Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
He who keeps himself separate for his private purpose goes against all good sense.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A foolish man has no pleasure in good sense, but only to let what is in his heart come to light.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When the evil-doer comes, a low opinion comes with him, and with the loss of honour comes shame.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
The words of a man's mouth are like deep waters: the fountain of wisdom is like a flowing stream.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
To have respect for the person of the evil-doer is not good, or to give a wrong decision against the upright.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
A foolish man's lips are a cause of fighting, and his mouth makes him open to blows.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
The mouth of a foolish man is his destruction, and his lips are a net for his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
The words of one who says evil of his neighbour secretly are like sweet food, and go down into the inner parts of the stomach.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
He who does not give his mind to his work is brother to him who makes destruction.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the upright man running into it is safe.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The property of a man of wealth is his strong town, and it is as a high wall in the thoughts of his heart.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before destruction the heart of man is full of pride, and before honour goes a gentle spirit.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
To give an answer before hearing is a foolish thing and a cause of shame.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
The spirit of a man will be his support when he is ill; but how may a broken spirit be lifted up?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the man of good sense gets knowledge; the ear of the wise is searching for knowledge.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man's offering makes room for him, letting him come before great men.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
The man who first puts his cause before the judge seems to be in the right; but then his neighbour comes and puts his cause in its true light.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
The decision of chance puts an end to argument, parting the strong.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother wounded is like a strong town, and violent acts are like a locked tower.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
With the fruit of a man's mouth his stomach will be full; the produce of his lips will be his in full measure.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and those to whom it is dear will have its fruit for their food.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
Whoever gets a wife gets a good thing, and has the approval of the Lord.
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
The poor man makes requests for grace, but the man of wealth gives a rough answer.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
There are friends who may be a man's destruction, but there is a lover who keeps nearer than a brother.
