Kama theluji wakati wa joto, na mvua wakati wa mavuno; Kadhalika heshima haimpasi mpumbavu.
Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, So honor is not fitting for a fool.
Kama shomoro katika kutanga-tanga kwake, Na kama mbayuwayu katika kuruka kwake; Kadhalika laana isiyo na sababu haimpigi mtu.
Like a fluttering sparrow, Like a darting swallow, So the undeserved curse doesn't come to rest.
Mjeledi kwa farasi, lijamu kwa punda, Na fimbo kwa mgongo wa mpumbavu.
A whip for the horse, A bridle for the donkey, And a rod for the back of fools!
Usimjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Usije ukafanana naye.
Don't answer a fool according to his folly, Lest you also be like him.
Umjibu mpumbavu sawasawa na upumbavu wake; Asije akawa mwenye hekima machoni pake.
Answer a fool according to his folly, Lest he be wise in his own eyes.
Apelekaye ujumbe kwa mkono wa mpumbavu Hujikata miguu, na kunywa hasara.
One who sends a message by the hand of a fool Is cutting off feet and drinking violence.
Miguu yake achechemeaye huwa dhaifu; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
Like the legs of the lame that hang loose: So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Kama mfuko wa vito katika chungu ya mawe; Kadhalika mtu amheshimuye mpumbavu.
As one who binds a stone in a sling, So is he who gives honor to a fool.
Kama mwiba uingiao katika mkono wa mlevi; Kadhalika mithali katika kinywa cha mpumbavu.
Like a thornbush that goes into the hand of a drunkard, So is a parable in the mouth of fools.
Fundi stadi hufanyiza vitu vyote; Bali amwajiriye mpumbavu ni kama awaajiriye watu wapitao.
As an archer who wounds all, So is he who hires a fool Or he who hires those who pass by.
Kama vile mbwa arudiavyo matapiko yake; Kadhalika mpumbavu afanya upumbavu tena.
As a dog that returns to his vomit, So is a fool who repeats his folly.
Je! Wamwona mtu mwenye hekima machoni pake mwenyewe? Afadhali kumtumaini mpumbavu kuliko yeye.
Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.
Mtu mvivu husema, Simba yuko njiani, Simba yuko katika njia kuu.
The sluggard says, "There is a lion in the road! A fierce lion roams the streets!"
Kama vile mlango ugeukavyo katika bawaba zake; Kadhalika mtu mvivu katika kitanda chake.
As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
Mtu mvivu hutia mkono wake sahanini; Kwamchosha kuupeleka tena kinywani pake.
The sluggard buries his hand in the dish. He is too lazy to bring it back to his mouth.
Mtu mvivu ni mwenye hekima machoni pake, Kuliko watu saba wawezao kutoa sababu.
The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who answer with discretion.
Mtu apitaye na kujisumbua kwa ugomvi usio wake; Ni kama mtu ashikaye mbwa kwa masikio yake.
Like one who grabs a dog's ears Is one who passes by and meddles in a quarrel not his own.
Kama mtu mwenye wazimu atupaye mienge, Na mishale, na mauti;
Like a madman who shoots firebrands, arrows, and death,
Ndivyo alivyo amdanganyaye mwenzake, Na kusema, Je! Sikufanya mzaha tu?
Is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, "Am I not joking?"
Moto hufa kwa kukosa kuni; Na bila mchongezi fitina hukoma.
For lack of wood a fire goes out; Without gossip, a quarrel dies down.
Kama makaa juu ya makaa yanayowaka, Na kama kuni juu ya moto; Ndivyo mtu mgomvi achocheavyo uadui.
As coals are to hot embers, And wood to fire, So is a contentious man to kindling strife.
Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama vitoweo. Nayo hushukia pande za ndani za tumbo.
The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels, They go down into the innermost parts.
Midomo ijipendekezayo pamoja na moyo mbaya Ni kama kigae kilichofunikizwa taka za fedha.
Like silver dross on an earthen vessel Are the lips of a fervent one with an evil heart.
Achukiaye huficha chuki kwa midomo yake; Naye huweka akiba ya hila moyoni mwake.
A malicious man disguises himself with his lips, But he harbors evil in his heart.
Anenapo maneno mazuri usimsadiki; Kwa maana ana machukizo saba moyoni mwake.
When his speech is charming, don't believe him; For there are seven abominations in his heart:
Ingawa chuki hufunikizwa kwa hila; Uovu wake utadhihirika mbele ya kusanyiko.
His malice may be concealed by deception, But his wickedness will be exposed in the assembly.
Achimbaye shimo atatumbukia mwenyewe; Naye abingirishaye jiwe litamrudia.
Whoever digs a pit shall fall into it. Whoever rolls a stone, it will come back on him.
Ulimi unenao uongo huwachukia wale uliowajeruhi; Na kinywa cha kujipendekeza hutenda uharibifu.
A lying tongue hates those it hurts; And a flattering mouth works ruin.