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Shona Definition
Kana pasvika panguva yebasa kana nguva yokuita chimwe chinhu hazvibatsiri kuverenga navaya vasingagoni kuchiita nokuti vanongova zviwanzahuruva.
English Translation
Do not count shrews in with the mice. When a hard job has to be done, there is no point in numbering among your helpers those who can contribute nothing of substance.
Cultural Context
“Used of counting on helpers who are of no real use, as a mother would not reckon on the baby in her arms in a quarrel with a neighbour.”
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This is a variant of
Usaverenga mbeva nemiswe (yadzo)When you tally up mice, leave the tails out of the reckoning.