Kuraira kuuya ndokwomuromo, kweshamhu kwakapa musimbwa
Advice is provided by the mouth, the stick results in disobedience.
Tsanagudzo
Kupa mwana mazano akanaka amagariro muupenyu nenzira yehasha nokurova hakuwanzi kumuvaka chimiro chine hunhu hwakanaka, kunozvara hasha maari.
What the Words Say
Advice is provided by the mouth, the stick results in disobedience.
What It Means
Communicating instructively is more effective that beating a child or advising in anger
Cultural Context
Often times, and particularly with children, the process of imparting wisdom and good character can be made more complicated by the difficulty of the lesson or stubbornness of the learner. Some may resort to beating the child in hope that the child may realize the importance of the lesson. Others may then communicate in anger or frustration. However this does not always lead to the child understanding or obeying. In fact our elders observed that in fact it may teach the child that violence or anger is a resort to when all else fail. Hence the lesson is that it is better to provide advice in a calm manner, to lead by example and communicate instructively with the learner.
How It's Used
The proverb is used to advise parents or guardians that developing positive qualities in their children is best done without beating them or harsh words but rather by communicating instructively.