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Proverbs

A watched pot never boils

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Updated 5mo ago
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View this proverb in Swahili
Sufuria ikiangaliwa haichemki
Have you ever noticed that time seems to pass more slowly when you are waiting for something? On the other hand, if you distract yourself with other engaging activities, time goes by quickly.

For example, if you're in a waiting room for a doctor, the wait will seem shorter if you check your phone or read a magazine, rather than just waiting for your name being called.

This proverb was attributed by Benjamin Franklin to Poor Richard's Almanac, however it doesn't actually appear there. Instead, Franklin used it in an essay on animal magnetism in 1785.

I was very Hungry; it was so late; “a watched pot is slow to boil,” as Poor Richard says.

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Compare this simple, humble basket of fruit with a bag of lollipops. The fruit is ripe, juicy, packed full of vitamins -- it just sells itself. The lollipops, on the other hand, scream for our attention with explosive slogans and neon colors. But underneath the shiny packaging, it's really just plain sugar with some food coloring and artificial flavors.

Like other primates, humans find fruit attractive because it gives us energy and nutrition. Candy gives us energy, but it doesn't give us real nutrition. It just does a very clever job pretending to be fruit. Don't fall for it!

A good thing doesn't need to advertise, because quality speaks for itself. As the economists would say, demand exceeds supply.  Many advertisements seems to promise us happiness, beauty, love, wealth or respect. But ask yourself, does the ad promise more than the product can really deliver? Coca-Cola isn't a love potion.

This proverb reminds us of the enduring value of true quality and competence over flashy appearances. It's often used to express skepticism about a person who brags or praises themselves excessively.

We should all strive to be more like the basket of fruit: simple, authentic and good. These qualities will draw other people to you — at least the kind of people who understand that “chema chajiuza, kibaya chajitembeza

Related proverbs:
Don't judge a book by its cover.
Appearances are deceiving.
All that glitters is not gold 
 高嶺の花  Hana yori dango - Dumplings over flowers

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Updated 5mo ago
by
by Nankya Sauda 🇺🇬
🏆 Proverb Essay Contest 
🥇 First Place Winner

Still waters run deep

Ever taken time to wonder why the elderly will always live to be wiser than the young? Have you ever taken time to meditate on where your origin sprouts from? If not, it is high time you started looking for your origin because it is important for one to know their roots. 
 Over time, you take the burden to unveil the nature of famous geniuses and their personalities, you will come to realize that they are celebrated introverts.  It is important that one takes off some time their busy schedule and read about some of the top celebrated geniuses like Albert Einstein , the famous scientist from whom we derive one of the most educative quotes;
The monotony and solitude of a quiet life stimulates the creative mind.”

This highlights that time spent alone does not only provide one with space for self-reflection but also gives space to someone to use their mind creatively. Great talkers are great are great lawyers they say, and we have seen this happening during our daily routine where people make empty promises, make false declarations to please those around them but may never take time off to do something in a bid to realize their words. Because of that, many have ended up losing trust in these so called great talkers.
     On the other hand however, silent people have always blown our minds with their actions. Their moves are always calculated, their ambitions clear and their actions intentional. Romantic lovers in a relationship are always spicing up their relationships with new inventions to keep their love blooming. Those that have employed or stayed around introverts can justify that staying around these people has been one of the greatest achievements in their lives, for these have always worked  smarter, had critical thinking sessions in their alone time and eventually produced the best results and the biggest promotions.
     Literally, we can loosely define proverbs as traditional sayings that are particular to a particular country. They are short and wise sayings that usually offer advice as well as boost an idea in relation to the day to day life.  In fact, for one to have a clear and elaborate understanding of cultural norms and practices, it is wise that they always make a reference to proverbs since they can have an elaborate meaning beneath them.
     Historically, the proverb “STILL WATER RUNS DEEP” draws its origin from the ancient times in Latin. It became popular after Shakespeare used it in his play Henry vi in 1590. He said;
“Smooth runs the water where the brook is deep”

We realize that, in some instances the most dangerous people with the wickedest hearts have always calculated their moves and taken action at a time everyone least expects them to. That is why betrayals come from people we least expect them from. It is therefore crucial for someone to not only take what the eyes meet but also take caution especially from people who do not retaliate immediately after they have been provoked or confronted.
     Albert Einstein despite his introverted character, he his famously known for devising his theory of relativity which revolutionized our understanding of space, time, gravity and the universe.
     Conclusively, it is very important  not to draw conclusions just because looks are deceptive and there is always more to know and discover than the eyes can see.
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Kuna vitu ambavyo huwezi kufanya peke yako. Tango ni mchezo (densi) ya watu wawili, kwa hivyo huwezi kucheza tango peke yako.

Methali hii inatoka wimbo ulioimbwa 1952, It Takes Two to Tango:
Unaweza kusafiri kwa meli peke yako,
kulala au kupumzika peke yako.
Unaweza kuingia kwenye deni peke yako.
Kuna mambo mengi ambayo unaweza kufanya peke yako.
Lakini ni lazima muwe wawili ili kucheza tango, muwe wawili ili kucheza tango...
- It Takes Two to Tango (1952, Al Hoffman, Dick Manning na Pearl Bailey) Ona vyanzo/sources ili kusikiliza wimbo huu!

Methali hii ina maana nyingi tofauti ambazo unaweza kutekeleza katika mahusiano na maisha yako ya kila siku. Mambo mengi huhitaji watu zaidi ya mmoja: Wawili wanatakiwa ili kushirikiana, kufanya biashara ama kupigana. Ukitaka kucheza na mtu ambaye hataki kucheza na wewe, bora kumtafuta mchezaji mwengine.. Vivyo hivyo, ukiwa kwenye mgogoro au magomvi, itabidi ufikirie jinsi tabia yako inavyoweza kuchangia katika kuendeleza shida. katika dance, lengo si kuwa mkamilifu, bali ni kuendana na mwenzako na kufurahia pamoja.
Methali zinazofanana kutoka Afrika: 
Kimisri (Kiarabu): 
ايد لوحدها ماتسقفش‎
Mkono mmoja hauwezi kupiga makofi
Kiswahili:
Bila mtu wa pili ugomvi hauanzi
Kidole kimoja hakiuwi chawa
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Updated 5mo ago
by
Maana yake, afadhali kuridhika na ulicho nacho, badala ya kuiweka hatarini kwa ajili ya kupata kitu kubwa zaidi.

 Methali hii ni ya zamani sana. Chanzo cha methali hii ni kitabu cha kale kiitwacho  "Hadithi ya Ahikar." (Kinajulikana pia kama "Methali za Ahiqar.")
Mwanangu, mguu wa kondoo katika mkono wako mwenyewe ni bora kuliko bega zima katika mkono wa mwengine; Afadhali kondoo mdogo aliye karibu na wee kuliko ng'ombe aliye mbali; Afadhali shomoro aliyeshikwa mkononi kuliko ndege elfu warukao angani; vazi ulilo nalo ni afadhali kuliko vazi la zambarau usiloliona.
- Hadithi ya Ahikar (ukurasa wa 110)
Kitabu hiki kinasimulia hadithi ya mshauri wa wafalme wa kale wa Ashuru na Misri. Inadhaniwa kuwa hadithi hii ilitungwa takribani 600 KK, na kuna nakala iliyochapishwa mwaka wa 500 KK. 

Methali karibu na hii kutoka nchi mbalimbali:
French:
Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras
'Shika-hii-hapa" moja ina thamana kuliko 'nitakuletea-baadaye' mbili
Japanese
明日の百より今日の五十
Hamsini leo ni bora kuliko mia kesho
Italian
Meglio un uovo oggi che una gallina domani
Bora yai leo kuliko kuku kesho

Mnaonaje -- methali hii ni ushauri mzuri? Ni bora kuridhika na kitu kinachopatikana kwa hakika, ama kutafuta kitu bora zaidi kisicho na hakika?
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Updated 5mo ago
by