Chinogova ruoko, muromo haugovi; Muromo haupi chinopa maoko
What gives is the hand and not the mouth. The mouth does not give, what gives are the hands.
Tsanagudzo
Munhu anozobvuma kuti apiwa chinhu kana chava mumaoko ake kwete zvekuvimbiswa kuti achapiwa chinhu. Vimbiso inogona kusazozadzikiswa.
What the Words Say
What gives is the hand and not the mouth. The mouth does not give, what gives are the hands.
What It Means
One must not always trust or rely on promises but rather on actions.
Cultural Context
The proverb uses a straight forward example of the practicality of giving. Whether it is modern or traditional times, regardless of how many promises one makes, it is not their mouth that will eventually do the giving. There must be an act that results in the actual giving and this usually involves the hands. This could be the actual placing of a gift in one’s hands or the signing of a cheque or typing in account details for a transfer. Either way the key observation made by our ancestors is that the mouth simply makes the promise but the giving itself requires action.
How It's Used
The proverb is used as strong rebuttal to someone who promises to do something or to someone who is relying on a promise made to them. It can also be used to encourage people not to make empty promises but to act on the promises.