Mithali 18
1 Mtu ajitengaye na wengine hufuata matakwa yake mwenyewe; hupiga vita kila shauri jema.
A man who wishes to separate from friends seeks excuses; but at all times he will be liable to reproach.
2 Mpumbavu hafurahii ufahamu, bali hufurahia kutangaza maoni yake mwenyewe.
A senseless man feels no need of wisdom, for he is rather led by folly.
3 Wakati uovu unapokuja, dharau huja pia, pamoja na aibu huja lawama.
When an ungodly man comes into a depth of evils, he despises [them]; but dishonor and reproach come upon him.
4 Maneno ya kinywa cha mwanadamu ni kina cha maji, bali chemchemi ya hekima ni kijito kinachobubujika.
A word in the heart of a man is a deep water, and a river and fountain of life spring forth.
5 Sio vizuri kumpendelea mtu mwovu, au kumnyima haki asiye na hatia.
[It is] not good to accept the person of the ungodly, nor [is it] holy to pervert justice in judgment.
6 Midomo ya mpumbavu humletea ugomvi na kinywa chake hualika kipigo.
The lips of a fool bring [him] into troubles, and his bold mouth calls for death.
7 Kinywa cha mpumbavu ni uharibifu wake na midomo yake ni mtego kwa nafsi yake.
A fool's mouth is ruin to him, and his lips are a snare to his soul.
8 Maneno ya mchongezi ni kama chakula kitamu; huingia sehemu za ndani sana za mtu.
Fear casts down the slothful; and the souls of the effeminate shall hunger.
9 Mtu aliye mlegevu katika kazi yake ni ndugu na yule anayeharibu.
A man who helps not himself by his labor is brother of him that ruins himself.
10 Jina la Bwana ni ngome imara, wenye haki huikimbilia na kuwa salama.
The name of the Lord is of great strength; and the righteous running to it are exalted.
11 Mali ya tajiri ni mji wake wenye ngome, wanaudhania kuwa ukuta usioweza kurukwa.
The wealth of a rich man is a strong city; and its glory casts a broad shadow.
12 Kabla ya anguko moyo wa mtu hujaa kiburi, bali unyenyekevu hutangulia heshima.
Before ruin a man's heart is exalted, and before honor it is humble.
13 Yeye ajibuye kabla ya kusikiliza, huo ni upumbavu wake na aibu yake.
Whoso answers a word before he hears [a cause], it is folly and reproach to him.
14 Roho ya mtu itastahimili katika ugonjwa bali roho iliyovunjika ni nani awezaye kuistahimili?
A wise servant calms a man's anger; but who can endure a faint-hearted man?
15 Moyo wa mwenye ufahamu hujipatia maarifa, masikio ya mwenye hekima huyatafuta maarifa.
The heart of the sensible [man] purchases discretion; and the ears of the wise seek understanding.
16 Zawadi humfungulia njia mtoaji, nayo humleta mbele ya wakuu.
A man's gift enlarges him, and seats him among princes.
17 Yeye aliye wa kwanza kuleta mashtaka huonekana sahihi, hadi mwingine ajitokezapo na kumuuliza maswali.
A righteous man accuses himself at the beginning of his speech, but when he has entered upon the attack, the adversary is reproved.
18 Kupiga kura hukomesha mashindano na kutenganisha wapinzani wakuu wanaopingana.
A silent [man] quells strifes, and determines between great powers.
19 Ndugu aliyechukizwa ni mgumu kuridhika kuliko mji uliozungushiwa ngome, nayo mabishano ni kama malango ya ngome yenye makomeo.
A brother helped by a brother is as a strong and high city; and is [as] strong as a [well]-founded palace.
20 Tumbo la mtu litajaa kutokana na tunda la kinywa chake, atashibishwa mavuno yanayotokana na midomo yake.
A man fills his belly with the fruits of his mouth; and he shall be satisfied with the fruits of his lips.
21 Mauti na uzima viko katika uwezo wa ulimi, nao waupendao watakula matunda yake.
Life and death are in the power of the tongue; and they that rule it shall eat the fruits thereof.
22 Apataye mke apata kitu chema naye ajipatia kibali kwa Bwana.
He that has found a good wife has found favours, and has received gladness from God. [He that puts away a good wife, puts away a good thing, and he that keeps an adulteress is foolish and ungodly.]
23 Mtu maskini huomba kuhurumiwa bali tajiri hujibu kwa ukali.
24 Mtu mwenye marafiki wengi wanaweza kumharibu, bali yuko rafiki aambatanaye na mtu kwa karibu kuliko ndugu.
