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Shona Definition
Kuvimbiswa kuti uchapiwa chinhu hazvirevi kuti watochipiwa. Unganzi ndichakupa zvikangogumira mukutaura. Asi kana wazoona ruoko rwatandavadzwa wobva waziva kuti chinhu chiya chasvika zvechokwadi.
English Translation
It is the hand that actually gives; the mouth only promises. A pledge counts for nothing until the hand is stretched out and the thing is really in your possession.
Cultural Context
“Said to caution that promises are not to be relied on until something is actually handed over, since actions carry more weight than words.”
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This is a variant of
Chinogova ruoko / muromo haugoviSharing is done by the hand; the mouth has nothing to hand out.