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Chagamba kamwe / hachikanirwi

Shona Definition

Kana munhu akatadza kekutanga akafanira kuregererwa asi kana akazopamhazve kuita mhosva iyeyo angazotongwa.

English Translation

A thing that happens only once is not worth quarrelling over; a first offence should be pardoned. It is the repeat of the same fault that deserves punishment.

Cultural Context

“Quoted by a judge or by the wronged party when an offender admits the fault and apologises.”

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This is a variant of

Potsi haarwirwi / tinorwira piri

Nobody quarrels over the first one; the fighting starts over the second. The first of something is taken for granted, while what comes after is contested.