Zambian proverbs

[onlyMark]

Just as a start, to get you thinking. Bear in mind these are traditional ones, but may not be so agreed with nowadays. I suspect they mostly are though ----

You can lie to a woman but not to your travelling companion; you will sooner or later get exposed.

Only your wife can take good care of you; therefore, when you visit another man’s home do not expect to be taken care of in the same way that the owner of the house is taken care of, you may just cause problems in that home.

You can trust your brother, your father, your mother, but never your wife.

A woman without teeth shall be left to the lions.

Beat your wife regularly; if you don't know why, she will.

A fat woman warms the night better than a strong fire.

He who listened to the woman suffered famine at harvest time.

[bixaorellana]

Good grief -- it's the whole "Eve made Adam eat the apple" all over again!

[bjd]

While the women do the work, the men think up useless proverbs.

[bixaorellana]

That's a good proverb right there, Bjd!

[mossie]

A woman, a dog and a walnut tree,

The more that you beat them

The better will they be

[questa]

Man may work till the setting sun,
but a Woman's work is never done.

[onlyMark]

Always work for a cause; not for applause.

Do not strive to make your presence noticed; just make your absence felt.

If you buy things you do not need, soon you will have to sell things you need.

Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.

Never test the depth of a river with both feet.

Honesty is a very expensive gift. Do not expect it from cheap people.

Empty pockets teach you a million things in life but full pockets spoil you in a million ways.

Our eyes are in the front because it is more important to look ahead than to look back.

Being in a relationship with no plans of getting married is like advertising what you are not selling.

[kerouac2]

There was also this thread long ago.

[onlyMark]

It was long ago for sure. I certainly don't remember it. Good find.

I've been asking around for sayings and I write them down but often they aren't quite translated well when they try and tell me in English. I then have to go on the internet to find what is a more accurate version. For example, The best version I can find of one that I didn't really understand was, "Two thighs will always rub together". I can guess at the meaning, but I'd never be sure until I heard it being used and the context.

My favourite so far is - "If you are ugly, know how to dance."