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“To the white horse the zebra said, "I am white too," and to the black horse, "I am really black."”

A two-faced person tells each side what it wants to hear, changing their story depending on the audience.

— Traditional Namibia Wisdom, Namibia

Source: Traditional Namibia proverb, public-domain oral tradition

More about Traditional Namibia Wisdom →·More Proverbs from Namibia →

More Proverbs from Namibia

Omake ye kohasana.

“Each hand washes the other.”

Mutual help benefits both sides; people who assist each other both come out ahead.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Otjiherero (Herero) proverb, Namibia, public-domain oral tradition, cited in The Namibian, "A refreshing take on Otjiherero through proverbs and idioms"

Tenga u tengwe.

“Respect, to be respected.”

A person who wants to be honored by others must first show honor and respect to them.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Otjiherero (Herero) proverb, Namibia, public-domain oral tradition, cited in The Namibian, "A refreshing take on Otjiherero through proverbs and idioms"

Tji tji he ri otjoye katjoye.

“What is yours is not yours.”

Property that belongs to someone else must never be taken, no matter how much you want it; do not steal.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Otjiherero (Herero) proverb, Namibia, public-domain oral tradition, cited in The Namibian, "A refreshing take on Otjiherero through proverbs and idioms"

“The turtle has compassion, but no milk.”

Good intentions alone are not enough; sometimes the will to help exists without the means to actually help.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Otjiherero (Herero) proverb, Namibia, public-domain oral tradition

“The earth is the queen of all beds.”

In the end, everyone returns to the earth; no resting place is grander or more certain than the grave.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Nama (Khoekhoegowab) proverb, Namibia, public-domain oral tradition

“Old people's speech is not to be dishonored — after all, they saw the sun first.”

The words of elders deserve respect, since their longer experience of life gives them wisdom the young have not yet earned.

Traditional Namibia Wisdom

Source: Traditional San (Bushman) proverb, shared regional heritage across Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Angola and Zimbabwe, public-domain oral tradition

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