu hutamani asipate kitu; Bali nafsi ya mwenye bidii itanenepeshwa.
The soul of the sluggard desires, and has nothing, But the desire of the diligent shall be fully satisfied.
Mwenye haki huchukia kusema uongo; Bali mtu mbaya huwa karaha, hupatwa na aibu.
A righteous man hates lies, But a wicked man brings shame and disgrace.
Haki humlinda yeye aliye mnyofu katika njia yake; Bali ubaya humwangusha mwenye dhambi.
Righteousness guards the way of integrity, But wickedness overthrows the sinner.
Kuna mtu mwenye kujitajirisha, lakini hana kitu; Kuna ajifanyaye kuwa maskini, lakini ana mali nyingi.
There are some who pretend to be rich, yet have nothing. There are some who pretend to be poor, yet have great wealth.
Dia ya nafsi ya mtu ni utajiri wake; Bali mtu maskini hasikii ogofyo lo lote.
The ransom of a man's life is his riches, But the poor hear no threats.
Nuru ya mwenye haki yang'aa sana; Bali taa ya mtu mbaya itazimika.
The light of the righteous shines brightly, But the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out.
Kiburi huleta mashindano tu; Bali hekima hukaa nao wanaoshauriana.
Pride only breeds quarrels, But with ones who take advice is wisdom.
Mali iliyopatikana kwa haraka itapunguka; Bali yeye achumaye kidogo kidogo atazidishiwa.
Wealth gained dishonestly dwindles away, But he who gathers by hand makes it grow.
Kilichotarajiwa kikikawia kuja, moyo huugua. Bali haja ya mtu ikipatikana, ni mti wa uzima.
Hope deferred makes the heart sick, But when longing is fulfilled, it is a tree of life.
Kila alidharauye neno hujiletea uharibifu; Bali yeye aiogopaye amri atapewa thawabu.
Whoever despises instruction will pay for it, But he who respects a command will be rewarded.
Sheria ya mwenye akili ni chemchemi ya uzima, Ili kuepukana na tanzi za mauti.
The teaching of the wise is a spring of life, To turn from the snares of death.
Ufahamu mwema huleta upendeleo; Bali njia ya haini huparuza.
Good understanding wins favor; But the way of the unfaithful is hard.
Kila aliye na busara hutenda kazi kwa maarifa; Bali mpumbavu hueneza upumbavu.
Every prudent man acts from knowledge, But a fool exposes folly.
Mjumbe mbaya huanguka maovuni; Bali mjumbe mwaminifu ni afya.
A wicked messenger falls into trouble, But a trustworthy envoy gains healing.
Umaskini na fedheha zitampata yeye akataaye kurudiwa; Bali yeye aangaliaye maonyo ataheshimiwa.
Poverty and shame come to him who refuses discipline, But he who heeds correction shall be honored.
Haja iliyopatikana ni tamu nafsini mwa mtu; Bali kujitenga na maovu ni chukizo kwa wapumbavu.
Longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul, But fools detest turning from evil.
Enenda pamoja na wenye hekima, nawe utakuwa na hekima; Bali rafiki wa wapumbavu ataumia.
One who walks with wise men grows wise, But a companion of fools suffers harm.
Uovu huwaandamia wenye dhambi; Bali mwenye haki atalipwa mema.
Misfortune pursues sinners, But prosperity rewards the righteous.
Mtu mwema huwaachia wana wa wanawe urithi; Na mali ya mkosaji huwa akiba kwa mwenye haki.
A good man leaves an inheritance to his children's children, But the wealth of the sinner is stored for the righteous.
Chakula kingi chapatikana kwa ukulima wa maskini; Bali viko viharibiwavyo kwa sababu ya dhuluma.
An abundance of food is in poor people's fields, But injustice sweeps it away.
Yeye asiyetumia fimbo yake humchukia mwanawe; Bali yeye ampendaye humrudi mapema.
One who spares the rod hates his son, But one who loves him is careful to discipline him.
Mwenye haki hula akaishibisha nafsi yake; Bali tumbo la mtu mbaya litaona njaa.
The righteous one eats to the satisfying of his soul, But the belly of the wicked goes hungry.