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Shona Definition
Demo richitema rinoita ruzha zvokuti rinokoka vanhu romene. Asi banga richicheka hapana angarinzwa kunze kwokuti anenge audziwa. Munhu ane hana isingagoni kuchengeta zvinhu haakokiwi kuzvinhu zvinodyiwa muchivande, anotowana zviya zvaparuzhinji chete.
English Translation
An axe is noisy and cannot be used in secret, whereas a knife cuts silently and no one knows unless told. In the same way, a person who cannot hold his tongue is only ever included in what is done openly, never in private dealings.
Cultural Context
“Said of a talkative person who is deliberately left out of confidential affairs.”
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This is a variant of
Kurebesa muromo unodya chedemo / chebanga hauchiwaniTalk too loudly and too much and the only food you will get is what was hacked off with an axe, never what was cut with a knife.