Shona

Kurava mbudzi nedzisipo, kurava nedzava matovo.

Counting absent goats means counting even dead ones.

Tsanagudzo

Munhu ngaasavimba nechinhu chinenge chisiri paari nekuti chinogona kuva chakapera kana kufa.

What the Words Say

Counting absent goats means counting even dead ones.

What It Means

Taking account of something which is not present you may be reckoning with one which no longer exists.